Abstract

Heavy metal pollution of waters is a major environmental problem. Due to their toxicity, long persistence, bioaccumulative and nonbiodegradable properties in the food chain, heavy metals constitute a core group of aquatic pollutants. Capoeta trutta is an economically important fish and the object of significant commercial fishery in the Munzur River. Levels of Cu were measured in samples of the muscle, gill and liver tissues of C. trutta from Munzur River. In liver copper levels were higher at Station I (6.15 mg kg^-1) polluted by domestic waste than Station II (5.48 mg kg^-1) (P<0.05). The highest copper level (7.25 mg kg^-1) was measured in muscle tissue at Station II. There was found no statically differences between stations in gill and muscle (P>0.05). It is suggested that ecological condition of freshwater fish and contamination levels in Munzur River must be regularly monitored.

Key words: Munzur River, copper, Capoeta trutta, domestic sewage