Some Regularities of Mercury Accumulation in the Muscles of Freshwater Fish
The Volga river basin is characterized by a high degree of industrial development and the presence of natural sources of mercury. The 400 issue samples of the main species of commercial fish were collected. The analysis of the selected material was carried out by the method of atomic absorption with “cold steam.” The levels of mercury accumulation in the muscles and caviar of the main species of commercial fish were estimated. The graphs of the distribution of mercury concentration in the muscles of roach, bream, walleye, pike, and perch depending on the area of fish caught are given. The dependence of mercury accumulation in the muscles of perch, bream and pike on the mass of fish in the absence of human-made impact was estimated. The concentration of mercury in the fish eggs is minimal and does not depend on the concentration of mercury in fish muscles. It is shown that the maximum concentration of mercury in fish muscles is typical for the Rybinsk reservoir, and the minimum is for the upper Volga. It was found that the concentration of mercury in the muscles of perch with a high degree of confidence is directly proportional to the weight, in the muscles of pike-inversely proportional to the weight of the fish. For bream, dependence is not detected.
