Seasonal and spatial variation in bioaccumulation of heavy metals in two commercial fish species from river jhelum of kashmir valley

The concentrations of heavy metals copper, zinc, lead and iron were measured in the liver, gills and muscles of two fresh water fish species captured from six sampling sites in four different seasons along the course of river Jhelum, Kashmir, India. The levels of heavy metals varied significantly among fish species, seasons, sites and organs. As expected, muscle tissue was found to accumulate lowest concentrations of all heavy metals. In most of the studied fish samples, liver was found as the main target organ for heavy metal accumulation. Inter and intra specific variation of heavy metals was interpreted for the contribution of potential factors that were found to affect heavy metals uptake, size and weight, geographical distribution and species-specific factors. Generally recorded heavy metal concentrations were found well below the permissible limit of FAO/WHO, 1982. The concentration of heavy metals in fish muscle tissue was found significant but safe for human consumption.