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¹ University of Montenegro, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Biology Department, Podgorica, Montenegro
² Center for Ecotoxicological Research (CETI), Podgorica, Montenegro DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v18_5_01 Viewed : 7589 - Downloaded : 4362 Concentrations of eleven trace elements (Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Cr, Ni, Co, Hg, Pb, Cd and As) as well as the principal components of fish flesh (water%, dry matter%, fat%, protein%, ash% and Ca and Mg concentration) were determined in muscles of six fish species (Scardinus knezevici, Alburnus scoranza, Cyprinus carpio, Rutilus prespensis, Anguilla anguilla and Perca fluviatilis) collected from Skadar Lake in 2016. This study, being the first of its kind in fish from Montenegrin lakes, gave the following overall ranking of the investigated elements in fish muscle: Zn > Fe > Mn > Cu > Hg > Cr > As > Ni > Pb > Cd. Several significant inter-metal correlations were observed, while significant relationships between metal concentrations and fish age and size were established predominantly for essential elements. Significant inter-species differences in accumulation of analyzed trace elements were confirmed for Zn, Mn, Fe and As. The total metal accumulation was the highest in roach and the lowest in perch, while European eel was found to accumulate more arsenic than other fish species. The consumption of fish from Skadar Lake doesn`t pose a risk to human health. Keywords : Bioaccumulation, heavy metals, fish muscle, pollution, Skadar Lake