Cadmium and zinc content of fish from an industrially contaminated lake

Abstract

Eleven species of fish from an industrially‐contaminated lake were analysed for whole body cadmium and zinc content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Cadmium and zinc content of fish were species related, and most species accumulated these trace metals to levels significantly higher than background. Maximum concentrations detected were 13.60 μg Cd g −1 (dry wt) in a bluegill and 820 μg Zn g −1 in a redear sunfish. Cadmium content was much more variable than zinc content. Distributions of concentrations of both cadmium and zinc in fish were lognormal, and concentrations of both metals tended to decrease in higher trophic levels. Zinc concentrations significantly decreased as total length increased in three species.