LEVELS OF HEAVY-METALS (CD, CU, HG, NI, PB, ZN) IN BROOK TROUTS FROM THE RIVER LEINE IN THE AREA OF GOTTINGEN (WEST-GERMANY)

In order to evaluate the load of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) imposed on the River Leine by the city of Göttingen (medium-sized town) the content of heavy metals in fish samples (which had been collected at two points on the River Leine, upstream, respectively downstream of Göttingen - Fig. 1) were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Analysis of heavy metals in brook trout (total fish, flesh, and liver) showed a statistically significant definite increase in some heavy metals, caused by the sewage from the city of Göttingen. In the flesh only Cd in the liver Cd, Hg and Zn and in the total fish Cd, Cu and Zn had been increased significantly. All the values of heavy metals in the flesh were lower than the suggested maximum allowable concentrations. © 1979 J. F. Bergmann Verlag.