EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS ON FISH

Heavy metals are matters that form the most dangerous side of chemical water pollution due to their ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify and can not be eliminated from the body by metabolic activites. In this study literature is reviewed by examining studies on general characteristics and sources, uptake by fish, concentration evaluations and effects on fish and other aquatic organisms of heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, manganese, nickel, iron and lead. Studies examined showed that heavy metals cause severe damage on fish thus endanger fish health and ecosystem and constitute respectable risks for human health via consumption of heavy metal contaminated fish