[Studies on mercury content of fishes from the Regnitz River in relation to species, length, bodyweight and age (author's transl)]

Abstract

A large number of different species of fresh-water fish caught out of a certain part of the Regnitz River were tested by atom-absorption-spectroscopy for organic Mercury remains in muscular system and interior organs. The calculation of the data by computer showed positive, negative or no correlations between the Mercury content of the muscles and the biological data length, weight and age. In the course of the inquiry it appeared that fish having very similar habits showed considerable differences in contamination of Mercury, while species of fish having absolutely different habits showed almost similar Mercury contents. These contrary results are explained by a different affinity of each species of fish to a given equivalent Mercury contamination of the water. This affinity is basing on the different accumulation or excretion of organic Mercury compounds despite of similar great absorption. Considering this different affinity some species of fresh-water fish could be used as indicators of Mercury contamination in running waters.