Metal concentrations in the commercially exploited fishes of an endorheic saline lake in the tin-silver province of Bolivia

Abstract

Abstract. Whole carcass and tissue (skin, muscle, bone, liver) concentrations of twelve metals in two species of fish, the Argentinian pejerrey, Basilichthys bonariensis Cuvier, and the killifish, Orestias luteus Valenciennes, from Lago Poopo, Bolivia were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Although a similar pattern of metal uptake was apparent in both species, levels of all metals other than antimony were higher in Orestias than in pejerrey. There was no significant difference (P < 0·05) between large and small fish in the levels of metals in the tissues examined. Concentrations of most metals were highest in bone and skin samples and lowest in muscle. The levels of almost all metals were high when compared with recent North American and European studies. The results are discussed briefly in terms of the geology, mining activities and climate in the area, the unusually high salinities in the lake, and possible differences in feeding niche of the two species. Human health implications are also considered.