Abstract
Research objective was to identify the specific features of distribution of microelements (zink, manganese, lead, cadmium) in organs and tissues of black-backed shad Alosa kessleri kessleri (Grimm, 1887) and Dolginsky herring Alosa braschnikowii braschnikowii (Borodin, 1904) caught in the Caspian Sea. Accumulated in the tissues and organs of fish in concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible limits, heavy metals pose a danger to human health. Sampling was carried out by the standard techniques, definition of minerals was made by method of atomic and absorbing spectroscopy using an atomic and absorbing spectrometer with electrothermal atomization of MGA-915 MD. The analysis of the obtained data showed that distribution of minerals in the organs and tissues of the studied herring species had a similar pattern: the highest concentrations of minerals were registered in the gills and liver, the smallest - in muscle tissue. In comparison with black-backed shad the organs and tissues of Dolginsky herring had higher concentrations of chemical elements. Zinc has been found to accumulate mainly in the liver; manganese, lead and cadmium - in the gills. Accumulation of zinc, cadmium and lead in the studied bodies and tissues of fishes exceeded acceptable level.