Abstract
The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in the muscle tissue and liver of chub Squalius platyceps, barbel Barbus prespensis and nase Chondrostoma vardarense were determined. These three species are among the most widely consumed by local people in the wide Vjosa Basin. Prior to this study, no research had been conducted on heavy metal bioaccumulation in the Vjosa River ecosystem. This research also intends to address the potential health risks for the local population consuming fish resources. The fish species were sampled between the Petran and Kelcyra sites during spring and autumn 2024, with analyses conducted on the concentrations of six heavy metals in muscle tissue and liver. Two instrumental techniques were used for these analyses: atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 30.