Content of metals in flounder, Platichthys flesus L., and Baltic herring, Clupea harengus membras L., from the southern Baltic Sea

Selected metal concentrations in the muscles, liver, and kidney of flounder, Platichthys flesus L., and Baltic herring, Clupea harengus membras L., from the southern Baltic Sea were measured, and the relationships between the fish species and the metal concentrations in the organs and muscles were analyzed. The metal concentrations found in tissues varied as follows: Al - 0.73-5.78; Cd - 0.004-1.035; Cu - 0.1-18.5; Fe - 1.54-301.02; Hg - 0.015-0.084, Li - <0.001-0.044; Mn - 0.07-1.06; Ni - <0.01-0.31; Pb - <0.001-0.221; Zn - 3.19-44.60 mg kg^-1 wet weight. This research showed that the metal concentrations in the muscles of the investigated fish species were lower than the maximum levels set by EU legislation.