Trace elements and organochlorine pollutants in selected fish species from Lake Phewa,Nepal

Lake water and fish livers and gills of sahar (Tor putitora), spiny eel (Mastacembelus armatus), African magur (Clarias gariepinus), and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Lake Phewa, Nepal, were assessed for the concentrations of trace metals/elements and persistent organic pollutants. The lake water was neutral with low ionic and metallic concentrations as compared to high-altitude lakes of Nepal. The four elements Cu, Zn, Se, and Cd had highest concentrations in livers, indicating uptake from diet, whereas four other metallic elements Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb had highest concentrations in gills, indicating uptake from lake water. O. niloticus tended to have most of trace metals in the liver at higher concentrations than the other species but significant differences among the different species were found only for Mn, Ni, and Zn in the gills. A pilot study on the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in muscle revealed that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and related compounds were the dominant organochlorine pesticides, having highest concentrations in C. gariepinus and lowest in O. niloticus.     

Neurotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by permethrin in gills of the freshwater mussel Unio ravoisieri

Pyrethroids are contaminants found in the aquatic environment, and their toxicological effects on aquatic organisms have received extensive attention. However, the impact on freshwater bivalve of exposure to these chemicals is still largely unknown. Freshwater mussels Unio ravoisieri were exposed to two nominal permethrin (PM) concentrations C1?=?50?µg/L and C2?=?100?µg/L during 7 days. The measured concentrations of PM using gas chromatography (GC/ECD) in the treated aquariums were, respectively, 28.7–62.3?µg/L. Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, Glutatione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in gills of U. ravoisieri. Significant increase in CAT activity by the lowest concentration and decrease by highest concentration were observed. Additionally, GST activity was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, statistically significant decrease in GSH levels (about 39%) was observed only at high concentration of this compound (100?µg/L). PM generated an increase in MDA levels reaching the highest value at the high concentration. AChE activity of mussel ranging from 51% inhibition at lowest concentration 50?µg/L to 89% inhibition at highest concentration 100?µg/L. The results indicated that oxidative stress and cell damage might be one of the main mechanisms of PM toxicity to freshwater mussels.     

镉胁迫对不同镉富集能力海水养殖贝类抗氧化能力的影响——以扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔为例

为研究具有不同镉(Cd)富集能力的扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔在相同镉胁迫环境下的抗氧化能力反应的差异,将2种贝类于0.05mg·L-1Cd环境中暴露10 d,分别于第0天、2天、4天、6天、8天、10天分别取样检测内脏团中SOD、CAT、GPx、GST酶活性和GSH含量,同时分析内脏团中Cd的含量。结果表明,对于Cd胁迫组,扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔内脏团中SOD和CAT酶活反应相似,均呈先被诱导后被抑制的规律,且2种贝类的SOD和CAT活性差异较小。2种贝类内脏团中GSH含量、GST和GPx活性变化差异较大:扇贝内脏团中GSH含量显著降低(p0.05),GST和GPx活性均在第2天和第4天时处于显著诱导状态(p0.05),从第6天时处于抑制状态,而菲律宾蛤仔内脏团中GSH含量、GST和GPx活性在Cd暴露期间无显著变化,且2种贝类间比较,扇贝内脏团中GSH含量和GST活性在整个实验期间始终显著高于菲律宾蛤仔(p0.05),GPx活性从第4天开始高于菲律宾蛤仔;对于无镉污染的对照组,扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔内脏团中SOD、CAT和GPx活性无显著差异,但扇贝内脏团中GSH含量和GST活性显著高于菲律宾蛤仔,其中前者GSH含量约为后者的22倍。研究同时表明在相同镉环境下扇贝内脏团对Cd的富集浓度和富集速率均远高于菲律宾蛤仔。本研究明确了2种贝类在相同镉环境下的抗氧化反应的差异,推断出扇贝内脏团中高含量的GSH以及较高的GST和GPx活性可能在扇贝高富集、高耐受Cd方面起重要作用。     

Histopathological impact of industrial wastewater on the vital organs of Oreochromis mossambicus

The acute toxicity of paper mill wastewater to Oreochromis mossambicus was investigated with the lethal concentration (LC50) value 6.5% for 96?h exposure. This concentration was used as a baseline to study the effects of paper mill effluent on histopathological changes in gills, liver, kidney, and brain of fish. In the gills, filament cell proliferation, cellular infiltration, hemorrhage, and epithelial lifting were observed. In the liver, vacuolation of hepatocytes and necrosis were noted. In kidney, exfoliation and swollen with pyknotic nuclei were identified. Similarly, the brain also showed enlarged pyramidal cells, binucleated nuclei, vacoulation, and necrosis. These changes occurred predominantly in 21days following exposure of fish to the industrial waste water. Paper mill wastewater was found to be highly toxic to fish.     

Effects of subchronic exposure to carbofuran on antioxidant defence system and malondialdehyde levels in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The present study focused on the assessment of oxidative stress induction by pesticides such as carbamates which are widely used as insecticides and nematicides and contaminate aquatic ecosystems on certain biomarkers in liver of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Biomarkers selected for stress monitoring were malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defence system enzymes, mainly catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities in liver of fish exposed to 0, 10, 50, or 100?µg?L^?1 of carbofuran for 4, 15, or 30 days. Oxidative stress was found in liver of common carp exposed to carbofuran which was manifested by a decrease in CAT and GR activities after 4 and 30 days of exposure. An adaptive response was probably produced since at day 15 no modifications in the CAT activity and increased GR activity were observed. In addition, a decrease in MDA content with the highest concentration of carbofuran used was found after 30 days of exposure. However, no significant changes were found in GST activity showing a varied response. The results concerning oxidative and antioxidant profiles indicate that subchronic exposure to the insecticide carbofuran is capable of inducing oxidative stress in fish.     

十溴二苯乙烷对草鱼幼鱼肝脏和肌肉组织氧化应激效应的影响

十溴二苯乙烷(DBDPE)是目前在全球范围内广泛使用的新型溴代阻燃剂,其环境风险已引起广泛关注,但目前仍缺乏针对水生生物的毒性研究数据。作者通过饲料中添加十溴二苯乙烷暴露的方式对草鱼幼鱼进行长期暴露实验,研究500、1 000和3 000 mg·kg~(-1)三个饲料添加剂量暴露组和1个对照组长期暴露对草鱼幼鱼肝脏和肌肉组织中氧化应激酶(SOD、CAT和GSH-PX)活性和抗氧化物质(GSH)含量的影响。结果显示:暴露8周后,随着DBDPE暴露水平的升高,草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织中氧化应激酶(SOD、CAT和GSH-PX)和抗氧化物质(GSH)均表现出低浓度诱导及高浓度抑制的效应。500和1 000 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织中SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性和GSH含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05),且均在500 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组达到最高。3 000 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性和GSH含量低于500和1 000 mg·kg~(-1)暴露组,但与对照组无显著性差异(P0.05)。草鱼幼鱼肌肉组织中氧化应激酶活性变化甚微,3个浓度剂量组肌肉组织中SOD、CAT活性和GSH含量以及500 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组GSH-PX活性与对照组均无显著性差异(P0.05)。研究成果表明DBDPE暴露影响草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织的抗氧化防御系统,可以诱导草鱼幼鱼产生氧化应激效应。     

Gill and intestinal Na+-K+ ATPase activity, and estimated maximal osmoregulatory costs, in three high-energy-demand teleosts: yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), and dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus)

We hypothesize that the morpho-physiological adaptations that permit tunas to achieve maximum metabolic rates (MMR) that are more than double those of other active fishes should result in high water and ion flux rates across the gills and concomitant high osmoregulatory costs. The high standard metabolic rates (SMR) of tunas and dolphin fish may, therefore, be due to the elevated rates of energy expenditure for osmoregulation (i.e. teleosts capable of achieving exceptionally high MMR necessarily have SMR). Previous investigators have suggested a link between activity patterns and osmoregulatory costs based on Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity in the gills of active epipelagic and sluggish deep-sea fishes. Based on these observations, we conclude that high-energy-demand fishes (i.e. tunas and dolphin fish) should have exceptionally elevated gill and intestinal Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity reflecting their elevated rates of salt and water transfer. To test this idea and estimate osmoregulatory costs, we measured Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity (V _max) in homogenates of frozen samples taken from the gills and intestines of skipjack and yellowfin tunas, and the gills of dolphin fish. As a check of our procedures, we made similar measurements using tissues from hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus ×O. niloticus). Contrary to our supposition, we found no difference in Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity per unit mass of gill or intestine in these four species. We estimate the cost of osmoregulation to be at most 9% and 13% of the SMR in skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna, respectively. Our results, therefore, do not support either of our original suppositions, and the cause(s) underlying the high SMR of tunas and dolphin fish remain unexplained. Received: 7 September 2000 / Accepted: 4 December 2000     

Effects of cadmium on metallothionein and histology in gills of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different salinities

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sublethal cadmium concentrations on the levels of cadmium, metallothionein (MT) and histological changes in gills of East Java strain tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different salinity levels. The levels of cadmium in control gills were not significantly different at 0, 5 and 10 practical salinity unit (PSU). The cadmium concentrations in gills of cadmium-exposed fish were significantly higher at 0 PSU than at 5, 10 and 15 PSU. The MT concentrations in control gills were not significantly different at 0, 5, and 10 PSU. The MT concentrations of cadmium-exposed fish were significantly higher than those in respective control groups at 0, 5 and 10 PSU. Significant gill damage occurred in fish exposed to cadmium at lower salinity. The epithelial lifting was noted at gills of fish exposed to 2.5 mg/L of cadmium at 0 PSU, and telangiectasis was observed at gills exposed to 5 mg/L of cadmium at 0 PSU. The level of gill damage decreased with increasing salinity of media. The increased MT and histological changes in gills of our findings could be a protective response of animals to toxic effect of cadmium.     

A comparative study of the toxicity of lead and its impact on the carbohydrate metabolism and some haematological parameters of cichlid fish,oreochromis niloticus and catfish,clarius gariepinus from saudi arabia

Fresh and healthy specimens of Oreochromis niloticus (mean weight 70.5± 1.23 g and mean length, 12.3± 1.5cm) and Clarias gariepinus (mean weight, 41.8±2.3 g and mean length 13.78 ± 1.2 cm) were exposed to heavy metal lead, ranging in concentration from 10 to 18 mg L^‐1 for O. niloticus and 20 to 28 mg L^‐1 for C. gariepinus respectively. The 96 h LC₅₀ for both the species was computed as 12.45 mg L^‐1 (O. niloticus) and 22.65 mg L^‐1 (C. gariepinus). The cichlid fish was exposed to sublethal concentration of lead (2, 4 and 6 mgL^‐1) and catfish (4, 8 and 12 mgL^‐1). The erythrocytes count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and the value of serum glucose increased significantly (P < 0.01), whereas leucocytes count, serum protein and serum triglyceride after intoxication declined in both the species with the same pattern but in different quantity. After 96 h of time a significant depletion of muscle and liver glycogen was noted, being greater in muscle (16.7% in O. niloticus) and in liver (15.9% in C. gariepinus). The response of fish to lead was dose dependent.     

The usability of oxidative stress and detoxification biomarkers in Gammarus pulex for ecological risk assessment of textile dye methyl orange

The present study was undertaken to determine the toxicity of the methyl orange by using the changes of some antioxidant and detoxification enzyme activities in Gammarus pulex. Lethal Concentration (LC) value of Methyl Orange (MO) was determined. Three sublethal doses of MO (1/4; 1/8 and 1/16 of LC value) were exposed to G. pulex for 24 and 96?h. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P_X), Cytochrome p450 (CYP1A1), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities as well as Glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by using The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The CAT and CYP1A1 activities were decreased in all the groups exposed to different doses of MO. GST activity and GSH, MDA levels were increased all the groups exposed to different doses of MO. The GSH-P_X activities were changed in all the groups. MO affected SOD activity at different levels and in different concentrations. In our study, it has been found that exposure duration didn’t significantly affect the biochemical biomarkers except for GST and GSH. In conclusion, alterations in antioxidant and detoxification enzymes and lipid peroxidation may potentially be used as sensitive biomarkers for risk assessment of dyes in the environment and may contribute to the establishment of discharge regulations.     

Lindane toxicity range-finding test in Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) juvenile: note on histopathological alterations

The purpose of this study was to examine the sublethal and/or lethal effects produced by exposure of teleostean fish Solea senegalensis to γ isomer of lindane, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH). S. senegalensis was exposed to 0.1, 1 or 10 mg L^?1 of lindane for 96 h. Samples of different tissues (gills, liver and kidney) were extracted and processed for histopathological observations. The 72 h LC₅₀ value of pesticide was found to be 0.16 ± 0.04 mg L^?1 γ-HCH. Histological observations including aneurysms and hypertrophy of lamellar epithelia in gills, blood stagnation and vacuolization in liver and alterations in the hematopoietic tissue in kidney were observed. The results of the study show the sensitivity of juvenile of S. senegalensis to lindane and histology as a reliable tool to detect the sublethal effects of pollutants on the environment and aquatic biota. The toxicological implications arising from these results are the subject for further multi-concentration tests useful in establishing water quality criteria.     

乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼急性毒性及抗氧化酶活性的影响

为评价乙酸铜对银鲳的安全性及毒性效应,采用静水急性暴露实验,研究了8个乙酸铜浓度梯度(0、0.150、0.206、0.282、0.387、0.531、0.729、1.00 mg·L~(-1))对银鲳幼鱼的急性毒性,以肝脏和鳃组织的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶(GSH—PX)以及谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶(GST)活性为指标研究乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼的毒理作用,并进行安全评价。结果表明,高浓度乙酸铜会对银鲳幼鱼产生了较大的毒性,48 h和96 h-LC_(50)分别为0.898 mg·L~(-1)、0.264 mg·L~(-1),安全质量浓度为0.026 mg·L~(-1);不同浓度乙酸铜胁迫下银鲳幼鱼组织中的SOD、CAT、GSH-PX和GST活性均表现为低浓度被诱导而高浓度受抑制的规律,与乙酸铜浓度呈抛物线型剂量效应关系,此外,肝脏中4种抗氧化酶活性普遍高于鳃组织。研究发现,乙酸铜胁迫对抗氧化酶的影响,可以反映银鲳幼鱼机体的受损状况,其中SOD可较灵敏地指示早期低浓度的铜污染。     

Mercuric chloride induced proteotoxicity and structural destabilization in marine fish (Therapon jarbua)

The reaction byproducts derived from lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities were measured in tissues of marine fish (Therapon jarbua) exposed to mercuric chloride (HgCl) in water dispersions of 0.125 or 0.25 ppm. LPO was significantly increased in various tissues relative to control values after 96-h exposure. SOD and GPx activities significantly decreased after exposure to first two doses but significantly elevated CAT in Dose II kidney and liver tissues. The elevated levels of LPO, decreased activities of SOD and GPx, and increased CAT activities in all tissues examined in T. jarbua are an index of oxidative stress in fish. Structural analysis by scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the structural deformation in HgCl₂-exposed animals. These observations suggest that HgCl acts as a mediator in free radical generation. The increase in CAT and decrease in SOD and GPx activities in these tissues may be an adaptive response.     

Acclimation of Solea senegalensis to different ambient temperatures: implications for thyroidal status and osmoregulation

We have investigated the regulation of thyroidal status and osmoregulatory capacities in juveniles from the teleost Solea senegalensis acclimated to different ambient temperatures. Juveniles, raised in seawater at 19°C, were acclimated for 3 weeks to temperatures of 12, 19 and 26°C. Since our preliminary observations showed that at 12°C feed intake was suppressed, our experimental design controlled for this factor. The concentration of branchial Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, estimated by measurements of enzyme activity at the optimum temperature of this enzyme (37°C), did not change. In contrast, an increase in Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity (measured at 37°C), was observed in the kidney of 12°C-acclimated fish. In fish acclimated to 12°C, the hepatosomatic index had increased, which correlated with increased plasma levels of triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids. Plasma cortisol levels did not differ significantly between the experimental groups. In liver and gills, the amount of iodothyronine deiodinases that exhibit thyroid hormone outer ring deiodination was up-regulated only when fish did not feed. When assayed at the acclimation temperature, kidney deiodinase activities were similar, indicating a temperature-compensation strategy. 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) tissue concentrations in gills and kidney did not differ significantly between experimental groups. However, at 12°C, lower T3 tissue levels were measured in plasma and liver. We conclude that S. senegalensis adjusts its osmoregulatory system to compensate for the effects of temperature on electrolyte transport capacity. The organ-specific changes in thyroid hormone metabolism at different temperatures indicate the involvement of thyroid hormones in temperature acclimation.     

Influence of marine alga against mercury-induced biochemical changes,structural destabilization,and genotoxicity in marine tiger fish,Therapon jarbua

This study elucidated the protective role of alga against mercury (Hg)-induced toxicity in marine fish. Bath immersion with mercury chloride (HgCl) [0.125 and 0.25?ppm] in combination with the algal extract (3?ppm) to Therapon jarbua offered a significant protection against Hg only induced disturbed liver function, damaged histoarchitecture, elevated oxidative stress, and DNA fragmentation of tissues. Mercury exposure decreased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and the level of nonprotein-soluble thiol (NPSH, GSH), with a concomitant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the gill, kidneys, liver, and blood. Algal supplementation diminished the rise in TBARS restoring CAT, SOD, and GSH levels to control. Reduced generation of free radicals may be correlated to protect DNA stability and morphology. This study indicates the ability of alga to ameliorate Hg-mediated injuries. In conclusion, Kappaphycus alvarezii extract did not show any toxicity and its safety is suggestive for using as a supplement in fish food.     

Metal accumulation in sediment,water, and freshwater fish in a Dam Lake

Metal concentrations were determined in water, sediment, and freshwater fish samples (Squalus cephalus, Barbus esocinus, and Barbus xanthopterus) collected from Karakaya Dam Lake, Turkey, to estimate the risk of human consumption and pollution. Metal concentrations differed between the species (p??Zn?=?Cu in water and Fe?>?Zn?>?Mn?>?Ni?>?Cu in sediment. In general, the accumulation order of elements in the tissues all of the species sampled were found as Fe?>?Zn?>?Se?>?Mn?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Cd in muscle, Zn?>?Fe?>?Mn?>?Se?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Cd in gills, Fe?>?Zn?>?Se?>?Mn?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Cd in liver and gonad, and Zn?>?Fe?>?Cu?>?Mn?>?Se?>?Ni?>?Cd in kidney. It was concluded that the fish from the dam lake are not heavily burdened with metals, but they should be controlled periodically to avoid excessive intake of trace metals by humans, and to monitoring the pollution of aquatic environment.     

Distribution of enzymes of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in fish tissues

Gluconeogenesis in fishes has been demonstrated in whole animals and liver preparations. However, at present, the relative physiological importance of possible substrates such as lactate, pyruvate and amino-acids or the precise sites of gluconeogenesis are unclear. In mammals, gluconeogenesis takes place in the liver and kidney, and the same could occur in fishes although it has been proposed that fish red muscle is also capable of reconverting lactate (derived from white muscle) to glucose. In this present study, the activities of 3 key glycolytic (hexokinase, phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase) and 2 key gluconeogenic (fructose diphosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) enzymes were investigated in tissues of the rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri, the cod Gadus morhua, and the plaice Pleuronectes platessa in order to elucidate the relative glycolytic/gluconeogenic capacities of the individual fish tissues. The glycolytic enzymes were found in all tissues, the relative potential being skeletal muscle>heart, brain >kidney, gills>liver. The gluconeogenic enzymes were not present in all tissues, and were mainly concentrated in the liver and kidney. Hence the results indicate that the liver, and to a lesser degree, the kidney are the major sites of gluconeogenesis in fishes, and that the process is unlikely to occur in skeletal muscle.     

Sub-lethal effect of chlorpyrifos on protein metabolism of the food fish Clarias batrachus and monitoring of recovery

The effect of sub-lethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos on protein metabolism in physiological important tissues, namely gills, kidney, liver, and muscle of the freshwater fish, Clarias batrachus, was studied. Fish were exposed to 1/20th and 1/10th of 96?h LC₅₀ concentrations for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. After 28 days of exposure, fish were released into fresh water and kept in the same for 21 days in order to study the recovery. Fish were sacrificed at the stipulated periods and gills, kidney, liver, and muscle tissues were used for the estimation of total protein, amino acids, ammonia, urea, glutamine, protease, transaminases, and phosphatases. Total protein, amino acid, and ammonia contents were decreased in all tissues for 28 days and recovery was observed during the recovery period. Urea and glutamine levels were elevated, except in kidneys, and recovered at the end of the recovery period. The activities of protease, alanine, and aspartate aminotransferases, and acid and alkaline phosphatases were elevated in the tissues for 28 days exposure at both concentrations. Recovery of these enzymes activities was noticed during depuration.     

Antioxidant enzymatic activities and lipid peroxidation in liver and ovary of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to deltamethrin

Deltamethrin (DM) is being used as a substitute for organochlorines and organophosphates in pest control because of its low environmental persistence and toxicity. But it has become an environmental contaminant as it has been used widely. In this study, we investigated the effect of DM (technical grade) on the antioxidant system of adult zebrafish. For this, six-month-old fish were exposed to 2, 4 and 6?μg/L of DM for 96?h. The tissues selected were liver and ovary. Our data showed that exposure to DM increases CAT (catalase), SOD (superoxide dismutase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase, antioxidant enzymes), LPO (lipid peroxidation, non-enzymatic antioxidant) and GST (glutathione S-transferase, detoxifying enzyme) in liver and ovary. Increased GST could detoxify the toxicant; still there could be enough DM to cause oxidative stress. It appears from our study that zebrafish used compensatory mechanisms in eliminating reactive oxygen species. These data will be useful as oxidative stress is being used as a biomarker for aquatic pollution.     

Comparison of heavy metal concentrations in fish samples from three fish farms (Eastern Mediterranean) utilizing antifouling paints

Although aquaculture is considered the fastest growing food production industry, nevertheless there is little information regarding pollutant levels in cultured fish. Samples of cultured sea bass – Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758), sea bream – Sparus aurata (Linnaeus, 1758), and sharpsnout sea bream – Diplodus puntazzo (Walbaum, 1792) from three fish farms located in the Eastern Mediterranean which utilized antifouling paints on the nets were analyzed for quantitative determination of zinc (Zn), chrome (Cr), and copper (Cu) in the gills, the liver, and the muscle separately for each tissue and fish. The results show that the highest levels of zinc (up to 29.6 mg kg^?1 dry wt) were found in the gills of all samples of sea bream and sharpsnout sea bream while in the samples of sea bass, the highest levels of zinc and chrome were found in the liver (up to 39.3 and 13.8 mg kg^?1 dry wt, respectively). Insofar, as copper is concerned the highest exposure was found in the liver of sharpsnout sea bream (up to 5.49 mg kg^?1 dry wt). The results indicate that the use of antifouling paints in aquaculture practices are a significant source of chemical pollution in cultured fish and poses a risk to the exposed organisms.