MONITORING CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION LEVELS IN KARASU RIVER BASED ON THE USE OF ENOCHRUS SPP. (HYDROPHILIDAE) AND CHONDROSTOMA REGIUM (CYPRINIDAE)

Existing literature indicates that elements are present in a varying concentration in all ecosystems but anthropogenic activities increase the level of these pollutants. To find out the concentration of some heavy elements (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Sr, Pb) as heavy element pollution in Erzurum (Turkey), accumulation level of Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera) and Chondrostoma regium species and to assess the health status of Erzurum wetlands. The element concentrations were found to increase from fish tissues to insects (fish tissues< sediment < water <insects). It can be said that insects accumulate more heavy elements than fish tissues thus insects can be one of the sources of contamination of the fish. All results were well below the limits for fish proposed by national and international standards and did not pose a health concern for fish consumers.