Abstract

In this study, element levels (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, V, As, Ba, Sr, K, Pb) in the liver, gill, muscle, and stomach tissues of Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) caught from Mersin Bay in 2018 were determined, and the first report on the elemental composition of M. mola from the Mediterranean sea presented. Spectrophotometric methods were used in the determination of tissue element levels. Metal analysis of the tissues was performed on the ICP-MS device. The reference material IAEA-436 was used to follow the quality of the analytical process. Metal accumulation in M. mola tissues was determined as K> Fe> Zn>Sr> Cu> As> Al> V>Mn> Ni> Ba> Cr>Pb> Co. A statistical difference was found between tissues in terms of metal levels. It was determined that Fe and Cu were higher in the liver, Mn, Zn, Sr in gill, Al, Pb, Cr in muscle tissue. There were no statistical differences between the levels of As, V, and Ba detected in gill and muscle tissues. The K levels were similar in all tissues except the liver.