Abstract

• A total of 15 fish species which included two surface dwellers, seven mid-water dwellers and six bottom dwellers were collected from Ayeyarwady River segment of Salay environs to analyze elements content in muscle tissue. Study period lasted from January 2014 to December 2014. The concentration of toxic metals (cadmium, lead and arsenic) in muscle of fish specimens and aquatic environs of study area were analyzed three replicates by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS) (Perkin Elmer AAanalyst 800 and Winlab-32 software) in Universities’ Research Centre (URC). Seasonal variations of test results were compared with WHO/FAO maximum permissible limits (MPL). In this study, the effects of the seasons on elements accumulation in muscle of fishes were determined. The concentrations of toxic metals in fishes of study area were higher than maximum permissible limits except from rainy season. The concentrations of cadmium and arsenic of water in hot and rainy seasons were higher in the study environs. The concentrations of toxic metal in sediment were lower than the maximum permissible limits (MPL) in all seasons.