CYANIDE DETERMINATION IN THE BLACK SEA AND ISTANBUL STRAIT SEAWATER, FISH AND MUSSEL

Cyanide determination in the Black Sea and Istanbul Strait seawater, fish and mussel

Kasim Cemal Güven, Tuncay Gezgin, Selma Ünlü, Erdogan Okus, Ayhan Uysal, Ertugrul Dogan

Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, University of Istanbul 34470, Vefa, Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

In this work the cyanide contamination was investigated in seawater, fish and mussel in Turkish coasts following the cyanide accident in Baia gold mines in Feb. 2000. The determination of cyanide was conducted according to Csikai and Barnard (1983) method slightly modified by us. Seawater sample was analysed after lyophilization or after addition of NaOH directly. Fish and mussel samples were extracted with water then analysed. The cyanide amount varied 0.13-3,01 µg/L in the Black Sea (K1,K2,K3), 0.11-0.34-µg/L in Iğneada, 0.25-1.56µg/L in Kilyos and Rumeli Feneri and 0.09-1.74 µg/L in Istanbul Strait. The highest, levels of cyanide found in seawater of Turkish coasts is lower than the specified regulation limit of 5 µg/L. The cyanide was found in talbot 0.0052µg/g collected from Rumanian and 0.032µg/g from Iğneada coasts, 0.0093µg/g in gray mullet, 0.017µg/g in surmullet, 0.0072 µg/g in small blue fish , 0.00µg/g in silversid and 0.013 µg/g in flesh and 0.054µg/g in gut in common braem (Aegean Sea), in mussel. 0.028 µg/g collected from Garipçe, 0.056µg/g in Rumeli Feneri. The amounts of cyanide in fish and mussel are considered negligeable to be toxic for human consumption. This is first record on cyanide analysis in Turkish coasts.

Keywords:  Cyanide, the Black Sea, lstanbul Strait, seawater, fish, mussel