Frequency distribution patterns and partitioning of copper, iron and zinc in selected tissues of the black mullet (Mugil cephalus) [Indian River Estuary, Florida]

Copper, iron and zinc concentrations were determined for muscle, gill and liver tissue from 45 black mullet (Mugil cephalus) collected in Turkey Creek, an embayment of the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. In the liver, Fe concentrations (2420 ± 1040 μg/g, dry wt) were higher than for Cu (510 ± 350 μg/g) and Zn (330 ± 120μg/g). Gill tissue iron levels (380 ± 140 μg/g) were greater than those for Zn (96 ± 26 μg/g) and Cu (6.3 ± 4.4 μg/g). Muscle tissue concentrations were lowest with Fe values (19 ± 15 μg/g) greater than those for Zn (13.5 ± 4.9 μg/g) and Cu (1.1 ± 1.6 μg/g). Significant correlations were observed for Cu, Fe and Zn in the gills, and Fe and Cu, and Fe and Zn in the liver. Metal concentrations generally did not covary with whole fish wt or length. Cu, Fe and Zn in the muscle and Cu in the gills show differing degrees of non-normal, positive skewness.