Others tried to measure the concentration of mercury in different fish species [1] their muscle [2], liver [3] and gill tissues [4] for different purposes. But, prior to the present study the concentrations of total mercury (THg) in Liver, white and red muscle tissues had not been compared for common Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Common Carp samples (no. 24)were captured randomly during July to December 2009, from Sanandaj Gheshlagh Dam Lake, using 50 × 3 meters beach seines (mesh size: 5 × 5 cm). Fish samples aged between 2 to 4 years. THg level was measured by Advanced Mercury Analyzer (Leco, Model; 254 AMA) on the dry weight basis. To prevent methyl mercury volatilization, samples were Freeze dried at -54˚C. THg concentration in liver, white and red muscle tissues ranged from 107 – 303, 123 – 458 and 115 – 455 ppb respectively. Our results indicated that there are no significant differences between t THg concentrations in liver tissue with white and red muscle tissues during summer and autumn (P > 0.05) but, THg concentration in liver tissues showed a descending trend from summer to autumn. Also there is no significant difference between white and red muscle tissues during summer and autumn (P > 0.05) and did not show any considerable trends. This might be related to common carp feeding behavior and its physiological characteristics. This needs more investigations in future.
