Background and purpose: Fish is consumed by humans for its nutritional properties, but accumulation of heavy metals in fish can pose serious health hazards. The aim of this research was to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in the muscle and liver of common carp in Zarivar wetland, Iran.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which carps were caught from Zarivar Wetland in 2015. The levels of heavy metals in liver and muscle were measured using ICP.

Results: The findings indicated that Fe and Pb in liver, and Zn and Cd in muscle had the highest and lowest concentrations, respectively. The levels of heavy metals in liver were higher than those in the muscles of carp. Moreover, the Target Hazard Quotients for an adult person with mean weight of 71.5 kg was lower than 1 for the levels of heavy metals studied (expect for Cr).

Conclusion: This research showed that the levels of heavy metals in edible muscle of carp was lower than international standards, but according to the bioaccumulation and toxicity of these metals in humans periodic monitoring is required.