Heavy metal concentrations in sediment and fish species from Boka Kotorska Bay (original) (raw)

Environmental Investigations and Tissue Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Grey Mullet from the Black Sea (Bulgaria) and the Ionian Sea (Italy)

Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI, 2020

Simple Summary The environmental monitoring of dangerous chemicals and how these affect the aquatic biota is of fundamental importance in defining the health status of fish. Pollution with chemical elements is of great environmental concern, since fish and marine organisms can uptake various toxicants and subsequently transfer them to man through the food web. Moreover, the accumulation of toxic elements could be a cause of pathology insurgence in fish. These organisms represent a good indicator of the status of coastal water. Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a coastal species, bottom dwelling and feeding on detritus, invertebrates, and algae. The main aim of the present study was to determine the total concentration of nine elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in the fish species M. cephalus and in coastal marine waters collected from various sampling points along the Black Sea (Bulgaria) and the Ionian Sea (Italy) and to apply those results to the prediction o...

Concentrations of Heavy Metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and As) in the Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus Galloprovincialis from the Montenegrin Coast of the Southeastern Adriatic Sea

The Mediterranean blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (L) was collected from fall 2006 to spring 2007 from five sites along the Montenegrin coastline. Three wild samples were collected from the open sea coastline, and the other two wild samples, were collected from the enclosed Boka Kotorska Bay. The soft tissue of mussels was analyzed for zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). Concentrations of these metals ranged from 160 - 221.1 for Zn, 6.25 -15.25 for Cu, 4.25 - 9.5 for Pb, 1.4 - 2.3 for Cd and 3.7-11.2 for As in mg kg-1 dry weight. Metals were found to be present in samples at different levels, but not in concentrations higher than maximum residual levels prescribed by EU.

Determination of heavy metals in different fish species sampled from markets in Croatia and possible health effects Determiniranje teških metala u različitim vrstama riba uzorkovanih na hrvatskim tržnicama i mogući utjecaj na zdravlje

Medica Jadertina, 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine and to compare the amount of heavy metals in the meat of white (N = 39) and blue (N = 35) sea fish, considering the spring (N = 38) and fall (N = 36) catch period to study the possible type and seasonal differences especially in Hg concentrations in fish, and to estimate if the amounts registered can have a harmful effect on consumer health. The fish were chosen as an indicator of ecosystem contamination with mercury and other heavy metals. The amount of heavy metals, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), in both groups was lower than the Highest Permissible Amounts regulated by law in Croatia and the European Union. Mercury (Hg) exceeded the maximum allowed value in just a number of samples 3/74 (0.04%), while it is relevant for arsenic (As) to be present in almost any sample, although it has simultaneously not been regulated by law. The statistically significant value of arsenic exists in blue fish during the spring period, and the amount of mercury is higher in white fish compared to blue fish. Also a statistically significant difference in mercury levels was recorded during fall compared to spring,. Given the dietary habits and frequent fish consumption in Croatia, there is no risk of harmful health effects.

Modelling environment contamination with heavy metals in Flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus and upper sediments from North African coasts of the Mediterranean Sea

Science of the Total Environment, 2018

Heavy metals are a serious hazard for aquatic ecosystems and human health. They negatively affect aquatic life functioning through accumulation resulting physiological/growth disturbances in aquatic lifeforms. This survey focused on the assessment of heavy metal pollution in the Gulf of Annaba (northeastern Algeria), the largest and most diversified industrial hub in Africa, using a multi-compartment approach (water–sediment–biota). The study aims to characterize the spatiotemporal variation of trace metal (TM) contamination and its effects on the growth of the Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus). It reviewed TM concentrations in upper sediments and organs of M. cephalus from various hydrosystems worldwide. Five sites distributed along the Gulf were sampled to determine water physicochemical parameters as well as the contamination of surficial sediments and muscles of M. cephalus by zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and mercury. The spatiotemporal variations of the measured parameters were tested and discussed following the synergetic effects of water, sediment and muscle variables on fish biometrics. The sediments at the Port, Joinoville and Sidi-Salem sites were classified as heavily polluted by lead, copper, zinc and cadmium, whereas only at the Port by mercury. Muscular lead concentrations exceeded international standard values in Joinoville and Port, and zinc in Port. The increase of water dissolved oxygen induced a significant decrease in sediment TM. The increase of sediment TM caused a significant increase in muscle TM levels. The S-shaped logistic models indicated that muscle contaminations reached a saturation plateaus following the current sediment pollution. TM concentrations in fish muscles negatively affected fish weight, but only copper and cadmium significantly influenced fish length. The consumption of fish from the Port, Joinoville and Sidi-Salem can be dangerous because concentrations of lead, zinc and cadmium exceeded the international standards. This study validates the effectiveness of biomonitoring using M. cephalus as bioindicator in polluted coasts.

Determination of heavy metals in different fish species sampled from markets in Croatia and possible health effects

2017

The purpose of this study was to determine and to compare the amount of heavy metals in the meat of white (N = 39) and blue (N = 35) sea fish, considering the spring (N = 38) and fall (N = 36) catch period to study the possible type and seasonal differences especially in Hg concentrations in fish, and to estimate if the amounts registered can have a harmful effect on consumer health. The fish were chosen as an indicator of ecosystem contamination with mercury and other heavy metals. The amount of heavy metals, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), in both groups was lower than the Highest Permissible Amounts regulated by law in Croatia and the European Union. Mercury (Hg) exceeded the maximum allowed value in just a number of samples 3/74 (0.04%), while it is relevant for arsenic (As) to be present in almost any sample, although it has simultaneously not been regulated by law. The statistically significant value of arsenic exists in blue fish during the spring period, and the amount of mercur...

Fractionation studies and bioaccumulation of sediment-bound heavy metals in Kolleru lake by edible fish

Environment International, 2004

The Decision No. 2455y2001yEC of the European Parliament and Council established a list of harmful and priority substances whose release into the aquatic environment should be eliminated or progressively reduced. Evaluation of the accumulation of these substances in sediment and organisms tissues is an aid in the assessment of the aquatic environment. Total concentrations and the fractionation of selected metals (Cd, Pb and Hg) in four sediment samples taken from two Italian ports, and their accumulation in Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. tissues were measured. The investigation reveals differences in the accumulation pattern of metals in the mussel tissues corresponding to sediments characterized by different metal mobility. The metal concentrations frequently have been found to be greater than quality standards for Italian marine sediments (Ministerial Decree no. 367y03). Lead and Cd are mainly associated with the mobile fraction of sediment and show greater bioaccumulation in mussel samples, whereas Hg is linked to non-mobile fraction and shows low bioaccumulation.

Toxic metals in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area as indicators of environmental pollution

Collegium antropologicum, 2003

The aim of this investigation was to determine the levels of heavy metals and metalloids in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area. A total of 216 freshwater fish samples from 5 sites were examined: Sava river upstream from Zagreb, Sava river at Zagreb, Sava river downstream from Zagreb, Jarun Lake, and 5 "ecologic" fishponds from the Zagreb surroundings. The metals lead, cadmium, mercury and the metalloid arsenic were determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean pooled levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic in all fish samples were 112.3 +/- 95 micrograms/kg, 8.5 +/- 11 micrograms/kg and 23.5 +/- 36 micrograms/kg, and did not exceed the allowed levels of 1,000 mg/kg, 100 micrograms/kg and 200 micrograms/kg, respectively. In 4 fish samples, the levels of mercury exceeded the allowed limit of 500 micrograms/kg (509, 596, 605 and 788 micrograms/kg), however, the pooled mean level of mercury was 127.8 +/- 90 micrograms/kg. There was no major difference in t...

Levels of Hazardous Trace Elements in Estuarine Sediments, Fish, Mussels and Wild Boar Collected from the Raša Bay Area (Croatia)

Rudarsko-geološko-naftni zbornik

A part of the Raša Bay (western Croatia) is an estuary that is fed by the sediment load from the Raša River. The local area had been affected by the former Raša coal industry. The aim of this study was to determine levels of hazardous trace elements (HTEs) in bottom estuarine sediments, fish and mussels collected from two sites downstream of the Raša River mouth, and a wild boar’s kidney donated by hunters. The pseudo-total concentrations of 21 HTEs in sediments were obtained by the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. The results showed that sediment collected closest to the former Raša coal separation unit Štalije was enriched in V, Sr, Ni, Cu, and Pb. Concentrations of HTEs in flathead grey mullet, wild blue mussels, and wild boar were obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that Pb, Cd and Hg in fish and wild mussels were not elevated compared to the Regulation levels of contaminants in food. Lead and Cd in the kidney of a wild boar e...

Heavy Metal Profile in Five Fish Species Included in Human Diet, Domiciled in the End Flow of River Neretva (Croatia)

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2006

Concentration of three heavy metals (mercury (Hg), lead, (Pb), and cadmium, (Cd)) and one metalloid (arsenic [As]), were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in five tissues (muscles, liver, kidneys, gills, and gonads) of five fish species (carp-Cyprinus carpio, tench-Tinca tinca, sval-Leuciscus svallizi, gray mullet-Mugil cephalus, and eel-Anguilla anguilla) taken out from the end fIow (last 20 km) of the river Neretva, south Croatia, in the wider region of town Metković, during the summer of the year 2003. Only Cd concentration in all fish types was higher than the maximal allowed concentration (MAC) in Croatia, but its concentration in muscles reaches this value only in four samples. However, in carp, tench, and mullet, Cd concentrations higher than MAC in some other countries were found. Hg concentration is much lower than MAC in the most countries. Pb is found in higher quantities only in carp, some values reaching MAC in Germany, and many values being higher than MAC in Denmark (with exception of gonads). As concentrations are much lower than MAC in all countries, but it seems that mullet tends to accumulate this metalloid, especially in the muscles. Therefore, in several samples, muscle As concentration in mullet reached half of the MAC value in the most countries. Of the analyzed fish types, eel, containing the smallest quantities of heavy metals, is recommended for human diet, while carp, consumed most frequently by local inhabitants and numerous tourists, shares with mullet the last place on the recommendation list. Also, it is suggested that meals prepared with analyzed fish sorts should not contain some inner organs (kidneys and liver), as well as gills (alternatively, the whole head). Our final conclusion is that fish types eating predominantly meat contain less heavy metal in their tissues, and therefore are more suitable for human diet.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Crayfish and Fish from Selected Czech Reservoirs

BioMed Research International, 2014

To evaluate the accumulation of aluminium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc in crayfish and fish organ tissues, specimens from three drinking water reservoirs (Boskovice, Landštejn, and NováŘíše) and one contaminated site (Darkovské moře) in the Czech Republic were examined. Crayfish hepatopancreas was confirmed to be the primary accumulating site for the majority of metals (Cu > Zn > Ni > Cd > Cr), while Hg and Cr were concentrated in abdominal muscle, and Al and Pb were concentrated in gill. Metals found in NováŘíše specimens included Cu > Zn > Ni and those found in Boskovice included Zn > Hg > Cr. Cd concentrations were observed only in Landštejn specimens, while contaminated Darkovské moře specimens showed the highest levels of accumulation (Cu > Al > Zn > Pb). The majority of evaluated metals were found in higher concentrations in crayfish: Cu > Al > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cd > Pb, with Hg being the only metal accumulating higher in fish. Due to accumulation similarities of Al in crayfish and fish gill, differences of Hg in muscle, and features noted for the remaining metals in examined tissues, biomonitoring should incorporate both crayfish and fish to produce more relevant water quality surveys.