Levels of selected heavy metals in commercial fish from five freshwater lakes,Pakistan

The levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg are estimated by atomic absorption in the muscle of six commercial species of fish belonging to five freshwater lakes of Pakistan. The species included Mastacembelus armatus, Tor putitura, Mystus seenghala, Wallago attu, Catla catla and Labeo rohita. The fish were procured in comparable weight ranges so that a viable comparison of trace metal content could be effected. As, Fe, Pb, Zn and Hg showed elevated levels of 0.006–6.967, 0.933–6.133, 0.060–4.108, 0.978–5.363 and 0.030–3.211 μg/g, wet weight. The relevant statistical parameters, such as standard deviation, standard error, skewness and its t‐value are also reported for establishing the randomness of the distribution in relation to the corresponding data of freshwater lakes of the world and examined in view of species‐specificity and origin.     

Health risks of heavy metals in the mediterranean mussels as seafood

In recent years, mussels have already become commercially important seafood species worldwide. Mussels accumulate a wide range of metals in their soft tissue. Thus, the determination of accumulated concentrations of heavy metals, such as Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, in mussels is essential because of their usage as seafood and the potential adverse effects of their consumption on human health. In this review, these issues are presented and discussed using the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as an example. M. galloprovincialis is very efficient at converting low value victuals into high quality animal protein. The production of M. galloprovincialis in Mediterranean countries has been increasing rapidly, but Spain is still the largest producer of mussels. Only China has a larger production of these mussels than Spain. M. galloprovincialis is a filter feeding animal and accumulates a wide range of metals from their environment. The metal concentrations in the soft tissue of M. galloprovincialis are indicators of marine ecosystems contamination. In the same time, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals remains an issue concerning the consumption of mussels. Thereby, the Cd, Pb, Hg, and As concentration measurement in mussel soft tissue as a seafood have become significant. A review of literature data revealed large variations in the Cd, Pb, Hg, and As concentrations in M. galloprovincialis from their endemic areas, e.g., Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Sea, and the concentrations of these toxic metals were generally in the following order: As > Pb > Cd > Hg. The guidelines on heavy metals for seafood safety set by different countries and associations are reviewed. Comparison of the published data with European legislation showed that the levels of the heavy metals generally did not exceed the existing limits in all the mussels analyzed, excluding mussels from hot spots, such as lagoons and harbors, in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Sea.     

Trace metals in fish,sediment and water from the south west coast of the Arabian sea,Pakistan

Concentrations of ten metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg) in the edible muscle of Arius maculatus captured from eight different near‐shore and off‐shore sites off the south west coast of the Arabian Sea, Pakistan, were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Relevant water and sediment samples from the sites were also analysed for the metals. Zinc showed the highest metal concentration (6.763 μg/g, wet weight) in the muscle of the fish, while Mn and Hg showed lowest level (0.019 μg/g, wet weight). Of all the metals investigated, largest scatter (measured as σ) was observed for Zn (σ = 2.058 /μg/g) in fish muscle, for Fe and Mn in sediment (σ = 27481 and 44.50 μg/g) and for As in water (σ = 0.270 μg/L). The metal distribution data pertaining to water, fish and sediment were examined on the basis of simple metal correlations. The statistical study revealed that Ni, Cr, Pb and Cu had significant positive correlations (r > 0.830 at ρ = 0.01). The finding substantiated a trace metal concentration gradient in the area, thereby indicating that the local marine environment is contaminated by anthropogenic sources.     

Trace metals in fish of economic interest from the west of Alexandria,Egypt

The concentration of some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the muscle, liver, and gills in eight fish species, Caranx crysos, Euthynnus alleferatus, Scomberomorus commerson, Sphyraena viridensis, Sargus sargus, Siganus rivulatus, Mugil species, and Sardinella aurita were collected seasonally from the Mediterranean Sea in the region of Alexandria. The highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn were measured in liver tissue, while gill tissue yielded the highest concentrations of Mn, Ni, and Pb. Muscle is the organ of poor accumulation factor for all metals under investigation. Concentration of cadmium in muscle in Mugil species exceeds the permissible limit in summer, while Siganus rivulatus exceeds it in the summer and autumn seasons. On the other hand, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc are still much lower than the permissible levels. The metal pollution index (MPI) for metals was studied, revealing that Siganus rivulatus, Mugil species and Sardinella aurita had the highest MPI. Provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) indicates that the concentration levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the muscle of all fish species under investigation are much lower than recommended PTDI values, and accordingly there is no risk for the human consumption of these fish species.     

Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Muscle with Relation to the Growth of Two Marine Fish Species

Heavy metal concentrations in muscle and their relation to thegrowth of two marine fish species,including tonguefish( Cynoglossus arel) and mullet( Mugil cephalus),were studied. The samples were collected in Bach Dang estuary andconcentrations of heavy metals( As,Cd,Co,Mn,Cu,Zn,Pb,and V) in muscle of the fisheswere determined. The result showed that the accumulated trend of heavy metal is different between fish species. The concentration of As,Zn,Mn,V,Cu,Pb,Co and Cd in tonguefish were 73. 7 ± 30. 6,22. 82 ± 4.87,3. 44 ± 2. 13,1. 61 ± 0. 15,0. 71 ± 0. 13,0. 45 ± 0. 24,0. 03 ± 0. 02 and 0. 02 ± 0. 02 mg·g-1,respectively. Meanwhile the concentration of Zn,As,V,Mn,Cu,Pb,Co and Cd in mullet were 83. 41 ±19. 68,9. 78 ± 1. 92,1. 36 ± 0. 54,1. 29 ± 0. 51,0. 65 ± 0. 12,0. 42 ± 0. 20,0. 06 ± 0. 03 and0. 03 ± 0. 01mg·g-1,respectively. Comparison of metal levels among thesespecies indicated that the concentrations of As and Mn in tonguefish were significantly higher than those in mullet,whereas Zn levels in mullet were found to be higher than that in tonguefish. There is no significant differences of Cd,Co,Cu,Pb and V levels in muscle between two species. Significant inversed relationshipsbetween concentration levels of metals and lengths of tonguefish were found for Mn,Cu and Zn,butnot for As,Cd,Pb,and V. There were no significant relationships between the heavy metal concentrations and the length of mullet. In general,decreasesof the heavy metal concentrations corresponded to the increases of fish body lengths,particularly for As,Co,Cu,Mn and V and the exception for Cd. Terefore reduced risks were associated with consuming biggermullet fish,and increased risks of As and Cd were associated with consuming bigger tonguefish in Bach Dang river mouth.     

华东地区鳜肌肉重金属含量现状与风险分析

为了解我国华东地区鳜肌肉重金属含量现状,采集华东地区(江西南昌,安徽池州、滁州,江苏南京、扬州,浙江建德等)10个采样点野生鳜和池塘主养、池塘套养鳜样本共60份,采用原子荧光光谱分析法(AFS)、石墨炉原子吸收法(GFAAS)测定鳜背部肌肉中铬(Cr)、镉(Cd)、无机砷(As)、汞(Hg)和铅(Pb)等5种重金属的含量,评估其食用安全性与健康风险。结果表明,肌肉中Cd、Cr、Pb、As和Hg的总检出率为98.67%,总超标率为11.67%;其中,Pb、Cd和As超标样,分别占总样本量的28.33%、15%和15%,超标浓度为(0.612±0.111)、(0.181±0.031)和(0.474±0.035) mg·kg~(-1),71.43%的超标样分布于野生鳜群体;Cr、Hg的检出含量均低于我国鱼类水产品重金属的最高限量标准(GB 2762—2017)。3种养殖方式的鳜肌肉中重金属含量分布具有相似的规律(Pb>As>Cr=Cd>Hg),野生鳜肌肉中重金属含量高于人工养殖鳜,池塘主养鳜与池塘套养鳜之间无明显差异。食用安全性评价结果显示,目前,华东地区鳜达到国家标准的限量要求,仅Pb、As含量稍高,分别占周可耐受摄入量(PTWI)的14.42%和21.54%。健康风险评价结果显示,所有鳜样均未超过国际辐射防护委员会(ICRP)推荐的最大可接受水平(5×10~(-5)a~(-1))。野生鳜食用安全性低于人工养殖鳜,健康风险高于人工养殖鳜。上述研究结果为鳜水产品安全性评价与健康养殖提供了基础数据。     

Methodological approach for metal pollution evaluation in sediments collected from the Taranto Gulf

The concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, V, and Sn were determined in marine sediments collected from Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). The aim of this article is to study the methodological approach in order to evaluate total metal levels determined in marine sediments of a contaminated area (Taranto Gulf, Southern Italy), to identify contaminated areas and to predict adverse biological effects based on Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs). The results are discussed in relation to geological characteristics of sediments in order to define background levels and anthropogenic input. Experimental results were elaborated by multivariate statistical techniques and Geographical Information System (GIS) software. The geoaccumulation index I _geo and two sets of SQGs (in particular (a) the threshold effect level (TEL), the probable effect level (PEL) and (b) the effect range-low (ERL) and the effect range median (ERM)) have been used for environmental evaluation of metal concentrations. Results show that in Taranto coastal area, Mar Piccolo basin represents the most contaminated area. A comparison with results from other Mediterranean areas demonstrates that for some metals (such as Cd, Pb, and Hg) Taranto seas represent one of the most polluted areas in the Mediterranean Sea. A comparison of metal levels with SQGs also suggests an ecotoxicological risk for benthic organisms mainly in the first inlet of Mar Piccolo.     

Concentrations of Cd,Ni, Pb,and Cr in the two edible fish species Liza klunzingeri and Sillago sihama collected from Hara biosphere in Iran

The concentrations of four metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr) were determined in the muscles, gills, and livers of two edible fish species (Liza klunzingeri and Sillago sihama) caught from the Hara biosphere of Southern Iran. In both fish species, metal concentrations and bioaccumulation factors were in the sequence liver?>?gill?>?muscle. Bioaccumulation factors were found to be highest in S. sihama. The metal concentrations were descending in the order of Ni?>?Cr?>?Pb?>?Cd, except for muscle samples from S. sihama showing an inversion of Pb and Cr. There is a significant negative correlation between the concentrations of the metals in each tissue with length, weight, and age, except for muscle in L. klunzingeri. Some metal levels in the muscle exceeded the limits recommended by FAO, WHO, and FEPA.     

Heavy metal accumulation in algae and sediments of the Black Sea coast of Turkey

The paper reports heavy metal accumulation in algae collected at four stations and in sediments at three stations on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. The metals analysed are Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Sb and Zn. The metal content of algae increased generally (with some exceptions) from 1991 till 1993 in ?ile and Sinop. In the sediments Sb in ?ile, As in Riva, Fe, Zn in Sinop are high. According to these findings the metal pollution increased in Turkish area of the Black Sea during the years investigated.     

Histology of Sculpin spp. in East Greenland. II. Histopathology and trace element concentrations

Abstract

For many years, the sculpin has been utilized as a sentinel monitoring species for anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment. To further develop its potential as a screening model body burden of several trace elements, including cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and selenium (Se), were investigated. In addition, histopathology in shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius; n?=?20) and fourhorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus quadricornis; n?=?10) were examined at three sites around the Scoresby Sound settlement in Central East Greenland. Fourhorn sculpins caught at the most distant site from the settlement, contained significantly higher hepatic Cu and Cd concentrations as well as significantly elevated gill Pb levels compared to the shorthorn sculpins collected at two other sites closer to the settlement. Histological examinations showed that fish with significantly higher concentrations of hepatic Cd and Se exhibited greater nuclear alterations, interstitial hyperplasia/hypertrophy, interstitial mononuclear infiltrations and granulomas. Further, fish with higher Cd and Cu gill tissue levels displayed a significantly higher number of cytoplasmic alterations and lamellar epithelium lifting, hypertrophic and hyperplastic epithelium along with mucus cell hyperplasia. While the presence of liver lesions were not species or sex-specific, the presence of gill lesions decreased in the order female fourhorn sculpins?>?female shorthorn sculpins?>?male fourhorn sculpins?>?male shorthorn sculpins. Hepatic Hg concentrations exceeded known lowest observable effect doses (LOED) for fish (0.1–0.5?μg g^?1 ww) in 27% of fish, while liver Cd residues in 80% exceeded LOED (0.42–1.8?μg g^?1 ww). Based upon these results, data suggest that using the sculpin as a valuable sentinel fish species histopathology may serve as a reliable tool for assessing marine ecosystem exposure to trace metals. However, confounding physiological and ecological factors also need to be considered.     

受有色金属密集采矿影响的中国南方某地区鸟类羽毛中重金属、砷和硒的含量

重金属污染在中国非常普遍，特别是在其矿区。最近有报道称贵州省鸟类体内的汞浓度高于有害影响水平，即使是在非矿区也同样如此。我们采集了鸟类样本以调查在广西壮族自治区汞是否是铅矿、锌矿和锡矿附近的潜在威胁因素。我们测定了由60个物种组成的627只本地鸟类羽毛中的8种金属或类金属，这些样本采集于在5条河流的14个位点。。我们发现汞浓度（1.27±2.02ppm）低于最近的贵州研究中报道的浓度。汞与其他金属或类金属的相关性最低，而与开采金属（铅、锡、锌）的相关性最高。镉（1.12±2.64 ppm）、砷（4.78±17.11 ppm）和铅（17.18±24.49 ppm）的浓度水平接近有害效应阈值，或与其他研究相比相对较高。除了汞、镉和砷的几个热点矿区外，金属或类金属水平在矿区之间分布均匀，与可开采矿床的区域分布一致。汞尽管可能危害汞矿附近的一些物种，但似乎并没有威胁到中国所有的鸟类物种。然而，除了汞之外，其他金属或类金属也可能对野生生物的健康造成危害。     

Pollution assessment of the lower basin of Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria: heavy metal status of the waters, sediments and fishes

The objective of this investigation was to examine the heavy metal status of the lower basin of Kainji dam (used for hydroelectricity generation), which includes Lakes Kainji/Jebba, Nigeria, and the potential for human exposure to heavy metals from eating fish caught in the lakes. Water, sediments and fish were sampled from the lakes and evaluated for As, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V and Zn using the EDXRF technique. Fe and Mn were found to be present at high mean concentrations in the water (13 and 9 μg L^-1), sediment (7092 and 376 μg g^-1) and fish (11.4 and 4.6 μg g^-1) samples. Sb (3.2 μg L^-1), Ti (4.1 μg L^-1), Cr (2.2 μg L^-1), Co (1.2 μg L^-1), Cu (1.3 μg L^-1) and Pb (1.2 μg L^-1) in the water samples and Sb (29 μg g^-1), Ti (27 μg g^-1), V (27 μg g^-1), Cr (27 μg g^-1), Co (40 μg g^-1), Ni (33 μg g^-1), Cu (25 μg g^-1), Zn (59 μg g^-1) and Pb (19 μg g^-1) in the sediment samples were found to be of medium mean concentrations. The other metals were present at trace levels (<1 μg), including As and Hg in the fish and sediment samples. There was an appreciable increase in␣metal concentrations in going from the water to the sediment samples. The probable source of the pollutants is anthropogenic, arising from agricultural activities, corrosion/abrasion of the ferrous steel material and additives in the lubricants and insulation used for auxiliary services on the turbine floor of the dam constructed on the lakes. However, natural geological sourcing from the underlying lake rock cannot be totally ignored, particularly the high levels of Fe and Mn in the sediment samples. The potential risk for human exposure to these metals emanates from the fish caught in the lakes and subsequently consumed, as there are already significant levels of these metals in the two fish species analysed, Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Chrysicthys (Chrysicthys auratus).     

Biomagnification of trace elements in a benthic food web: the case study of Deer Island (Northern Yellow Sea)

In this study, we investigated the concentrations of ten trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As) and their trophodynamics in a benthic food chain of Deer Island, Northern Yellow Sea. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As in the food chain ranged from 3.2 to 23.2, from 71 to 227, from 7.4 to 45.6, from 0.44 to 5.80, from 0.73 to 7.60, from 0.14 to 1.65, from 0.68 to 6.70, from 0.08 to 1.86, from 0.08 to 1.18, and from 0.24 to 3.92 mg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively. Among these trace elements, the linear regression between the log-transformed concentrations of Hg and Cd and δ¹⁵N values showed statistically significant increase (p<0.05) with the slopes of 0.134 and 0.144, indicating biomagnification of Hg and Cd occurred in the benthic food chain of Deer Island. While the linear regression for other eight trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb and As) were characterised by extensive scatter with non-significant correlation coefficients (R ²=0.002–0.235) and slopes (p=0.079–0.875), indicating there were not biomagnified or biodiluted of these trace elements.     

重金属污染下龟壳攀鲈组织中ACP和AKP的活力比较

龟壳攀鲈是一种在极端污染水域中具备生存优势的鱼类,收集重污染区和轻污染区的龟壳攀鲈,并通过比较其体内各组织中的酸性磷酸酶(ACP)及碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性来揭示其耐污能力。贵屿作为重污染区有4个采样点:大陇村、市上村、联堤村和北林村;潮州作为轻污染区有2个采样点:卧石村和洗马桥。水质结果表明,贵屿采样地水中的Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Hg含量分别是潮州采样点的27.6倍、3.9倍、5.8倍、3.9倍和3.5倍,说明贵屿采样地的污染远高于潮州的。酶活结果表明,在龟壳攀鲈所有组织中,内脏组织(胃肠、性腺、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏)中的ACP和AKP活力均高于外周组织(肌肉、鳞片、鳃);重金属污染均能提高攀鲈体内所有组织的ACP和AKP活力;AKP活性更容易受到重金属的影响,各组织的AKP活力增幅普遍超过ACP活力增幅;其中,受重金属影响最大的组织是脾脏,ACP和AKP活力可增长到2.37倍和6.21倍。这些结果说明了龟壳攀鲈可以通过显著升高内脏组织(如肠胃、肝脏、肾脏等)中ACP和AKP活性,以便更好地应对高污染环境;其中AKP更容易受到重金属的影响,适合用于作为评估污染的指标。     

Mercury exposure through diet in pregnant women and women of childbearing age

The study examined the stage of clean-up of the Port Lavaca bay sites in Texas, which were polluted during the early 1990's by effluent containing mercury (Hg) from a chloralkali plant. In addition to Hg intoxication through environmental contaminations, human exposure through dietary fish and other seafoods occurred. Bacteria converts inorganic Hg to alkyl organic compounds and subsequently the metal crosses the blood brain barrier thus exerting adverse effects on the fetal developing nervous system. In order to conduct a survey of dietary Hg exposure, blood was collected from pregnant women and those of childbearing age at routine clinic visits at each of three centers in South Texas cities (Galveston, Texas City, Port Lavaca/Victoria, TX). A questionnaire sought dietary and lifestyle information including consumption, sources of fish and other seafoods. A significant number of subjects (119 out of 175, 68%) ate fish caught locally. The blood Hg concentrations (µg?L^?1) range varied with the location of the study centers: City of Galveston 2.6–62; Texas City 2.8–111.8; and the Port Lavaca areas 3.02–126.7. The concentrations of blood Hg was directly proportional to the number of fish meals consumed for each species considered. Mean blood Hg concentrations for no fish meals per week were: Port Lavaca 4.5 (N?=?3), Galveston 4.3 (N?=?3), Texas City 3.5 (N?=?10). For >3 fish meals per week, the mean blood Hg concentrations were: Port Lavaca, 48.0 (N?=?53), Galveston 29.1 (N?=?35), Texas City, 36.1 (N?=?31). Data show that residues of Hg were still present in 1994 despite the clean-up efforts.     

Diel variation and seasonal consistency in the fish assemblage of the non-estuarine Sulaibikhat Bay,Kuwait

In the period between September 1986 and August 1988, using an otter trawl, a total of 50 species from 30 families were captured in Sulaibikhat Bay, Kuwait. The dominant species were Liza carinata (Valenciennes), Pomadasys stridens (Forrskal) and Leiognathus brevirostris (Valenciennes). Although the total number of fishes captured in 1986–1987 and 1987–1988 differed by an order of magnitude, the seasonal changes in numbers, biomass and number of species in the intertidal and subtidal zones were consistent. Unbalanced three-way analysis of variance showed that significantly larger numbers of fishes and number of species, but not biomass, were captured in the intertidal at night compared to the intertidal during the day. This difference may be due to both increased net efficiency and movement of fishes into the intertidal zone at night to avoid piscivorous fishes that move from deep water into shallower water. During the day few fish are present in the intertidal zone and this may be to avoid predation by piscivorous birds. Several species of fishes were shown to have different patterns of behaviour during the diel period.     

The fish fauna of a seasonally closed Australian estuary. Is the prevalence of estuarine-spawning species high?

The fish at sites located throughout the large, seasonally closed Wilson Inlet, on the southern coast of Western Australia, were sampled bimonthly between September 1987 and April 1989. Seine nets were used to sample nearshore shallow waters, while gill nets were employed in slightly more offshore and deeper waters. Twenty species were recorded in the shallows, of which the three species of atherinid and the three species of goby comprised >97% of the total catch. In terms of number of individuals, the 27 species recorded in gill nets in the deeper waters were dominated by Cnidoglanis macrocephalus and Platycephalus speculator, and to a lesser extent Engraulis australis, Aldrichetta forsteri, Sillaginodes punctata and Arripis georgianus. Fifty-five percent of the species recorded in the nearshore shallow waters and 18% of those in offshore deeper waters spawn within Wilson Inlet; these species contributed 98.5 and 63.0%, respectively, to the total catches in those waters. Classification and ordination showed that the composition of the fauna in the shallows was similar at all sites throughout the large basin and did not change conspicuously with season. However, the composition of catches taken in offshore waters differed between the lower part of the basin and the middle and upper regions of the basin, which in turn differed from those in the saline reaches of a tributary river. The four diagnostic species of the lower estuary were all marine species, while the three diagnostic species in the river included a marine species (Mugil cephalus) that often penetrates far upstream in other systems, and a species which was confined to the rivers (Acanthopagrus butcheri). The composition of the fish fauna in the offshore waters of the lower estuary between the middle of spring and middle of autumn was different in 1987/1988 (when the estuary mouth was open for only the first two months of that period) from that in 1988/1989 (when the mouth was open for the whole of that period). This difference is related to the greater number of marine species that were retained in the first of these years, when the estuary was open to the ocean for only a short period. The greater retention of marine species in 1987/1988 than in 1988/1989 probably reflects a far lower level of freshwater flusing and/or a less marked decline in salinity.     

A study on the accumulation of nine heavy metals in some important fish species from a natural reservoir in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Concentrations of nine heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, and Fe) in the muscles of four fish species (O. niloticus, C. gariepinus, P. latipinna, and A. d. dispar) collected from the Riyadh River were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in two different seasons in 2012. The concentrations of the studied heavy metals except Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu in Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna were found to be below the safe limits suggested by various authorities. This study also showed that Zn was predominant, while Cr was least accumulated metal in the studied fish muscles. Data demonstrated that there was a significant variation in the heavy-metal concentrations in different fish species in the Riyadh River. Significant positive correlations between heavy-metal concentrations in fish muscles were also found both in pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Metal pollution index was calculated to distinguish polluted from unpolluted ecosystems based upon current knowledge of metal bioavailability, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation patterns. From the human health point of view, this study showed that there was a possible health risk to consumers due to the intake of Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna under the current consumption rate in the country.     

Trace elements in tissues of sperm whales stranded along the Italian coast

Five sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) stranded along the Italian coast between 2007 and 2009 were analysed for concentrations of trace elements in the muscle, liver, kidney, lung, heart and skin. Essential elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Cr, As, V and Se) show ranges of variability comparable with the limited data reported in the literature on this species and a homeostatic physiological control. Very low concentrations of nonessential elements (Hg, Cd and Pb) were detected in all tissues, suggesting a minor impact of these pollutants on the sperm whale populations of the Mediterranean Sea. This finding possibly reflects the pelagic lifestyle and deep-sea cephalopod diet of this group of giant cetaceans. In addition, this finding contrasts with the high levels of nonessential elements measured in many other species of cetaceans (e.g. Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus) stranded along Mediterranean coasts and which reflects significant coastal anthropogenic effects. The main result of this work is the compiled dataset which provides a preliminary target for conceptual understanding of the potential effects of open marine pollution on the Mediterranean sperm whale population.     

Levels of heavy metals in blue whiting caught from the eastern Black Sea area of Turkey

This paper presents data on the concentrations of 5 metals, copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) in Blue Whiting sampled from the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. The highest metal concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb were recorded in Blue Whiting with the values of 2.71, 0.601, 14.137, 15.322 and 1.078 μg g^‐1 dry weight, respectively. On average the metal concentrations in Blue Whiting followed the order of Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Cd. Temporal differences of concentrations of these metals were significant (p < 0.05). Spatial fluctuations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb concentrations in Blue Whiting were also significant (p < 0.01). It was found that the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb in the muscle in Blue Whiting were below the limit of Public Health Regulation in Turkey.