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Water and sediment from Faro and Ganzirri lakes were tested for cadmium, mercury, and lead. These heavy metals have been assessed in serum and muscles of Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus. A haemogram was performed to find effects of heavy metals on haematological variables. Student's t-test showed higher Pb levels in sediments of Ganzirri Lake than Faro Lake. Two-way analysis of variance showed higher Cd and Pb concentration in muscles samples of Striped Mullet from Ganzirri Lake than from Faro Lake. Significant differences were found among haematological parameters as well. Mullet from Ganzirri Lake had lower white and red blood cell and trombocyte counts and higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration than those from Faro Lake. Our results indicate a significant presence of lead in the environmental produces an accumulation of this metal in fish muscles.

Faro Lake is a coastal meromictic lagoon with singular characteristics in the Mediterranean (Messina, Sicily - Italy). It is part of the Natural Oriented Reserve of Capo Peloro (38° 15' 57″ N; 15° 37' 50″ E). In this area, traditional mollusc farming activity persists, producing 'autochthonous' mussels. This study reports of the Mytilus galloprovincialis haemolymph chemical profile and water variables determination of 1 year-lasted survey (April 2016 - March 2017). The determinations of electrolytes (Na , Cl , K , Ca , Mg , P inorganic) and heavy metals in both Faro lake water and haemolymph have been carried out. Heavy metals are elements with high density and are quite toxic in low concentrations, such as Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Cobalt (Co), Chrome (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Tin (Sn), Zinc (Zn). Heavy metals toxicity depends, principally, on bioaccumulation processes. M. galloprovincialis is a good bio-indicator, ideal for assess levels of environmental pollution thanks to its biological, ecological and physiological characteristics. The results of this study showed a typical fluctuation range in haemolymph and water parameters, related to the water ones; chemical-physical parameters affected the ions (electrolytes and metals) levels in some period of the year. The study reports the interactions between biotic (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and abiotic (water parameters) components of Faro Lake, and creates reference data for further future study on the same area or on similar ones.

No abstract

Fish represents a nutrient-rich food but, at the same time, is one of the most important contributor to the dietary intake of heavy metals. The aim of this study was to assess residual levels of Pb, Cd and Hg in different species, caught from FAO zones 37 1.3 and 37 2.2, particularly small pelagic, benthic and demersal fishes. The results obtained showed the absence of toxic metal in fishes from FAO zone 37 1.3. Relating to FAO zone 37 2.2, instead, in all samples we observed the absence of Pb, small concentrations of Cd (0.081±0.022 mg/kg) and higher Hg residual levels (0.252±0.033 mg/kg). Particularly, the trend of Cd contamination was similar in all species whereas Hg showed high levels in demersal, intermediate in pelagic and low in benthic species. However, only Cd concentrations exceed the MRL in mackerel, mullet, sea-bream fishes, according to Regulation CE n. 629/2008 and n. 488/2014.