Heavy metal concentrations in Mullus barbatus and Pagellus erythrinus in relation to body size, gender, and seasonality

Abstract

Marine environments have been subjected to an increase in heavy metal pollution. Investigations were conducted in the bioaccumulation of heavy metals for both a benthic (Mullus barbatus) and a benthopelagic fish species (Pagellus erythrinus). The aim of this study was to examine the concentration levels of four metals in the body tissue of two fish species, in Pagasitikos Gulf in Greece, and to determine if metal concentration levels were affected by season, size, and species. Fish samples were collected monthly from September 2009 to August 2010. Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations were measured in muscle, gills, vertebral column, and in the "remaining fish sample." Statistical analysis pinpointed substantial differences in metal concentration levels between some size classes. Significant differences were observed between two fish species' tissues concerning Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations. Cu and Zn concentrations varied amongst red mullet tissues as did Zn and Cd concentrations in common pandora. Ample variations were found seasonally in metal concentration levels; however, nonsignificant statistical differences were found among sexes.

Comparative investigation of heavy metal, trace, and macro element contents in commercially valuable fish species harvested off from the Persian Gulf

“…The metals followed the trend Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Co > Cd (Mendil et al 2010). In another study, significant difference was observed between two examined fish species tissues in term of Cd concentration (Giannakopoulou and Neofitou 2014).…”

“…In another study in the Pagasitikos Gulf in Greece, heavy metal concentrations in two fish species were determined. Significant differences were detected between two examined fish species' tissues concerning Cu and Zn levels (Giannakopoulou and Neofitou 2014 (Tuzen 2009). In another report, the contents of these elements were found 1.10-2.50 μg/g for Cu, 7.57-34.4 μg/g for Zn, and 0.96-3.64 μg/g for Se .…”

Investigation of Metal Toxicity Response and Health Risk Assessment of Commonly Consumed Marine Fish Species Along the Turkish Coast

“…In literature, it has been reported that metals like Mn have tendency to accumulate in gills [58 and 59]. This is expected since gills are responsible for the uptake of resuspended and ionized metals from water column [32]. Higher accumulation of metals in the liver tissue is a well-known phenomenon and reported in many studies [32, 34, 35 and 48].…”

“…Minimum and maximum cadmium (Cd) concentration in the muscle, gill and liver were determined as 0.01-0.02µg g -1 , 0.01-0.03µg g -1, 0.02-0.09µg g -1 for M. barbatus; 0.01-0.04µg g -1 , 0.01-0.04µg g -1 , 0.06-0.54µg g -1 for B. boops; 0.01-0.02µg g -1 ,0.01-0.04µg g -1 ,0.08-0.48µg g -1 for T. trachurus, respectively. Higher Cd concentrations in the muscle of M. barbatus was reported in the Albanian Sea [39], Mediterranean Sea [26], Black Sea [26 and 27], Aegean Sea [32], Algeria [34], lower concentrations were reported in the Mediterranean Sea [4, 11 and 42], Sicily channel [40], and similar results were reported from Mediterranean Sea [43], Aegean Sea [33]. Estimated Cd concentration in the muscle of B. boops were higher than those reported from Aegean Sea [29 and 44], Mediterranean Sea [35, 36 and 44], lower than those reported from Mersin, Mediterranean Sea [30], Tripali Port, Libya [45], and similar to those reported from Atlantic Sea [46].…”

Investigation of Metal Toxicity Response and Health Risk Assessment of Commonly Consumed Marine Fish Species along the Turkish coast

“…Minimum and maximum cadmium (Cd) concentration in the muscle, gill and liver were determined as 0.01-0.02µg g -1 , 0.01-0.03µg g -1, 0.02-0.09µg g -1 for M. barbatus; 0.01-0.04µg g -1 , 0.01-0.04µg g -1 , 0.06-0.54µg g -1 for B. boops; 0.01-0.02µg g -1 ,0.01-0.04µg g -1 ,0.08-0.48µg g -1 for T. trachurus, respectively. Higher Cd concentrations in the muscle of M. barbatus was reported in the Albanian Sea [39], Mediterranean Sea [26], Black Sea [26 and 27], Aegean Sea [32], Algeria [34], lower concentrations were reported in the Mediterranean Sea [4, 11 and 42], Sicily channel [40], and similar results were reported from Mediterranean Sea [43], Aegean Sea [33]. Estimated Cd concentration in the muscle of B. boops were higher than those reported from Aegean Sea [29 and 44], Mediterranean Sea [35, 36 and 44], lower than those reported from Mersin, Mediterranean Sea [30], Tripali Port, Libya [45], and similar to those reported from Atlantic Sea [46].…”