Trace metal concentrations in the muscle of seven marine species: Comparison between the Gulf of Lions (North-West Mediterranean Sea) and the Bay of Biscay (North-East Atlantic Ocean)

Abstract

Concentrations of 6 trace metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the muscle of 2 sharks (Galeus melastomus and Scyliorhinus canicula), 4 teleosts (Helicolenus dactylopterus, Lepidorhombus boscii, Micromesistius poutassou and Phycis blennoides) and 1 crustacean (Nephrops norvegicus) were compared between the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean) and the Gulf of Lions (Mediterranean Sea). Although average concentrations and the trace element pollution index were generally higher in the Gulf of Lions, significant differences between the two ecosystems were only found for Zn for Helicolenus dactylopterus, and for Ag and Cu for the crustacean N. norvegicus. Moreover, some relationships between trophic level or size and metal concentrations were found for these two species. The absence of clear pattern may result from the blurring effect of contamination and excretion that may act differentially for all species and all elements. Highlights► Low concentrations of trace metals in the muscle tissue for all studied marine species ► Absence of clear patterns for all studied species and elements ► Metal concentrations were mainly higher in the Gulf of Lions than in the Bay of Biscay.

Trace element contamination in fish impacted by bauxite red mud disposal in the Cassidaigne canyon (NW French Mediterranean)

“…Gobert et al, 2017), while for other species, no dependency is found (e.g. Mille et al, 2018). The absence of relationship likely indicates that fish regulate some TE at a certain concentration required for efficient metabolic activities (Canli and Atli, 2003;Hornung et al, 1993).…”

“…Moreover, although several studies have already been conducted on TE in Mediterranean fish (e.g. Canli and Atli, 2003;Iamiceli et al, 2015;Mille et al, 2018), some elements such as Al, Ti and V have rarely been investigated (Eisler, 2010). Lastly, the present study provides a baseline dataset for various…”

A Machine Learning Approach in Analyzing Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Turbot Tissues

“…Trace metals, such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), or selenium (S), are essential elements that are involved in the normal metabolism of fish [ 2 ]. Other trace metals, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are non-essential elements and do not have any biological role in the fish’s organism [ 21 ]. Both essential and non-essential metals may become toxic above a specific threshold [ 21 ].…”

“…Other trace metals, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are non-essential elements and do not have any biological role in the fish’s organism [ 21 ]. Both essential and non-essential metals may become toxic above a specific threshold [ 21 ]. Furthermore, alkali metals, such as sodium (Na) or potassium (K), and alkaline earth metals, such as calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg), influence the bioaccumulation capacity of trace metals in fish [ 22 ].…”

“…Flatfish, such as the turbot ( Psetta maxima maeotica , Linnaeus, 1758), are accepted by the scientific communities as good bioindicators of heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment, due to their association to bottom sediments [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. The feeding ecology of the turbot is benthivorous, which is, it feeds on organic detritus and small preys inhabiting the sediment superficial layers [ 14 ].…”