CADMIUM AND LEAD CONTENT IN MUSCLE TISSUE AND LIVER OF THREE FISH

SPECIES FROM THE EASTERN PART OF MIDDLE ADRIATIC

Zorana Kljakovic Gaspic*, Tomislav Zvonaric, Ante Baric

(Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, 21 000 Split, Croatia)

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of harmful trace metals (Cd and Pb) in edible tissue and liver of three commercially important fish species in order to assess the risk for human health. Furthermore, the results were used to evaluate the possibility of using different fish tissues as a quantitative indicator of the contamination level of coastal and open waters with Cd and Pb.

Samples of Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus and Pagellus erythrinus were collected in coastal and open waters of the eastern Middle Adriatic. The analysis of trace metals were performed by ET‑AAS.

The fish liver accumulated higher concentrations of Cd (1.9‑29 times) and Pb (1.1‑5.3 times) than the muscle tissue. In addition, the obtained results confirmed that the liver might be used as an indicator of present contamination of marine environment with Pb, but not with Cd.

Relatively low levels of Cd (8.5 ‑ 13.5 Vtg kg ‑1 w.w.) found in muscle tissue of the fish species, when compared to other parts of the Mediterranean, indicate that there is no significant contamination with Cd in this area. However, wider range of Pb level (77.0 124.2 tg kg I w.w.) indicates that coastal waters are permanently exposed to the elevated concentration of lead. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of using fish muscle tissue for long‑term monitoring of trace metals contamination in the marine environment.

Finally, the levels of Cd and Pb determined in the edible tissue of species are 7‑14 times lower than the maximum permitted values prescribed by the Croatian legislation. Therefore, the investigated species from the eastern part of Central Adriatic are not harmful for human health.

Corresponding author:

Zorana Kljakovic Gaspic FAX: ++ (385 21) 358 688

Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries PHONE: ++ (385 21) 358 650

21 000 Split e‑mail: kljakovic@izor.hr

Croatia