Heavy metals in sediment, water and the European glass eel, Anguilla anguilla (Osteichthyes: Anguillidae), from Loukkos River estuary (Morocco, eastern Atlantic)

El Morhit M., Fekhaoui M., Élie P., Girard P., Yahyaoui A., El Abidi A., Jbilou M.

Published date: September 2009
Volume: 33
Number: 3
Pagination: 219-228
Publisher: Société Française d'Ichtyologie
doi: https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2009-333-005
Abstract

Comparisons of metal concentrations (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd) were made in sediment and water with those in tissues of glass eel (Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758) collected in five stations from Loukkos estuary (Morocco, eastern Atlantic). Concentrations of selected metals were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Significant correlations (p < 0.05) between Cu-Pb were observed in sediment, Fe-Pb, Cr-Pb and Cr-Fe in water and Zn-Fe in fish. The metal levels found in tissues in the glass eel were below the legal limits for human consumption, but can induce sever dysfunctioning for the eel.

Keywords: Anguilla anguilla - Anguillidae - Heavy metals - Loukkos estuary - Morocco - Sediment - Water
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