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Belhoucine Fatma

  • Biodiversity Journal, 8 (3): 807-818

    Bouhadiba Sultana, Belhoucine Fatma, Belhadj Hanane, Alioua Amel & Boutiba Zitouni
    Quantification of two metallic elements in the Mullet, Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes Mugilidae), fished at the bay of Oran (NW Algeria)

    ABSTRACT
    Aware of the problem of marine pollution, the Algerian authorities and the national scientific community are increasingly interested in environmental studies, with a view to assessing risks and protecting our coastal ecosystem. For this reason, several studies are carried out on the studies of the degree of contamination of the Algerian coasts as well as the fishery products. This research is partly rooted in a monitoring mission to conduct an integrated study of the marine environment. The objectives of this work are oriented towards societal questions and to provide elements of assistance to the management of this environment for the local actors. This study focused on the evaluation of the concentrations of the two heavy metals Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) in Mullet, Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes Mugilidae), caught in the Oran bays. This fish reflects very well the quality of its biotope; it is a very abundant species in Algerian coastal waters and very appreciated by the Algerian consumer. The harvesting campaigns were carried out for fourteen months from February 2012 to March 2013, the quantification of heavy metal concentrations was carried out in three organs: liver (the detoxification organ), gonads ( the reproductive organs) and flesh (representing the part consumed by humans). Heavy metal concentrations were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry as a function of several parameters. The mean concentrations of Lead and Zinc in muscle, liver and fish gonads in Oran Bay are below standards, i.e. the grades are generally low in the two metals studied and do not exceed the normative limits required in fish. This study indicates a limited bioavailability of two metals (Lead and Zinc) in the fishery products. Results of biochemical analysis revealed metallic contents below the maximum allowable doses (D.M.A), which other studies have confirmed. These heavy metals are present at low concentrations in nature and in living organisms.