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Wacila Rahal Benguedda

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (1): 0207-0215

    Salim Omar Belkheir, Wacila Rahal Benguedda, Amaria Aouar & Esma Choukchou-Braham
    Evaluation of the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn Cd and Pb) in Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 (Cephalopoda Octopoda Octopodidae) fished in the port of Ghazaouet (western Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.1.207.215

    ABSTRACT
    This study aims to determine the accumulation and the seasonal variation of the average concentrations of some heavy metals in various organs (branchial hearts, digestive gland, mantle) in a cephalopod mollusc (the common octopus: Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797) in the port of Ghazaouet (extreme western Algeria). The elements Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The study was monitored seasonally in the site, from January 2018 to December 2018. The results obtained revealed that the levels of contamination by heavy metals obey an organotropism between the metal and the targeted organ. Statistical processing (ANOVA) revealed highly significant variations for the average concentrations of heavy metals between octopus organs throughout the sampling campaign, with the exception of zinc (P > 0.05). The sample is marked only for cadmium: The summer season and the printed season show the highest levels, while the fall season and winter season show the lowest levels.