Assessment of trace metals accumulation in the blue shark Prionace glauca and the smooth-hound shark Mustelus mustelus using electrochemical technique

Abstract

Sharks are generally highly exposed to overexploitation and in addition, the increased pollution in the marine environment also negatively impacts them. Therefore, it is important to monitor inorganic contaminants in sharks. This study was conducted to elucidate heavy metal accumulation in the Smooth hound Mustelus mustelus and the Blue shark Prionace glauca by electrochemical technique from the North-Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey. Cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc were determined. These results showed that the concentrations of all the trace metals were significantly different both in the liver and muscle tissues of Blue shark and Smooth-hound shark (P < 0.001). Cr and Pb concentrations exceeded the maximum limit legalized by FAO (2003), EU (2005), and UNEP (2008). These results confirmed that the metal contamination in the North-Eastern Mediterranean area may pose a potential threat to the sustainability of Blue shark and Smooth-hound shark in the marine ecosystem.