Heavy metal distribution in different fish species from the Mauritania coast

Cadmium, copper, zinc and mercury concentrations were determined in pelagic and benthic fishes from the Mauritania coast. The pelagic fishes consisted of the round sardinella Sardinella aurita Clupeidae., the chub mackerel Scomber japonicus Scombridae. and the Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus Carangidae.. Four benthic species were considered, three Serranidae: the painted comber Serranus scriba, the golden grouper Epinephelus costae, and the Niger hind Cephalopholis nigri and one Mullidae: the West African goatfish Pseudupeneus prayensis. Cadmium, copper, zinc and mercury concentrations are low in the edible muscles of the pelagic species. In the benthic fishes, metals could be determined also in the gills and liver. Cadmium and copper were present in relatively low levels in the muscle F0.06 mg Cd gy1 dry wt., F1.6 mg Cu gy1 dry wt.. and gills F0.23 mg Cd gy1, F3.1 mg Cu gy1. and higher levels are encountered in the livers F51 mg Cd gy1, F49.1 mg Cu gy1.. Zinc concentrations in the muscle are low F20 mg Zn gy1 dry wt.., the concentrations in the gills F120 mg Zn gy1. approach those of the livers for C. nigri and P. prayensis or are higher in the case of S. scriba and E. costae. Mercury concentrations in the gills and muscle of the pelagic species are very low, higher quantities are found in the livers of the benthic species. The metal concentrations in all the fishes analysed, which are restricted to approximately 40 specimens, are low except those found for cadmium in the livers of the benthic fishes.