Anguilla anguilla L.: Evaluation of the degree of heavy metal contamination in the Sebou estuary and in Moulay Bousselham lagoon reserve (Morocco)

This work involves an assessment of the degree of heavy metal contamination (Zn, Fe, Cu, Pb and Cr) in liver, gills, kidney and muscle of eel (Anguilla anguilla) inhabiting two ecosystems along the Moroccan Atlantic coast: the Sebou estuary and the Moulay Bousselham lagoon reserve in April 2006. In this study, heavy metals were determined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Chromium levels in liver as well as copper levels in kidneys were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the Sebou estuary than in the Merja Zerga reserve. Accumulation of chromium and copper in eel tissues was likely due to anthropogenic activities. The metals ratios between liver and muscle indicated that the liver accumulated higher levels of metals than the muscle tissue. All metal levels in muscle tissues are lower than the limits of European Dietary Standards and Guidelines.