Heavy Metal and Trace Element Bioaccumulation in Muscle and Liver of the Merlu (Merluccius merluccius Linneaus, 1758) from the Gulf of Bejaia in Algeria

Abstract This preliminary study aims at assessing a contamination level of Bejaia Gulf by some Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs) such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, lead and cadmium. The use of hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linneaus, 1758) as a bio-indicator of these heavy metals, made it possible to put in an obvious the presence of these micropollutants at the level of two target organs, the liver, detoxifying organ and the muscle, the most prized part by consumer. The MTE assays are performed using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). As for the fish contamination level, it is referred to the guide values of the WHO, FAO and Algerian recommendations. Within the framework of our study, the recorded values show that hake accumulates all metal pollutants being analyzed. Iron and zinc exhibit the highest concentration, the presence of nickel and copper were also recorded. Lead and cadmium have critical concentrations exceeding even Algerian standards. These results revealed no significant difference in both sexes and in both target organs. However, the study indicates considerable contamination in young fish with significant concentrations according to established standards. These data reveal that Merluccius merluccius is a bio-indicator of marine pollution in the Gulf of Bejaia.