Determination of Cadmium, Copper, Lead, and Zinc in Pilchard Sardines from the Bay of Boumerdes by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Fish are an important human food with increasing consumption in recent decades. Diet is the main route of exposure to heavy metals for human health. For this reason, many studies have been performed on the pollution by heavy metals in different species of fish. Our main objective was to evaluate the pollution by trace metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd) in sardine muscles collected from the bay of Boumerdes (Algeria). Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for the quantification of Cu and Zn. The quantification of Cd and Pb was achieved by graphite furnace (GF) AAS. The analysis revealed the presence of metal trace elements in the muscles of species at concentrations below the thresholds established by national and international regulations.