Metal Content in Small Pelagic Fish in the North-West Africa

This work presents the analysis of 20 heavy metals concentrations (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) in 80 muscle samples of two species widely consumed by humans, such as the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and the blue jack mackerel (Trachurus picturatus). Both species have similar metal concentrations, with significant differences in Ba, Ca, Ni, Pb and Mn. Most of the relations between the concentration of metals and the weight of the individuals were negative. All concentrations of toxic heavy metals were lower (than the legislated maximum limits for consumption S. pilchardus: 3.983 mg/kg Al, 0.016 mg/kg Cd, 0.047 mg/kg Pb, and T. picturatus: 5.484 mg/kg Al, 0.011 mg/kg Cd, 0.040 mg/kg Pb). The results were compared with available information with available information for the species. Higher metallic content found in studies from close areas of the African coast, could be due to the influence of the upwelling and to the dust from the the Saharan desert.