Cadmium, zinc and copper accumulation in the squid Illex argentinus from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean

The levels and burdens of Cd, Zn, Cu and Hg were measured in the dorsal mantle, digestive gland and gonads of the squid Illex argentinus, from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Mature and immature individuals of both sexes were analysed. Correlations of heavy metal concentrations and burdens with sex and food habits were studied. The highest metal levels were found, particularly for Cd, in the digestive gland, which attained a concentration of up to 270 mu g g(-1) (wet weight). Dorsal mantle and gonads exhibited the same order of metal enrichment: Zn>Cu>Cd. Zinc and Cu levels were higher in ovaries than in testes and varied with the stage of maturation. The dorsal mantle exhibited the lowest heavy metal concentrations. Mercury levels were below the detection limit of the method in all the tissues analysed.