Abstract
The monthly variations in metal concentration of Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Chromium (Cr) were determined in tissues ofMytilus galloprovincialisand seawater obtained from the mussel farm installed along the Al Hoceima coasts, during the sampling period of 2018. The heavy metals encountered in the bivalves were higher than those observed in their environment with a decreasing order of Zn > Cr > Cd. The results also showed a decreasing trend for the metals studied during the summer sampling campaign. The maximum values were obtained during the wet periods. The monthly variations in trace metals observed in the mussel tissues were due to environmental parameters and the physiological state of the bivalves. Our results revealed that the average concentrations of pollutants found inM. galloprovincialiswere below the limits allowed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) which are 2.0, 1000 and 1.0 mg/kg, for Cd, Zn and Cr, respectively in molluscan shellfish for human consumption. Therefore, the trace elements present in the tissues of Al Hoceima shore mussels do not represent a risk to human health associated with their consumption, even during the period of their maximum bioaccumulation. Our work highlights the potential use ofMytilus galloprovincialisin the Biomonitoring of metallic pollutants in this region of the northern Moroccan coasts.
Highlights
The progress of any nation in the world is based on the industrial technology
The lowest salinity was observed in January (35.62 ± 0.226 practical salinity unit), the salinity began to rise in June, and the peak salinity of (40.17 ± 0.569 psu) was recorded in July
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), concerning water quality standard to metal pollutant levels, the heavy metal contents observed in the present work were lower than the maximum permissible limits recommended by WHO [21, 22]
Summary
The progress of any nation in the world is based on the industrial technology. In parallel with technology development, a boom in industrial and agricultural activities has led to an increase in the production and use of chemicals [1,2]. The industrial, domestic and agricultural sewage discharges containing the toxic xenobiotics have been identified as one of the most important sources of pollution on the Mediterranean coast These environmental pollutants constitute increasingly serious threats to the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystems. The bivalve molluscs have been successfully utilized as an indicator of environmental quality [6] Programs such as the ‘Mussel watch’, which was first implemented in 1975 [7] illustrate the usefulness of this approach to monitor the status and the trends of chemical contamination of United States coastal waters. The objective of the present work was to investigate the trace element (Cd, Zn and Cr) compositions in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and seawater samples, in order to discuss the seawater parameter impacts on the contents of the metallic element in bivalves These parameters were monitored monthly from the Al Hoceima coastal area, North of Morocco. The study may provide data on the use of Mediterranean mussels, as sentinel organisms in metal Biomonitoring studies in the Moroccan Mediterranean coastal area
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