European eels and heavy metals from the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain)

the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), all known to be harmful heavy metals, in European eels from the Mar Menor lagoon were investigated. On the other hand, the dietary selenium (Se) status is highly related to Hg toxicity (Ralston and Raymond, 2010), and the antagonist effect of Se on Hg is well known since many years ago. The molar ratio Se:Hg may provide an accurate index of risk from fish consumption, and the Selenium Health Benefit Value (HBVSe, Ralston et al., 2016) has been recently considered as a good instrument to better understand of the Se available that remains after its interaction with Hg. Thus, due to the importance of factors affecting public health, information regarding Se concentrations, Se:Hg ratio and the HBVSe were also analysed.

Heavy metal pollution is related to the fall in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) populations. The Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain) is home to an endangered population of this species, which is still caught for human consumption. The presence of Pb, Cd and Hg in the livers and muscles and the Se:Hg ratio in muscle of 150 eels from this lagoon were determined. Pb concentrations were higher than those reported from other populations in the world, while Cd and Hg concentrations in the tissues analysed were lower. In terms of food safety, Se concentrations play an important role in sequestering Hg in eels from this lagoon.

Aptitud ecológica de la anguila europea de humedales mediterráneos e implicaciones en el declive de las poblaciones

This work was supported by “Programa de Apoyo a la Investigación

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