Assessment of chromium, lead and mercury in seawater and some fish species from the Gulf of Urabá, Colombian Caribbean: a baseline study

The coastline of the department of Antioquia, in Colombia, exhibits a wide variety of aquatic and land ecosystems rich in both diversity and abundance. However, it is exposed to a variety of human activities, including industry, tourism, and mining. Banana cultivation is the main activity carried out in this region, which offers large economic benefits. In addition, there are diverse fishery resources that are main basis of the economy and nutrition for the population. Over the years, the Gulf of Urabá has been affected by serious pollution problems due to elevated contents toxic compounds that deteriorate the aquatic ecosystem, even our laboratory has conducted previous studies in heavy metals in fish from this same area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contents of chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in seawater and fish muscle in three fish species from the Gulf of Urabá that are commercialized and consumed by the population of the municipality of Turbo, using microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES). The occurrence of toxic metals in seawater in this area has not been reported, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study. Cr and Pb concentrations in seawater from several sampling points were detected ranged from 0.025 to 0.369 mg/L and 0.012–0.165 mg/L, respectively, while Hg levels were below detection limit. Regarding fish samples, Pb and Hg levels range 0.64–1.91 mg/kg and 0.11–1.09 mg/kg, respectively. Sea catfish species exhibited the highest content of metals, followed by stone head catfish and anchovy, it which showed the lowest contamination by metals. In this study, levels that exceed the limits in Colombian regulations regarding metal contents in discharge points to surface water and fishery products for human consumption were found.