Accumulation of metals in Anguilla anguilla from the Tagus estuary and relationship to environmental contamination

Abstract

Accumulation of metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) in the liver and muscle of the European eel, (Anguilla Anguilla), the influence of sex and size on tissue contamination, and the potential use of this species as a pollution biomonitor in the Tagus estuary were investigated. A total of 90 eels were captured in spring 2007 from six sampling stations. Metal concentrations were higher in the liver, except for Hg, which showed higher levels in the muscle. No significant differences were found between sexes in contrast to what was obtained in the size classes (TL < 240 mm, 240 mm ≤ TL < 350 mm and TL ≥ 350 mm). No clear relationships could be established between concentrations of metals in sediment and tissues, mainly due to the general heterogeneity in environmental conditions among stations, which hinders the use of this species as a biomonitor for metals contamination in this estuary.