METALS AND ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS IN EEL (ANGUILLA ANGUILLA)FROM THE LESINA LAGOON, ADRIATIC SEA (ITALY)

Abstract The muscle tissue of eel was analysed for metals (Hg, Cd, Cu and Zn), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs) with the purpose to ascertain whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum levels fixed by the European Commission. Zinc showed highest concentrations (mean: 20.19 µg g-1 wet wt) followed by copper (mean: 0.58 µg g-1 wet wt), mercury (mean: 0.18 µg g-1 wet wt) and cadmium (mean: 0.03 µg g-1 wet wt). None of the fish samples analysed presented metal concentrations exceeding the proposed limits. Among the organochlorine pesticides, only p,p'-DDE and p,p’-DDT were found with mean values of 19.2 ng g-1 wet wt and 3 ng g-1 wet wt, respectively, while mean concentrations of PCBs were 94.0 ng g-1 wet wt. With regard to DDT and its metabolites the concentrations were well below maximum residue limit (MRL), while the mean PCB concentrations calculated as the sum of the seven “target” congeners indicated by the European Union, exceeded the established limit. From ecotoxicological points of view concentrations of the metals and organochlorine compounds reflect a comparatively clean and pollution-free environment. These concentrations may be, thus, considered as useful background levels to which to refer for comparison within the Adriatic Sea.