Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Squid (Loligo duvaucelii) from Tuticorin Coastal Waters

K. Venu Babu, B. Veerendra Kumar, K Hari Chandra Prasad

Abstract: This study investigates 9 elements both essential (Cr, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Ni) and non essential (Cd, Hg and Pb) in the tissues and whole of the Squid loligo duvaucelii caught off Tuticorin coast (Coromandel Coast of India, Bay of Bengal). The level of elements was determined by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentration ranges found for these heavy metals, expressed on a wet weight basis, were as follows: Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni concentrations in Squid muscle samples were 0.01 - 0.07, 0.11-0.67, 0.11-1.14, 0.52-6.08, 4.82-19.32, 0.08-5.84, 0-0.49 and 0-2.11, 0-0.92 ppm respectively. As for other cephalopod species, the liver showed the highest concentrations of many elements highlighting their role in bioaccumulation and detoxification processes. The mean values of highly hazardous metals in the muscle of the Loligo duvauceli, were: Hg = 0.04, Cd = 0.350, Pb = 0.300, Cr = 0.362, all within the international safety limits. The level of contamination in Loligo duvauceli by these heavy metals is compared to those studied in other parts of the world and the legal standards set by international legalizations. The levels of heavy metal in Loligo duvauceli was found to be within the safe limits for human consumption.

Keywords: Heavy metal, Bay of Bengal, Accumulation, Squid, Loligo duvaucelii