Metal concentrations and toxicity in South African snoek (Thyrsites atun) and yellowtail (Seriola lalandi)

Adina C Bosch; Bernadette O'Neill; Sven E Kerwath; Gunnar O Sigge; Louwrens C Hoffman

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.074

Metal concentrations and toxicity in South African snoek (Thyrsites atun) and yellowtail (Seriola lalandi)

Mar Pollut Bull. 2017 Sep 15;122(1-2):360-365. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.074. Epub 2017 Jul 1.

Authors

Adina C Bosch¹, Bernadette O'Neill², Sven E Kerwath³, Gunnar O Sigge⁴, Louwrens C Hoffman⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Food Science, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
² Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
³ Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Private Bag X2, Rogge Bay 8012, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Food Science, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
⁵ Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Electronic address: lch@sun.ac.za.

PMID: 28676172
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.074

Abstract

The concentrations of 16 metals were assessed in snoek(Thyrsites atun; n=20) and yellowtail (Seriola lalandi; n=37) sampled from the West and South-East coasts of South Africa. Variability was observed at both small (Al, Cr, Hg, Pb, Mn and Cu) and large (As and Cu) spatial scales while inter-specific examination revealed diverse metal concentrations in snoek (Higher levels: Cr, Mn, Co, Hg and Pb) and yellowtail (higher levels: Fe and Cu). Zn, As and Hg were positively correlated with yellowtail size with no such correlations in snoek. Mean concentrations of As (0.61mg·kg^-1; 0.98mg·kg^-1), Cd (0.008mg·kg^-1; 0.004mg·kg^-1), Hg (0.27mg·kg^-1; 0.16mg·kg^-1) and Pb (0.009mg·kg^-1; 0.005mg·kg^-1) for snoek and yellowtail respectively were within regulatory guidelines. However, 10% (n=2) of snoek exceeded Hg maximum allowable limit, suggesting caution and further investigation. Overall, two meals (150g) per week of snoek or larger yellowtail (12-15kg) can be safe for human (adult) consumption.

Keywords: Fish muscle; ICP-MS; Metals; Seriola lalandi; Thyrsites atun; Toxicity.

MeSH terms

Animals
Environmental Monitoring
Fishes*
Humans
Mercury
Metals, Heavy / toxicity*
Safety
Seafood
South Africa
Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

Metals, Heavy
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Mercury