Metal concentrations in monkfish, Lophius americanus, from the northeastern USA

Concentrations of arsenic (As), selenium (Se), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and total mercury (Hg) were analyzed in the muscle, liver, and gonads of the American monkfish, Lophius americanus, collected from Franklin Swell, Massachusetts; Mud Hole, New Jersey; and the Fingers, Maryland, in the northeastern US, by commercial gillnetters from February to May 2007. Results indicated that As and Hg concentrations were significantly higher in liver samples collected from the Fingers than from Mud Hole and Franklin Swell. The highest concentrations of Pb were found in muscle, liver, and gonads collected from Franklin Swell. L. americanus collected from the Fingers and Mud Hole had higher concentrations of Zn in the gonads and total Hg in the muscle than those collected from Franklin Swell. Significant differences were found in gonadal Cd concentrations among the three sites. A significant correlation was observed between hepatic Se and Hg molar concentrations in fish collected from Franklin Swell. The molar Se to Hg ratios were lowest in muscle and highest in gonads of L. americanus. With the exception of Hg, all metal concentrations were within the maximum permissible limit for human consumption.