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Trace metals in herring from the southern Baltic, 1983
Zeitschrift Fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung Und -Forschung
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Trace metal levels in Baltic herring (Clupea harengus) muscle tissue were analyzed. Most herring had cadmium and lead concentrations below safety limits, though some exceeded them.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- The Baltic Sea is susceptible to heavy metal pollution.
- Herring (Clupea harengus) are a key species in Baltic marine ecosystems.
- Monitoring trace metal accumulation in fish is crucial for environmental and human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, and nickel in Baltic herring muscle.
- To assess if concentrations exceed established tolerance levels.
- To compare findings with previous studies on Baltic herring.
Main Methods:
- Atomic-absorption spectrophotometry was used for precise metal quantification.
- Muscle tissue samples from 187 herring were analyzed.
- Herring were collected from various locations in the southern Baltic Sea.
Main Results:
- Mean concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) were: Cd 0.009, Pb 0.079, Cu 0.49, Zn 9.2, Fe 9.9, Mn 0.19, Ni 0.10.
- Mean cadmium and lead levels were below recommended tolerance limits.
- A few herring samples showed cadmium concentrations exceeding the 0.05 mg/kg threshold.
Conclusions:
- Baltic herring generally show low levels of cadmium and lead in muscle tissue.
- Minor variations in trace metal concentrations were observed between different herring stocks.
- Continued monitoring is recommended, especially for cadmium, due to occasional exceedances.