The objectives of this study was to determine and compare the concentration levels of five selective essential trace metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Co and Se) and three non-essential metals (Hg, Pb and Cd) in the edible muscle tissues of commercially important species of male and female crustaceans (Erugosquilla massavensis, Penaeus semisulcatus, Metapenaeus monoceros, Portunus pelagicus) and mollusks (Sepia spp. And Cardium edule). It was carried out also to evaluate the bioaccumulation process of the elements based on the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) as an attempt to use these organisms as bioindicators of pollution of Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and the Arabian gulf and to ensure the seafood safety from these regions. The obtained results revealed that significant variations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Hg, Pb and Cd levels in edible muscles of crustacean and mollusk organisms were observed at different localities surveyed, as well as between sex of each species and environmental areas. The present data also, show that MPI factor of essential metals were higher than that of non-essential heavy metals in all studied organisms. Moreover, MPI values suggested that mantis shrimps E. massavensis and bivalve mollusks C. edule have a greater capacity for metal bioaccumulation than shrimps, crab and cephalopod mollusks, so E. massavensis and C. edule are more vulnerable to metal pollution than the other studied species. Therefore, it is suggested that E. massavensis and C. edule can be used as bioindicators of metal pollution.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.