Study of trace metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) in cysts and biomass of Artemia salina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) from the salt work of Sfax (Tunisia)

Abstract

The salt work of Sfax (southern Tunisia) is a potential site for the exploitation and production of local Artemia. Significant quantities of Artemia (cysts and biomass) are harvested each year and are used in larval feeding.Since this salt work is surrounded by several sources of emissions and pollution, assessing the quality of the cysts and biomass of Artemia, is of great importance. To this end the determination of some toxic trace metals: mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) was performed. The analyses of these metals were carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry.The results obtained showed that the concentrations in both cysts and biomass are low compared to those recorded for other strains that have already been commercialized and are used in fish farming. Thus, Artemia from the salt work of Sfax could be used without chemical risks in the feeding of fish larvae. RÉSUMÉLa saline de Sfax constitue un site potentiel pour l'exploitation et la production de l'Artemia locale. Des quantités importantes d'Artemia (cystes et biomasse) sont exploitées chaque année et sont utilisées en alimentation larvaire.Nous avons jugé utile d'analyser les cystes et la biomasse d'Artemia exploités dans cette saline qui est entourée par plusieurs sources de rejets, en vue de déterminer la concentration de quelques métaux traces toxiques : le mercure (Hg), le cadmium (Cd), le plomb (Pb), le cuivre (Cu) et le zinc (Zn). Les analyses sont réalisées par spectrométrie d'absorption atomique.Les résultats obtenus ont montré que les concentrations aussi bien au niveau des cystes que de la biomasse sont faibles par rapport à celles enregistrées sur d'autres souches, déjà commercialisées et utilisées en pisciculture. De ce fait, l'Artemia de la saline de Sfax pourrait être utilisée sans aucun risque chimique en alimentation larvaire. 1 )

Solar Salterns and Pollution: Valorization of Some Endemic Species as Sentinels in Ecotoxicology

“…Surface sediments [69,80] Water [70,72] Biota: Artemia salina [73] Ribandar solar saltern (India) Surface sediments [63] Porteresia Bed, Karnafully coastal area (Bangladesh) Surface sediments [62] The Black Sea brine Pomorie salterns, Burgas (Bulgaria)…”

“…Thus, the evolution of trace element concentration seems to be controlled only by the evaporation–salt precipitation antagonist effect in the more concentrated brine where biological activity is absent or very limited. However, the concentrations of trace metals such as mercury, copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium in cysts and biomasses of Artemia (Branchiopoda) originating from the Sfax solar saltern are lower than those recorded in other strains, i.e., those from other localities that are already commercialized and used in larval fish feeding [ 73 ]. The lowest bioaccumulation of trace elements in Artemia was observed at the highest salinity (190 psu) [ 74 ].…”