Seasonal and spatial contamination of trace elements in sediments and fish tissues (Mugil Chephalus) from Annaba gulf (North East of Algeria)

This research is devoted to assessing the pollution within a Mediterranean Sea area in the East coast of Algeria, which is known for its port and industrial activities. This study aims to assess the health status of the Gulf of Annaba located in the extreme North-East of Algeria by examining the contamination level by trace elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg) in the sediments and muscles of Mugil cephalus fish. The obtained results manifest significant variations in metal levels in the sediments throughout the stations and the sampling seasons. The contamination by (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) of Joannonville and Sidi Salem stations is observed during both seasons whereas at the Chapuis station occurs only during the summer. The contamination indices are higher than 3, hence classifying the sediments of these three stations as "sediments at risk". Joannonville station manifests high levels of Hg only during the summer. For the muscles of M. cephalus, the contamination levels are found to be dependent on the species and the studied station. The fish inhabiting Joannonville and Sidi Salem show higher levels of (Zn, Pb, Cd) compared to the FAO/WHO standards, whereas the Pb level at Chapuis exceeds the standard during summer. Accordingly, the consumption of fish from Joannonville, Sidi Salem and Chapuis stations presents a serious threat regarding the toxicological risks based on the observed levels of contamination.