Levels of Selected Metals in Albacore (Thunnus alalunga, Bonnaterre, 1788) from the Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

Albacore has been exported mainly to Europe from Turkey. To evaluate the possible health risks and provide information for surveillance programs, concentrations of cadmium, mercury, and lead were determined in albacore from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Of the 34 individuals, 25 contained mercury and 9 contained cadmium above the permissible limits set by the European Union (1 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively). None of the samples contained lead above the limit (0.3 mg/kg). It was concluded that concentrations of trace metals in albacore, especially mercury, must be controlled comprehensively and periodically with respect to consumer health.

Keywords:

• albacore
• tuna
• heavy metal
• fish
• Mediterranean