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Mercury content in hair from fishing communities of the State of Penang, Malaysia
Marine PollutionBulletin nanophytoplankton chlorophyll levels varied significantly between the two lochs (chlorophyll ttota~ tphytoplankton = 3.68; tnano= 3.47; d.f. = 5), but the carbon f'rxation quantities did not differ significantly (productivity ttot~= 2.09; tn~o = 1.84; d.f. = 5). Data from a single station off Keppel Pier near Millport in the last week in July were similar to those from the Gareloch, but the nanophytoplankton carbon f'rxation in the Millport sample was appreciably higher using in situ incubations. Temperature and oxygen profile measurements showed a thermocline at 10 m over both weeks in Loch Long. In the Gareloch the onset of a thermocline at 7 m depth was observed between 3 and 12 August. This stratification was more apparent at the head of the loch, and was less obvious near the spit separating the north and south basins. Levels of phosphate, nitrate and dissolved silica in the Gareloch were appreciably higher than in Loch Long during both weeks. The nutrient levels in the Loch Long samples were similar to those obtained from the sea off Millport.
Discussion The contributions of the nanophytoplankton to both the plankton b i o m a s s - a s shown by chlorophyll a measurements-and to carbon fixation in Loch Long remained fairly constant over the two weeks although the total phytoplankton declined in quantity. In the Gareloch similarly there was a decline in the total phytoplankton in the second week, but here the nanophytoplankton component contributions increased from 15 to 28°70 for chlorophyll a and 22-63% for carbon fixation. Loch Long, with its relative stability in terms of stratification, has a much slower rate of water exchange with the Firth. The Gareloch is more nutrient rich and is more subject to incursions of water from the main channel, and to mixing. In the less stable situation in the Gareloch the < 20 /an fraction made lower contributions to both the total chlorophyll and carbon
fixation, although both levels for the total phytoplankton were significantly higher than those in Loch Long. The formation of the thermocline between the sampling dates in the Gareloch was accompanied by marked increases in the nanophytoplankton contribution to both total chlorophyll and carbon fixation. Thermal stratification would seem to be one factor leading to increased phytoflagellate populations in the nutrient rich Gareloch, and may also be a necessary preliminary to flagellate 'blooms'.
Clyde River Purification Board. (1976). Water quality - a baseline report. Hannah, F. J. & Boney, A. D. (1980). Standing crop and carbon fixation of rockpool phytoflagellates. Mar. Biol. Letr, 11,149-159. Marshall, S. M. (1924). The food of Calanusfinmarchicus during 1923. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 13, 473-479. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1927). The relation of the plankton to some chemical and physical factors in the Clyde Sea area. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 14, 837-868. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1930). A study of the spring diatom increase in Loch Striven. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 16, 863-878. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1955). On the biology of Calanus finmarchicus VII1. Food uptake, assimilation and excretion in adult and stage V Calanus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 34, 495-529. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1962). Carbohydrate as a measure of phytoplankton. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 42, 511-519. Marshall, S. M., Nicholls, A. G. & Orr, A. P. (1934). On the biology of Calanus finmarchicus V. Season distribution, size weight and chemical composition in Loch Striven 1933 and their relation to the phytoplankton. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 19, 793-827. Mullin, J. P. & Riley, J. P. (1955). The colorimetric determination of silicate with special reference to sea and natural waters. Analyr chim. Acta., 12, 162-176. Nicholls, A. G. (1963). On the biology of Calanus finmarchicus !. Reproduction and seasonal distribution in the Clyde Sea Area during 1932. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 19, 83-138. Steemann Nielsen, E. (1952). The use of radioactive carbon (C 14) for measuring organic production in the sea. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer, 18, 117-140. Strickland, J. D. H. & Parsons, T. R. (1972). A Manual o f Seawater Analysis. Fish Res. Bd. Canada, 167 pp. Wood, E. D., Armstrong, F. A. J. & Richards, F. A. (1967). Determination of nitrate in seawater by cadmium-copper reduction to nitrite. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 47,23-31.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 11, pp. 188-191 © Pergamon Press Ltd. 1980. Printed in Great Britain.
0025 326X/80/0701-0188 $02.00/0
Mercury Content in Hair from Fishing Communities of the State of Penang, Malaysia P. M. SIVALINGAM and A H Z U R A BINTI SANI
School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The total mercury content of hair from a number of f'tshing communities in the state of Penang averaged, for different age-groups: over 40 years, 9.19 ppm; 19-40 years, 7.90 p p m ; and 1-18 years, 7.36 ppm. The highest values found in these age groups were 16.10, 14.8 and 12.8 ppm, respectively, for different communities. Examinations of the mercury content of eight species of finf'tsh taken at each of the f'tshing
188
communities (with one exception where bivalves were substituted) showed values ranging up to 3.265 ppm in muscle, 16.345 ppm in heart and 7.50 ppm in liver, but there was no correlation between biodeposited mercury in hair of the three age groups and mercury concentrations in local fish.
Volume 11/Number 7/July 1980
aquatic pollution, due to industrialization effecting their livelihood, the authors have endeavoured to perform a thorough survey on the levels of total mercury content in hair from fishing communities in the state of Penang of three age groups; i.e. less than~19 years, 19-39 years and more than 40 years. The idea in grouping the fishing communities into three age groups is to visualize the levels of environmental hazards involved in the various generations. These results were then compared with the total Hg content in muscle, heart and liver tissues of seven species of landed f'mfish and a species of shellfish at the relevant fishing community.
Marine pollution studies in the Malaysian context are very limited, except for scanty reports on heavy metals content in some marketed finfish and shellfish (Lee & Low, 1976b) and the extent of pollution of the Juru River, Penang, elaborating its adverse impact on the fishery industry (CAP, 1976a). In this connection, studies on biodeposited trace metals in tropical marine algae and high concentration stresses of trace metals on their modes of biodeposition in the Malaysian sea lettuce, Ulva reticulata Forskal, are also available (Sivalingam, 1978a,b,c). Recently, the extent of trace metals pollution in coastal molluscs, sediments and sea water samples from the island of Penang have also been reported (Sivalingam et al., 1979). PCBs and persistent pesticide contamination in Penang waters have also been examined (Sivalingam et al., 1980a). Furthermore, from the viewpoint of shellfish mariculture there are experimental studies (Sivalingam & Bhaskaran, 1978; Sivalingam, 1979) on the biodeposition modes of trace metals by the green mussel Perna viridis Linnaeus and the rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata Born under various high concentration stresses. The contents of PCBs and persistent pesticides in cultured cockles, have also been dealt with extensively (Sivalingam et aL, 1980b). Based on the aforementioned information and the outcries of the local fishing communities over the extent of
Materials and Methods Sampling of hair was performed from 10 individuals, who have dwelled a fairly long time at a particular fishing community, for the three age groups of < 19 years, between 19 and 39 years and > 40 years from eight fishing communities, i.e. Tanjong Tokong, Batu Ferringhi, Telok Bahang, Balik Pulau, Gertak Sanggul, Telok Kumbar, Batu Maung and Juru (Fig. 1), between July 1978 and February 1979. Concurrently, eight different species of landed finfish at seven of the fishing communities were analysed for total Hg content in the muscle, liver and heart tissues, while at one
KUALA MUDA
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~
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RIMAU ]O0°]O'E N
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.......
i Fig.
1 Map illustrating the sampling sites of hair from fishing communities of the state of Penang.
189
Marine Pollution Bulletin
fishing community, Juru, due to lack of finfish samples, only cultured cockles were collected. Each finfish species tissue sample on the average was a composite of 8-10 individuals while the cockles a pool of 20 individuals. Dried samples of hair, tissues of muscle, heart and liver of finfish and whole cockle meat were digested separately in 10 ml concentrated H 2 S O 4 at 60°C for 6 h and later the mercury oxidized to the mercuric (Hg 2÷) form with 30 ml of 6070 KMNO4 in an ice bath. This oxidized sample was further digested for 3 h at 60°C prior addition of 10 ml of 6070 potassium persulphate to complete the reaction at the same temperature for 1 h. The digested samples were then analysed for total Hg content using a Coleman Mercury MS-50 Analyzer according to the method of Stanley etal. (1971).
TABLE 1 Mercury content in hair of fishing communities in the state of Penang, Malaysia.
Locality of fishing communities
Tanj ong Tokong Batu Ferringhi Telok Bahang Balik Pulau Gertak Sanggul Telok Kumbar, Kampong Nelayan Batu Maung Juru
Mercury content (ppm) Age group (yr) 1-18
19-40
>40
5.56 12.58 6.69 7.78 3.31 6.07 5.97 10.90
1.89 6.07 8.50 8.74 11.05 7.22 14.84 4.85
4.15 2.09 9.00 8.52 6.27 16.10 16.08 11.34
heart tissues of finfish from Tanjong Tokong followed by liver tissues of finfish from Balik Pulau, Gertak Sanggul, Telok Bahang and Batu Ferringhi. The mean total Hg in these tissues could be categorized as Hg content in muscle tissues < heart tissues < liver tissues. The values of total Hg in muscle tissues of all the examined finfish; ranging between 0.237 and 3.265 ppm, are fairly close to values reported by Suckcharoen et al. (1978) for Ophiocephalus striatus found in the vicinity of a Japanese caustic soda factory in Thailand. These values, however, are quite high on comparison with values reported for predatory fish (Menasveta & Siriyong, 1977) in the Andaman Sea: Neothunnus albacora 0.026-0.234 ppm, Parathunnus sibi 0.027-0.233 ppm and four species of shark 0.057-0.478 ppm, respectively. The values on comparison with those of finfish of Shiranui Sea (up to 50 ppm) where Minamata Disease occurred, on the contrary, are relatively low. Nevertheless, these levels are slightly high for
Results and discussion Table 1 demonstrates the total Hg content in hair of the three age groups from the various fishing communities of the state of Penang. It is noticeable that the largest amount of biodeposited Hg is found in the age group >40 years; Telok Kumbar and Batu Maung communities followed by the 19--40 years age group of Batu Maung and the 1-18 years age group of Batu Ferringhi. From a general point of view, the trend in distribution of total Hg in the age groups can be categorized as follows: > 40 years age group > 19--40 years age group > 1-18 years age group. Table 2 indicates the total mercury content in tissues of muscle, liver and heart of eight species of finfish and cultured cockles from the relevant fishing communities. It is evident that the highest mean Hg content is found in the
TABLE 2 Mercury content of some finfish and shellfish landed in the various relevant fishing communities of the state of Penang. Hg content in organs of finfish and shellfish spp. (ppm) Fishing community
Tissue
Pseudosciena aneus
Plotosus canius HAM
Synaptura Mugil c o m m e r - dussumsonii iersii
C l a r i a s Harengula Chorinemus Upeneus Anadara Mean Hg batracus perforata lysan sulphureus granosa content (Forskal)
(ppm)
Tanjong Tokong
Muscle Liver Heart
0.34 5.34 30.12
0.42 8.34 24.41
0.11 4.34 15.23
0.23 2.42 7.91
0.01 2.01 18.11
0.51 6.39 16.35
0.09 5.91 5.75
0.19 4.89 12.88
-
0.237 4.96 16.345
Batu Ferringhi
Muscle Liver Heart
2.15 8.01 2.89
0.39 9.91 6.78
1.33 4.61 2.04
0.76 3.78 3.19
2.14 7.43 1.87
0.43 5.71 2.65
2.31 2.98 3.22
0.05 3.22 5.03
-
1.195 5.748 3.447
Telok Bahang
Muscle Liver Heart
3.59 10.37 0.50
2.85 4.88 1.67
2.78 6.23 0.08
1.44 3.11 2.01
3.67 1.11 1.55
4.21 8.73 0.07
1.91 5.90 0.69
0.99 7.00 1.02
-
2.680 5.916 0.948
Balik Pulau
Muscle Liver Heart
3.37 12.90 2.80
2.61 11.20 4.02
2.43 8.31 2.21
1.87 5.62 2.36
3.02 9.77 3.61
1.94 2.89 4.41
1.21 4.34 2.46
4.00 5.02 3.04
-
2.556 7.50 3.113
Gertak Sanggul
Muscle Liver Heart
4.82 7.96 3.70
3.57 7.74 12.0
2.24 6.21 4.70
3.09 8.91 1.28
1.16 2.01 3.41
2.45 7.55 3.23
3.88 8.34 5.69
4.91 4.67 1.00
-
3.265 6.673 4.376
Telok Kumbar Muscle (Kampong Nelayan) Liver Heart
1.54 1.27 10.83
t.24 0.37 8.25
1.21 2.22 4.24
0.92 1.45 6.03
2.31 0.55 6.00
0.09 3.01 9.02
1.69 2.78 2.90
0.85 0.20 5.56
-
1.231 1.481 5.202
Batu Maung
Muscle Liver Heart
1.43 3.70 10.28
2.27 7.39 5.26
3.21 1.29 2.79
1.09 2.88 3.81
0.87 5.32 4.41
2.00 4.10 5.42
1.78 3.81 4.01
2.44 1.25 3.99
-
1.883 3.71'/ 4.996
Juru
Whole meat
.
1.443
1.443
190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Volume 1l/Number 7/July 1980 some fishing communities based o n the tolerance limit of 0.5 ppm for oceanic fish set by the United States F o o d a n d Drug Administration. With regard to levels of total Hg content in hair from different fishing communities they are relatively low a n d comparable with values reported by Rodger & Smith (1967) and Eyl (1970) for n o r m a l adults indicating no symptoms of M i n a m a t a Disease, i.e. 3.6-705 p p m (Kitamura, 1968). It should also be b o r n e in m i n d that there is difficulty in correlating the interrelationship of the highest value of Hg content f o u n d in hair to those of tissues from finfish/whole cockle meat because this primarily depends directly on the levels in dietary intake of the fishery landings. Finally, it can be noted that all the fishing communities in the island of P e n a n g are n o t hitherto exposed to high levels of Hg c o n t a m i n a t i o n and hence do not in anyway show signs of possibly suffering from M i n a m a t a Disease. The authors wishto thank the Schoolof BiologicalSciences,University Sains Malaysia, for all the aid given during the course of this investigation. Consumer's Association of Penang. (1976a). Pollution, Kuala Juru's BattleforSurvival, pp. 1-73. Eyl, T. B. (1970). Methyl mercury poisoning in fish and human beings. Mod. Med., 38, 135-141. Kitamura, S. (1968). Minamata Disease, pp. 257-266. Study group, Kumamoto University,Japan. Lee, K. H. & Low, T. P. (1976b). Heavy metals in Malaysian finfish and shellfish. Seminar on Protecting our Environment, l l-13 March 1976, Kuala Lumpur, Preprint No. 11. Menasveta, P. & Siriyong, R. (1977). Mercury content of several predacious fish in the Andaman Sea. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 8, (9), 200-204.
MarinePollutionBulletin,Vol.11,pp. 191-195 © PergamonPressLtd.1980.PrintedinGreatBritain.
Rodger, W. J. & Smith, H. (1967). Mercury absorption by fingerprinting officers using 'Grey Powder'. ForensicSci. Soc. Japart, 7, 86. Sivalingam,P. M. (1978a). Biodepositedtrace metalsand mineralcontent studies of sometropical marine algae. Botanicamar., 21,327-330. Sivalingam, P. M. (1978a). Effect of high concentration stress of trace metals on their biodepositionmodes in UIvareticulata Forskal. Jap. J. Phycol., 26, (4), 157-160. Sivalingam, P. M. (1978c). Mercury contamination in tropical algal species of the island of Penang, Malaysia.Mar. Pollut. Bull. (in press). Sivalingam, P. M. (1979). Bioaccumulation of trace metals by the Malaysianrock oyster, Saccostreacucullata, under high concentration stresses. Proc. Int. 2nd Symp. on our Environment, 14-16 November 1979, Singapore, Institute of Natural Sciences, Nanyang University. Sivalingam,P. M. & Bhaskaran, B. (1978). Experimentalinsightof trace metal environmental pollution problems of mussel farming. Int. Foundation for Science, Provisional Rep. No. 2 of the Regional Meeting on Aquaculture, 28 September-1 October 1978, Muka Head Biological Field Station, Penang, Malaysia, pp. 345-368. (Also to appear in the ConferenceSpecialIssueof J. Aquaculture.) Sivalingam, P. M., Yoshida, T., Kojima, H. & Allapitchay, 1. (1979). Trace metals biodeposition and its extent of pollution in coastal molluscs, sedimentsand sea water samples from the island of Penang, Malaysia. Proc. Fourth Co-operative Studies of Kuroshio Symp. 14-18 February 1979,Tokyo, Japan. Sivalingam,P. M., Allapitchay, I., Kojima, H. & Yoshida, T. (1980a). PCBs and persistent pesticides pollution of coastal waters of Penang island, Malaysia.Paper to be presentedat IA WPR Int. Conf., Toronto, 23-27 June 1980. Sivalingam,P. M., Allapitchay, I., Kojima, H. & Yoshida, T. (1980b). PCBs and pesticidescontent in cultured cockles in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Paper to be presented at the Int. Symp. Coastal Aquaculture, Cochin, India, 12-18January 1980. Stanley, J. M., Willis, S. A. & Morey, S. W. (1971). Determination of mercury by flameless atomic absorption. Marine Research Laboratory, Divisionof Marine Resources, Florida. Leaflet Series, Vol. VI Chemistry, Part 2 (Organic)No. 5. Suckcharoen, S., Nuorteva, P. & Hasanen, E. (1978). Alarming signs of mercury pollution in a freshwater area of Thailand. Ambio, 7, (3), 113-116.
0025-326X/80/0701-0191$02.00/0
DDT, DDE, and PCB Residues in Fish, Crustaceans and Sediments from the Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey O Z D E N B A S T U R K * , M A H M U T D O G A N * , ILKAY S A L I H O G L U * and T U R G U T I. BALKAS-I*M.E.T.U. Marine Science Department, P.K.28, Erdemli, I¢el, Turkey t M.E.T.U. Marine Science Department, P..K.28, Erdemli, Icel, Turkey (to w h o m all correspondence s h o u M be directed)
Residues of DDE, D D T and PCBs were determined in four different commercial bony fishes: grey mullet, red mullet, striped mullet and gold bandgoat fish, as well as in shrimps, limpets and sediments obtained from the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The PCB levels in living organisms and sediments were found to be very low, and in most cases below the detection limits. The D D E and D D T values were relatively high compared to PCBs and there was a linear correlation between the organochiorine residue concentrations and the extractable organic material of the analysed samples.
To date a considerable a m o u n t of effort has been spent in the determination of the levels of organochlorine residues in marine biota, sea water a n d sediments of the Mediterranean
(IAEA, 1976). However, very little work has been done in the eastern Mediterranean, especially on the Turkish coast (Balkas etal., 1978). In the present work organochlorine residues, i.e. chlorinated pesticides a n d polychlorinated biphenyls, present in marine organisms caught o n the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, as well as sediment samples obtained nearby, have been investigated. The location of the samples is shown in Fig. 1. The b o n y fishes selected were those which have commercial value a n d may be f o u n d throughout the area. The species studied were, Mugil auratus (golden grey mullet), Mullus barbatus (striped mullet), Mullus surmuletus (red mullet) a n d Upeneus mollucensis (gold b a n d goat fish), Panaeus kerathurus (shrimp) a n d Patella caerulea (limpet) were also analysed, since they have different feeding habits to b o n y fishes. Patella caerulea is a 191
Discussion The contributions of the nanophytoplankton to both the plankton b i o m a s s - a s shown by chlorophyll a measurements-and to carbon fixation in Loch Long remained fairly constant over the two weeks although the total phytoplankton declined in quantity. In the Gareloch similarly there was a decline in the total phytoplankton in the second week, but here the nanophytoplankton component contributions increased from 15 to 28°70 for chlorophyll a and 22-63% for carbon fixation. Loch Long, with its relative stability in terms of stratification, has a much slower rate of water exchange with the Firth. The Gareloch is more nutrient rich and is more subject to incursions of water from the main channel, and to mixing. In the less stable situation in the Gareloch the < 20 /an fraction made lower contributions to both the total chlorophyll and carbon
fixation, although both levels for the total phytoplankton were significantly higher than those in Loch Long. The formation of the thermocline between the sampling dates in the Gareloch was accompanied by marked increases in the nanophytoplankton contribution to both total chlorophyll and carbon fixation. Thermal stratification would seem to be one factor leading to increased phytoflagellate populations in the nutrient rich Gareloch, and may also be a necessary preliminary to flagellate 'blooms'.
Clyde River Purification Board. (1976). Water quality - a baseline report. Hannah, F. J. & Boney, A. D. (1980). Standing crop and carbon fixation of rockpool phytoflagellates. Mar. Biol. Letr, 11,149-159. Marshall, S. M. (1924). The food of Calanusfinmarchicus during 1923. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 13, 473-479. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1927). The relation of the plankton to some chemical and physical factors in the Clyde Sea area. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 14, 837-868. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1930). A study of the spring diatom increase in Loch Striven. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 16, 863-878. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1955). On the biology of Calanus finmarchicus VII1. Food uptake, assimilation and excretion in adult and stage V Calanus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 34, 495-529. Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. (1962). Carbohydrate as a measure of phytoplankton. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 42, 511-519. Marshall, S. M., Nicholls, A. G. & Orr, A. P. (1934). On the biology of Calanus finmarchicus V. Season distribution, size weight and chemical composition in Loch Striven 1933 and their relation to the phytoplankton. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 19, 793-827. Mullin, J. P. & Riley, J. P. (1955). The colorimetric determination of silicate with special reference to sea and natural waters. Analyr chim. Acta., 12, 162-176. Nicholls, A. G. (1963). On the biology of Calanus finmarchicus !. Reproduction and seasonal distribution in the Clyde Sea Area during 1932. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 19, 83-138. Steemann Nielsen, E. (1952). The use of radioactive carbon (C 14) for measuring organic production in the sea. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer, 18, 117-140. Strickland, J. D. H. & Parsons, T. R. (1972). A Manual o f Seawater Analysis. Fish Res. Bd. Canada, 167 pp. Wood, E. D., Armstrong, F. A. J. & Richards, F. A. (1967). Determination of nitrate in seawater by cadmium-copper reduction to nitrite. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., 47,23-31.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 11, pp. 188-191 © Pergamon Press Ltd. 1980. Printed in Great Britain.
0025 326X/80/0701-0188 $02.00/0
Mercury Content in Hair from Fishing Communities of the State of Penang, Malaysia P. M. SIVALINGAM and A H Z U R A BINTI SANI
School of Biological Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The total mercury content of hair from a number of f'tshing communities in the state of Penang averaged, for different age-groups: over 40 years, 9.19 ppm; 19-40 years, 7.90 p p m ; and 1-18 years, 7.36 ppm. The highest values found in these age groups were 16.10, 14.8 and 12.8 ppm, respectively, for different communities. Examinations of the mercury content of eight species of finf'tsh taken at each of the f'tshing
188
communities (with one exception where bivalves were substituted) showed values ranging up to 3.265 ppm in muscle, 16.345 ppm in heart and 7.50 ppm in liver, but there was no correlation between biodeposited mercury in hair of the three age groups and mercury concentrations in local fish.
Volume 11/Number 7/July 1980
aquatic pollution, due to industrialization effecting their livelihood, the authors have endeavoured to perform a thorough survey on the levels of total mercury content in hair from fishing communities in the state of Penang of three age groups; i.e. less than~19 years, 19-39 years and more than 40 years. The idea in grouping the fishing communities into three age groups is to visualize the levels of environmental hazards involved in the various generations. These results were then compared with the total Hg content in muscle, heart and liver tissues of seven species of landed f'mfish and a species of shellfish at the relevant fishing community.
Marine pollution studies in the Malaysian context are very limited, except for scanty reports on heavy metals content in some marketed finfish and shellfish (Lee & Low, 1976b) and the extent of pollution of the Juru River, Penang, elaborating its adverse impact on the fishery industry (CAP, 1976a). In this connection, studies on biodeposited trace metals in tropical marine algae and high concentration stresses of trace metals on their modes of biodeposition in the Malaysian sea lettuce, Ulva reticulata Forskal, are also available (Sivalingam, 1978a,b,c). Recently, the extent of trace metals pollution in coastal molluscs, sediments and sea water samples from the island of Penang have also been reported (Sivalingam et al., 1979). PCBs and persistent pesticide contamination in Penang waters have also been examined (Sivalingam et al., 1980a). Furthermore, from the viewpoint of shellfish mariculture there are experimental studies (Sivalingam & Bhaskaran, 1978; Sivalingam, 1979) on the biodeposition modes of trace metals by the green mussel Perna viridis Linnaeus and the rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata Born under various high concentration stresses. The contents of PCBs and persistent pesticides in cultured cockles, have also been dealt with extensively (Sivalingam et aL, 1980b). Based on the aforementioned information and the outcries of the local fishing communities over the extent of
Materials and Methods Sampling of hair was performed from 10 individuals, who have dwelled a fairly long time at a particular fishing community, for the three age groups of < 19 years, between 19 and 39 years and > 40 years from eight fishing communities, i.e. Tanjong Tokong, Batu Ferringhi, Telok Bahang, Balik Pulau, Gertak Sanggul, Telok Kumbar, Batu Maung and Juru (Fig. 1), between July 1978 and February 1979. Concurrently, eight different species of landed finfish at seven of the fishing communities were analysed for total Hg content in the muscle, liver and heart tissues, while at one
KUALA MUDA
MUKA HEAD
~5°3( ~ PULAU
~
~ i] ~ A ~ G ~ R ~ I
k~
I~.
TOKONt
Prai
Sg.Juru
~o
,3 GERT~X].~LOK~..xY I
? ......
....
l.P
"->I <'
PULAU
JURU
Sg.Jalawi
RIMAU ]O0°]O'E N
i00°20,E Sg.Tengah • Sg.Kerian
|
.......
i Fig.
1 Map illustrating the sampling sites of hair from fishing communities of the state of Penang.
189
Marine Pollution Bulletin
fishing community, Juru, due to lack of finfish samples, only cultured cockles were collected. Each finfish species tissue sample on the average was a composite of 8-10 individuals while the cockles a pool of 20 individuals. Dried samples of hair, tissues of muscle, heart and liver of finfish and whole cockle meat were digested separately in 10 ml concentrated H 2 S O 4 at 60°C for 6 h and later the mercury oxidized to the mercuric (Hg 2÷) form with 30 ml of 6070 KMNO4 in an ice bath. This oxidized sample was further digested for 3 h at 60°C prior addition of 10 ml of 6070 potassium persulphate to complete the reaction at the same temperature for 1 h. The digested samples were then analysed for total Hg content using a Coleman Mercury MS-50 Analyzer according to the method of Stanley etal. (1971).
TABLE 1 Mercury content in hair of fishing communities in the state of Penang, Malaysia.
Locality of fishing communities
Tanj ong Tokong Batu Ferringhi Telok Bahang Balik Pulau Gertak Sanggul Telok Kumbar, Kampong Nelayan Batu Maung Juru
Mercury content (ppm) Age group (yr) 1-18
19-40
>40
5.56 12.58 6.69 7.78 3.31 6.07 5.97 10.90
1.89 6.07 8.50 8.74 11.05 7.22 14.84 4.85
4.15 2.09 9.00 8.52 6.27 16.10 16.08 11.34
heart tissues of finfish from Tanjong Tokong followed by liver tissues of finfish from Balik Pulau, Gertak Sanggul, Telok Bahang and Batu Ferringhi. The mean total Hg in these tissues could be categorized as Hg content in muscle tissues < heart tissues < liver tissues. The values of total Hg in muscle tissues of all the examined finfish; ranging between 0.237 and 3.265 ppm, are fairly close to values reported by Suckcharoen et al. (1978) for Ophiocephalus striatus found in the vicinity of a Japanese caustic soda factory in Thailand. These values, however, are quite high on comparison with values reported for predatory fish (Menasveta & Siriyong, 1977) in the Andaman Sea: Neothunnus albacora 0.026-0.234 ppm, Parathunnus sibi 0.027-0.233 ppm and four species of shark 0.057-0.478 ppm, respectively. The values on comparison with those of finfish of Shiranui Sea (up to 50 ppm) where Minamata Disease occurred, on the contrary, are relatively low. Nevertheless, these levels are slightly high for
Results and discussion Table 1 demonstrates the total Hg content in hair of the three age groups from the various fishing communities of the state of Penang. It is noticeable that the largest amount of biodeposited Hg is found in the age group >40 years; Telok Kumbar and Batu Maung communities followed by the 19--40 years age group of Batu Maung and the 1-18 years age group of Batu Ferringhi. From a general point of view, the trend in distribution of total Hg in the age groups can be categorized as follows: > 40 years age group > 19--40 years age group > 1-18 years age group. Table 2 indicates the total mercury content in tissues of muscle, liver and heart of eight species of finfish and cultured cockles from the relevant fishing communities. It is evident that the highest mean Hg content is found in the
TABLE 2 Mercury content of some finfish and shellfish landed in the various relevant fishing communities of the state of Penang. Hg content in organs of finfish and shellfish spp. (ppm) Fishing community
Tissue
Pseudosciena aneus
Plotosus canius HAM
Synaptura Mugil c o m m e r - dussumsonii iersii
C l a r i a s Harengula Chorinemus Upeneus Anadara Mean Hg batracus perforata lysan sulphureus granosa content (Forskal)
(ppm)
Tanjong Tokong
Muscle Liver Heart
0.34 5.34 30.12
0.42 8.34 24.41
0.11 4.34 15.23
0.23 2.42 7.91
0.01 2.01 18.11
0.51 6.39 16.35
0.09 5.91 5.75
0.19 4.89 12.88
-
0.237 4.96 16.345
Batu Ferringhi
Muscle Liver Heart
2.15 8.01 2.89
0.39 9.91 6.78
1.33 4.61 2.04
0.76 3.78 3.19
2.14 7.43 1.87
0.43 5.71 2.65
2.31 2.98 3.22
0.05 3.22 5.03
-
1.195 5.748 3.447
Telok Bahang
Muscle Liver Heart
3.59 10.37 0.50
2.85 4.88 1.67
2.78 6.23 0.08
1.44 3.11 2.01
3.67 1.11 1.55
4.21 8.73 0.07
1.91 5.90 0.69
0.99 7.00 1.02
-
2.680 5.916 0.948
Balik Pulau
Muscle Liver Heart
3.37 12.90 2.80
2.61 11.20 4.02
2.43 8.31 2.21
1.87 5.62 2.36
3.02 9.77 3.61
1.94 2.89 4.41
1.21 4.34 2.46
4.00 5.02 3.04
-
2.556 7.50 3.113
Gertak Sanggul
Muscle Liver Heart
4.82 7.96 3.70
3.57 7.74 12.0
2.24 6.21 4.70
3.09 8.91 1.28
1.16 2.01 3.41
2.45 7.55 3.23
3.88 8.34 5.69
4.91 4.67 1.00
-
3.265 6.673 4.376
Telok Kumbar Muscle (Kampong Nelayan) Liver Heart
1.54 1.27 10.83
t.24 0.37 8.25
1.21 2.22 4.24
0.92 1.45 6.03
2.31 0.55 6.00
0.09 3.01 9.02
1.69 2.78 2.90
0.85 0.20 5.56
-
1.231 1.481 5.202
Batu Maung
Muscle Liver Heart
1.43 3.70 10.28
2.27 7.39 5.26
3.21 1.29 2.79
1.09 2.88 3.81
0.87 5.32 4.41
2.00 4.10 5.42
1.78 3.81 4.01
2.44 1.25 3.99
-
1.883 3.71'/ 4.996
Juru
Whole meat
.
1.443
1.443
190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Volume 1l/Number 7/July 1980 some fishing communities based o n the tolerance limit of 0.5 ppm for oceanic fish set by the United States F o o d a n d Drug Administration. With regard to levels of total Hg content in hair from different fishing communities they are relatively low a n d comparable with values reported by Rodger & Smith (1967) and Eyl (1970) for n o r m a l adults indicating no symptoms of M i n a m a t a Disease, i.e. 3.6-705 p p m (Kitamura, 1968). It should also be b o r n e in m i n d that there is difficulty in correlating the interrelationship of the highest value of Hg content f o u n d in hair to those of tissues from finfish/whole cockle meat because this primarily depends directly on the levels in dietary intake of the fishery landings. Finally, it can be noted that all the fishing communities in the island of P e n a n g are n o t hitherto exposed to high levels of Hg c o n t a m i n a t i o n and hence do not in anyway show signs of possibly suffering from M i n a m a t a Disease. The authors wishto thank the Schoolof BiologicalSciences,University Sains Malaysia, for all the aid given during the course of this investigation. Consumer's Association of Penang. (1976a). Pollution, Kuala Juru's BattleforSurvival, pp. 1-73. Eyl, T. B. (1970). Methyl mercury poisoning in fish and human beings. Mod. Med., 38, 135-141. Kitamura, S. (1968). Minamata Disease, pp. 257-266. Study group, Kumamoto University,Japan. Lee, K. H. & Low, T. P. (1976b). Heavy metals in Malaysian finfish and shellfish. Seminar on Protecting our Environment, l l-13 March 1976, Kuala Lumpur, Preprint No. 11. Menasveta, P. & Siriyong, R. (1977). Mercury content of several predacious fish in the Andaman Sea. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 8, (9), 200-204.
MarinePollutionBulletin,Vol.11,pp. 191-195 © PergamonPressLtd.1980.PrintedinGreatBritain.
Rodger, W. J. & Smith, H. (1967). Mercury absorption by fingerprinting officers using 'Grey Powder'. ForensicSci. Soc. Japart, 7, 86. Sivalingam,P. M. (1978a). Biodepositedtrace metalsand mineralcontent studies of sometropical marine algae. Botanicamar., 21,327-330. Sivalingam, P. M. (1978a). Effect of high concentration stress of trace metals on their biodepositionmodes in UIvareticulata Forskal. Jap. J. Phycol., 26, (4), 157-160. Sivalingam, P. M. (1978c). Mercury contamination in tropical algal species of the island of Penang, Malaysia.Mar. Pollut. Bull. (in press). Sivalingam, P. M. (1979). Bioaccumulation of trace metals by the Malaysianrock oyster, Saccostreacucullata, under high concentration stresses. Proc. Int. 2nd Symp. on our Environment, 14-16 November 1979, Singapore, Institute of Natural Sciences, Nanyang University. Sivalingam,P. M. & Bhaskaran, B. (1978). Experimentalinsightof trace metal environmental pollution problems of mussel farming. Int. Foundation for Science, Provisional Rep. No. 2 of the Regional Meeting on Aquaculture, 28 September-1 October 1978, Muka Head Biological Field Station, Penang, Malaysia, pp. 345-368. (Also to appear in the ConferenceSpecialIssueof J. Aquaculture.) Sivalingam, P. M., Yoshida, T., Kojima, H. & Allapitchay, 1. (1979). Trace metals biodeposition and its extent of pollution in coastal molluscs, sedimentsand sea water samples from the island of Penang, Malaysia. Proc. Fourth Co-operative Studies of Kuroshio Symp. 14-18 February 1979,Tokyo, Japan. Sivalingam,P. M., Allapitchay, I., Kojima, H. & Yoshida, T. (1980a). PCBs and persistent pesticides pollution of coastal waters of Penang island, Malaysia.Paper to be presentedat IA WPR Int. Conf., Toronto, 23-27 June 1980. Sivalingam,P. M., Allapitchay, I., Kojima, H. & Yoshida, T. (1980b). PCBs and pesticidescontent in cultured cockles in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Paper to be presented at the Int. Symp. Coastal Aquaculture, Cochin, India, 12-18January 1980. Stanley, J. M., Willis, S. A. & Morey, S. W. (1971). Determination of mercury by flameless atomic absorption. Marine Research Laboratory, Divisionof Marine Resources, Florida. Leaflet Series, Vol. VI Chemistry, Part 2 (Organic)No. 5. Suckcharoen, S., Nuorteva, P. & Hasanen, E. (1978). Alarming signs of mercury pollution in a freshwater area of Thailand. Ambio, 7, (3), 113-116.
0025-326X/80/0701-0191$02.00/0
DDT, DDE, and PCB Residues in Fish, Crustaceans and Sediments from the Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey O Z D E N B A S T U R K * , M A H M U T D O G A N * , ILKAY S A L I H O G L U * and T U R G U T I. BALKAS-I*M.E.T.U. Marine Science Department, P.K.28, Erdemli, I¢el, Turkey t M.E.T.U. Marine Science Department, P..K.28, Erdemli, Icel, Turkey (to w h o m all correspondence s h o u M be directed)
Residues of DDE, D D T and PCBs were determined in four different commercial bony fishes: grey mullet, red mullet, striped mullet and gold bandgoat fish, as well as in shrimps, limpets and sediments obtained from the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The PCB levels in living organisms and sediments were found to be very low, and in most cases below the detection limits. The D D E and D D T values were relatively high compared to PCBs and there was a linear correlation between the organochiorine residue concentrations and the extractable organic material of the analysed samples.
To date a considerable a m o u n t of effort has been spent in the determination of the levels of organochlorine residues in marine biota, sea water a n d sediments of the Mediterranean
(IAEA, 1976). However, very little work has been done in the eastern Mediterranean, especially on the Turkish coast (Balkas etal., 1978). In the present work organochlorine residues, i.e. chlorinated pesticides a n d polychlorinated biphenyls, present in marine organisms caught o n the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, as well as sediment samples obtained nearby, have been investigated. The location of the samples is shown in Fig. 1. The b o n y fishes selected were those which have commercial value a n d may be f o u n d throughout the area. The species studied were, Mugil auratus (golden grey mullet), Mullus barbatus (striped mullet), Mullus surmuletus (red mullet) a n d Upeneus mollucensis (gold b a n d goat fish), Panaeus kerathurus (shrimp) a n d Patella caerulea (limpet) were also analysed, since they have different feeding habits to b o n y fishes. Patella caerulea is a 191