Cuantificación de metales pesados en Anadara tuberculosa(Mollusca:bivalvia) del estero Huaylá de Puerto Bolívar, por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica

Abstract

The presence of heavy metals in bivalve molluscs implies a serious problem for the consumers health of this type of food. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation was to determine the presence of heavy metals in Anadara tuberculosa, mollusc of commercial importance at Puerto Bolívar, Ecuador. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was the method used to quantify the concentration of heavy metals. The concentration of six metals was determined: lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co). The average values obtained, expressed in mg.kg-1 were: Pb (7.52 ± 0.46); As (1.55 ± 0.14); Hg (364.38 ± 91.39); Cd (1.68 ± 0.28); Cr (3,89 ± 1,82) and Co (2,71 ± 0,34 in A. tuberculosa The results show that Pb, As, Cd, and Hg exceed the maximum permissible limits, mercury exceeds by more than 100 times the limit value. The smaller size (3-4 cm) studied mollusc, has the capacity to bioaccumulate higher concentration of Pb, Cd and Cr.

Keywords

• A. tuberculousa
• bioaccumulation
• bivalve molluscs
• trace metals