Cadmium and lead in European eels from the river Segura (southeast Spain)

Abstract

European eel (Anguilla anguilla) populations have suffered a sharp range retraction (90–99%) over the past 40 years. However, in recent years this fish has been detected again in the river Segura (Spain), in both the main river and in channels such as the irrigation canals and ditches that drain the Huerta de Murcia. Even though the water quality of these habitats has improved, there are no data on heavy metal concentrations in eels from these areas. Therefore, in this study Pb and Cd concentrations were measured in the blood, liver and muscles of eels from three different habitats: the river (n=23), canals (n=13) and drainage ditches (n=9). Lead was found in more specimens than Cd, while both Pb and Cd concentrations were low, being similar or even lower than in non-polluted zones. Although significant statistical differences were found in liver concentrations between river and canal eels, there was no overall pattern to the findings for these two elements in eel body dynamics.