Assessment of trace metal contamination in the sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa) and sediments from the Dardanelles Strait (Turkey)

This study was performed to determine the concentrations
of some trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Fe) in
Holothuria tubuosa (Gmelin, 1788) belonging to Echinoderm
species and in sediments that they live at three different stations
(Gelibolu, Umur Bey/Lapseki, and Dardanos) on
Dardanelles Strait between April 2013 and March 2014. The
mean trace metal concentrations determined in H. tubulosa
and sediment were as follows: Cd 0.18 mg/kg, Cu 2.43 mg/
kg, Pb 2.09 mg/kg, Ni 14.58 mg/kg, Zn 16.86 mg/kg, and Fe
73.46 mg/kg and Cd 0.70 mg/kg, Cu 5.03 mg/kg, Pb
14.57 mg/kg, Ni 27.15 mg/kg, Zn 54.52 mg/kg, and Fe
3779.9 mg/kg, respectively. It was detected that the statistical
difference between trace metals determined seasonally in
muscle tissue of H. tubulosa was significant (p>0.05). As a
result of the study, it was detected that H. tubulosa is a
bioindicator species in determining Ni trace metal in sediment.
The results were compared to the limit values of National and
International Food Safety, and it was detected that Cd and Ni
concentrations measured in sediment were above LEL of Ni
and Cd concentrations according to Sediment Quality
Guidelines.