Mercury pollution for marine environment at Farwa Island, Libya. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Banana, Adel; Mohamed, R.; Al-Gheethi, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental health science & engineering. Volume 14:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Mercury -- Fishes -- Contamination -- Farwa Island; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; 628.05
• DOI: 10.1186/s40201-016-0246-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-336X

Abstract

Abstract Background Farwa is an Island in Libya receives petrochemical wastes generated from General Company of Chemical Industries (GCCI) since more than 40 years. Aim The present work aimed to determine the concentrations of mercury (Hg+2 ) in fish, marine plants and sediment collected from Farwa lagoon to evaluate effect of industrial wastewater from GCCI on the marine environment. Methods Hundred and twelve samples of fish, pearl oyster, cuttlefish sediments and marine plants were analyzed to determine Hg2+ concentration during the period from January to August 2014 by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Results The highest concentration of Hg2+ was detected inPinctada radiata (11.67 ± 3.30 μgg− 1 ) followed bySerranus scriba (6.37 ± 0.11 μg g− 1 ) andEpinephelus marginatus (6.19 ± 0.02 μg g− 1 ). About 75 % of marine plants contained the maximum contaminations during the summer season. In fish samples Hg2+ concentrations exceeded the levels provided by international standards. Conclusions The fish at Farwa lagoon is heavily contaminated with Hg2+ which may represent a source for mercury poisoning for human.