Levels of contaminant metals in three species of holothurians from Portugal: Seasonal, sex and tissues variations

Abstract The main goal of this study was to investigate the seasonal contaminants changes of three sea cucumber species caught from the Northeast Atlantic. The risk associated with the consumption of these target species taking into account the consumers age group was also evaluated. For this, was analysed the concentration of Cd, Pb and Hg during spring, summer, autumn and winter in two different tissues (body wall and muscle band) of female and male. Average concentration of the Cd, Pb and Hg were different between species, significant differences were also observed considering sex and tissue factors. Unlike, the seasons do not seem to interfere in the concentration of these elements. In general, Holothuria arguinensis (Cd < 0.03 mg kg− 1; Pb < 1.20 mg kg− 1; Hg < 0.03 mg kg− 1), Holothuria forskali (Cd < 0.03 mg kg− 1; Pb < LoD; Hg < 0.02 mg kg− 1) and Holothuria mammata (Cd < 0.04 mg kg− 1; Pb < 0.56 mg kg− 1; Hg < 0.047 mg kg− 1) showed levels lower than those regulated by European Union (Cd 0.05 mg kg− 1; Pb 0.5 mg kg− 1; Hg 0.5 mg kg− 1). The risk associated with the consumption of these species is low since the amount that can be consumed by adults, based on the maximum concentrations of each element, is high. As it is scarce or does not exist, these data may allow contribute for a data basis for future elaboration of new regulations limiting the maximum concentrations of metals in the consumption of echinoderms.