International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Protection 2014; 1(5): 68-75

Published online January 20, 2015 (http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/ijemp)

The effects of lead, cadmium and mercury on Moolgardaseheli and seawater in Khawr-Mukalla, Hadhramout Coast, Gulf of Aden

Mohammed Al-Dohail*, Abdullah Bawazir, Nabil Al-Hodaifi

Department of Marine Biology, Group Research, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology, Hadhramout University, Mukalla,

Yemen

Email address

aldohial@yahoo.com (M. Al-Dohail)

To cite this article Mohammed Al-Dohail, Abdullah Bawazir, Nabil Al-Hodaifi. The Effects of Lead, Cadmium and Mercury on Moolgardaseheli and

Seawater in Khawr-Mukalla, Hadhramout Coast, Gulf of Aden. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Protection.

Vol. 1, No. 5, 2014, pp. 68-75.

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to determine the concentration of lead (Pb2+),

cadmium (Cd2+)

and mercury (Hg2+)

in

muscles, liver and gills of Blue spot mullet, Moolgardaseheli and filtered surface water in Khawr-Mukalla (Man-Made

Creek), Hadhramout coast. Three stations at Khawr-Mukalla were studied including End-Khawr, Mid-Khawr and Mouth-

Khawr. The trial were undertaken along the four seasons of the year 2012, during which a total of 108 specimens of fish and

108 sample of surface seawater were collected and analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant differences

(P>0.05), regarding the concentration of Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

in muscles of M.seheli throughout the seasons: winter, spring,

summer and autumn in Khawr-Mukalla, whereas there were significant differences (P<0.05) in liver and gills of M.seheli.

Besides, there were no significant differences (P>0.05), regarding the concentration of Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

in the filtered

surface water of Mid-Khawr and Mouth-Khawr except End-Khawr, for the period of all seasons. From these results, we

conclude that the heavy metals (Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

) in the muscles and gills of M.seheli, at Khawr-Mukalla stations were

still in range scale of international pollution standard except in the liver of M.seheli which was high a little bit, whereas

filtered surface seawater at Khawr-Mukalla stations were polluted. Therefore, the treatment of sewage before drain into

Khawr-Mukalla is necessary to save the marine ecosystem in better condition in order to reduce pollution, as well as further

studies are necessary to monitoring the pollution by heavy metals in this area.

Keyword

Heavy Metals, Moolgardaseheli, Surface Seawater, Seasons

1. Introduction

In the last few decades, the environmental contaminations

by means of heavy metals have been taken a large attention.

Marine ecosystems are contaminated with heavy metals,

which caused by different factors (Sekwele, 2008). These

elements such as lead (Pb2+

), cadmium (Cd2+

) and mercury

(Hg2+

) released from different sources that are from runoff,

sewage, industrial waste, mining operations and other human

activities, which reach to the aquatic ecosystem, caused

contamination (Reichelt & Jones, 1994); (Velez & Montoro,

1998). Also, some studies(Lokhande & Kelkar, 1999);

(Henning, Snyman, & Aveling, 2001)reported that heavy

metals such as Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

are obtained in high

concentrations in sewage sludge.

Besides, (Conacher, Page , & Ryam, 1993) claimed that

contamination of aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals have

been known as a serious problem of pollutions. (Lata &

Rohindra, 2002)stated that heavy metals such as, Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

are hazardous to the human health and the

environment. Because the heavy metals are toxicity, they are

considered one of the most serious pollutants (Pekey, 2006).

69 Mohammed Al-Dohailet al.: The Effects of Lead, Cadmium and Mercury on Moolgardaseheli and Seawater in Khawr-Mukalla,

Hadhramout Coast, Gulf of Aden

Non-essential heavy metals such as Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

have ability to accumulate in living organisms (Shanthi &

Gajendran, 2009); however, cumulative rate of heavy

metals in aquatic organisms, which stay over a long period

in large amounts, depends on the ability of living

organisms to absorb minerals and the concentration of

minerals in water systems (King & Jonathan, 2003).Also,

(Odoemelam, Iwuazor, & Ozuo, 1999) mentioned that the

age of fish, the lipid content in the tissue and the feeding

habits are the important factors that affect the

accumulation of heavy metals in fish that they are

transferred to humans through the food chain; the quantity

of these metals between fish species depend on age,

developmental stage and other physiological factors (J. &

Abbasi, 2010).

Moreover, (Nisha & Pandey, 1984) and (Duruibe &

Ogwuegbu, 2007)reported that Pb2+

, Cd2+

, Hg2+

are toxic

to living organisms even at low concentrations. Heavy

metals can be also deposited in the organs of aquatic

organisms and become toxic when its accumulation

reaches high levels through the effects of bioaccumulation

by the food chain process (Huang, 2003). Most of heavy

metals may accumulate in fish tissues (Mansour & Sidky,

2002); they move in fish body through several ways: skin,

gills, oral pathway of water, food and non-food particles

(Obasohan, 2008).Therefore, numerous fish type has been

used as bio-indicators of heavy metal contamination

(Svobodova, Celechovska, & Kolarova, 2004). Hence,

concentrations of heavy metals in the fish organs could be

indicated the level of pollution in water and food (Farkas,

Salanki, & Varanka, 2000).

Blue spot mullet, Moolgardaseheli that feed on

microalgae, diatoms, filamentous algae and detritus

associated with sand and mud. It enters creeks and rivers,

and put the eggs in pelagic zone and non-adhesive. These

fish caught by using barrier nets, stakenets, and pouch nets

(Breder & Rosen, 1966); (Harrison & Senou, 1997)

The major sources of proteins in Mukalla city are fish,

which consumed in high demand in Hudramout

governorate; however, it is believed that fish (M. seheli)

contaminated with heavy metals due to increasing industry

and human wastes in Khawr-Mukalla. Recently,

population is increasing in the city of Mukalla.

Accordingly, in the marine ecosystem, the amounts of

industrial and household sewage may lead to more

concentrations of heavy metals such as Pb2+

, Cd2+

and

Hg2+

, causing severe pollution source in Khawr-Mukalla

that transport pollutants to humans through the food chain.

Information regarding the concentrations of heavy metals

such as Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

is therefore none in the

Khawr-Mukalla and its scope merits examination.

Therefore, the present study was thus conducted to

determine concentration of the most important heavy

metal pollutants (Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

) in the M.seheli ,

which wide food consumption in Mukalla city, and in the

surface seawater in Khawr-Mukalla creek.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Area

The Khawr-Mukalla is a man-made creek in Mukalla city

which is situated on longitude 49.100 and latitude 14.33

0,

about 480 km east of Aden. Khawr-Mukalla, which divided

Mukalla city into two halves mediates the city and its channel

extends along more than 1,500 meters and an average width

60 m, changed water by tides phenomenon. Khawr-Mukalla

could be divided to three stations. The first station is called

Mouth-Khawr, which connected to open sea; the second one

is called Mid-Khawr, which sewage pipe drain in, and the

third station is End-Khawr, which adjacent to land (Fig.1).

The main purpose of Khawr-Mukalla is to get rid of the

sewage and a tourist outlet.

2.2. Sampling

The first sampling was chosen on the 4th

of January 2012

and the last sampling was taken on the 4th

of December 2012.

During the surveys, fish and seawater samples were collected

monthly to determine heavy metals including Pb2+

, Cd2+

and

Hg2+

. The concentration of these heavy metals in muscles,

liver and gills of Moolgardaseheli and surface seawater

samples in Khawr-Mukalla were measured by using the

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (The Buck Scientific

Single Beam, U. S. A.)in Marine Pollution Lab in faculty of

Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology, Hadhramout

University. And temperature was also determined from water

at each site during sampling period.

2.3. Fish Sampling

A total of 108 specimens of fish were collected with

helping of a local fisherman from Khawr-Mukalla monthly;

then placed immediately in poly-ethylene bags, put into a

polystyrene icebox, after that brought to the laboratory at the

faculty of Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology,

Hadramout University. Fish were washed with deionized

water, sealed in polyethylene bags and kept in a freezer at -20

Co until chemical analysis ( U. S. Environmental Protection

Agency, 2000).

2.4. Water Sampling

A total of 108 of surface seawater samples were collected

for analysis monthly from the three Khawr-Mukalla stations.

The bottles (1 liter polyethylene bottles) were rinsed at least

three times with water from the sampling site and then the

bottles were immersed to about 20-30 cm below the water

surface to prevent contamination of heavy metals from air.

For mercury analysis water samples kept in sealable glasses, using specially for mercury test (Tsuguyoshi, 2004). All

water samples were immediately brought to the laboratory

where they filtered through What man No.41 (0.45 µm pore

size) filter paper. The samples were acidified with 2 ml nitric

acid to prevent precipitation of metals, reduce adsorption of

the analysts onto the walls of containers and to avoid

microbial activity, and then water samples were stored at 4°C

International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Protection 2014; 1(5): 68-75 70

until the chemical analyses.

2.5. Digestion Procedures

2.5.1. Fish Tissue Digestion

Fish tissue dried in oven at (80oC) until sample reached at

constant weight. About 0.7 g of dry tissue sample (muscles,

liver or gills) was accurately weighed and digested with 10

ml of concentrated nitric acid HNO3 65% and 1ml of

hydrogen peroxide H2O2 30%. Forty five minutes need to

finish the digestion. The vessel left until reach the room

temperature then the digested portion was diluted to a final

volume of 25 ml using deionized water ( EPA, The

Environmental Protection Agency, 1996).

2.5.2. Water Digestion for Lead and Cadmium

Five ml of concentrated HCl was added to 250 ml of each

water sample placed in 600 ml beaker, and evaporated to 25

ml. The concentrate was transferred to a 50 ml volumetric

flask and diluted to mark with deionized water. Prior analysis,

the solutions were filtered through What man number 42

filter paper (EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 1992).

Figure 1. View of Khawr-Mukalla Creek(Man-Made Creek): A= End-Khawr; B= Mid-Khawr; C= Mouth-Khawr.

2.5.3. Water Digestion for Mercury

Five millilter of concentrated NOH3 and 1 ml of

concentrated HCl were added to 45 ml of water sample.

Microwave system was used to heat samples according to

time versus pressure profiles. Allow vessels to cool to room

temperature. Transfer sample to a final volume of 25ml using

deionized water (U.S Environmental Protection Agency,

2007).

2.6. Statistical Analysis

All statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS

software packages, version 17. Each heavy metals data (Pb2+

,

Cd2+

and Hg2+

) were analyzed and tested for differences

between group means of stations and seasons for significance

(P<0.05) using the analysis of variance one way ANOVA

and two ways ANOVA technique.

71 Mohammed Al-Dohailet al.: The Effects of Lead, Cadmium and Mercury on Moolgardaseheli and Seawater in Khawr-Mukalla,

Hadhramout Coast, Gulf of Aden

3. Results

3.1. Fish Tissues

The results showed that there were no significant

differences (P>0.05), using one way ANOVA, regarding the

concentration of lead (Pb2+

), cadmium(Cd2+

) and mercury

(Hg2+

) in the muscles of fish, Blue spot mullet,

Moolgardaseheli throughout the seasons: winter, spring,

summer and autumn at Khawr-Mukalla; however, the highest

concentration of Pb2+

in the muscles of fish was 0.098 ppm

on summer and the lowest concentration was 0.057 ppm on

autumn. Also, the highest concentration of Cd2+

in the

muscles of fish was 0.01 ppm on summer, whereas the lowest

concentration was 0.007 ppm on autumn; besides, the highest

concentration of Hg2+

in the muscles of fish was 0.017 ppm

on summer, whereas the lowest concentration was 0.006 ppm

on spring, as summarized in Table 1.

On the other hand, in the liver of fish, M.seheli was

significant differences (P<0.05), using one way ANOVA,

regarding the concentration of Pb2+

, Cd2+

except

Hg2+

throughout the seasons: winter, spring, summer and

autumn at Khawr-Mukalla. The highest concentration of Pb2+

in the liver of fish was 0.64 ppm on summer and the lowest

concentration was 0.14 ppm on winter. The same pattern

occurs regarding Cd2+

, the highest concentration in the liver

of fish was 0.031 ppm on summer and the lowest

concentration was 0.021 ppm on winter; but, there was no

significant difference (P>0.05) regarding the concentration

of Hg2+

in the liver of fish, as summarized in Table 1.

There were significant differences (P<0.05), using one

way ANOVA, regarding the concentration of Pb2+

in gills of

fish, M.seheli for the duration of the seasons: winter, spring,

summer and autumn at Khawr-Mukalla. The highest

concentration in the gills of fish was 0.24 ppm on summer

and the lowest concentration was 0.09 ppm on winter;

however, there was no significant difference (P>0.05)

regarding the concentration of Cd2+

and Hg2+

in the gills of

fish, whereas they had the same pattern of Pb2+

, as

summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. The mean of concentration (ppm ) for lead, cadmium and mercury in fish body, Moolgardaseheliduring during seasons at Khawr-Mukalla,

Hadramout coast

Winter Spring Summer Autumn

Muscles

Pb2+ 0.061 ± 0.02 a 0.084 ± 0.03 a 0.098 ± 0.03 a 0.057 ± 0.02 a

Cd2+ 0.007 ± 0.002 a 0.008 ± 0.003 a 0.01 ± 0.002 a 0.007 ± 0.004 a

Hg2+ 0.007 ± 0.004 a 0.017 ± 0.005 a 0.017 ± 0.003 a 0.006 ± 0.01 a

Liver

Pb2+ 0.141 ± 0.03 a 0.466 ± 0.23 b c 0.642 ± 0.06 c 0.312 ± 0.19 ab

Cd2+ 0.021 ± 0.002 a 0.020 ± 0.001 ab 0.031 ± 0.003 b 0.019 ± 0.01 ab

Hg2+ 0.011 ± 0.001 a 0.013 ± 0.01 a 0.016 ± 0.003 a 0.015 ± 0.005 a

Gills

Pb2+ 0.086 ± 0.02 a 0.171 ± 0.08 ab 0.237 ± 0.01 b 0.158 ± 0.08 ab

Cd2+ 0.023 ± 0.02 a 0.024 ± 0.01 a 0.026 ± 0.01 a 0.025 ± 0.02 a

Hg2+ 0.01 ± 0.003 a 0.011 ± 0.001 a 0.015 ± 0.005 a 0.014 ± 0.01 a

Results are expressed as mean ± SD.

Mean values in the same row with different superscript letters indicate significant (P<0.05) difference.

Table 2. The mean of concentration (ppm) for lead, cadmium and mercury during the seasons in the filtered surface water of Khawr-Mukalla stations,

Hadramout coast

Winter Spring Summer Autumn

End-Khawr

Pb2+ 0.071 ± 0.01 a 0.076 ± 0.015 a 0.166 ± 0.082 b 0.084 ± 0.009 a

Cd2+ 0.015 ± 0.01 a 0.031 ± 0.024 a 0.031 ± 0.014 a 0.020 ± 0.012 a

Hg2+ 0.006 ± 0.001 a 0.005 ± 0.002 a 0.009 ± 0.001 a 0.008 ± 0.003 a

Mid-Khawr

Pb2+ 0.063 ± 0.015 a 0.081 ± 0.013 a 0.152 ± 0.084 a 0.103 ± 0.032 a

Cd2+ 0.020 ± 0.011 a 0.023 ± 0.016 a 0.043 ± 0.024 a 0.027 ± 0.01 a

Hg2+ 0.005 ± 0.001 a 0.006 ± 0.001 a 0.009 ± 0.006 a 0.006 ± 0.001 a

Mouth-Khawr

Pb2+ 0.040 ± 0.009 a 0.044 ± 0.022 a 0.077 ± 0.015 a 0.043 ± 0.042 a

Cd2+ 0.011 ± 0.001 a 0.011 ± 0.003 a 0.016 ± 0.008 a 0.012 ± 0.002 a

Hg2+ 0.006 ± 0.001 a 0.005 ± 0.002 a 0.007 ± 0.001 a 0.006 ± 0.002 a

Results are expressed as mean ± SD.

Mean values in the same row with different superscript letters indicate significant (P<0.05) difference.

3.2. Surface Seawater

The results of the present study showed that there were

significant differences (P<0.05), using one way ANOVA,

regarding the concentration of Pb2+

in the filtered surface water

of End-Khawr, for the period of seasons: winter, spring,

summer and autumn. The highest concentration of Pb2+

in

filtered water surface of End-Khawr was 0.17 ppm on summer

and the lowest concentration was 0.07 ppm on winter; however,

there were no significant differences (P>0.05) regarding the

concentration of Cd2+

and Hg2+

in filtered surface water of

End-Khawr. The highest concentration of Cd2+

in filtered

surface water of End-Khawr was 0.03 ppm on summer and the

lowest concentration was 0.01 ppm on winter; nevertheless,

the concentration of Hg2+

in filtered surface water of End-

Khawr including the highest concentration was 0.009 ppm on

summer and the lowest concentration was 0.005 ppm on spring,

as summarized in Table 2.

International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Protection 2014; 1(5): 68-75 72

Further, there were no significant differences (P>0.05),

using one way ANOVA, regarding the concentration of Pb2+

,

Cd2+

and Hg2+

in the filtered surface water of Mid-Khawr in

seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn; however, the

highest concentration of Pb2+

in the filtered surface water of

Mid-Khawr was 0.15 ppm on summer and the lowest

concentration was 0.06 ppm on winter. The concentration of

Cd2+

in the filtered surface water of Mid-Khawr had the same

pattern as Pb2+

.The highest concentration of Cd2+

in the

surface water was 0.04 ppm on summer and the lowest

concentration was 0.02 ppm on winter; nonetheless, the

highest concentration of Hg2+

in the filtered surface water of

Mid-Khawr was 0.009 ppm on autumn and the lowest

concentration was 0.005 ppm on winter, as summarized in

Table 2.

On the other hand, the results showed that there were no

significant differences (P>0.05), using one way ANOVA,

regarding the concentration ofPb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

in the

filtered surface water of Mouth-Khawr throughout seasons:

winter, spring, summer and autumn. The highest

concentration of Pb2+

in the filtered surface water of Mouth-

Khawr was 0.08 ppm on summer and the lowest

concentration was 0.04 ppm on winter; however, the highest

concentration of Cd2+

in the filtered surface water of Mouth-

Khawr was 0.016 ppm on summer and the lowest

concentration was 0.01 ppm on winter. Besides, the highest

concentration of Hg2+

in filtered surface water of Mouth-

Khawr was 0.007 ppm on summer and the lowest

concentration was 0.005 ppm on spring, as summarized in

Table 2.

Table 3. The mean of concentration (ppm) for lead, cadmium and mercury in

the filtered surface water of Khawr-Mukalla stations, Hadramout coast

End-Khawr Mid-Khawr Mouth-Khawr

Pb2+ 0.11 ± 0.05 b 0.1 ± 0.04 b 0.052 ± 0.02 a

Cd2+ 0.025 ± 0.006 b 0.027 ± 0.012 b 0.012 ± 0.003 a

Hg2+ 0.007 ± 0.002 a 0.007 ± 0.002 a 0.006 ± 0.002 a

Results are expressed as mean ± SD.

Mean values in the same row with different superscript letters indicate

significant (P<0.05) difference.

In the present study the results showed that there were

significant differences (P<0.05) , analyze by using two ways

ANOVA, regarding the concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

in

filtered surface water of Mouth-Khawr, Mid-Khawr and

End-Khawr station, whereas there was no significant

differences (P>0.05) regarding the concentration of Hg2+

in

filtered surface water of these stations. The highest

concentration of Pb2+

in filtered surface water of End-Khawr

was 0.11 ppm, whereas the lowest concentration was 0.052

ppm of Mouth-Khawr station; however, the highest

concentration of Cd2+

in filtered surface water of Mid-Khawr

was 0.027 ppm, whereas the lowest concentration was 0.012

ppm of Mouth-Khawr station. The concentration of Hg2+

in

filtered surface water had the same pattern of Pb2+

and Cd2+

;

but, the highest concentration of Hg2+

in the filtered surface

water of Mid-Khawr was 0.007 ppm, whereas the lowest

concentration was 0.006 ppm of Mouth-Khawr station, as

summarized in Table 3.

In addition, when the results of present study were

analyzed by using two ways ANOVA in filtered surface

water of Khawr-Mukalla stations during the seasons, it

showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05)

regarding the concentration of Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

. The

highest concentration of Pb2+

in the filtered surface water was

0.132 ppm on summer, whereas the lowest concentration was

0.058 ppm on winter; however, the highest concentration of

Cd2+

in filtered surface water was 0.030 ppm on summer,

whereas the lowest concentration was 0.014 ppm on winter

regarding the all Khawr-Mukalla stations (End-Khawr , Mid-

Khawr and Mouth-Khawr). Also, the concentration of Hg2+

in the filtered surface water had the same pattern of Pb2+

and

Cd2+

; but, the highest concentration of Hg2+

in surface water

of Khawr-Mukalla was 0.008ppm on autumn, whereas the

lowest concentration was 0.005 ppm on spring, as

summarized in Table 4.

Table 4. The mean of concentration (ppm) for lead, cadmium and mercury

during the seasons in the filtered surface water of Khawr-Mukalla,

Hadramout coast

Winter Spring Summer Autumn

Pb2+ 0.058 ± 0.02 a 0.067 ± 0.02 a 0.132 ± 0.05 b 0.078 ± 0.03 ab

Cd2+ 0.014 ± 0.004 a 0.021 ± 0.01 ab 0.030 ± 0.01 b 0.019 ± 0.007 a

Hg2+ 0.006 ± 0.001 a 0.005 ± 0.001 a 0.007± 0.001 ab 0.008 ± 0.001b

Results are expressed as mean ± SD.

Mean values in the same row with different superscript letters indicate

significant (P<0.05) difference.

Overall, the highest surface water temperatures at Khawr-

Mukalla stations (End-Khawr , Mid-Khawr and Mouth-

Khawr) were on June and followed by May and on July,

andthe lowest water temperatures were on August as

summarized in Fig. 2.

Figure 2. The mean of surface water temperature atKhawr-Mukalla stations

(End-Khawr, Mid-Khawr and Mouth-Khawr) from January 2012 to

December 2012.

4. Discussion

Fish and seawater were collected for the purpose of

determining the accumulation heavy metals such as lead

(Pb2+

), cadmium (Cd2+

) and mercury (Hg2+

). Heavy metals

are a serious problem of pollutions for aquatic ecosystems

73 Mohammed Al-Dohailet al.: The Effects of Lead, Cadmium and Mercury on Moolgardaseheli and Seawater in Khawr-Mukalla,

Hadhramout Coast, Gulf of Aden

(Conacher, Page , & Ryam, 1993)because they are toxicity

(Pekey, 2006), and are hazardous to the human health and the

environment (Lata & Rohindra, 2002).

4.1. Fish Tissues

The present study showed that there were no significant

differences (P>0.05),regarding the concentration of Pb2+

,

Cd2+

and Hg2+

in muscles of fish, Blue spot mullet,

Moolgardaseheli (Table 1) throughout the seasons: winter,

spring, summer and autumn at Khawr-Mukalla. This

observation probably indicates that the muscles could be

accumulated the heavy metals and however in fluenced by

the habitat of fish, feeding behavior and migration; as

mentioned by (Mansour & Sidky, 2002)who said that the

most of heavy metals may accumulate in fish tissues.

Overall, the results also showed that the highest

concentration ofPb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

in muscles of M. seheli

was on summer and the lowest concentration was on autumn.

This observation probably indicates that the amount of

sewage which drain off into Khawr-Mukallaon summer were

so much as a result of using a lot of water in these hot months

by residents of Mukalla city as well as seawater are more

mixing by moving currents(upwelling phenomena) on

autumn that lead to dispersion the heavy metals in seawater

column. This suggestion supported by environmental data

which showed that the temperatures of water were the

highest on June followed by May, and also drops on August

due to upwelling phenomena (Fig.2). The previous studies

showed that the concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

in a Sardinella

spp. and in a Sardinella aurita were higher than the

concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

in the present study in a

M.seheli . For example, in the present study the concentration

of Pb2+

was 0.08 ppm and Cd2+

was 0.01 ppm in dry weight in

a M.seheli, where as in the previous studies the concentration

of Pb2+

was1.67 ppm and Cd2+

was 1.27ppm in dry weight in

a Sardinella spp. in the Red sea, Suez Egypt (El-Moselhy,

Othman, Abd El-Azem, & El-Metwally, 2014); and in a

Sardinella aurita, Pb2+

was16.49 ppm and Cd2+

was1.49 ppm

in dry weight in the Mediterranean sea west of Alexandria (El

Mex Bay and Eastern Harbour)Egypt(Abdallah, 2008). These

high different between the results may reference to different

area,the habitat of fish, feeding behavior and migration; and

this confirms that the area of present study is low polluted by

sewage and other sources such as crude oil tanks (balancing

waters) as supported by (El-Moselhy, Othman, Abd El-Azem,

& El-Metwally, 2014)who reported that the main source of

pollution in Egypt are human waste, industrial activities,

tourism industry and shipping of ores.

In liver of M. seheli was significant differences (P<0.05),

regarding the concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

except

Hg2+

throughout the seasons: winter, spring, summer and

autumn at Khawr-Mukalla. In spite of seasons, the present

study (Table1) agrees with previous study which reported

that high concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

obtained in the liver

of fish (El-Moselhy, Othman, Abd El-Azem, & El-Metwally,

2014).This observation probably indicates that due to the

liver has ability to accumulate the heavy metals, and then

itsexcrete from liver is difficult as mentioned by (Khaled,

2004).

The highest concentration of Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

in liver of

M.seheli was found on summer and the lowest concentration

was obtained on winter. This observation probably indicates

that the amount of draining sewage on summer were higher

compared with other seasons as a result of using water in this

season by population of Mukalla city as well as seawater are

more mixing by moving current (upwelling) in autumn that

lead to dispersion the metals in seawater column. This

suggestion also supported by environmental data as

mentioned above.

There were significant differences regarding the

concentration of Pb2+

in the gills of fish, M. seheli(Table1) for

the duration of the seasons: winter, spring, summer and

autumn at Khawr-Mukalla. Also, the highest concentration of

Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

in the gills of fish was found on summer

and the lowest concentration was obtained on winter. These

observations probably indicate that the same reasons of liver

which mentioned above as well as in water, gills are the main

surface during exchange of metals ions as reported by (Qadir

& Malik, 2011).

It is interesting to note that the concentration of Hg2+

in the

muscles, livers and gills of M. seheliwere lowestthanPb2+

and

Cd2+

in the same fish (Table1). These observations probably

indicate that the Hg2+

has different character than Pb2+

and

Cd2+

and has ability to evaporate in air; as supported by (Wang,

Liu, Yu, , Tang, Xu, & Wang, 2012)who reported that Hg2+

is

easy to vaporize and to move from one place to another.

4.2. Filtered Surface Water

Overall, the results of the present study showed that the

were no significant differences (P>0.05), using one way

ANOVA, regarding the concentration of Pb2+

, Cd2+

and

Hg2+

in the filtered surface water of Khawr-Mukalla (Mid-

Khawr and Mouth-Khawr) except End-Khawr, for the period

of seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn (Table 2).

The highest concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

in the filtered

surfacewater of Khawr-Mukalla was obtained on summer and

the lowest concentration was gotten on winter, where as the

highest concentration of Hg2+

in the filtered surface water of

Khawr-Mukalla was achieved on summer and the lowest

concentration was found on spring (Table 2). These

observations probably indicates that the amount of draining

sewage on summer were higher compared with other

seasons and also due to high water temperature on summer

season as mentioned above as well as the water could be not

concentrated the heavy metals; also Hg2+

has different

character than Pb2+

and Cd2+

. As supported by (Cullinane,

Doyle, & Whelen, 1987)who reported that the concentration

of heavy metals in biota indicator is higher than

concentration in the water samples; and(Jordanova, Strezov,

Ayranov, Petkov, & Stoilova, 1999)reported that the

concentrations of metals are increased during summer due to

increase the water temperature. As supported also by Wang et

al., (2012)who pointed out that the distribution of Hg2+

was

different to the other heavy metals due to Hg2+

is easy to

International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Protection 2014; 1(5): 68-75 74

vaporize and to move from one place to another.

The concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

in the filtered

surfacewater of Khawr-Mukalla (Mouth-Khawr, Mid-Khawr

and End-Khawr) stations, using two ways ANOVA, showed

that there were significant differences (P<0.05), whereas

there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between these

stations regarding the concentration ofHg2+

. The highest

concentration ofCd2+

and Hg2+

(Table 3) in the filtered surface

water were found in Mid-Khawr, whereas the lowest

concentration was gotten in Mouth-Khawr station; butthe

highest concentration ofPb2+

was achieved in End-Khawr,

whereas the lowest concentration was obtained in Mouth-

Khawr station. These observations could be appeared due to

drain sewage at first time into Mid-Khawr, non-coastal

currents, whereas Mouth-Khawr is connected with open sea,

mixingsurface water by coastal currents. However, our

results (Table 6) were low concentration compared with other

studies which mentioned by (Esslemont, 2000)who reported

that the concentration of Pb2+

of filtered surface seawater was

9 ppm and Cd2+

was 7.9 ppm in the Pioneer Bay, Australia;

and in the Nelly Bay, the concentration of Pb2+

inthe filtered

surface seawater was 4.3ppmand Cd2+

was 7.9ppm; also in

the Townsville Harbour, the concentration of Pb2+

in the

filtered surface seawater was 10ppm and Cd2+

was 8ppm.

Besides, (Wang, Liu, Yu, , Tang, Xu, & Wang, 2012)pointed

out that the concentration of Pb2+

was 0.61 ppm, Cd2+

was

0.92 ppm and Hg2+

was 0.030 ppmin Jinzhou bay, China.

Based on these information, Khawr-Mukalla of the present

study is low polluted when it is compared with previous

studies; however Khawr-Mukalla is polluted according to the

background value of natural surface seawater of Pb2+

is

0.005-0.015 ppm, Cd2+

is 0.01 ppm and Hg2+

is 0.00 ppm(Wu

& Zeng, 1983).

In the other hand, when the results of present study during

the seasons were analyzed by using two ways ANOVA in the

surface water of Khawr-Mukalla (End-Khawr , Mid-Khawr

and Mouth-Khawr) stations, showed that there were

significant differences (P<0.05) regarding the concentration

of Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

in all seasons. The highest

concentration of Pb2+

and Cd2+

in the filtered surface water

was obtained on summer, whereas the lowest concentration

was found on winter; butthe highest concentration of Hg2+

was obtained on autumn and the lowest concentration was

found on spring(Table 4). These observations probably

indicate that the high temperature and more amount of

draining sewage during summer at Khawr-Mukalla; also

Hg2+

has different character than Pb2+

and Cd2+

as described

above.

5. Conclusion

From the results of this trial, it is logical to conclude that

the heavy metals (Pb2+

, Cd2+

and Hg2+

) in the muscles and

gills of M.seheli, (Table1)are still in range scale of

international pollution standard except in the liver of fish

which was high a little bit, out range scale; asmentioned by

(FAO, 1983) according to international standard that are:

Pb2+

is 0.5 ppm, Cd2+

is 0.05 ppm and Hg2+

is 0.05 ppm; and

also (Community, 2005)reported that Pb2+

is 0.2 ppm, Cd2+

is

0.05 ppm and Hg2+

is 0.05; however, we should put in the

account of thatM.seheli is considered of fish which migrating

from and to Creeks. On the other hand, the filtered surface

seawater of Khawr-Mukalla (Table3;4)is polluted as

mentioned by (Wu & Zeng, 1983) according to the

background value of natural surface seawater that are: Pb2+

is

0.005-0.015 ppm, Cd2+

is 0.01 ppm and Hg2+

is 0.00 ppm.

Pollution with heavy metals could be damaged liver and

kidney (Agency & Disease Registery, 2004); and the

accumulation of cadmium in body of human could be caused

kidney failure or sterility (Vos, Hovens, & Delft,

1987).Unfortunately, the sewage drains into Khawr-Mukalla

without treatment; therefore, the treatment of sewage before

drain off into Khawr-Mukalla is necessary to protect the

human health, to save the marine ecosystem in better

condition and low polluted, as well as further studies are

necessary to monitoring the pollution by heavy metals in this

area.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Nabil Al-Hodaificandidate

for M.Sc. degree who collected and analyzed samples in lab

and extended my thanks to group research of marine biology.

This study was funded by Hadhramout University under

programme of M.Sc. study in department of marine biology

of Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology.

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