Preliminary assessment of the contamination of the marine water and fish by trace metals in Cotonou (Benin)

Abstract

Facing the problem of the pollution of the watery ecosystems world-wide, a preliminary assessment of the contamination of marine environment was performed on samples of water and fish coming from the Atlantic Ocean on the coasts of Cotonou. Aluminium (Al), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) were quantified by electrochemical
atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Varian A300), in the Laboratory of Toxicology and Applied Hygiene /UFR of the Pharmaceutical Sciences (Bordeaux-France). Results show that acceptable limits are exceeded for cadmium and chromium in the fish. Aluminium, lead and copper should nevertheless be supervised. These findings evidence of the pollution
of the marine environment by toxic metals along the Benin. This survey also permits us to conclude some fish, so important in the food of the populations of Benin, are unfortunately unfit to the consumption and therefore, would be to the origin of human health problems.

Keywords : Benin, marine pollution, toxic metals, fish quality.