| Abstract: | This paper presents the results obtained during a four-year study of heavy metal distribution in certain organisms of the Ligurian Sea. The species which we have considered (mussels, mullet, shrimp and anchovies) were systematically sampled from December 1976 to December 1980, and were taken from the area between Punta del Mesco (east of Genoa) and Savona (west of Genoa).The metals (Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry of the solutions obtained by mineralizing the samples with HNO3 at 90% in decomposition flasks fitted with a reflux condenser.The values obtained depend upon the place and year of sampling and are compared to values found by other authors for the same organisms in the other Italian seas. |
