Bioaccumulation of trace elements in tissues of Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) from the northern United Arab Emirates

Small, partially enclosed gulfs are especially vulnerable to coastal pollution. The Arabian Gulf is a shallow, hypersaline, warm gulf with rising levels of pollution caused by rapid development and industrialization. We measured 19 trace elements in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and muscle of Indian oil sardines (Sardinella longiceps) from three sites from the United Arab Emirates in the southern Arabian Gulf. Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc exceeded international maximum permissible limits (MPL) in all three tissues in most sites. High concentrations in muscle raises concerns about the risk to humans, as muscles are widely consumed by humans. Discriminant Function Analysis showed that the three study sites (Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain) could be discriminated based on a combination of elements. Improved monitoring of pollutants is needed to ascertain the concentration of pollutants in species at different trophic levels. We recommend better control measures to reduce the discharge of pollutants into this fragile marine ecosystem.