Evaluation des concentrations en metaux lourds dans les moules bleues (Mytilus edulis) et les produits halieutiques de la Baie des Chaleurs

Since the 1970s, high concentrations of lead, cadmium and mercury have been reported in sediment and biota from industrial sites in the Baie des Chaleurs. Heavy metals, even at low concentrations, can have deleterious effects on health and well-being of exposed populations. Fish and seafood, important to a healthy diet, are a source of metal exposure. This study attempts to characterize the heavy metals contamination of the Baie des Chaleurs and the species of fish and seafood sold in stores of the region.;Interviews with eight fish merchants were conducted in 2008 to determine the origin of fish and seafood regularly consumed by local populations. The species most purchased by the region inhabitants have been sampled to determine their heavy metal concentrations. Results show that 36% of fish and seafood species sold come from the Baie des Chaleurs. Generally, metal concentrations found in products analyzed meet the World Health Organization tolerable daily intake. Hepatopancreas of lobster, which is the most consumed species, is a cause for concern because of its high Cd concentrations.;The results from this study will allow the development of adapted tools for local residents, taking into account their specific needs, to better assess the risk of contamination by the halieutic resource.;In 2006 and 2008, blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) were sampled from sites along the New Brunswick coastline of the Baie des Chaleurs to establish a spatio-temporal distribution of heavy metals. Mussels from Belledune have up to four times more cadmium and zinc and up to 10 times more lead than those in other sampling sites. Near the chloralkali plant in Dalhousie, mercury concentrations in mussels are at least 30 times higher than in other sites. Furthermore, cadmium concentrations in mussels sampled in 2006 are higher than those fished in 2008 in all sites.