Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of bacterial pollutants to bivalve species in Ras-Kabdana-Saïdia coasts (Eastern Morocco).

Ngadi  Et Al., Hamza

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2022.281482

Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of bacterial pollutants to bivalve species in Ras-Kabdana-Saïdia coasts (Eastern Morocco).

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Hamza Ngadi et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2022.281482

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the level of fecal pollution from seawater, sediment, and bivalves (Chamelea gallina) of the Ras Kabdana-Saidia coastline, monthly during 2018. The seasonal variations were affected significantly (P<0.001) by the concentrations of fecal coliforms (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS) in seawater, sediment, and mollusks. The highest bacterial population in mollusks was recorded in autumn/winter and the lowest values were founded in summer. The physicochemical conditions are known to govern the bioavailability of fecal indicator bacteria in the marine environment and their bioaccumulation by marine biota. Monitoring of bacteriological parameters revealed relatively high bacterial loads, especially in bivalves. Mollusks are filter feeders that can capture bacteria, and retain them for long periods. The FC (1.32 log CFU. 100 g^-1) and FS (1.93 log CFU. 100 g^-1) levels of Chamelea gallina from the studied area met the regulation limits set by various international organizations. The results of the study show that molluscs produced in this area are obviously safe for raw consumption based on their bacterial quality.

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