Browsing by Author "OTHMAN, HALIMA MOHAMED"

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    OCCURRENCE OF MERCURY AND ORGANOHALOGENS (PCBs, OCPs and BFRs) IN MARINE BIOTA OF DARAJANI MARKET.
    (SUZA, 2022-12-01) OTHMAN, HALIMA MOHAMED
    Mercury and persistent organic pollutants have received a global concern due to their neurotoxic effect and ubiquitous nature. They can bioaccumulate in edible marine biota to the levels that can pose serious health effects to consumer. The aim of this study is to assess the distribution of mercury and organohalogen along the trophic levels in edible marine biota from Darajani Market and the suitability for human consumption. Fish species belong to different trophic levels, squid and prawns from Darajani Market in Zanzibar were analysed for total mercury and organohalogen contaminants to investigate their distribution and suitability of the biota for human consumption. The analysis revealed presence of both mercury and organohalogen contaminants. The oncentrations of organohalogen increased along the trophic levels indication their ability to biomagnify in marine biota but such magnification trend was not clear for total mercury. The concentrations of mercury ranged from 0.004 mg/kg w/w in Mackerel to 0.156 mg/kg w/w in Tuna with overall mean of 0.0435±0.016 mg/kg w/w while mean levels of organohalogen contaminants across all species and seasons ranged from belowlimit of detection (LOD) to 129 ng/g lw ΣPCBs; 5.6–336 ng/g lw ΣOCPs; and