Assessment of trace elements pollution, radioactivity and oscillatory response in Sardina pilchardus and Mullus barbatus from Adriatic Montenegrin coast

Abstract

This study presents an assessment of environmental pollution along the Montenegrin Adriatic coast through the analysis of fish species: Sardina pilchardus and Mullus barbatus. The 15 individuals of each species per locations Boka Kotorska bay and open sea were collected. The samples were analyzed using various techniques: GF-AAS for Pb and Cd, ICP-OES for As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, AMA for Hg, as well as Raman, FTIR, SEM, EDS, and alpha/beta spectrometry to examine ash composition and radioactivity. Additionally, the Briggs-Rauscher oscillatory reaction was applied to compare the oxidative potential of fish ashes for the first time. Arsenic was up to 23.5 mg/kg, while mercury in M. barbatus exceeded EU limits (0.744 mg/kg). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in most trace metal concentrations based on fish species and location. The results of alpha activity in all samples were below the detection limit, while the beta activity ranged between from 254 Bq/kg to 337 Bq/kg. The human health risk assessment indicated a low risk, except for Hg in M. barbatus, where the THQ slightly exceeded 1, and MeHg intake exceeded threshold level set by JECFA. This study highlights the ecological value of combining traditional and innovative analytical methods for pollution monitoring.