Levels of Trace Elements in Tissue of Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas from Quiberon Bay, Brittany, France

The concentration of trace elements, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead in the two oyster species (Ostrea edulis) and (Crassostrea gigas) collected from mariculture sites in the Quiberon bay were studied to investigate metal contamination in the surrounding area and its significant risk assessment to human who consumed the both species. Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after acid digestion process. Certified reference materials, Oyster tissue, SRM1556a was used to validate the methods and the results shown a good agreement with the certified values. The levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in oyster flesh were 0.26-14.5, 4.61-83.9, 0.01-0.11 and 0.02-0.41 mg kg super( -1) wet weight. Element levels in C. gigas were generally higher than O. edulis. Element concentrations in the flesh were assessed for human consumption according to Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) and Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake (PTDI). Due to their bioaccumulation capacity of trace elements, both oysters' species had the potential of being used as biomonitors to control the aquatic contaminations by trace elements.