Assessment of Camel Meat Pollution with Trace Metals in Desert Area of Basra Province

Problem statement: This study investigates the possibility of the camel meat pollution in south of Basra province (Iraq). Trace elements concentrations (Mg, Fe, Pb and Hg) were determined from different tissues of camel (neck, shoulder, plate, leg and loin) from two location in Basra governorate, Safwan and Al-Zubair. Approach: The study focused on the assessment of camel meat pollution on these locations with toxic elements which may caused by soil, water and plants which camel feed on. Results: The obtained results revealed that camel meat from area away from city gave higher concentrations of Mg, Fe, Pb and Hg comparing with those camels nearby city. Camel meat tissues differed in their content of Mg, Pb, Fe and Hg; neck was higher in Mg and Hg content while leg was higher in their content of Pb and Fe comparing with the other tissues. Conclusion: The obtained results were compared with literature data and the results tended to be high.