Trace Elements and Nitrosamines Concentration in Black Sea Elasmobranch Species

The trace elements (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, As and Hg) and nitrosamine (NA) concentrations were determined in tissues of three Black Sea elasmobranch species Atlantic spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias, buckler skate Raja clavata and stringray Dasyatis pastinaca. The levels of examined chemicals were below the maximum level permitted by Ukraine State Standards. Significant concentration differences among species were detected for Cu, Pb, As, Hg and NAs which were higher in skates than in shark tissues. The results indicate that the complex of non-organic and organic pollutants in elasmobranchs together with their biological characteristics can be applied to evaluate the ecological status of the marine environment and risk assessment.