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Elemental concentration and size relationship in African cuttlefish Sepia bertheloti, from the coastal waters of Qua Iboe River, Nigeria

Abstract

Ten specimens of African cuttlefish, Sepia bertheloti, from the coastal waters off Qua Iboe River, Southeast Nigeria, were analyzed for the relationship between the concentration of the elements and the size of the species. Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique was employed to determine the elemental composition of the species. Eleven elements were identified in the body of cuttlefish. These were Chlorine, Strontium, Potassium, Calcium, Bromine, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Nickel and Selenium of these elements, the concentration of calcium, potassium. Copper and strontium had a positive correlation with the weight, while the concentrations of manganese, nickel, chlorine, iron were negatively correlated with their weights. However, only manganese had a significantly negative correlation (p<0. 05). Bromine and zinc had no correlation with the weights of the species. There also existed a significant positive correlation between Ca and K, Se and Ni, Cu, Br and Zn and St and K. We conclude that African cuttlefish, irrespective of size is a rich source of nutritional elements and is especially recommended for pregnant women and for all age groups

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