Micro-pollutant content in Anguilla anguilla glass eels and relationship with migratory behaviour

The concentrations of ten trace elements barium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, strontium, vanadium and zinc) were determined in the whole-body of glass eels caught in the Adour estuary, and exhibiting different levels of activity in laboratory. Glass eels that become active in response to a decrease in light intensity in flume present significantly lower values than those remaining buried in the substratum for Pb (p = 0.010) and Zn (p = 0.049). Results are discussed in relation to migratory behaviour.