Elevated Concentrations of Metal(loids) in Seaweed and the Concomitant Exposure to Humans

Abstract

While the consumption of seaweed and seaweed-based products is very common amongst East Asian nations, forming a notable component of the daily diet, relatively very few studies have concerned the concentrations of heavy metals in these together with potential effects on human health. The present study analyses the concentrations of 17 elements in locally resourced seaweed, also assessing potential noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The samples were ground, homogenized, and quantified using the ICP-OES technique. It has been found that the essential elements K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Na typically show concentrations somewhat greater than a number of potentially toxic metals, in particular, Cd, Pb, Ag, and As, with exceptions being Ni, Cr-VI, and Si. Statistical analysis indicates all of the latter to have similar origin, with increased concentration of these metals within the marine ecosystem. While the daily estimated intake of most metals is seen to be within the daily dietary allowance level recommended by various international organizations, the noncarcinogenic risk shows a value greater than unity, estimated via the hazard quotient. This indicates a potential for adverse effects to health arising from consumption of the sampled seaweed. The carcinogenic risk resulting from nonessential elements shows values greater than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) reference limit of 10−4. Considering the nonbiodegradability of heavy metals and metalloids and their potential accumulation in seaweed, there is need for critical examination of metal levels in the seaweeds obtained from the present study locations, together with the introduction of practices of removal of heavy metals via bio-adsorbent techniques.

Macroalgae in biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Bay of Bengal coastal waters of Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas

“…The overall mean HI was calculated as 0.22, well below our estimations. However, the HI calculated for the Malaysian population considerably exceeds the health hazard limit (HI = 4.38), although that study presented a lower CR t than the present study (0.29) 5 . Although many studies concerning specific populations suggest heavy metal consumption from seaweed may not pose a sizeable health hazard 67 , 73 , in the present regard of Cox’s Bazar the health authorities should look to monitoring heavy metal in consumable seaweeds, taking HI and CR t as indicators of their potential toxicity in areas of high seaweed consumption.…”

“…In recent decades, the marine environment shows increasing concentrations of these pollutants following large-scale urbanization, industrialization, and greater agricultural activities 3 , 4 . Heavy metals and metalloids from anthropogenic activities, including mining, milling, petrochemicals processing, electronics industry, and municipal waste, directly discharged into the marine environment or transported into the greater aquatic system via estuaries are of particular concern 5 . Particularly, heavy metals are transported from industrial wastewater, coastal aquifers, and ultimately seawater 6 .…”

Levels and health risk assessment of heavy metals in dried fish consumed in Bangladesh

“…Chromium (Cr) can exist in several oxidation states from 0 to 6 + . But, the toxicity varying with respect to Cr(III) and Cr(VI) 33 . However, in this study total Cr concentration (both Cr (III) and Cr (VI) together) was determined, ranging from 0.42 ± 0.03 mg/kg in P. chinensis to 12.4 ± 0.0 mg/kg in G. chapra .…”

“…The HI can be used to assess the additive effects from various heavy metals taken via fish consumption HI = n i=k THQ (4) where, HI > 1 refers for consumers experiencing significant health hazards due to non-carcinogenic metals exposure [29][30][31][32][33][34] Cancer risk(CR) Carcinogenic risk describes the incremental probability of cancer in an individual over a lifetime, due to exposure to a substantial carcinogen 53 (with a range from 0.403 to 0.092 mg/kg) and Bashir et al 54 (with a range from 0.54 to 79.08 mg/kg). However, present results have been found to be comparable with those of Sivaperumal et al 55 in muscle tissue of fish in Indian fish markets (0.14 mg/kg to 3.36 mg/kg).…”

Comparison of the Proximate Composition and Nutritional Profile of Byproducts and Edible Parts of Five Species of Shrimp

“…Cu plays various physiological and biochemical roles of great importance in the maintenance of metabolism and the cardiovascular system in living organisms [36,38]. The interactions among Fe, Zn, and Cu are antagonistic, and this antagonism usually occurs when the ratio of Zn to Cu is above 10 and the ratio of Zn to Fe is above 1 [39]. The ratio of Zn to Cu was less than 10 in all parts of shrimp except for P.j meat.…”