Evaluation of Distribution and Bioaccumulation of Arsenic by ICP-MS in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Cultivated in Different Environments

Abstract

The concentration of arsenic in tissues of tilapia was evaluated and an estimation of the risks associated with the consumption of this fish was done, taking into account the guidelines established by FAO/WHO. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique in kinetic energy discrimination (KED) mode was employed and certified reference materials were analyzed with recoveries of 101, 110, and 80% from NIST 1640a (trace elements in water), NIST 1566b (oyster tissue), and DORM-3 (fish protein). In the consumable portion (the muscle fish tissue), the average concentration found was 0.030 ± 0.008 µg g -1 , which is below the arsenic maximum level established by international regulatory agencies. The average concentration found in the viscera (stomach, gills, and liver) was 0.485 ± 0.225 µg g -1 , concluding that the viscera had greater capacity for the bioaccumulation of arsenic. From this study was possible to monitor the arsenic element in different tilapia specimens evidencing its accumulation throughout the body of the fish.

A Systematic Review on Metal Dynamics and Marine Toxicity Risk Assessment Using Crustaceans as Bioindicators

“…Anthropogenic activities that result in its input into the environment include smelting, fossil fuel combustion, pesticide use, the purification of industrial gases (sulfur removal), electronics manufacturing (microwave devices, lasers, light-emitting bodies, photoelectric cells, and semiconductor devices) and wood preservation [3,39,40]. This element bioaccumulates in different animal tissues, mainly the viscera such as liver/hepatopancreas, as well as the stomach and gills, with lower levels found in muscle and human tissue, skin, the urinary system, and lungs [39,[41][42][43][44]. Among the crustaceans, shrimp exhibit higher As bioaccumulation rates [39].…”

Method Validation and Determination of Several Elements in Farmed Fish by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (Icp-Ms)

“…The concentration of arsenic in the environment can be a result of mining activities and because of the use as herbicides (Dallas & Day, 2004). A significant fraction of this contaminant was presented in fish tissues in the form of organic compounds like arsenobetaine (AsB) which was low toxicity and not metabolized in humans (Oliveira, Ferreira, Oliveira, Nogueira, & Gonzalez, 2017). However, in fish, other species of As could be presented such as methylated arsenic species (dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA)).…”

“…However, in fish, other species of As could be presented such as methylated arsenic species (dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA)). These species had a moderated toxicity for human health (Oliveira et al, 2017). Hence, the high concentration of As is an environmental concern because As could be accumulated in living organisms and indirectly enters the human body through food sources.…”

Arsenate Removal from Aqueous Media Using Chitosan-Magnetite Hydrogel by Batch and Fixed-Bed Columns

“…The prolonged ingestion of water with >10 µg As/L augments human mortality since it is capable of causing various cancer types [ 6 ]. Additionally, the ingestion of arsenic can be due to the consumption of arsenic-contaminated food, such as fish [ 7 ]. The toxicity of arsenic is also evidenced by its identification as a plant stressor [ 8 , 9 ].…”