Heavy metals in tissues of scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) caught from Black Sea (Turkey) and potential risks to human health

Abstract

Scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) is a demersal fish species commercially important for its of which meat is tough and delicious. The aim of this study was to determine heavy metal (Al, Cu, Ni, As, Cd, Hg, Pb, U) concentrations in this fish species which is traditionally consumed in the Black Sea Area and, to compare the concentrations of various toxic elements in different organs of the fish specimens (muscle, liver, gill, and skin). Within this scope, the mineralization was performed using microwave digestion system. Thirty-two scorpionfish caught from Sinop Inland Port during 2010 were analyzed. The heavy metal concentrations were determined with the method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Verification of the method was demonstrated by analysis of standard reference material (NRCC-TORT-2 lobster hepatopancreas). After evaluation of the results, it was determined that the highest heavy metal accumulation was generally found in the liver. The maximum aluminum level and the minimum uranium level were found in the analyzed tissues. In terms of heavy metals, Al, Cu, Cd, and Hg showed a statistically significant difference between tissues (p < 0.05). It was determined that heavy metal concentrations obtained from the muscle tissues did not exceed the national and international recommended limits; and also it was found that daily intake amounts did not exceed tolerable daily intake amounts. Furthermore, in THQ based risk evaluation, the value 1 which is crucial for children and adults was not surpassed. In terms of public health, it was found out that there was not any risk in consumption of scorpionfish in the study area.

Bioaccumulation Levels and Potential Health Risks of Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead in Albacore (Thunnus alalunga, Bonnaterre, 1788) from The Aegean Sea, Greece

“…Since the exposure to two or more toxic metals may result in additive effects [41], the total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) was also calculated as the arithmetic sum of each THQ values [42,43]:TTHQ = THQ Hg + THQ Cd + THQ Pb …”

Monthly variation of micro- and macro-element composition in smooth scallop, Flexopecten glaber (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Çardak Lagoon (Çanakkale Strait, Turkey)

“…RfD: Oral referans dose (mg/kg/day) (Table 2) AT: Average exposure time for non-carcinogenic effects (365 days/year x ED) ED: Exposure duration (70 years for a person is assumed in this study, equivalent to the average lifetimes), HQ is categorized into six classes: HQ<1 (no health risk); 1<HQ<1.5 (low health risk); 1.5<HQ<2 (medium-low health risk); 2<HQ<2.5 (medium risk); 2.5<HQ<3 (next higher risk); 3<HQ (high risk) (USEPA, 1989;Çulha et al, 2016;Alkan et al, 2020).…”

Incidence of persistent contaminants through blue mussels biomonitoring from Flekkefjord fjord and their relevance to food safety

“…In fact, variation in physical and chemical characteristics (e.g., pH, salinity, redox potential), natural resuspension phenomena caused by waves, currents and bioturbation and/or and anthropic disturbances, including boat wash, dredging and disposal actions or bottom trawling, can lead to the resuspension of these particle-associated contaminants into the overlying water (Hedman et al 2009;Jonas and Millward 2010;Juwarkar et al 2010). Particle-associated and dissolved contaminants that are suspended or released from contaminated sediments returned as available for the uptake by organisms, either via particle uptake or via transport across biological membranes (e.g., Storelli and Marcotrigiano, 2000;Eggleton and Thomas 2004;Conte et al, 2016;Çulha et al, 2016), representing a serious hazard for the health of living organisms and, potentially, of humans eating contaminated organisms. For instance, field studies have demonstrated that dredging operations of contaminated sediments enhanced the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (e.g., Bocchetti et al 2008), as well as of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs; Bellas et al 2007), in mussel species.…”