Potential toxic elements (PTEs) in costal sediment of the Persian Gulf: A systematic review-meta-analysis, non-dietary risk Assessment and ecological risk assessment

Abstract

Chemical pollution in the Persian Gulf has become an important health concern in recent decades. This investigation aimed to meta-analyses of potential toxic elements (PTEs) including lead (Pb), inorganic Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni) and Mercury (Hg) in the coastal sediment of the Persian Gulf. In this study, an attempt was made to retrieve papers conducted on the concentration of PTEs in the coastal sediment of the Persian Gulf by searching in international databases including Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and PubMed. Meta-analysis concentration of PTEs in the coastal sediment of the Persian Gulf was conducted using random effects model based on the country subgroup. Additionally, non-dietary risk assessment including non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact routes and ecological risk assessment was estimated. Seventy-eight papers with 81 data-reports (1650 sample size) were included in our meta-analysis. The rank order of heavy metals in coastal sediment of the Persian Gulf based on pooled concentration was Ni (65.44 mg/kg) > Pb (58.35 mg/kg) > As (23.78 mg/kg) > Cd (1.75 mg/kg) > Hg (0.77 mg/kg). The highest concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Ni and Hg was observed in the coastal sediment of Saudi Arabia, Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Although the Igeo index in coastal sediment of the Persian gulf was in Grade 1 (Uncontaminated) and grade 2 (slightly contaminated) but total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) of adults due to As and Cd and Adolescent due to As, Cd, Pb and Niwas higher than 1 value In Iran, In Saudi Arabic, TTHQ of adults due to As and Cd and adolescent due to As and Cd was higher than 1 value, In United Arab Emirates, TTHQ of adults due to Cd and Adolescents due to As, Cd and Pb were higher than 1 value and In Qatar, TTHQ of adults age group due to Pb and adolescent age group due to Pb was higher than 1 value. Total cancer risk (TCR) for adults and adolescent due to As was higher than 1E-6 in Iran, United Arab Emirates and Qatar but TCR for adolescents due to As was higher than 1E-6 in Saudi Arabic. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor the concentration of PTEs and implementation of programs to reduce the emission of PTEs from resources in the Persian Gulf.