Radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations of some commercial fish species consumed in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Assessment of Radiation and Heavy Metals Risk due to the Dietary Intake of Marine Fishes (Rastrelliger kanagurta) from the Straits of Malacca

“…The greatest mean As concentration observed herein was at Port Klang (0.748 mg/kg dry weight), varying with a factor of about 0.2 for other regions, the least value being found to be (0.325 mg/kg dry weight) at Bagan Lalang. The reported values are appreciably lower than that suggested European Community maximum permissible guideline of 2 mg/kg (dry weight) for marine fish [51] and that reported by Korkmaz Görür e (4.4 mg/kg) of Black Sea fish in Turkey [22]. …”

“…In making comparisons with levels elsewhere, the range of specific activity of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in sea fish samples from the Black Sea Region of Turkey have been reported [22] as 0.06 ± 0.01 to 0.96 ± 0.36, 0.12 ± 0.04 to 1.03 ± 0.15 and 35.04 ± 0.24 to 127.41 ± 2.29 Bq kg −1 respectively. A study [45] reported average activities of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in fish samples (anchovy) from Korea as < 0.049, 0.0381 and 15.45 Bq kg −1 respectively.…”

“…While again this is presently at a level of limited concern, the value serves as an initial datum point from which future changes in levels in the region can be monitored. By way of comparision, [55] reported Pb levels from Turkey ranging from0.09 to 6.95 mg/kg, from fish in the northern Mediterian, while [22] reported a lower range of Pb (< 0.001–0.06 mg/kg) in the fish of the Black Sea of Turkey. The observed large variation between the EDI and TDI suggests Pb levels through consumption of fish is yet below the hamful level.…”

“…Cr was found with varying concentrations in all samples with the exception of some from Bagan Lalang, with values ranging from 0.003 to 0.052 mg/kg. By way of comparison, the Turkish study of [22] reported Cr at levels of between < 0.1 to 0.73 mg/kg dry weight of fish. Adequate Intake (AI) of 30 μg/kg body weight has been suggested for 70 years adult and above [53].…”

“…Approximately three million barrels of crude oil are shipped through the Straits daily, subjecting the sensitive marine environment to the threat of accidental oil spillage; over the 10-year period 1981–199, an average of two to three oil spill incidents per year were recorded in these waters [21]. The distinct possibility of release of large quantities of metal contaminants from different sources includes association with transportation, with increasing tanker traffic adding to the concern, to which one can add offshore oil and gas exploration, the operation of power plants and other industrial activities, agricultural activities and the waste streams of urbanization, all of which may pose a significant danger to human health due to the non-biodegradability and accumulation of metals in the food chain [20, 22]. The metals include copper, zinc and iron, all essential within both marine and human metabolism while some others such as the heavy metals: mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead have no known role in biological systems [20].…”