Metal Trace Element Concentration in Commercial Fish Species from Vembanad Backwater System: Evaluating the Risks of Human Consumption

Anupama Prakash¹, Muhammed Thaniem¹, Rangasamy Eswaran¹, Palanisamy Sundarabalan¹ and Muniyandi Muniasamy^1,

¹Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nādu, India

Cite this paper:
Anupama Prakash, Muhammed Thaniem, Rangasamy Eswaran, Palanisamy Sundarabalan and Muniyandi Muniasamy. Metal Trace Element Concentration in Commercial Fish Species from Vembanad Backwater System: Evaluating the Risks of Human Consumption. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2023; 11(2):56-63. doi: 10.12691/aees-11-2-3

Abstract

This study was carried out to provide information on Metal Trace Element concentrations in the muscles, gills, and liver of five commercial fish species available in Vembanad backwater systems and to evaluate the possible risk associated with their consumption. The concentration of Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) were determined in Etroplus suratensis, Mughil cephalus, Scatophagus argus, Epinephelus areolatus, and Elops machnata. The liver and gills showed higher metal concentrations than the muscles. The concentration of MTEs was analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The mean maximum heavy metal levels in the muscles were as follow; Zn (62.12 µg/g)>Cr (30.17 µg/g)>Cd (29.62 µg/g) >Cu (23.47 µg/g)>Ni (20.95 µg/g)>Pb (18.34 µg/g) respectively. Human health risk levels from fish consumption were assessed using multiple indices like Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index, and Carcinogenic Risk (CR). The Carcinogenic values for Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr were calculated and evaluated in all species, while CR values calculated for all 6 elements did not pose a risk, it was found above the threshold value of 10-4. THQ for both adult and children consumers were <1 indicating no hazard from consumption. In addition, Since HI is <1 it has been concluded that the consumption of fish species will not pose a potential health risk.

Keywords:
fish heavy metals human health risk ICP-MS Vembanad Backwater System

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