Assessment of Essential and Potentially Toxic Elements in Water and Sediment and the Tissues of Sciaena deliciosa (Tschudi, 1846) from the Coast of Callao Bay, Peru

Abstract

The lorna drum Sciaena deliciosa is a coastal demersal species and one of the underlying artisanal fisheries in some areas of Peru, and is also a source of protein for Peruvian coastal dwellers. The investigation addresses concern about the environmental impact on this fish species and the potential risks to human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood. This research endeavors to assess the concentration of potentially toxic and essential elements in the muscle and liver tissues of S. deliciosa, in addition to the presence thereof in water and sediment capture areas on the coast of Callao, Peru. The study revealed that, in water samples, Ag, Ni, and Zn exceed Peruvian standards, but were below international standards, and Ba, P, Se, and Sn exceed international standards. In the sediments, As, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Zn were above international standards. In the fish, S. delicious muscle demonstrated As, Hg, and Pb exceeding at least one international standard. In the liver, As, Hg, Pb, and Cu exceed international standards. The study approach increased accuracy in risk assessments, offering crucial insights into the interplay between heavy metal pollution, water quality, and animal health, informing risk management strategies. Future studies can explore the long-term effects of heavy metal exposure on different organisms and consider their cumulative impact on health.

Levels of Potentially Toxic and Essential Elements in Water and Estimation of Human Health Risks in a River Located at the Interface of Brazilian Savanna and Amazon Biomes (Tocantins River)

“…EFr represents total exposure frequency, ED is exposure duration, WiR stands for rate of water ingestion, C denotes the average concentration of trace elements in water, RfD indicates oral reference dose according to the USEPA, BW represents mean body weight, and AT signifies mean exposure time. The oral reference doses (RfD) for the trace elements are as follows: 1 mg/kg/day for aluminum (Al), 0.40 mg/kg/day for copper (Cu), 0.8 mg/kg/day for iron (Fe), 0.14 mg/kg/day for magnesium (Mg), and 0.005 mg/kg/day for selenium (Se) [10,61,62].…”

“…Notably, approximately 80% of infections in lowincome and developing countries are directly attributable to contaminated drinking water and unhygienic settings [9]. Potentially toxic and essential elements, sourced from domestic, agricultural, and industrial waste, pose hazards to humans, marine life, and the environment [10]. Heavy metal pollution, particularly prevalent in developing countries, is a global concern affecting rivers worldwide [11][12][13].…”