Heavy Metal Content and Risk Assessment in Trachurus trachurus Investigated from the Marmara Sea

Abstract

Aquaculture is an important nutrient for humans, and their living environment, sea water, must be of high quality. Toxic metals are one of the most important causes of marine pollution and marine organisms can accumulate such compounds in their bodies. It is extremely important to evaluate the health risks of fish, which is the most consumed sea creature by humans, in terms of toxic elements for public health. In this study, some heavy metal concentrations were determined using FAAS in the muscle and liver tissues of Trachurus trachurus species grown in the Marmara Sea, and the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk possibilities related to these heavy metals were evaluated. According to the results of the research, it was seen that there was no relationship between fish weight and length and element content in muscle tissue. Compared with muscle tissue, liver tissue accumulated more metal content. It was determined that all elemental concentrations in muscle tissue were below the permissible limit. In addition, it was observed that these fish species were weak in terms of nutritional elements. The estimated daily intake values of all elements were found to be much lower than the reference doses. The target hazard quotient and hazardous index values for essential and toxic elements were below the limit value. It was decided that daily consumption of these fish does not pose a lifelong carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risk. The Pb concentration detected in the liver was observed to exceed the permissible limit. This situation suggests that the Marmara Sea should be examined in terms of Pb pollution.