Trends and Health Risk of Trace Metals in Fishes in Liaodong Bay, China, From 2015 to 2020

Abstract

Due to their toxicity, non-biodegradability, and biological amplification in the food chain, heavy metal accumulation in humans via the consumption of fishes has become a problem. In this study, we analyzed the concentrations of six trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in 12 marine fish species collected from Liaodong Bay, China, from 2015 to 2020, to understand the pollution status of the bay and evaluate the impact of fish consumption on human health. In addition, 5 fish species with the potential to serve as bioindicators of metal contamination were identified. In general, the average concentrations were Zn > Pb ≈ Cr > Ni ≈ Cu > Cd. There were significant differences in the concentrations in the muscle tissues of fish with different feeding strategies. The total target hazard quotient values of some fish were greater than 1 in 2015, suggesting that people were susceptible to high health risks. The year 2017 had the lowest values, which suggests that metal pollution in Liaodong Bay may have been decreasing at that time. Monitoring of metal concentrations in marine fish from Liaodong Bay warrants more study.

Trace metals and nutrient analysis of marine fish species from the Gwadar coast

“…Hence, it is suggested that these three fish species show no adverse human health effects upon consumption. Wang et al 49 observed health risk issues associated with trace metals, i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in twelve marine fish occurring at Liaodong Bay on the China coast. They found that the total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) values were greater than one (TTHQ > 1) in these fishes and concluded that Chinese people were susceptible to high health risks by their consumption, which is consistent with our present study.…”

Tissue distribution and trophic magnification of trace elements in typical marine mammals in Bohai and north Yellow Seas

“…Of the eight known breeding grounds of spotted seals worldwide, Liaodong Bay, in northern parts of Bohai Sea, is the southmost and has hundreds of adults raising their cubs there during winter seasons (Hu et al, 2013;Wu et al, 2022). However, the Bohai Sea has several offshore oil platforms that often contribute to the discharge of anthropogenic pollutants in the ocean (Wang et al, 2022). High median concentrations of trace elements such as Cr (27.07 mg kg -1 ), Cu (10.35 mg kg -1 ), Zn (38.90 mg kg -1 ), Pb (21.16 mg kg -1 ), and As (9.78 mg kg -1 ) were found in sediments from Liaodong Bay .…”