Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water and Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) from Subsidence Pools in the Huaibei Coal Mining Region, China, with Evaluation of the Human Health Risk

Abstract

The levels of heavy metals and possible health risks in water and crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) were assessed from two coal mining subsidence pools and a reference pool in the Huaibei coal mining region. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb in subsidence pools were the highest, 8.71, 110.06, 13.85, 48.36, 22.19, and 38.76 ug L−1, respectively. Compared with water quality standards, some metals in subsidence pools were higher than the standard limits. Correlation analysis indicated that all metals were related to coal mining activities except for Mn. The average concentrations of metals in crucian carp from the study area followed the order: Mn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd. Heavy metals in fish showed the order of viscera > gill > muscle (except for Cu in crucian carp in the reference pool). The levels of Cd and Pb in the muscle of crucian carp in subsidence pools exceeded the standard limits. The mean bioaccumulation factor of the metals showed that Cu, Mn, and Ni in the water could accumulate in the fish. The target hazard quotient results indicated that consumption of crucian carp from subsidence pools by children and adults may result in significant non-carcinogenic health risks. These results showed that water pollution due to coal mining activities may lead to fish contamination and ultimately endanger human health.