Bioaccumulation of metals in marine fish species captured from the northern shores of the Gulf of Oman, Iran

Abstract

In this study, the bio-concentration of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was determined in eight edible fish species, which were caught from the northern shores of the Gulf of Oman. For this purpose, a total of 160 fish samples in eight species, originating from different ecological status and trophic levels, were obtained twice, once during the warm season and once in winter. Sample preparation and quantification of the metals were accomplished via the wet digestion method and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results showed that the average Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the edible tissues of the fish, regardless of the species, were 0.14 ± 0.003, 0.75 ± 0.067, 2.18 ± 0.21, 55.55 ± 2.11, 0.35 ± 0.033, 0.49 ± 0.054, 6.78±0.53μgg−1 DW, respectively. The data on metals presence were significantly different between the sampling stations, including for Cu and Pb in the meat of Cynoglossus arel. Therefore, based on the target hazard quotient (THQ), any serious threat to public health would not be due to the consumption of the Gulf of Oman’s captured seafood, and consumers would be able to use seafood safely.