Cd, Pb and Hg Biomonitoring in Fish of the Mediterranean Region and Risk Estimations on Fish Consumption

Elisavet Renieri,Eren Ozcagli,Marco Vinceti,Aristidis Tsatsakis,Athanasios Alegakis,Michalis Kiriakakis,Martin Wilks

doi:10.3390/toxics2030417

Elisavet Renieri, Eren Ozcagli + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics2030417

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are toxic metals with increasing interest due to their tendency to bioaccumulate in fish tissue which may pose a threat to human health via fish consumption. This review of the recent literature on Cd, Pb, Hg levels summarizes data of fish biomonitoring studies in the Mediterranean Sea in order to determine potential risks due to dietary intake of metals. The analytical methods applied are described, with Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy being the most popular. Most of the literature reviewed is focused on the Eastern Mediterranean. Results from the studies indicate that metals mostly accumulate in liver, followed by muscle. Although there are few studies reporting metal levels in fish exceeding the maximum residue levels (MRLs), the bulk of the studies cite levels below the MRLs. The hazard index (HI) of fish consumption, namely the ratio of estimated weekly intake to provisional tolerable weekly intake (EWI/PTWI) was estimated for adult consumers and no risk emerged. The EWI/PTWI ratios of lead and mercury for Italy (0.14 and 0.22 respectively) represent the highest HI levels estimated. In view of maximizing the benefits while minimizing the risks of fish consumption, a more detailed fish-specific database on intakes for consumers is required and extended bimonitoring in as many regions as possible.

Highlights

IntroductionThe Mediterranean Sea, a semi-closed basin surrounded by densely populated and industrialized countries, has a low capacity of water interchange with the Atlantic Ocean and other surrounding seas
The Mediterranean Sea, a semi-closed basin surrounded by densely populated and industrialized countries, has a low capacity of water interchange with the Atlantic Ocean and other surrounding seas.Human development in the Mediterranean region has extensively influenced the coastal areas and has led to a constant rate of pollution with toxic compounds
When comparing the habitat of each species presented in the studies, to the results reported in the studies, a direct correlation of metal levels to the identification of fish as benthic, pelagic etc. is revealed (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

The Mediterranean Sea, a semi-closed basin surrounded by densely populated and industrialized countries, has a low capacity of water interchange with the Atlantic Ocean and other surrounding seas. Human development in the Mediterranean region has extensively influenced the coastal areas and has led to a constant rate of pollution with toxic compounds. The Mediterranean Sea is burdened by its major river systems: the Po, the Ebro, the Nile, and the Rhone which carry substantial amounts of agricultural and industrial wastes. As the Mediterranean is almost entirely landlocked, its waters have a very low renewal rate (80 to 90 years) making them excessively sensitive to pollution [1]. The escalating contaminant load in the Mediterranean Sea has created the need for more comprehensive studies and legislation establishment [2,3]. Aside from biomonitoring studies, assessments on sediment quality as well as the water column are necessary

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