Dietary metal intake from four widely consumed marine fish species and its repercussions for human health at the west coast of Yemen

Abstract

The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As were measured in the muscles of four widely consumed fish species (Thunnus albacares, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Megalaspis cordyla, and Katsuwonus pelamis) collected from four locations at Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. The results exhibited that metals concentrations were significantly different (P< 0.05) between sites. Zinc revealed the highest concentration in the studied muscles, followed by Cu, As, Cd, and Pb. Fish of Al-Salif port (site 2) and Al-Kathib beach (site 3) showed the highest metal concentrations. Moreover, the edible tissues of R. kanagurta and M. cordyla bioaccumulated higher metals content in comparison to the other two studied species. Principal component analysis (PCA) exhibited that sampling sites were clearly separated into two distinct groups and indicated that anthropogenic activities might be the main source of Cd, Pb, and As. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values of the analyzed metals were in safe limits except for arsenic that showed risk values in most cases, demonstrating that consumption of the examined fish species may pose arsenic-related health risks. Regarding target cancer risk (TR) values, arsenic pollution poses a carcinogenic threat to fish consumers. The Zn and Pb concentrations resulted in the highest allowable daily consumption rate (CRlim) values compared to the other examined metals, whereas those based on As were the lowest. Generally, the consumption of the studied fish may pose both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic threats to fish consumers at the study area. This study contributes valuable details about state of metal pollution in the studied species. It warns local residents about the health hazards of consuming these four commonly consumed and commercially valuable fish species.