Exposure status, spatial variation, and health risk assessment of selected heavy metal(loid)s in common commercial fish species of the Beibu Gulf

Abstract

Fishes are considered as biological indicators of heavy metal(loid)s pollution. In this study, contents of seven heavy metal(loid)s, including Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg, in the muscles of ten common fish species in the Beibu Gulf were analyzed to figure out the pollutants status and their health risk. Results showed all species were largely contaminated by arsenic. Under conservative estimation scenario, target hazard quotient and health index revealed no health risk of species except Alepes kleinii. Under pessimistic estimation scenario, target cancer risk and estimated daily intake showed that, except Saurida undosquamis, Saurida tumbil, and Trachinotus ovatus, the remaining species were at risk of causing cancer for their consumers. Daily intake of arsenic and mercury in most species by residents in the Beibu Gulf exceeded provisional maximum tolerable amount recommended by FAO, suggesting the need of moderate consumption of these species.