Potential toxic elements in sediment and fishes of an important fish breeding river in Bangladesh: a preliminary study for ecological and health risks assessment

Abstract

Indexical appraisal of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in sediment and fish of riverine ecosystem give valuable information for environmental management. In this research, PTEs were measured in sediment and soft tissues of six fish species from an important fish breeding river (Halda) of Bangladesh to assess sediment quality and human health risks. The abundance of PTEs in sediments varied in the decreasing order of Fe > K > Ca > Ti > Zr > Sr > Rb > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Co. The ranges of mean PTEs concentrations in fish species were as follows: Ca, 138.54–366.68; Cr, 8.86–11.34; Mn, 6.20–7.44; Fe, 52.98–871; Co, 2.0–3.06; Cu, 17.82–26.45; Zn, 48.27–115.75; Se, 5.16–6.79; Sr, 35.56–69.57; Hg, 0.42–2.15, and Pb, 0.26–0.64 mg/kg. The outcomes of the enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, and contamination factor of PTEs in sediments varied spatially and most of the sediment samples were moderately polluted by PTEs. Biota-sediment accumulation factor indicated that Zn, Cu, and Co were more concentrated in fish species than other elements. Target hazard quotient (THQ) for the individual element was below 1, suggesting that people would not experience significant health hazards if they ingest a single metal from fish species.