Search

Background: Heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) are important pollutants in the aquatic ecosystem, and their long-term resistance, bio-accumulation, and bio-magnification during the food chain may cause adverse ecological and health risks., Methods: In here, the distribution and risk assessment of six heavy metals Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, and TPHs were performed in the sediments of 32 regions situated in two mangroves (Tiab and Azini estuaries, Hara Mangrove forest protected area) and coral habitats (Larak and Hengam Islands) in Northeast of the Persian Gulf during 2020-2021. An atomic absorption device was used to determine the concentrations of heavy metals. Ecological risk of heavy metals is assessed through indices contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (CD), modified contamination degree (MCD), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). The spatial distribution of heavy metals was mapped through the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method in ArcMap., Results: The concentration of heavy metals indicated significant differences in spatial distribution. The maximum concentration of Cd 1.64 ± 0.001, Cr 18.41 ± 0.41 and Cu 40.5 ± 0.28 µg/g was observed at the regions situated in the Hara Mangrove forest protected area. Azini estuary had the maximum value of Zn 94.61 ± 30.74 and TPHs 4.47 ± 1.93 µg/g and finally, the highest value of concentration Ni 135.22 ± 1.85 µg/g and Pb 17.87 ± 2.17 g/gµ was found in Tiab estuary. The studied regions in the Tiab estuary and Hara Mangrove forest protected area were more contaminated than others and had considerable risks of Ni and Cd. Average ecological indices indicated the sediments of these areas especially Tiab, Hara Mangrove forest protected area, and Azini are moderately to considerably contaminated with Cd and Ni. Tiab was identified as the most contaminated area and all stations except Hengam Island were exposed to considerable ecological risks. Cadmium was found to be the riskiest heavy metal in the investigated region. The distribution of TPHs indicated there is no pollution of TPHs in the region. In all studied stations, the PELq (Toxicity of TPHs) and CF values showed the absence of potential risks of TPHs in sediments., Conclusions: The findings indicated considerable contamination of Cd and Ni in the mangrove areas, especially Tiab, and it seems necessary to identify, manage, and control possible sources of contamination., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: The increasing consumption of seafood may bring health risks. It will be especially important for the people living along the coasts who are highly dependent on seafood for food and income., Methods: In this research, a comprehensive health risk assessment was performed on 27 species of high-consumption commercial fish sampled from stations located in Hormozgan province within the Northeast Persian Gulf. Concentrations of trace metals and their health risk were investigated., Results: Spatial distribution of trace metals in commercial fish showed central stations including Kong and Greater Tonb have higher concentrations of all trace metals except Pb. Some metals showed a significant correlation between concentrations. Our finding indicated the average concentration of all trace metals except Ni in all species was below the concentrations proposed by WHO/FAO/USEPA. EDI for all metals in all species in both adult and child age groups was lower than its RfD (oral reference dose of trace metal) showing the daily consumption of these fish does not pose any health risk and implicates seafood consumption guidelines or policies. Values of THQ for each metal and HI for all metals were lower than 1 in all commercial fish indicating the lack of non-cancerous health risk through the long-term consumption of these fish. The research found potential health risks associated with the consumption of these fish, specifically related to the metals Cr, Ni, and Cd., Conclusion: In total, health risk indices proposed eight fish as bio-indicator species of the Persian Gulf. The findings emphasize the risk management of commercial fish consumption, especially bio-indicator species, in Hormozgan province, the Northeast Persian Gulf., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the food web demands continuous monitoring of seafood safety. Here, the food safety of commercial fish bluespot mullet Crenimugil seheli, deep flounder Pseudorhombus elevates, and Jinga shrimp Metapenaeus affinis was assessed from commercial and industrial region of the West Bandar Abbas, the North Persian Gulf, for the first time., Methods: For this purpose, concentrations of trace metals Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb, and their health risks were investigated., Results: Results showed the average concentration of all trace metals in all species was below concentrations proposed by WHO/FAO/USEPA. The finding on risk assessment of three species indicated three species are safe for daily consumption. Long-term consumption of three species would not pose potential non-carcinogenic health risk. However, it would result in carcinogenic effects from the ingestion of trace metals Ni, Cr, and Cd., Conclusions: The data emphasizes the need for the continuous monitoring in this industrial region in the future to manage and control pollutant sources and to ensure the quality of seafood., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)