Human health risk assessment of heavy metal(oid)s in four fish species harvested from the Bizerte lagoon (Tunisia)

Khaoula TELAHIGUE; Imen RABEH; Zied MDAINI; Ridha GHALI; Lassaad CHOUBA; Tarek HAJJI

doi:10.71754/instmbulletin.v49.1709

Authors

Khaoula TELAHIGUE University of Manouba. Higher Institute of Biotechnology - Sidi Thabet. Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Bio-Geo-Resources LR11ES31, 2020 Ariana, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8841-9911
Imen RABEH University of Tunis el Manar. Faculty of Sciences of Tunis. Laboratory of Ecology, Biology and Physiology of Aquatic Organisms LR 18ES41, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0307-473X
Zied MDAINI Université du Québec à Rimouski. Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1176-7824
Ridha GHALI University of Tunis El Manar. Center of Urgent Medical Assistance of Tunis. Laboratory of Toxicology and Environment LR12SP07, Montfleury, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4943-702X
Lassaad CHOUBA University of Carthage. National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM), La Goulette Center, 2060 Tunis, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8612-9731
Tarek HAJJI 1University of Manouba. Higher Institute of Biotechnology - Sidi Thabet. Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Bio-Geo-Resources LR11ES31, 2020 Ariana, Tunisia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3869-8876

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71754/instmbulletin.v49.1709

Keywords:

Human health, Heavy metals, Fish, Bioaccumulation, Analysis, Contamination, Commercial species, Consumer protection, Carcinogens

Abstract

This study investigated the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) exposure in the child and adult populations in Tunisia. The heavy metal(loid) (HM) content in muscle and the organ mixture of four commercial species of fish widely available and consumed were determined (Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, Liza aurata, Sarpa salpa).

The fish samples were prepared using a wet digestion method, and the HM analysis was carried out using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicated that all fish organs had high amounts of Pb and As and high levels of Cd and Zn in some organs. Based on the exploratory data analysis, fish species can be differentiated according to their diet.

The estimated daily intake values for the children's population have exceeded the permissible levels for Cd and As, whereas they were only exceeded for As for the adult population. Only Fe's Target Hazard Quotient exceeded the permissible limit. The evaluation of the carcinogenic risk associated with the consumption of the four fish species from the Bizerte lagoon indicated a potential carcinogenic effect related to lead (Pb) exposure. In this lagoon, HM contamination of fish is requiring both a short-term and long-term approach to ensure the safety of marine products.