Heavy metals in three estuarine mudskipper species from Hatiya Island, Bay of Bengal: Public health at risk

Mudskippers are facultative air-breathing fishes with burrowing behavior making them vulnerable to accumulation of heavy and trace metals from the ambient bottom soil and water. The objective of this study was to examine bioaccumulation of thirteen heavy metals in three estuarine mudskippers Taenioides buchanani, Odontamblyopus rubicundus, and Scartelaos histophorus and to assess possible human health risks related to the consumption of these fish. Analysis of the metalloid components of each sample was performed using an ICP-MS equipped with an S-10 autosampler The hierarchy of tested metal concentration in the mudskippers in decreasing order was Pb (16.19 +/- 1.0 mg/kg) >Fe (7.82 +/- 3.9 mg/kg) >Cu (7.68 +/- 2.8 mg/kg) >Mn (7.50 +/- 4.0 mg/kg) >Cr (7.17 +/- 2.2 mg/kg) >Cd (5.85 +/- 0.39 mg/kg) >V (4.66 +/- 4.0 mg/kg) >Zn (3.55 +/- 1.6 mg/kg) >Ni (1.90 +/- 1.2 mg/kg) >As (0.94 +/- 1.6 mg/kg) >Sb (0.34 +/- 0.03 mg/kg) >Mo (0.31 +/- 0.09 mg/kg) >Hg (0.15 +/- 0.1 mg/kg). Among the targeted metals, Cr, Cd, Pb, As, and Mn concentrations exceeded established Bangladesh and international guidelines. According to the risk assessment, target hazard quotient values for children were considerably greater than for adults, demonstrating that children are highly susceptible to adverse effects of metal contamination. For Cr, As, Cd, and Ni, the target cancer risk related to the consumption of S. histophorus, T. buchanani, and O. rubicundus were greater than 0.0001 in both adults and children. While the estimated daily intake of fish did not exceed recommended amounts concerning most metals in either children or adults, that related to lead reached the hazardous range for children. Limits on the consumption of the three species should be considered, and initiatives should be immediately taken to minimize heavy metal contamination in the Hatiya Island area. Government, management authorities, and policymakers should take into consideration the risks presented by heavy metals in the Hatiya Island area in promoting a healthful environment. Further investigation to explor specific source of metals in coastal areas are warranted.