Heavy metals bioaccumulation in marine cultured fish and its probabilistic health hazard

In aquacultures, heavy metals could be accumulated in fish tissues from natural and human-related sources depending on different factors. This study aims to estimate the level of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in cultured Gilt-head sea bream Sparusaurata. In this regard, heavy metals concentrations were measured in both water and fish musculature that were collected from a private fish farm in Kafr ElSheikh, Egypt. Regarding the water samples, heavy metals were within the permissible limits with exception of Cd, Cu, and Zn. In fish musculature, all heavy metals were within the WHO/FAO permissible limits. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) indicated that mostly all heavy metals accumulation in the Gilt-head sea bream musculature decreased with time which may be correlated with the increase in water pH, calcium, and other cations concentrations. The hazard index (HI) calculations indicate no adverse health effects of heavy metals on humans through daily fish consumption so far. However, health risks are not negligible making the regular monitoring of metal contaminants in the studied area a necessity.