Heavy metals in fishes from the Tyrrhenian Sea and risk assessment

The heavy metals are persistent pollutants that can bioaccumulate in marine animals such as fish, posing a risk to the marine ecosystem and human health accordingly. Therefore, the present study investigated the levels of eleven heavy metals such as arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) antimony (Sb), and vanadium (V) in two fish species (Mugil cephalus and Diplodus annularis) caught in the Tyrrhenian Sea along the Campania coast and assessed the risk arising from fish consumption. The analysis of heavy metals in fish edible parts was performed by Q-ICP-MS and the risk assessment was estimated by the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). There were statistical differences between two fish species for three heavy metals such as Cd, As, and Hg in muscle samples which were higher in Diplodus annularis. Nevertheless, no samples exceeded the legal limits set for Pb, Cd, and Hg. The HQs and ILCRs showed potential risks for exposure to As, Cd, and Hg concentrations above the median. However, the no speciation of As overestimated the risk probably. Overall, the ecological features of Diplodus annularis could lead to greater bioaccumulation of heavy metals than Mugil cephalus, underscoring the need for continued assessment of different species to address potential risks. •Diplodus annularis showed greater bioaccumulation of As, Cd, and Hg.•The concentrations of Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and V were below the limit of detection.•The levels of heavy metals in fishes did not exceed the legal limits.•Potential risks emerged for exposure to heavy metal concentrations above the median.