Studying the Concentrations of Some Heavy Metal Elements in Dicentrarchus labrax from Syrian Coast and its Relative Risk for Human Consumption

Raeda Salah*(1), Mohamad Hassan(1) and Ali Sultaneh(2)

(1). Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University- Lattakia-Syria.

(2) . Department of Food Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University- Lattakia-Syria.

 (*Corresponding author: Raeda H. Salah.Email:Selenamah20614@gmail.com)

Received: 4/08/2022           Accepted: 9/12/2022

Abstract: 

Fish are known to bioaccumulate heavy metals and hence when consumed could become a threat to human health. In this study. The accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) In Syrian  Dicentrarchus labrax muscle, from the Syrian marine waters (Eastern Mediterranean) was assessed. Samples were collected from six different areas for two consecutive years, from March 2019 to February 2021. The health risk was assessed using estimated daily intake and target hazard quotient. Heavy metal levels were higher in the site relatively close to industrial pollution sources, tourism and agricultural activities. The concentration of Zn in the muscle was at reasonable levels for human consumption and ranged between 3.12324.084 µg/g wet weight. Copper was found with an  average ranging between 0.4010.897 µg/g wet weight. The lead concentration was (0.245-0.619 µg/g wet weight), while Cadmium was the least concentrated (0.00810.0178 µg/g wet weight). These results indicated that all heavy metals studied were within the permissible safety levels for human consumption, and within the limits allowed by the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Heavy metals, Dicentrarchus labrax, Syrian coast, Eastern Mediterranean.

Full paper in Arabic: pdf