Heavy Metals in Estuarine Finfish and Crustaceans and Their Associated Health Risks in the Western Hooghly Estuary, Indian Sundarbans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63697/jeshs.2025.012Keywords:
Heavy Metals, Target Hazard Quotient , Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake , Health Risk, SundarbansAbstract
Mangroves are highly productive ecosystems that provide important social, economic, and environmental benefits. However, they are increasingly exposed to various contaminants, including heavy metals. The presence of heavy metals in such ecosystems can pose a serious threat to marine and aquatic life, including fish and crustaceans. Fish (Lates calcarifer, Liza parsia and Mystus gulio) and crustaceans (Penaeus monodon and Scylla serrata) were collected from local fishermen in Nayachar, West Bengal, in the Indian Sundarbans. Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd and As, concentrations were measured in the edible muscle tissues of these species using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The concentration of heavy metals in the edible muscle tissues were observed in the following descending order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd > As. Results show a potential health risk from Pb both in terms of target hazard quotient (THQ) and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for Lates calcarifer, Liza parsia and Mystus gulio. However, the consumption of these species didn’t pose a serious health risk with respect to other measured heavy metals as both THQ and PTWI were within the established and/or recommended limits. Long-term exposure to these fish species could pose a significant toxicity risk to individuals who consume them regularly. Regular monitoring, identification of contamination sources and treatment are crucial to reduce any potential health risks to the local population and other consumers, as the Sundarbans is a major fish producing area in the state of West Bengal, India.
Downloads
References
Abera, B.D., Adimas, M.A., 2024. Health benefits and health risks of contaminated fish consumption: current research outputs, research approaches, and perspectives. Heliyon, 10, e33905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33905
Ahmadi, A., Bagheri, D., Hoseinifar, S.H., Morshedi, V., Paolucci, M., 2022. Beneficial role of polyphenols as feed additives on growth performances, immune response and antioxidant status of Lates Calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) juveniles. Aquaculture, 552, 737955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.737955
Akram, H., Hussain, S., Mazumdar, P., Chua, K.O., Butt, T.E., Harikrishna, J.A., 2023. Mangrove health: a review of functions, threats, and challenges associated with mangrove management practices. Forests, 14, 1698. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091698
Banaee, M., Zeidi, A., Mikušková, N. Faggio, C., 2024. Assessing metal toxicity on crustaceans in aquatic ecosystems: a comprehensive review. Biological Trace Element Research, 202, 5743–5761. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-024-04122-7
Begum, M., Alam, M.J., Islam, M.A., Pal, H.K., 2008. On the food and feeding habit of an estuarine catfish (Mystus gulio Hamilton) in the south-west coast of Bangladesh. University Journal of Zoology, Rajshahi University, 27, 91–94.
Bepari, S.P., Pramanick, P., Zaman, S., Mitra, A., 2021. Comparative study of heavy metals in the muscle of two edible finfish species in and around Indian Sundarbans. Journal of Mechanics of Continua and Mathematical Sciences, 16, 9–18. https://doi.org/10.26782/jmcms.2021.10.00002
Bhattacharya, P., Samal, A.C., Bhattacharya, T., Santra, S.C., 2016. Sequential extraction for the speciation of trace heavy metals in Hoogly river sediments, India. International Journal of Experimental Research and Review, 6, 39–49.
Burger, J., Gaines, K.F., Boring, C.S., Stephens, W.L., Snodgrass, J., Dixon, C., McMohan, M., Shukla, S., Shukla, T., Gochfeld, M., 2002. Metal levels in fish from the Savannah River: potential hazards to fish and other receptors. Environmental Research, 89, 85–97. https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.2002.4330
Chakraborty, D., Das, D., Samal, A.C., Santra, S.C., 2019. Prevalence and ecotoxicological significance of heavy metals in sediments of lower stretches of the Hooghly estuary, India. International Journal of Experimental Research and Review, 19, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2019.v19.001
Chaudhuri, P., Nath, B., Birch, G., 2014. Accumulation of trace metals in grey mangrove Avicennia marina fine nutritive roots: The role of rhizosphere processes. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 79, 284–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.11.024
Chowdhury, A., Maiti, S.K., 2016. Assessing the ecological health risk in a conserved mangrove ecosystem due to heavy metal pollution: a case study from Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve, India. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22, 1519–1541. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2016.1190636
Cid Pérez, B., Boia, C., Pombo, L., Rebelo, E., 2001. Determination of trace metals in fish species of the Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Food Chemistry, 75, 93–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(01)00184-4
Çoğun, H., Yüzereroğlu, T. A., Kargin, F., Firat, Ö., 2005. Seasonal variation and tissue distribution of heavy metals in shrimp and fish species from the Yumurtalik coast of Iskenderun Gulf, Mediterranean. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 75, 707–715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-005-0809-6
Connelly, N.A., Lauber, T.B., McCann, P.J., Niederdeppe, J., Knuth, B.A., 2019. Estimated exposure to mercury from fish consumption among women anglers of childbearing age in the great lakes region. Environmental Research, 171, 11–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.005
Dayal, J.S., Ambasankar, K., Jannathulla, R., Kumuraguruvasagam, K.P., Kailasam, M., 2019. Nutrient and fatty acid composition of cultured and wild caught gold-spot mullet Liza parsia (Hamilton, 1822). Indian Journal of Fisheries, 66, 62–70.
Dural, M., Göksu, M., Özak, A.A., 2007. Investigation of heavy metal levels in economically important fish species captured from the Tuzla lagoon. Food Chemistry, 102, 415–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.03.001
Eong, O.J., 1995. The ecology of mangrove conservation and management. Hydrobiologia, 295, 343–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029141
FAO, 2005. Statistical databases. https://faostat.fao.org
FAO/WHO, 2004. Summary of evaluations performed by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives (JECFA 1956–2003). ILSI Press International Life Sciences Institute.
Hajeb, P., Jinap, S., Ismail, A., Fatimah, A.B., Jamilah, B., Abdul Rahim, M., 2009. Assessment of mercury level in commonly consumed marine fishes in Malaysia. Food control, 20, 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2008.02.012
Islam, S.M.D-U., Bhuiyan, M.A.H., 2018. Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh: causes of degradation and sustainable management options. Environmental Sustainability, 1, 113–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-018-0018-y
Joadder, A.R., Hossain, M.D., 2008. Convenient pattern of food and feeding habit of Liza parsia (Hamilton) (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae). Journal of Fisheries International, 3, 61–64.
Jolaosho, T.L., Elegbede, I.O., Akintola, S.L., Jimoh, A.A., Ndimele, P.E., Mustapha, A.A., Adukonu, J.D., 2024. Bioaccumulation dynamics, noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in commercially valuable shellfish and finfish species from the world largest floating slum, Makoko, Nigeria. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 207, 116807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116807
Kalay, M., Ay, Ö., Canli, M., 1999. Heavy metal concentrations in fish tissues from the Northeast Mediterranean Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 63, 673–681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001289901033
Kumar, S., Karmoker, J., Pal, B.K., Luo, C., Zhao, M., 2019. Trace metals contamination in different compartments of the Sundarbans mangrove: a review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 148, 47–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.063
Lin, H., Luo, X., Yu, D. He, C., Cao, W., He, L., Liang, Z., Zhou, J., Fang, G., 2024. Risk assessment of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb via the consumption of seafood in Haikou. Scientific Reports, 14, 19549. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-70409-3
Lorenzon, S., Francese, M., Smith, V.J., Ferrero, E.A., 2001. Heavy metals affect the circulating haemocyte number in the shrimp Palaemon elegans. Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 11, 459–472. https://doi.org/10.1006/fsim.2000.0321
MacFarlane, G.R., 2002. Leaf biochemical parameters in Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh as potential biomarkers of heavy metal stress in estuarine ecosystems. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 44, 244–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-326X(01)00255-7
MacFarlane, G.R., Burchett, M.D., 2000. Cellular distribution of copper, lead and zinc in the grey mangrove, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. Aquatic Botany, 68, 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3770(00)00105-4
Marchand, C., Allenbach, M., Lallier-Vergès, E., 2011. Relationships between heavy metals distribution and organic matter cycling in mangrove sediments (Conception Bay, New Caledonia). Geoderma, 160, 444–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2010.10.015
Mitra, A., Ghosh, R., 2014. Bioaccumulation pattern of heavy metals in commercially important fishes in and around Indian Sundarbans. Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research, 2, 33–44.
Mitra, A., Chowdhury, R., Banerjee, K., 2012. Concentrations of some heavy metals in commercially important finfish and shellfish of the River Ganga. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184, 2219–2230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2111-x
Moschetto, F.A., Ribeiro, R.B., De Freitas, D.M., 2021. Urban expansion, regeneration and socioenvironmental vulnerability in a mangrove ecosystem at the southeast coastal of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ocean & Coastal Management, 200, 105418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105418
Nath, B., Birch, G., Chaudhuri, P., 2014. Trace metal biogeochemistry in mangrove ecosystems: A comparative assessment of acidified (by acid sulfate soils) and non-acidified sites. Science of The Total Environment, 463–464, 667–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.06.024
Pandion, K., Khalith, S.B.M., Ravindran, B., Chandrasekaran, M., Rajagopal, R., Alfarhan, A., Chang, S.W., Ayyamperumal, R., Mukherjee, A., Arunachalam, K.D., 2022. Potential health risk caused by heavy metal associated with seafood consumption around coastal area. Environmental Pollution, 294, 118553, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118553
Pandiyan, J., Mahboob, S., Govindarajan, M., Al-Ghanim, K.A., Ahmed, Z., Al-Mulhm, N., Jagadheesan, R., Krishnappa, K., 2021. An assessment of level of heavy metals pollution in the water, sediment and aquatic organisms: A perspective of tackling environmental threats for food security. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 28, 1218–1225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.11.072
Peters, E.C., Gassman, N.J., Firman, J.C., Richmond, R.H., Power, E.A., 1997. Ecotoxicology of tropical marine ecosystems. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 16, 12–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620160103
Pourang, N., Dennis, J.H., Ghourchian, H., 2004. Tissue distribution and redistribution of trace elements in shrimp species with the emphasis on the roles of metallothionein. Ecotoxicology, 13, 519–533. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ECTX.0000037189.80775.9c
Praveena, S.M., Aris, A.Z., Radojevic, M., 2010. Heavy metals dynamics and source in intertidal mangrove sediment of Sabah, Borneo Island. Environment Asia, 3, 79–83.
Proshad, R., Rahim, M.A., Rahman, M., Asif, M.R., Dey, H.C., Khurram, D., Al, M.A., Islam, M., Idris, A.M., 2024. Utilizing machine learning to evaluate heavy metal pollution in the world’s largest mangrove forest. Science of The Total Environment, 951, 175746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175746
Saha, M., Sarkar, S.K., Bhattacharya, B., 2006. Interspecific variation in heavy metal body concentrations in biota of Sunderban mangrove wetland, northeast India. Environment International, 32, 203–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2005.08.012
Samal, A.C., Bhattacharya, P., Banerjee, S., Majumdar, J., Santra, S.C., 2013. Distribution of arsenic in the estuarine ecosystem of Nayachar island, West Bengal, India. Earth Science India, 6, 70–76.
Samanta, S., Hazra, S., Mondal, P.P., Chanda, A., Giri, S., French, J.R., Nicholls, R.J., 2021. Assessment and Attribution of Mangrove Forest Changes in the Indian Sundarbans from 2000 to 2020. Remote Sensing, 13, 4957. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13244957
Santhosh, K., Kamala, K., Ramasamy, P., Musthafa, M.S., Almujri, S.S., Asdaq, S.M.B., Sivaperumal, P., 2024. Unveiling the silent threat: Heavy metal toxicity devastating impact on aquatic organisms and DNA damage. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 200, 116139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116139
Sharma, M., Kant, R., Sharma, A.K., Sharma, A.K., 2025. Exploring the impact of heavy metals toxicity in the aquatic ecosystem. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, 9, 267–280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-024-00284-1
Su, J., Friess, D.A., Gasparatos, A., 2021. A meta-analysis of the ecological and economic outcomes of mangrove restoration. Nature Communications, 12, 5050. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25349-1
Sun, Z., Shao, Y., Yan, K., Yao, T., Liu, L., Sun, F., Wu, J., Huang, Y., 2023. The link between trace metal elements and glucose metabolism: evidence from zinc, copper, iron, and manganese-mediated metabolic regulation. Metabolites, 13, 1048. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13101048
Tanhan, P., Lansubsakul, N., Phaochoosak, N., Sirinupong, P., Yeesin, P., Imsilp, K., 2023. Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Seafood Collected from Pattani Bay, Thailand. Toxics, 11, 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010018
Traven, L., Marinac-Pupavac, S., Žurga, P., Linšak, Z., Žeželj, S.P., Glad, M., Lušić, D.V., 2023. Assessment of health risks associated with heavy metal concentration in seafood from North-Western Croatia. Scientific Reports, 13, 16414. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43365-7
US EPA, 2000. Risk-Based Concentration Table. Philadelphia PA: United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Usese, A.I., Chukwu, L.O., Naidu, R., Islam, S., Rahman, M.M., 2020. Arsenic fractionation in sediments and speciation in muscles of fish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from a contaminated tropical Lagoon, Nigeria. Chemosphere, 256, 127134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127134
Usese, A., Chukwu, O.L., Rahman, M.M., Naidu, R., Islam, S. and Oyewo, E.O., 2017. Concentrations of arsenic in water and fish in a tropical open lagoon, Southwest-Nigeria: Health risk assessment. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 8, 164–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2017.06.005
USFDA, 1993. Food and drug administration, Guidance document for nickel in shell fish. DHHS/PHS/FDA/CFSAN/Office of seafood, Washington D.C.
Vu, N.T.T., Jerry, D.R., Edmunds, R.C., Jones, D.B., Zenger, K.R., 2023. Development of a global SNP resource for diversity, provenance, and parentage analyses on the Indo-Pacific giant black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Aquaculture, 563, 738890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738890
Waltham, N.J., Connolly, R.M., 2022. Food webs supporting fisheries production in estuaries with expanding coastal urbanization. Food Webs, 33, e00259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2022.e00259
WHO, 2006. WHO Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater Excreta and Greywater: Volume 4: Excreta and Greywater Use in Agriculture (World Health Organization).
WHO, 1996. Chromium in drinking-water, Guidelines for drinking water quality, World Health Organization, 2nd Edn., Geneva, Switzerland, 2.
Younis, A.M., Hanafy, S., Elkady, E.M., Alluhayb, A.H., Alminderej, F.M., 2024. Assessment of health risks associated with heavy metal contamination in selected fish and crustacean species from Temsah Lake, Suez Canal. Scientific Reports, 14, 18706. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69561-7
Zaynab, M., Al-Yahyai, R., Ameen, A., Sharif, Y., Ali, L., Fatima, M., Khan, K.A., Li, S., 2022. Health and environmental effects of heavy metals. Journal of King Saud University - Science, 34, 101653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2021.101653
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
A statement is included in the manuscript.
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Debargha Chakraborty, Dipanwita Das, Alok Chandra Samal, S.C. Santra
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors retain the copyright to their work and grant the journal and its publisher (Enviro Mind Solutions) a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute the work freely.
How to Cite
