Assessment of metal levels in fish species from the Red Sea: Implications for health risks and ecological impact

Abstract

This study evaluated trace and heavy metal concentrations (Ca, K, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, Ag, Ba) in nine commercially important fish species (Epinephelus marginalis, Mugil cephalus, Pagrus pagrus, Sole sole, Siganus canaliculatus, Lethrinus nebulosus, Sparus aurata, Mullus surmuletus, and Trachurus indicus) from the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The highest metal concentrations were observed in Mugil cephalus (Cr: 0.157 mg/kg; Zn: 0.672 mg/kg), while Trachurus indicus exhibited the lowest levels (Cr: 0.002 mg/kg). All metal concentrations were below the permissible limits (FAO/WHO), with Cr and Ni representing only 7.4 % and 13.8 % of their respective thresholds. Health risk assessments (THQ < 1, HI < 1, CR < 10^-6) indicated minimal risks for adults and children, with Estimated Weekly Intakes (EWI) for Cr (0.42 μg/kg bw/week) and Ni (0.078 μg/kg bw/week) below Provisional Tolerable Limits (PTWI). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that 86.8 % of metal variance was derived from natural sources (agricultural runoff, geological weathering), underscoring Yanbu’s relatively pristine conditions compared to industrialised Red Sea regions. These findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring to safeguard marine ecosystems and public health, particularly for benthic species such as M. cephalus, which showed a higher bioaccumulation potential.