Heavy Metals Concentration in Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) from the Moroccan Mediterranean Coast and Potential Human Health Risk Assessment

Due to their toxicity, long persistence, bioaccumulative nature, and biomagnification in the food chain, heavy metals pose a serious hazard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health risks associated with the consumption of Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) and to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of four potentially toxic metallic elements. Three hundred and sixty specimens of sardine were collected between December 2020 and October 2021 at three Mediterranean coast sites, Beni-Ensar, Ras el Ma, and El-Houceima, in the northeast region of Morocco. The toxic metallic elements were evaluated by assessing the contamination level of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the muscle, liver, and gills of sardine from the Mediterranean Moroccan coast. The results showed a significant effect of the study area, organ, and season (p>0.05) on Moroccan Mediterranean sardine heavy metal contamination levels. Regardless the location and season, the liver presents the higher concentration of the studied metals (p<0.05). The highest heavy metal concentrations of Cd (0.408 mu g center dot g(-1) wet weight (ww)), Hg (0.044 mu g center dot g(-1) ww), and As (6.74 mu g center dot g(-1) ww) were found in winter while the concentration of Pb was the highest in autumn (0.056 mu g center dot g(-1) ww). Furthermore, the lowest contamination of metal levels was found in the spring. El-Houceima region contains the highest values for Hg (0.093 mu g center dot g(-1) ww), Pb (0.018 mu g center dot g(-1) ww), and As (7.73 mu g center dot g(-1) ww). However, the highest values for Cd (0.172 mu g center dot g(-1) ww) were recorded in Beni-Ensar. Regarding the assessment of possible risks to human health, the results showed that the indices are below the established safety values in the case of estimated weekly intake, and target hazard quotient (THQ). In contrast, the carcinogenic risk index and total THQ were above the threshold limits and thus represented a potential carcinogenic risk to human health.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the health risks associated with the consumption of Sardina pilchardus and studied the spatiotemporal dynamics of four potentially toxic metallic elements. The results showed significant effects of location, organ, and season on heavy metal contamination levels in the sardines. While the estimated weekly intake and target hazard quotient were below safety values, the carcinogenic risk index and total THQ exceeded threshold limits, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk to human health.