Human health risk–benefit assessment of metal(loid)s in commercial fish from the Northeastern Mediterranean, Türkiye
Main Article Content
Keywords
Northeastern Mediterranean, human health, element, metalloid, marine fish, muscle tissue
Abstract
This study investigated 13 metal(loid)s in 10 commercial fish species from the Northeastern Mediterranean. Notably, Lead (Pb) consistently exceeded the permissible limit (PL) (0.30 mg kg–1). The assessment of health risks, conducted by considering the toxicologically significant inorganic fraction of arsenic (As) (10%), suggested a generally low estimated toxicological risk profile for adult consumers under the assumed intake scenario. The cumulative noncarcinogenic risk (total THQ) was found to be below the safety threshold of 1 for all studied species, suggesting that appreciable noncarcinogenic health concerns are unlikely under the assumed intake scenario. Furthermore, total carcinogenic risk values fell within acceptable ranges, with Nickel (Ni) identified as the primary contributor. From a nutritional perspective, all species exhibited a significant health benefit, characterized by positive selenium health benefit values (HBVSe) and Se:Hg molar ratios exceeding 1, supporting a potential protective role against mercury toxicity. In conclusion, while the consistent exceedance of the Pb regulatory limit warrants continued environmental monitoring and a cautious approach, the integrated risk–benefit assessment suggests that these species are unlikely to pose appreciable health risks for adults under the assumed intake scenario (moderate consumption), and they remain a valuable source of dietary selenium.
References
Abbaspour, N., Hurrell, R. and Kelishadi, R. 2014. Review on iron and its importance for human health. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences 19: 164–174.
Abd-Elghany, S.M., Sayed-Ahmed, M.Z., Rahmo, H.M., Zakaria, A.I., Ahmad, S., Alam, N., Ali, M. and Sallam, K.I. 2024. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of fishes contaminated with heavy metals from Manzala Lake, Egypt. Marine Pollution Bulletin 202: 116391.
Akçay, İ., Özbay, Ö., Alp, M.T. and Koyuncu, C.E. 2026. Distributions and health risk assessment of heavy metals in the Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean Sea: Sediments, macroalgae (Enteromorpha sp.), and fish species (Mugil cephalus, Mullus barbatus, Pegusa lascaris). Marine Pollution Bulletin 222: 118702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118702
Alam, M., Rohani, M.F. and Hossain, M.S. 2023. Heavy metals accumulation in some important fish species cultured in commercial fish farm of Natore, Bangladesh and possible health risk evaluation. Emerging Contaminants 9(4): 100254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emcon.2023.100254
Alipour, H., Pourkhabbaz, A. and Hassanpour, M. 2015. Estimation of potential health risks for some metallic elements by consumption of fish. Water Quality, Exposure and Health 7: 179–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-014-0137-3
Alsafran, M., Usman, K., Rizwan, M., Ahmed, T. and Al Jabri, H. 2021. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of metal(oid)s bioaccumulation in leafy vegetables: A consumption advisory. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9: 742269. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.742269
Ateş, A., Türkmen, M. and Tepe, Y. 2015. Assessment of heavy metals in fourteen marine fish species of four Turkish seas. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Science 44: 49–55.
Bautista, T.F., Gomez, B.G., Lor, E.G. and Corona, T.P. 2024. Selenium health benefit values and Hg and Se speciation studies for elucidating the quality and safety of highly consumed fish species and fish-derived products. Food Chemistry 435: 137544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137544
Cabral, C.d.S., Monteiro, L.C., Maciel Pereira, T.A., da Costa Júnior, W.A., Oliveira, I.A.d.S., Canela, T.A., Bernardi, J.V.E., Pestana, I.A. and Almeida, R.d. 2025. A novel approach to estimate mercury exposure risks through fish consumption based on the selenium–mercury molar ratio. Toxics 13: 621. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080621
Can, M.F., Yılmaz, A.B., Yanar, A. and Kılıç, E. 2020. Assessment of accumulation and potential health risk of Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in fish from North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Pollution 6(3): 597–610. https://doi.org/10.22059/poll.2020.297700.752
Canli, M., Kalay, M. and Ay, Ö. 2001. Metal (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr, Ni) concentrations in tissues of a fish Sardina pilchardus and a prawn Penaeus japonicus from three stations on the Mediterranean Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 67(1): 75–82.
Canli, M. and Atli, G. 2003. The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species. Environmental Pollution 121: 129–136.
Closset, M., Cailliau, K., Slaby, S. and Marin, M. 2022. Effects of aluminium contamination on the nervous system of freshwater aquatic vertebrates: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23: 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010031
Çelebi, Ş., Dumlu, B. and Özdemir, V.F. 2023. Some properties of selenium and its effects on human health. Food Science and Engineering Research 2: 6–10.
Çiftçi, H., Çalışkan, Ç.E. and Öztürk, K. 2021a. Determination of trace and toxic metal levels in some fish species and assessment of human health risk. Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences 7(2): 219–233. https://doi.org/10.28979/jarnas.883611
Çiftçi, N., Ayas, D. and Bakan, M. 2021b. The comparison of heavy metal level in surface water, sediment and biota sampled from the polluted and unpolluted sites in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences 37: 319–330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-020-00239-3
Çoğun, H., Yüzereroğlu, T.A., Kargin, F. and 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
Çoğun, H.Y., Yüzereroğlu, T.A., Firat, Ö., Gök, G. and Kargin, F. 2006. Metal concentrations in fish species from the Northeast Mediterranean Sea. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 121: 431–438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9142-0
Dayananda, N.R. and Liyana, J.A. 2021. Quest to assess potentially nephrotoxic heavy metal contaminants in edible wild and commercial inland fish species and associated reservoir sediments; a study in a CKDu prevailed area, Sri Lanka. Exposure and Health 13: 567–581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-021-00403-x
Ersoy, B. and Çelik, M. 2009. Essential elements and contaminants in tissues of commercial pelagic fish from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 89: 1615–1621. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3646
Ersoy, B. and Çelik, M. 2010. The essential and toxic elements in tissues of six commercial demersal fish from Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Food and Chemical Toxicology 48(5): 1377–1382.
Genchi, G., Lauria, G., Catalano, A., Carocci, A. and Sinicropi, M.S. 2023. Prevalence of cobalt in the environment and its role in biological processes. Biology 12: 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12101335
Hasan, A.Y.M., Albariko, F.P.J.B., Lim, Y.C., Cayabo, G.D.B., Omar, J.M., Creencia, L.A., Chen, C.W. and Dong, D.D. 2025. Anthropogenic drivers of metal distribution and bioaccumulation in the primary trophic structure of Puerto Princesa Bay, western Philippines. Marine Environmental Research 212: 107516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107516
Hefnawy, A. and Elkhaiat, H. 2015. The importance of copper and the effects of its deficiency and toxicity in animal health. International Journal of Livestock Research 5: 1–20.
Islam, S., Ahmed, K., Mamun, H.A., Raknuzzaman, M., Ali, M.M. and Eaton, D.W. 2016. Health risk assessment due to exposure from commonly consumed fish and vegetables. Environment Systems and Decisions 36: 253–265.
Jafiya, L., Akogwu, A.D., Suleimana, J.S. and Osunlaja, A.A. 2022. Assessment of heavy metals in some edible fish species of the Komadugu-Yobe River, Gashua, Yobe State, North-East Nigeria: Threat to public health. International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive 4(1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.53771/ijbpsa.2022.4.1.006
Javed, M. and Usmani, N. 2016. Accumulation of heavy metals and human health risk assessment via the consumption of freshwater fish Mastacembelus armatus inhabiting thermal power plant effluent-loaded canal. SpringerPlus 5: 776. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2471-3
Kalay, M., Ay, Ö. and Canli, M. 1999. Heavy metal concentrations in fish tissues from the Northeast Mediterranean Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 63(5): 673–681.
Karayakar, F., Işık, U., Cicik, B. and Canli, M. 2022. Heavy metal levels in economically important fish species sold by fishermen in Karatas (Adana / Turkey). Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 106: 104348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104348
Kılıç, E., Can, M.F. and Yanar, A. 2021. Assessment of some heavy metal accumulation and potential health risk for three fish species from three consecutive bays in North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Marine and Life Sciences 3(1): 24–38. https://doi.org/10.51756/marlife.938938
Kilercioglu, S., Kosker, A.R. and Evliyaoglu, E. 2022. Public health risk assessments associated with heavy metal levels in panga fish fillets imported from Vietnam. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 6(4): 568–578. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2022.4.9
Korkmaz, C., Ay, Ö., Ersoysal, Y., Köroğlu, M.A. and Erdem, C. 2019. Heavy metal levels in muscle tissues of some fish species caught from North east Mediterranean: Evaluation of their effects on human health. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 81: 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2019.04.005
Kucuksezgin, F., Gonul, L.T. and Tasel, D. 2014. Total and inorganic arsenic levels in some marine organisms from Izmir Bay (Eastern Aegean Sea): A risk assessment. Chemosphere 112: 311–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.071
Kumar, A., Jigyasu, D.K., Kumar, A., Subrahmanyam, G., Mondal, R., Shabnam, A.A., Cabral-Pinto, M.M.S., Malyan, S.K., Chaturvedi, A.K., Gupta, D.K. et al. 2022. Nickel in terrestrial biota: Comprehensive review on contamination, toxicity, tolerance, and its remediation approaches. Chemosphere 275: 129996.
Kuplulu, O., Iplikcioglu Cil, G., Korkmaz, S.D., Aykut, O. and Ozansoy, G. 2017. Determination of metal contamination in seafood from the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society 68(4): 749–758.
Li, J., Miao, X., Hao, Y., Xie, Z., Zou, S. and Zhou, C. 2020. Health risk assessment of metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Hg, Se) in angling fish with different lengths collected from Liuzhou, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17: 2192. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072192
Lund, E.K. 2013. Health benefits of seafood; Is it just the fatty acids? Food Chemistry 140: 413–420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.01.034
Madron, X.D., Guieu, C., Sempere, R., Canon, P., Cossa, D. et al. 2011. Marine ecosystems’ responses to climatic and anthropogenic forcings in the Mediterranean. Progress in Oceanography 91: 97–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2011.02.003
Miri, M., Akbari, E., Amrane, A., Jafari, S.J., Eslami, H., Hoseinzadeh, E., Zarrabi, M., Salimi, J., Arbabi, M.S. and Taghavi, M. 2017. Health risk assessment of heavy metal intake due to fish consumption in the Sistan region, Iran. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 189: 583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6286-7
Olgunoglu, M.P., Artar, E. and Olgunoglu, I.A. 2015. Comparison of heavy metal levels in muscle and gills of four benthic fish species from the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 24(4): 1743–1748. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/38972
Özyurt, G., Tabakoğlu, Ş.S. and Özyurt, C.E. 2021. Metal bioaccumulation in the gill, liver, and muscle of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) from the Northeastern Mediterranean and human health risk assessment associated with their seasonal consumption. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 81: 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-021-00852-0
Paul, K.M., Helmond, N.A.G.M., Slomp, C.P. and Jilbert, T. 2024. Trace metals in coastal marine sediments: Natural and anthropogenic sources, correlation matrices, and proxy potentials. Science of the Total Environment 951: 175789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175789
Penglase, S., Hamre, K. and Ellingsen, S. 2014. Selenium prevents downregulation of antioxidant selenoprotein genes by methylmercury. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 75: 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.07.019
Piórewicz, A.P., Strekopytov, S., Williams, E.H. and Kuklinski, P. 2021. The patterns of elemental concentration (Ca, Na, Sr, Mg, Mn, Ba, Cu, Pb, V, Y, U and Cd) in shells of invertebrates representing different CaCO3 polymorphs: A case study from the brackish Gulf of Gdansk (the Baltic Sea). Biogeosciences 18: 707–728.
Pokorska, N.K., Witczak, A., Protasowicki, M. and Cybulski, J. 2022. Estimation of target hazard quotients and potential health risks for toxic metals and other trace elements by consumption of female fish gonads and testicles. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(5): 2762. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052762
Ralston, C.R., Lloyd Blackwell, J. and Ralston, N.V.C. 2006. Effects of dietary selenium and mercury on house crickets (Acheta domesticus L.): Implications of environmental co-exposures. Environmental Bioindicators 1(1): 98–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555270600605436
Rosli, M.N.R., Samat, S.B., Yasır, M.S. and Yusof, M.F.M. 2018. Analysis of heavy metal accumulation in fish at Terengganu Coastal Area, Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana 47: 1277–1283.
Sadeghi, P., Loghmani, M. and Frokhzad, S. 2020. Human health risk assessment of heavy metals via consumption of commercial marine fish (Thunnus albacares, Euthynnus affinis, and Katsuwonus pelamis) in Oman Sea. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 27(14): 14944–14952. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-07907-0
Suratno, S. and Puspitasari, R. 2024. Health benefit value selenium (HBV-Se): A food safety index from mercury (Hg) contamination in marine fish consumption. AIP Conference Proceedings 020023. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5064309
Tecimen, L.C., Çiftçi, N. and Çiçek, B. 2023. Heavy metal levels and human health risk assessment in some fish species caught from Kuşadası Bay (Aegean Sea). Advanced Underwater Sciences 3(1): 01–08.
The Contaminants in Food (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. 2019. https://www.seafish.org/trade-and-regulation/uk-seafood-regulation/legislation-to-control-contaminants-in-seafood/lead/ (Accessed on 25 November 2025).
Tinggi, U. and Perkins, A.V. 2022. Selenium status: Its interactions with dietary mercury exposure and implications in human health. Nutrients 14: 5308. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245308
Tokatlı, C. and Ustaoglu, F. 2021. Evaluation of toxic metal accumulations in Meriç Delta fish: Possible risks to human health. Acta Aquatica Turcica 17(1): 136–145. https://doi.org/10.22392/actaquatr.769656
Tsuji, P.A., Canter, J.A. and Rosso, L.E. 2016. Trace minerals and trace elements. In: Encyclopedia of Food and Health. 331–338.
Tufail, T., Ain, H.B.U., Ashraf, J., Mahmood, S., Noreen, S., Ijazz, A., Ikram, A., Arshad, M.T. and Abdullah, A.A. 2025. Bioactive compounds in seafood: Implications for health and nutrition. Food Science & Nutrition 13: e70181. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70181
Turan, C., Dural, M., Oksuz, A. and Öztürk, B. 2009. Levels of heavy metals in some commercial fish species captured from the Black Sea and Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 82: 601–604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9624-1
Türkmen, A., Türkmen, M., Tepe, Y. and Akyurt, I. 2005. Heavy metals in three commercially valuable fish species from Iskenderun Bay, Northern East Mediterranean Sea, Turkey. Food Chemistry 91(1): 167–172.
Türkmen, M., Türkmen, A. and Tepe, Y. 2008a. Metal contaminations in five fish species from Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, Turkey. Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society 53(1): 1435–1439. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-97072008000100021
Türkmen, M., Türkmen, A., Tepe, Y., Ateş, A. and Gökkuş, K. 2008b. Determination of metal contaminations in sea foods from Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas: Twelve fish species. Food Chemistry 108: 794–800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.11.025
Türkmen, M., Türkmen, A., Tepe, Y., Töre, Y. and Ateş, A. 2009. Determination of metals in fish species from Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Food Chemistry 113(1): 233–237.
Türkmen, A., Türkmen, M., Tepe, Y. and Çekiç, M. 2010. Metals in tissues of fish from Yelkoma Lagoon, northeastern Mediterranean. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 168: 223–230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1106-3
Ulusoy, Ş., Mol, S., Karakulak, F.S. and Kahraman, A.E. 2019. Selenium–mercury balance in commercial fish species from the Turkish waters. Biological Trace Element Research 191: 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1609-2
U.S. EPA. 2014. Human health evaluation manual, supplemental guidance: Update of standard default exposure factors. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-11/documents/oswer_directive_9200.1-120_exposurefactors_corrected2.pdf
Yabanli, M. and Tay, S. 2021. Selenium and mercury balance in sea bream obtained from different living environments in Turkey: A risk assessment for the consumer health. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28: 36069–36075. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13366-y
Yabanli, M. and Alparslan, Y. 2015. Potential health hazard assessment in terms of some heavy metals determined in demersal fishes caught in Eastern Aegean Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 95 (4): 494–498. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1584-7
Yılmaz, A.B. 2003. Levels of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Zn) in tissue of Mugil cephalus and Trachurus mediterraneus from Iskenderun Bay, Turkey. Environmental Research 92: 277–281. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(02)00082-8
Yılmaz, D., Kalay, M., Dönmez, E. and Yılmaz, N. 2016. Assessment of biological effects of environmental pollution in Mersin Bay (Turkey, northeastern Mediterranean Sea) using Mullus barbatus and Liza ramada as target organisms. Environmental Pollution 208: 361–370. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.10.002
UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC. 2021. Türkiye conservation of Mediterranean marine and coastal biodiversity by 2030 and beyond. By M.B. Yokeş. Ed. SPA/RAC, Tunis: 120 pp.
WPR-World Population Review. 2022. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/fish-consumption-by-country (Accessed on 25 November 2025).
Zaghloul, G.Y., Eissa, H.A., Zaghloul, A.Y., Kelany, M.S., Hamed, M.A. and Moselhy, K.M. 2024. Impact of some heavy metal accumulation in different organs on fish quality from Bardawil Lake and human health risks assessment. Geochemical Transactions 25: 1.
Zhong, W., Zhang, Y., Wu, Z., Yang, R., Chen, X., Yang, J. and Zhu, L. 2018. Health risk assessment of heavy metals in freshwater fish in the central and eastern North China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 157: 343–349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.03.048
Abd-Elghany, S.M., Sayed-Ahmed, M.Z., Rahmo, H.M., Zakaria, A.I., Ahmad, S., Alam, N., Ali, M. and Sallam, K.I. 2024. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of fishes contaminated with heavy metals from Manzala Lake, Egypt. Marine Pollution Bulletin 202: 116391.
Akçay, İ., Özbay, Ö., Alp, M.T. and Koyuncu, C.E. 2026. Distributions and health risk assessment of heavy metals in the Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean Sea: Sediments, macroalgae (Enteromorpha sp.), and fish species (Mugil cephalus, Mullus barbatus, Pegusa lascaris). Marine Pollution Bulletin 222: 118702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118702
Alam, M., Rohani, M.F. and Hossain, M.S. 2023. Heavy metals accumulation in some important fish species cultured in commercial fish farm of Natore, Bangladesh and possible health risk evaluation. Emerging Contaminants 9(4): 100254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emcon.2023.100254
Alipour, H., Pourkhabbaz, A. and Hassanpour, M. 2015. Estimation of potential health risks for some metallic elements by consumption of fish. Water Quality, Exposure and Health 7: 179–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-014-0137-3
Alsafran, M., Usman, K., Rizwan, M., Ahmed, T. and Al Jabri, H. 2021. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of metal(oid)s bioaccumulation in leafy vegetables: A consumption advisory. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9: 742269. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.742269
Ateş, A., Türkmen, M. and Tepe, Y. 2015. Assessment of heavy metals in fourteen marine fish species of four Turkish seas. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Science 44: 49–55.
Bautista, T.F., Gomez, B.G., Lor, E.G. and Corona, T.P. 2024. Selenium health benefit values and Hg and Se speciation studies for elucidating the quality and safety of highly consumed fish species and fish-derived products. Food Chemistry 435: 137544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137544
Cabral, C.d.S., Monteiro, L.C., Maciel Pereira, T.A., da Costa Júnior, W.A., Oliveira, I.A.d.S., Canela, T.A., Bernardi, J.V.E., Pestana, I.A. and Almeida, R.d. 2025. A novel approach to estimate mercury exposure risks through fish consumption based on the selenium–mercury molar ratio. Toxics 13: 621. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080621
Can, M.F., Yılmaz, A.B., Yanar, A. and Kılıç, E. 2020. Assessment of accumulation and potential health risk of Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in fish from North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Pollution 6(3): 597–610. https://doi.org/10.22059/poll.2020.297700.752
Canli, M., Kalay, M. and Ay, Ö. 2001. Metal (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cr, Ni) concentrations in tissues of a fish Sardina pilchardus and a prawn Penaeus japonicus from three stations on the Mediterranean Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 67(1): 75–82.
Canli, M. and Atli, G. 2003. The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species. Environmental Pollution 121: 129–136.
Closset, M., Cailliau, K., Slaby, S. and Marin, M. 2022. Effects of aluminium contamination on the nervous system of freshwater aquatic vertebrates: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23: 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010031
Çelebi, Ş., Dumlu, B. and Özdemir, V.F. 2023. Some properties of selenium and its effects on human health. Food Science and Engineering Research 2: 6–10.
Çiftçi, H., Çalışkan, Ç.E. and Öztürk, K. 2021a. Determination of trace and toxic metal levels in some fish species and assessment of human health risk. Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences 7(2): 219–233. https://doi.org/10.28979/jarnas.883611
Çiftçi, N., Ayas, D. and Bakan, M. 2021b. The comparison of heavy metal level in surface water, sediment and biota sampled from the polluted and unpolluted sites in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences 37: 319–330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-020-00239-3
Çoğun, H., Yüzereroğlu, T.A., Kargin, F. and 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
Çoğun, H.Y., Yüzereroğlu, T.A., Firat, Ö., Gök, G. and Kargin, F. 2006. Metal concentrations in fish species from the Northeast Mediterranean Sea. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 121: 431–438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9142-0
Dayananda, N.R. and Liyana, J.A. 2021. Quest to assess potentially nephrotoxic heavy metal contaminants in edible wild and commercial inland fish species and associated reservoir sediments; a study in a CKDu prevailed area, Sri Lanka. Exposure and Health 13: 567–581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-021-00403-x
Ersoy, B. and Çelik, M. 2009. Essential elements and contaminants in tissues of commercial pelagic fish from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 89: 1615–1621. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3646
Ersoy, B. and Çelik, M. 2010. The essential and toxic elements in tissues of six commercial demersal fish from Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Food and Chemical Toxicology 48(5): 1377–1382.
Genchi, G., Lauria, G., Catalano, A., Carocci, A. and Sinicropi, M.S. 2023. Prevalence of cobalt in the environment and its role in biological processes. Biology 12: 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12101335
Hasan, A.Y.M., Albariko, F.P.J.B., Lim, Y.C., Cayabo, G.D.B., Omar, J.M., Creencia, L.A., Chen, C.W. and Dong, D.D. 2025. Anthropogenic drivers of metal distribution and bioaccumulation in the primary trophic structure of Puerto Princesa Bay, western Philippines. Marine Environmental Research 212: 107516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107516
Hefnawy, A. and Elkhaiat, H. 2015. The importance of copper and the effects of its deficiency and toxicity in animal health. International Journal of Livestock Research 5: 1–20.
Islam, S., Ahmed, K., Mamun, H.A., Raknuzzaman, M., Ali, M.M. and Eaton, D.W. 2016. Health risk assessment due to exposure from commonly consumed fish and vegetables. Environment Systems and Decisions 36: 253–265.
Jafiya, L., Akogwu, A.D., Suleimana, J.S. and Osunlaja, A.A. 2022. Assessment of heavy metals in some edible fish species of the Komadugu-Yobe River, Gashua, Yobe State, North-East Nigeria: Threat to public health. International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive 4(1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.53771/ijbpsa.2022.4.1.006
Javed, M. and Usmani, N. 2016. Accumulation of heavy metals and human health risk assessment via the consumption of freshwater fish Mastacembelus armatus inhabiting thermal power plant effluent-loaded canal. SpringerPlus 5: 776. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2471-3
Kalay, M., Ay, Ö. and Canli, M. 1999. Heavy metal concentrations in fish tissues from the Northeast Mediterranean Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 63(5): 673–681.
Karayakar, F., Işık, U., Cicik, B. and Canli, M. 2022. Heavy metal levels in economically important fish species sold by fishermen in Karatas (Adana / Turkey). Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 106: 104348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104348
Kılıç, E., Can, M.F. and Yanar, A. 2021. Assessment of some heavy metal accumulation and potential health risk for three fish species from three consecutive bays in North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Marine and Life Sciences 3(1): 24–38. https://doi.org/10.51756/marlife.938938
Kilercioglu, S., Kosker, A.R. and Evliyaoglu, E. 2022. Public health risk assessments associated with heavy metal levels in panga fish fillets imported from Vietnam. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 6(4): 568–578. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2022.4.9
Korkmaz, C., Ay, Ö., Ersoysal, Y., Köroğlu, M.A. and Erdem, C. 2019. Heavy metal levels in muscle tissues of some fish species caught from North east Mediterranean: Evaluation of their effects on human health. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 81: 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2019.04.005
Kucuksezgin, F., Gonul, L.T. and Tasel, D. 2014. Total and inorganic arsenic levels in some marine organisms from Izmir Bay (Eastern Aegean Sea): A risk assessment. Chemosphere 112: 311–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.071
Kumar, A., Jigyasu, D.K., Kumar, A., Subrahmanyam, G., Mondal, R., Shabnam, A.A., Cabral-Pinto, M.M.S., Malyan, S.K., Chaturvedi, A.K., Gupta, D.K. et al. 2022. Nickel in terrestrial biota: Comprehensive review on contamination, toxicity, tolerance, and its remediation approaches. Chemosphere 275: 129996.
Kuplulu, O., Iplikcioglu Cil, G., Korkmaz, S.D., Aykut, O. and Ozansoy, G. 2017. Determination of metal contamination in seafood from the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society 68(4): 749–758.
Li, J., Miao, X., Hao, Y., Xie, Z., Zou, S. and Zhou, C. 2020. Health risk assessment of metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Hg, Se) in angling fish with different lengths collected from Liuzhou, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17: 2192. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072192
Lund, E.K. 2013. Health benefits of seafood; Is it just the fatty acids? Food Chemistry 140: 413–420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.01.034
Madron, X.D., Guieu, C., Sempere, R., Canon, P., Cossa, D. et al. 2011. Marine ecosystems’ responses to climatic and anthropogenic forcings in the Mediterranean. Progress in Oceanography 91: 97–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2011.02.003
Miri, M., Akbari, E., Amrane, A., Jafari, S.J., Eslami, H., Hoseinzadeh, E., Zarrabi, M., Salimi, J., Arbabi, M.S. and Taghavi, M. 2017. Health risk assessment of heavy metal intake due to fish consumption in the Sistan region, Iran. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 189: 583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6286-7
Olgunoglu, M.P., Artar, E. and Olgunoglu, I.A. 2015. Comparison of heavy metal levels in muscle and gills of four benthic fish species from the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 24(4): 1743–1748. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/38972
Özyurt, G., Tabakoğlu, Ş.S. and Özyurt, C.E. 2021. Metal bioaccumulation in the gill, liver, and muscle of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) from the Northeastern Mediterranean and human health risk assessment associated with their seasonal consumption. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 81: 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-021-00852-0
Paul, K.M., Helmond, N.A.G.M., Slomp, C.P. and Jilbert, T. 2024. Trace metals in coastal marine sediments: Natural and anthropogenic sources, correlation matrices, and proxy potentials. Science of the Total Environment 951: 175789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175789
Penglase, S., Hamre, K. and Ellingsen, S. 2014. Selenium prevents downregulation of antioxidant selenoprotein genes by methylmercury. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 75: 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.07.019
Piórewicz, A.P., Strekopytov, S., Williams, E.H. and Kuklinski, P. 2021. The patterns of elemental concentration (Ca, Na, Sr, Mg, Mn, Ba, Cu, Pb, V, Y, U and Cd) in shells of invertebrates representing different CaCO3 polymorphs: A case study from the brackish Gulf of Gdansk (the Baltic Sea). Biogeosciences 18: 707–728.
Pokorska, N.K., Witczak, A., Protasowicki, M. and Cybulski, J. 2022. Estimation of target hazard quotients and potential health risks for toxic metals and other trace elements by consumption of female fish gonads and testicles. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(5): 2762. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052762
Ralston, C.R., Lloyd Blackwell, J. and Ralston, N.V.C. 2006. Effects of dietary selenium and mercury on house crickets (Acheta domesticus L.): Implications of environmental co-exposures. Environmental Bioindicators 1(1): 98–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555270600605436
Rosli, M.N.R., Samat, S.B., Yasır, M.S. and Yusof, M.F.M. 2018. Analysis of heavy metal accumulation in fish at Terengganu Coastal Area, Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana 47: 1277–1283.
Sadeghi, P., Loghmani, M. and Frokhzad, S. 2020. Human health risk assessment of heavy metals via consumption of commercial marine fish (Thunnus albacares, Euthynnus affinis, and Katsuwonus pelamis) in Oman Sea. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 27(14): 14944–14952. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-07907-0
Suratno, S. and Puspitasari, R. 2024. Health benefit value selenium (HBV-Se): A food safety index from mercury (Hg) contamination in marine fish consumption. AIP Conference Proceedings 020023. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5064309
Tecimen, L.C., Çiftçi, N. and Çiçek, B. 2023. Heavy metal levels and human health risk assessment in some fish species caught from Kuşadası Bay (Aegean Sea). Advanced Underwater Sciences 3(1): 01–08.
The Contaminants in Food (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. 2019. https://www.seafish.org/trade-and-regulation/uk-seafood-regulation/legislation-to-control-contaminants-in-seafood/lead/ (Accessed on 25 November 2025).
Tinggi, U. and Perkins, A.V. 2022. Selenium status: Its interactions with dietary mercury exposure and implications in human health. Nutrients 14: 5308. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245308
Tokatlı, C. and Ustaoglu, F. 2021. Evaluation of toxic metal accumulations in Meriç Delta fish: Possible risks to human health. Acta Aquatica Turcica 17(1): 136–145. https://doi.org/10.22392/actaquatr.769656
Tsuji, P.A., Canter, J.A. and Rosso, L.E. 2016. Trace minerals and trace elements. In: Encyclopedia of Food and Health. 331–338.
Tufail, T., Ain, H.B.U., Ashraf, J., Mahmood, S., Noreen, S., Ijazz, A., Ikram, A., Arshad, M.T. and Abdullah, A.A. 2025. Bioactive compounds in seafood: Implications for health and nutrition. Food Science & Nutrition 13: e70181. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70181
Turan, C., Dural, M., Oksuz, A. and Öztürk, B. 2009. Levels of heavy metals in some commercial fish species captured from the Black Sea and Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 82: 601–604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9624-1
Türkmen, A., Türkmen, M., Tepe, Y. and Akyurt, I. 2005. Heavy metals in three commercially valuable fish species from Iskenderun Bay, Northern East Mediterranean Sea, Turkey. Food Chemistry 91(1): 167–172.
Türkmen, M., Türkmen, A. and Tepe, Y. 2008a. Metal contaminations in five fish species from Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, Turkey. Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society 53(1): 1435–1439. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-97072008000100021
Türkmen, M., Türkmen, A., Tepe, Y., Ateş, A. and Gökkuş, K. 2008b. Determination of metal contaminations in sea foods from Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas: Twelve fish species. Food Chemistry 108: 794–800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.11.025
Türkmen, M., Türkmen, A., Tepe, Y., Töre, Y. and Ateş, A. 2009. Determination of metals in fish species from Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Food Chemistry 113(1): 233–237.
Türkmen, A., Türkmen, M., Tepe, Y. and Çekiç, M. 2010. Metals in tissues of fish from Yelkoma Lagoon, northeastern Mediterranean. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 168: 223–230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1106-3
Ulusoy, Ş., Mol, S., Karakulak, F.S. and Kahraman, A.E. 2019. Selenium–mercury balance in commercial fish species from the Turkish waters. Biological Trace Element Research 191: 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1609-2
U.S. EPA. 2014. Human health evaluation manual, supplemental guidance: Update of standard default exposure factors. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-11/documents/oswer_directive_9200.1-120_exposurefactors_corrected2.pdf
Yabanli, M. and Tay, S. 2021. Selenium and mercury balance in sea bream obtained from different living environments in Turkey: A risk assessment for the consumer health. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28: 36069–36075. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13366-y
Yabanli, M. and Alparslan, Y. 2015. Potential health hazard assessment in terms of some heavy metals determined in demersal fishes caught in Eastern Aegean Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 95 (4): 494–498. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1584-7
Yılmaz, A.B. 2003. Levels of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Zn) in tissue of Mugil cephalus and Trachurus mediterraneus from Iskenderun Bay, Turkey. Environmental Research 92: 277–281. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(02)00082-8
Yılmaz, D., Kalay, M., Dönmez, E. and Yılmaz, N. 2016. Assessment of biological effects of environmental pollution in Mersin Bay (Turkey, northeastern Mediterranean Sea) using Mullus barbatus and Liza ramada as target organisms. Environmental Pollution 208: 361–370. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.10.002
UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC. 2021. Türkiye conservation of Mediterranean marine and coastal biodiversity by 2030 and beyond. By M.B. Yokeş. Ed. SPA/RAC, Tunis: 120 pp.
WPR-World Population Review. 2022. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/fish-consumption-by-country (Accessed on 25 November 2025).
Zaghloul, G.Y., Eissa, H.A., Zaghloul, A.Y., Kelany, M.S., Hamed, M.A. and Moselhy, K.M. 2024. Impact of some heavy metal accumulation in different organs on fish quality from Bardawil Lake and human health risks assessment. Geochemical Transactions 25: 1.
Zhong, W., Zhang, Y., Wu, Z., Yang, R., Chen, X., Yang, J. and Zhu, L. 2018. Health risk assessment of heavy metals in freshwater fish in the central and eastern North China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 157: 343–349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.03.048
Article Sidebar
Published
May 5, 2026
Article Details
Section
Original Article
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
