Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Heavy metals in tissues of scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) caught from Black Sea (Turkey) and potential risks to human health

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) is a demersal fish species commercially important for its of which meat is tough and delicious. The aim of this study was to determine heavy metal (Al, Cu, Ni, As, Cd, Hg, Pb, U) concentrations in this fish species which is traditionally consumed in the Black Sea Area and, to compare the concentrations of various toxic elements in different organs of the fish specimens (muscle, liver, gill, and skin). Within this scope, the mineralization was performed using microwave digestion system. Thirty-two scorpionfish caught from Sinop Inland Port during 2010 were analyzed. The heavy metal concentrations were determined with the method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Verification of the method was demonstrated by analysis of standard reference material (NRCC-TORT-2 lobster hepatopancreas). After evaluation of the results, it was determined that the highest heavy metal accumulation was generally found in the liver. The maximum aluminum level and the minimum uranium level were found in the analyzed tissues. In terms of heavy metals, Al, Cu, Cd, and Hg showed a statistically significant difference between tissues (p < 0.05). It was determined that heavy metal concentrations obtained from the muscle tissues did not exceed the national and international recommended limits; and also it was found that daily intake amounts did not exceed tolerable daily intake amounts. Furthermore, in THQ based risk evaluation, the value 1 which is crucial for children and adults was not surpassed. In terms of public health, it was found out that there was not any risk in consumption of scorpionfish in the study area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akşiray F (1987) Sea fish of Turkey and their diagnostic key. İstanbul University Publications, İstanbul

    Google Scholar 

  • Alipour H, Pourkhabbaz A, Hassanpour M (2015) Estimation of potential health risks for some metallic elements by consumption of fish. Water Qual Expo Health 7(2):179–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • APHA (1981) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 14th edn. APHA/AWWA/Water Environment Federation, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Barillet S, Adam-Guillermin C, Palluel O, Porcher JM, Devaux A (2011) Uranium bioaccumulation and biological disorders induced in zebra fish (Danio rerio) after a depleted uranium waterborne exposure. Environ Pollut 159:495–502

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bat L, Sezgin M, Üstün F, Şahin F (2012) Heavy metal concentrations in ten species of fishes caught in Sinop coastal waters of the Black Sea, Turkey. Turk J Fish Aquat Sci 12:371–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batvari BPD, Kamala-Kannan S, Shanthi K, Krishnamoorthy R, Lee KJ, Jayaprakash M (2007) Heavy metals in two fish species (Carangoidel malabaricus and Belone stronglurus) from Pulicat Lake, North of Chennai, Southeast Coast of India. Environ Monit Assess 145:167–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellés M, Linares V, Perelló G, Domingo JL (2013) Human dietary exposure to uranium in Catalonia, Spain. Biol Trace Elem Res 152:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beširovič H, Alić A, Prašović S, Drommer W (2010) Histopathological effects of chronic exposure to cadmium and zinc on kidneys and gills brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario). Turk J Fish Aquat Sci 10:255–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Biego GH, Joyeux M, Hartemann P, Debry G (1998) Daily intake of essential minerals and metallic micropollutants from foods in France. Sci Total Environ 217:27–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonsignore M, Manta DS, Oliveri E, Sprovieri M, Basilone G, Bonanno A, Falco F, Traina A, Mazzola S (2013) Mercury in fishes from Augusta Bay (southern Italy): risk assessment and health implication. Food Chem Toxicol 56:184–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bostancı D, Yılmaz S, Polat N, Kontaş S (2012) The otolith biometry characteristics of black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus L. 1758. Black Sea J Sci 2:59–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdineaud JP, Durrieu G, Sarrazin SLF, et al. (2015) Mercurial exposure of residents of Santarém and Oriximiná cities (Pará, Brazil) through fish consumption. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:12150–12161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brodberg R, Klasing S (2003) Evaluation of potential health effects of eating fish from black butte reservoir (Glenn and Tehama counties): guidelines fors port fish consumption. Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Section Office of Environmental Protection Agency, California

    Google Scholar 

  • Burger J, Stern AH, Gochfeld M (2005) Mercury in commercial fish: optimizing individual choices to reduce risk. Environ Health Perspect 113:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Burger J, Stern AH, Dixon C, Jeitner SS, Burke S, Gochfeld M (2004) Fish availability in supermarkets and fish markets in New Jersey. Sci Total Environ 333:89–97

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buzina R, Stegnar P, Buzina- Suboticanec K, Horvat M, Petric I, Farley TMM (1995) Dietary mercury intake and human exposure in an Adriatic population. Sci Total Environ 170:199–208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canli M, Atli G (2003) The relationships between (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and size of six Mediterranean fish species. Environ Pollut 121:129–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chien LC, Hung TC, Choang KY, et al. (2002) Daily intake of TBT, Cu, Zn, Cd and As for fishermen in Taiwan. Sci Total Environ 285:177–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Copat C, Bella F, Castaing M, Fallico R, Sciacca S, Ferrante M (2012) Heavy metals concentrations in fish from Sicily (Mediterranean Sea) and evaluation of possible health risks to consumers. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 88:78–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Copat C, Arena G, Fiore M, Ledda C, Fallico R, Sciacca S, Ferrante M (2013) Heavy metals concentrations in fish and shellfish from eastern Mediterranean Sea: consumption advisories. Food Chem Toxicol 53:33–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Copat C, Vinceti M, D’Agati MG, Arena G, Mauceri V, Grasso A, Fallico R, Sciacca S, Ferrante M (2014) Mercury and selenium intake by seafood from the Ionian Sea: a risk evaluation. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 100:87–92

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EC (2006) Setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Commission regulation (EC) No 1881/2006

  • EFSA (2008) Safety of aluminium from dietary intake. EFSA J 754:1–34

    Google Scholar 

  • EFSA (2009) Uranium in foodstuffs, in particular mineral water. EFSA J 1018:1–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Failler P, De Walle GV, Lecrivain N, Himbes A, Lewins R (2008) Future prospects for fish and fishery products. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. FAO Fisheries Circ, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1983) Compilation of legal limits for hazardous substances in fish and fisheries products. Food and Agriculture Organization Fish Circ, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes D, Bebianno MJ, Porte C (2008) Hepatic levels of metal and metallothioneins in two commercial fish species of the Northern Iberian shelf. Sci Total Environ 39:159–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FSANZ (1998) Food Standards Code: Standard A12 metals and contaminants in food. Australia New Zealand Food Authority, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibicar D, Horvat M, Logar M, Fajon V, Falnoga I, Ferrara R, Lanzillotta E, Ceccarini C, Mazzolai B, Denby B, Pacyna J (2009) Human exposure to mercury in the vicinity of chlor-alkali plant. Environ Res 109:355–367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harakeh MS, Acra A, Jurdi M and Karahagopian Y (1985) Mercury levels in some species of fish from the coast of Lebanon. Mar Environ Res 16:13–22

  • Hornung H, Zismann L, Oren OH (1980) Mercury in 12 Mediterranean trawl fishes of Israel. Environ Int 3:243–248

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IECI (2002) Maksimum residual limits (MRLs) for pesticides, heavy metals and antibiotics and other pharmacologically active substances in fish and fishery products. India Export Inspection Council 17 May 2002

  • IOM (2001) Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium and zinc. A report of the Panel on Micronutrients, Subcommittees on Upper Reference Levels of Nutrients and of Interpretation and Use of Dietary Reference Intakes, and the Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. National Academy Press, Washington, DC

  • Islam MS, Ahmed MK, Habibullah-Al-Mamun M (2015) Determination of heavy metals in fish and vegetables in Bangladesh and health implications. Human Ecol Risk Assessment: Int J 21(4):986–1006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Järup L (2003) Hazards of heavy metal contamination. Br Med Bull 68:167–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalogeropoulos N, Karavoltsos S, Sakellari A, Avramidou S, Dassenakis M, Scoullos M (2012) Heavy metals in raw, fried and grilled Mediterranean finfish and shellfish. Food Chem Toxicol 50:3702–3708

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keskin Y, Baskaya R, Özyaral O, Yurdun T, Lüleci NE, Hayran O (2007) Cadmium, lead, mercury and copper in fish from the Marmara Sea, Turkey. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 78:258–261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Korkmaz Görür F, Keser R, Akçay N, Dizman N (2012) Radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations of some commercial fish species consumed in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. Chemosphere 87:356–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Huang ZY, Hu Y, Yang H (2013) Potential risk assessment of heavy metals by consuming shellfish collected from Xiamen, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20(5):2937–2947

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lionetto MG, Caricato R, Giordano ME, Erroi E, Schettino T (2012) Carbonic anhydrase as pollution biomarker: an ancient enzyme with a new use. Int J Environ Res Public Health 9:3965–3977

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martorell I, Perelló G, Martí-Cid R, Llobet JM, Castell V, Domingo JL (2011) Human exposure to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead from foods in Catalonia, Spain: temporal trend. Biol Trace Elem Res 142:309–322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matek M, Blanuša M (1998) Comparison of two methods for destruction of biological material for determination of selenium. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 49:301–305

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meybeck M, Chapman D, Helmer R (1996) Global fresh water quality: a second assessment. Blackwell, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Mol S (2011) Determination of trace metals in canned anchovies and canned rainbow trouts. Food Chem Toxicol 49:348–351

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mzimela HM, Wepener V, Cyrus DP (2003) Seasonal variation of selected metals in sediments, water and tissues of the groovy mullet, Liza dumerelii (Mugilidae) from the Mhlathuze Estuary, South Africa. Mar Pollut Bull 46:659–664

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Narin I, Tuzen M, Soylak M (2004) Aluminium determination in environmental samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after solid phase extraction on amberlite xad-1180/pyrocatechol violet chelating resin. Talanta 63:411–418

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paleari S, Heinonen P, Rautalahti-Miettinen E, Daler D (2005) Transboundary waters in the Balck Sea-Danube region; Legal and financial implications. University of Kalmar, Kalmar

    Google Scholar 

  • Papetti P, Rossi G (2009) Heavy metals in the fishery products of low Lazio and the use of metallothionein as a biomarker of contamination. Environ Monit Assess 159:589–598

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pilehvarian AA, Malekirad AA, Bolandnazar NS, Rezaei M (2015) Heavy metal bioaccumulation in different fish species in the coast of the Persian Gulf, Iran. Toxin Rev 34:215–219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PuYang X, Gao C, Han L (2015) Risk assessment of heavy metals in water and two fish species from Golf Course Ponds in Beijing, China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 94(4):437–443

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ranau R, Oehlenschläger J, Steinhart H (2001) Aluminium levels of fish fillets baked and grilled in aluminium foil. Food Chem 73:1–6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roméo M, Siau Y, Sidoumou Z, Gnassia-Barelli M (1999) Heavy metal distribution in diffirent fish species from the Mauritania coast. Sci Total Environ 232:169–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudneva II, Skuratovskaya EN, Dorokhova II, Grab YA, Zalevskaya IN, Omel’chenko SO (2011) Bioindication of the environmental state of marine areas with the use of fish biomarkers. Water Res 38:107–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salbu B, Burkitbaev M, Strømman G, Shishkov I, Kayukov P, Uralbekov B, Rosseland BO (2013) Environmental impact assessment of radionuclides and trace elements at the Kurday U mining site, Kazakhstan. J Environ Radioact 123:14–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saha N, Zaman MR (2013) Evaluation of possible health risks of heavy metals by consumption of foodstuffs available in the central market of Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. Environ Monit Assess 185(5):3867–3878

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simon O, Garnier-Laplace J (2005) Laboratory and field assessment of uranium trophic transfer efficiency in the crayfish Orconectes limonus fed the bivalve C. fluminea. Aquat Toxicol 74:372–383

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh A, Kumar Sharma R, Agrawal M, Marshall FM (2010) Risk assessment of heavy metal toxicity through contaminated vegetables from waste water irrigated area of Varanasi, India. Trop Ecol 51:375–387

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soto-Jiménez MF, Amezcua F, González-Ledesma R (2010) Nonessential metals in striped marlin and Indo-Pacific sailfish in the southeast Gulf of California, Mexico: concentration and assessment of human health risk. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58(3):810–818

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stancheva M, Makedonski L, Petrova E (2013) Determination of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) in Black Sea grey mullet (Mugil cephalus). Bulg J Agric Sci 19:30–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Storelli MM, Barone G (2013) Toxic metals (Hg, Pb, and Cd) in commercially important demersal fish from Mediterranean Sea: contamination levels and dietary exposure assessment. J Food Sci 78(2):T362–T366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Storelli MM (2008) Potential human health risks from metals (Hg, Cd, and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) via seafood consumption: estimation of target hazard quotients (THQs) and toxic equivalents (TEQs). Food Chem Toxicol 46:2782–2788

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strømman G, Rosseland BO, Skipperud L, Burkitbaev LM, Uralbekov B, Heier LS, Salbu B (2013) Uranium activity ratio in water and fish from pit lakes in Kurday, Kazakhstan and Taboshar, Tajikistan. J Environ Radioact 123:71–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sunlu U and Egemen O (1997) İzmir Körfez’inde Dağılım Gösteren Lipsoz (Scorpaena porcus L., 1758) Balığında Bazı İz Element Düzeylerinin Araştırılması. Mediterranean Fisheries Congress 9–11 Apr 1997, Izmir

  • Taylor DM, Taylor SK (1997) Environmental uranium and human health. Rev Environ Health 12:147–158

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • The Official Gazette (2008) Regulation of Setting Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foodstuffs. The Official Gazette 17 May 2008

  • Turan C, Dural M, Oksuz A, Öztürk B (2009) Levels of heavy metals in some commercial fish species captured from the Black Sea and Mediterranean Coast of Turkey. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 82:601–604

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • TURKSTAT (2011) Fisheries statistics (2010). Turkish Statistical Institute, Ankara

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuzen M (2009) Toxic and essential trace elemental contents in fish species from the Black Sea, Turkey. Food Chem Toxicol 47:1785–1790

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tuzen M (2003) Determination of heavy metals in fish samples of the middle Black Sea (Turkey) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Food Chem 80:119–123

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Türkmen A, Türkmen M, Tepe Y, Akyurt I (2005) Heavy metals in three commercially valuable fish species from İskenderun Bay, Northern East Mediterranean Sea, Turkey. Food Chem 91:167–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UK Department of Health (1991) Committee on medical aspects of food policy, dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients in the United Kingdom. Report on health and social subjects, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Uluozlu OD, Tuzen M, Mendil D, Soylak M (2007) Trace metal content in nine species of fish from the black and Aegean Seas, Turkey. Food Chem 104:835–840

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (2000) Risk based concentration table. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaseem H, Banerjee TK (2013) Contamination of metals in diffirent tissues of Rohu (Labeo rohita, Cyprinidae) collected from the Indian River Ganga. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 91:36–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vieira C, Morais S, Ramos S, Delerue-Matos C, Oliveira MBPP (2011) Mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic levels in three pelagic fish species from the Atlantic Ocean: intra-and inter-specific variability and human health risks for consumption. Food Chem Toxicol 49:923–932

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Sato T, Xing B, Tao S (2005) Health risks of heavy metals to the general public in Tianjin, China via consumption of vegetables and fish. Sci Total Environ 350:28–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1982a) Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives. Joint FAO/WHO expert committe on food additives. WHO food additives series, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1982b) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. Technical report series, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Yabanli M, Alparslan Y (2015) Potential health hazard assessment in terms of some heavy metals determined in demersal fishes caught in Eastern Aegean Sea. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 95(4):494–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yaman M, Karaaslan NM, Yaman IH (2014) Seasonal variations in toxic metal levels of two fish species, Mugil cephalus and Mullus barbatus and estimation of risk for children. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 93:344–349

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ysart G, Miller P, Croasdale M, et al. (2000) 1997 UK Total diet study-dietary exposures to aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, tin and zinc. Food Addit Contam 17:775–786

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate Prof. Mona Stancheva (Medical University, Department of Chemistry, Varna, Bulgaria) and Assist. Prof. Daniela Giannetto (Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey) for their helpful comments. They also thank to Res. Assist. Nisan Yozukmaz (Mugla Sitki Kocman University) for their contribution to editing the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fisheries Faculty, Department of Hydrobiology, Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey

    Saniye Türk Çulha

  2. Fisheries Faculty, Department of Hydrobiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey

    Murat Yabanlı & Aykut Yozukmaz

  3. Fisheries Faculty, Department of Aquaculture, Sinop University, Sinop, Turkey

    Birol Baki

Authors
  1. Saniye Türk Çulha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Murat Yabanlı
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Birol Baki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Aykut Yozukmaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aykut Yozukmaz.

Additional information

Resposible Editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Çulha, S.T., Yabanlı, M., Baki, B. et al. Heavy metals in tissues of scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) caught from Black Sea (Turkey) and potential risks to human health. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 20882–20892 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7337-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7337-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation