Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Trace metal contamination in commercial fish and crustaceans collected from coastal area of Bangladesh and health risk assessment

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

Abstract

Trace metals contamination in commercial fish and crustaceans have become a great problem in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to determine seven trace metals concentration (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in some commercial fishes and crustaceans collected from coastal areas of Bangladesh. Trace metals in fish samples were in the range of Cr (0.15 − 2.2), Ni (0.1 − 0.56), Cu (1.3 − 1.4), Zn (31 − 138), As (0.76 − 13), Cd (0.033 − 0.075), and Pb (0.07 − 0.63 mg/kg wet weight (ww)), respectively. Arsenic (13 mg/kg ww) and Zn (138 mg/kg ww) concentrations were remarkably high in fish of Cox’s Bazar due to the interference of uncontrolled huge hatcheries and industrial activities. The elevated concentrations of Cu (400), Zn (1480), and As (53 mg/kg ww) were also observed in crabs of Cox’s Bazar which was considered as an absolutely discrepant aquatic species with totally different bioaccumulation pattern. Some metals in fish and crustaceans exceeded the international quality guidelines. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and target cancer risk (TR) revealed high dietary intake of As and Pb, which was obviously a matter of severe public health issue of Bangladeshi coastal people which should not be ignored and concentrate our views to solve this problem with an integrated approaches. Thus, continuous monitoring of these toxic trace elements in seafood and immediate control measure is recommended.

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
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed MK, Ahamed S, Rahman S, Haque MR, Islam MM (2009) Heavy metals concentration in water, sediments and their bioaccumulations in some freshwater fishes and mussel in Dhaleshwari River, Bangladesh. Terres. Aquat Environ Toxicol 3:33–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (2008). Regulation of Setting Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foodstuffs. Official Gazette. 17 May, 2008, Issue 26879

  • Azam K, Kamal D, Mostafa M (1998) Status and potential of mud crab in Bangladesh. In: proceedings of the National Seminar on Integrated Management of Ganges Flood Plains and Sundarbans ecosystem. Khulna University, Khulna, pp 150–160, 16-18 July, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  • BOBLME (2011) Country report on pollution in the BOBLME-Bangladesh. BOBLME Ecology-01

  • Bratakos MS, Lazos ES, Bratakos SM (2002) Chromium content of selected Greekfoods. Sci Tot Environ 290:47–58

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buchet JP, Lison D, Ruggeri M, Foa V, Elia G (1996) Assessment of exposure to inorganic arsenic, a human carcinogen, due to the consumption of seafood. Arch Toxicol 70:773–778

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Celik U, Oehlenschlager J (2004) Determination of zinc and copper in fish samples collected from Northeast Atlantic by DPSAV. Food Chem 87:343–347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen C, Qian Y, Chen Q, Li C (2011) Assessment of daily intake of toxic elements due to consumption of vegetable, fruits, meat, and seafood by inhabitants of Xiamen, China. J Food Sci 76:181–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng TJ, Ke DS, Guo HR (2010) The association between arsenic exposure from drinking water and cerebrovascular disease mortality in Taiwan. Water Res 44:5770–5776

  • Cook JA, Andrew SM, Johnson MS (1990) Lead, zinc, cadmium and fluoride in small mammals from contaminated grass-land established on fluorspar tailings. Journal of Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 51:43–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das HK, Mitra AK, Sengupta PK, Hossain A, Islam F, Rabbani GH (2004) Arsenic concentrations in rice, vegetables, and fish in Bangladesh: a preliminary study. Environ Int 30:383–387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Rosemond S, Xie Q, Liber K (2008) Arsenic concentration and speciation in five freshwater fish species from Back Bay near Yellowknife. NT, Canada Environ Monit Assess 147:199–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delgado-Andrade C, Navarro M, Lopez H, Lopez MC (2003) Determination of total arsenic levels by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry in foods from south-east Spain: estimation of daily dietary intake. Food Addit Contam 20:923–932

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CEPA (California Environmental Protection Agency) (1995–97) State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality: State Mussel Watch Program Data Report. Appendix V, http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/programs/smw/smw9597.html.

  • Erdoğrul Ö, Erbilir F (2007) Heavy metal and trace elements in various fish samples from Sir Dam Lake, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 130:373–379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EU, European Union. Commission of the European Communities (2001) Commission regulation (EC) n. 221/2002 of the 6 February 2002 amending regulation (EC) n. 466/2002 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs, Official Journal of the European Communities. Brussels (2002), 6 February

  • Falusi BA, Olanipekun EO (2007) Bioconcentration factors of heavy metals in tropical crab (Carcinus sp.) from River Aponwe, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. J Appl Sci Environ Man 11(4):51–54

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2006) Arsenic contamination of irrigation water, soil and crops in Bangladesh: Risk implications for sustainable agriculture and food safety in Asia. . Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO/WHO (1989) Evaluation of certain food additives and the contaminants mercury, lead and cadmium. WHO Technical Report Series 505

  • Forti E, Salovaara S, Cetin Y, Bulgheroni A, Pfaller RW, Prieto P (2011) In vitro evaluation of the toxicity induced by nickel soluble and particulate forms in human airway epithelial cells. Toxicol in Vitro 25:454–461

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Leston J, Mendez J, Pasaro E, Laffon B (2010) Genotoxic effects of lead: an updated review. Environ Int 36:623–636

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta A, Rai DK, Pandey RS, Sharma B (2009) Analysis of some heavy metals in the riverine sediments and fish from river Ganges at Allahabad. Environ Monitor Assess 157:449–458

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guven K, Ozbay C, Unlu E, Satar A (1999) Acute lethal toxicity and accumulation of copper in Gammarus pulex (L.) (Amphipoda). Turk J Boil 23:513–521

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hakanson L, Nilsson A, Andersson T (1988) Mercury in fish in Swedish lakes. Environ Pollut 49:145–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han BC, Jeng WL, Chen RY, Fang GT, Hung TC, Tseng RJ (1998) Estimation of target hazard quotients and potential health risks for metals by consumption of seafood in Taiwan. Arch Environ Contam Toxi-col 35:711–720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (2004) Toxic Metals, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. US Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, http://www.osha.gov

  • Ikem A, Egiebor NO (2005) Assessment of trace elements in canned fishes (mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines and herrings) marketed in Georgia and Alabama (United States of America). J Food Compos Anal 18:771–787

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ikem A, Egilla J (2008) Trace element content of fish feed and bluegillsunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and wild source in Missouri. Food Chem 110:301–309

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ip CCM, Li XD, Zhang G, Wong CSC, Zhang WL (2005) Heavy metal and Pb isotopic compositions of aquatic organisms in the Pearl River Estuary, South China. Environ Pollut 138:494–504

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ivan J, Zˇeljka VJ, Gorcˇin C, Zoran G, Ljubinko J, Stefan S, Mirjana L (2011) Determination of differential heavy metal and trace element accumulation in liver, gills, intestine and muscle of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River in Serbia by ICP-OES. Microchem J 98:77–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordao CP, Pereira MG, Bellato CR, Pereira JL, Matos AT (2002) Assessment of water systems for contaminants from domestic and industrial sewages. Environ Monit Assess 79:75–100

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lavilla I, Vilas BPC (2008) Fast determination of arsenic, selenium, nickel and vanadium in fish and shellfish by electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry following ultrasound-assisted extraction. Food Chem 106:403–409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee K, Kweon H, Yeo J, Woo S, Han S, Kim J (2011) Characterization of tyrosine-rich Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin hydrolysate. Int J Biol Macromol 48:223–226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luckey TD, Venugopal B (1977) Metal toxicity in mammals. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansour SA, Sidky MM (2002) Ecotoxicological studies: heavy metals contaminating water and fish from Fayoum Gov. Egypt. Food Chem 78:15–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin S, Griswold W (2009). Human health effects of heavy metals—environmental science and technology briefs for citizens. Center for Hazardous Substance Research, Kansas State University, 15 issue, Marc

  • Matasin Z, Ivanusic M, Orescanin V, Nejedli S, Gaiger IT (2011) Heavy metals concentrations in predator fish. J Anim Vet Adv 10:1214–1218

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendil D, Uluzlu OD (2007) Determination of trace metal levels in sediment and five fish species from lakes in Tokat. Turkey Food Chem 101:739–745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgano M, Rabonatoa LC, Milania RF, Miyaguskua L, Balianb SC (2011) Assessment of trace elements in fish of Japanese foods marketed inSão Paulo (Brazil). Food Control 22:778–785

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muiruri JM, Nyambaka HN, Nawiri MP (2013) Heavy metals in water and tilapia fish from Athi-Galana-Sabaki tributaries, Kenya. Int Food Res J 20:891–896

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mustafa C, Guluzar A (2003) The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species. Environ Pollut 121:129–136

  • Ololade IA, Lajide L, Olumekunc VO, Ololaded OO, Ejelonu BC (2011) Influence of diffuse and chronic metal pollution in water and sediments on edible seafoods within Ondo oil-polluted coastal region. Nigeria. J Environ Sci Health 46:898–908

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oost R, Beyer J, Vermeulen NPE (2003) Fish bioaccumulation and biomarkers in environmental risk assessment: a review. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 13:57–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orecchio S, Amorello D (2010) Platinum and Rhodium associated with the leaves of Nerium oleander L. Analytical method using voltammetry; assessment of air quality in the Palermo (Italy) area. J Hazard Mater 174:720–727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papagiannis I, Kagaloub I, Leonardos J, Petridis D, Kalfakakou V (2004) Copper and zinc in four freshwater fish species from Lake Pamvotis (Greece). Environ Int 30:357–362

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson J, Sainuel VD (2005) Participatory approach of fisher women in crab fattening for alternate income generation in tuticorin, southeast coast of India. Asian Fisheries Science 18:1531–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MS, Molla AH, Saha N, Rahman A (2012) Study on heavy metals levels and its risk assessment in some edible fishes from Bangshi River, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Food Chem 134:1847–1854

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke AJ, Snyman RG, Nel JAJ (2003) Uptake and distribution of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the freshwater crab, Potamonautes perlatus (Crustacea) in the Eerste River, South Africa. Water Air Soil Pollution 145:395–408

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shah AQ, Kazi TG, Arain MB, Jamali MK, Afridi HI, Jalbani N, Baig JA, Kandhro GA (2009) Accumulation of arsenic in different fresh water fish species potential contribution to high arsenic intakes. Food Chem 112:520–524

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shamsuzzaman M M, Biswas TK (2012) Aqua chemicals in shrimp farm: A study from south-west coast of Bangladesh. Egyptian J Aquat Res 38(4):275–285

  • Sharma B, Singh S, Siddiqi NJ (2014) Biomedical implications of heavy metals induced imbalances in redox systems. Biomedical Research International 640754:26, doi:10.1155/2014/640754

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turkmen M, Turkmen A, Tepe Y, Ates A, Gokkus K (2008) Determination of metal contaminations in sea foods from Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas: twelve fish species. Food Chem 108:794–800

    Article  CAS  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 

  • USEPA (1989) Risk assessment guidance for superfund, vol. I: Human Health Evaluation Manual. EPA/540/1-89/002. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (2010) Risk-based concentration table., http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/index

  • US-EPA ISU (2008) Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Risk Information System, CRC

  • USFDA (1993) Guidance Document for Arsenic in Shellfish. U.S Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC, pp. 25–27

  • Wang L, Yang XQ, Wang Q, Wang DX (2001) The accumulation of Cd and the effect of EST in five tissues and organs of Eriocheir sinensis. Acta Zool Sin 47:96–100

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1994) Declaration on occupational health for all. Approved at the second meeting of the WHO collaborating centers in occupational health, Beijing, China 11-14 October,1994. World health organization, Geneva, Switzerland

  • Wu YF, Liu CQ, Tu CL (2008) Atmospheric deposition of metals in TSP of Guiyang, PR China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 80:465–468

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yılmaz F, Özdemirb N, Demirakc A, Tunaa AL (2007) Heavy metal levels in two fish species Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus. Food Chem 100:830–835

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zafar M (2004) Culture of mud crab Scylla serrata in the coastal area of Bangladesh. DFID-UGC super project. Institute of Marine Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, pp 61–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao S, Feng C, Quan W, Chen X, Niu J, Shen Z (2012) Role of living environments in the accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in fishes and crabs in the Yangtze River Estuary, China. Mar Pollut Bull 64(6):1163–1171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou QF, Zhang JB, Fu JJ, Shi JB, Jiang GB (2008) Biomonitoring: an appealing tool for assessment of metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem. Anal Chim Acta 606:135–150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu F, Fan W, Wang X, Qu L, Yao S (2011) Health risk assessment of eight heavy metals in nine varieties of edible vegetable oils consumed in China. Food Chem Toxicol 49:3081–3085

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, Japan, for providing research grant through the International Environmental Leadership Program in Sustainable Living with Environmental Risk (SLER) and through research cooperation program for Ph. D students. The authors also would like to convey special thanks and gratitude to the Setsutaro Kobayashi Memorial Fund by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Japan, for the financial assistance of this research. The authors also thankfully acknowledge the Yokohama Plant Protection authority of Japan for the import permission of the sediment samples from Bangladesh (MAFF Directive Import Permit No. 25Y324, date of issue: June 11, 2013).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan

    Mohammad Raknuzzaman, Md Habibullah-Al-Mamun, Masahiro Tokumura, Makoto Sekine & Shigeki Masunaga

  2. Department of Fisheries, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh

    Mohammad Raknuzzaman & Md Habibullah-Al-Mamun

  3. Department of Oceanography, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh

    Md Kawser Ahmed

  4. Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, 8602, Bangladesh

    Md Saiful Islam

Authors
  1. Mohammad Raknuzzaman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Md Kawser Ahmed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Md Saiful Islam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Md Habibullah-Al-Mamun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Masahiro Tokumura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Makoto Sekine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shigeki Masunaga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Raknuzzaman.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOCX 16 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Raknuzzaman, M., Ahmed, M.K., Islam, M.S. et al. Trace metal contamination in commercial fish and crustaceans collected from coastal area of Bangladesh and health risk assessment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 17298–17310 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6918-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6918-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation