Heavy metals concentrations in hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Bay of Oran (Mediterranean Sea): Potential human health risk estimation

To evaluate the potential human health risk to hake consumers, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) was measured in the edible tissues of hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) caught from Oran Bay on the western Algerian Mediterranean coast. Results revealed that the average metal concentrations varied significantly among sex and in target organs. The concentrations of metal accumulation take place preferentially in the liver compared to the muscle of hake species, with the highest levels found for Zn, followed by Pb and Cd. The Estimated daily intake (EDI) of each trace metal did not exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Human health risk assessment from heavy metal exposure through fish consumption from Oran Bay for adults showed no significant non-carcinogenic adverse health risk since all calculated values for Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) were <1.