Appraisal of macro elements and trace metals in the edible fish from the Black Sea connecting coastal river, Türkiye: A preliminary study for health risk assessment

The Squalius cephalus and Carassius gibelio are very important freshwater fish species in Turkiye for food but poses a health risk they are contaminated by toxic elements. The study was conducted firstly to evaluate trace elements contamination in fishes collected from the Black sea connecting coastal river (Terme), Turkiye and to assess the potential human health risk using the USEPA risk model. Five macro elements and eleven trace elements in two fish species namely S. cephalus and C. gibelio were considered. The range of element concentrations (mg/kg) among the fish species were Na (123.00-404.51), Mg (89.49-133.77), P (526.78-1025.12), K (757.07-1646.49), Ca (41.31-380.46), Al (0.16 -7.20), Cr (0.01-0.06), Mn (0.06-5.38), Fe (1.20-13.51), Co (0.01-0.04), Ni (0.01-0.04), Cu (0.08-0.23), Zn (0.70-4.13), As (0.02-0.31), Cd (0.01-0.02), and Pb (0.01-0.13), respectively. The examined elements in fish species were below the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guideline values indicating low contamination of fish by studied elements. The target hazard quotient (THQ and hazard index (HI) values of trace metals in the two fish species were below the standard level 1 indicating non -carcinogenic health risks are not expected from consuming fish species. The carcinogenic risk (TR) value for Cr, Ni, iAs, and Pb was also lower than USEPA standard (10-4), suggesting that people would not experience significant health hazards if they ingest a single metal from fish species. This study suggested that chemical speciation of As in the studied fish species and trace elements in water and sediments from the Black sea connecting Terme River, Turkiye should be considered to provide a more accurate appraisal of risk of trace elements and their distribution pathways in the aquatic ecosystems.