Perspective on health and ecological risk assessments of potentially toxic metal(loid)s using aquatic biodiversity as biomonitoring indicators

Abstract

The presence of potentially toxic metal(loid)s in the environment is a global concern due to their hazards to humans and ecosystems. This review examines the sources, impacts, and human health and ecological risk assessment of potentially toxic metal(loid)s, focusing on the role of aquatic biodiversity as biomonitoring indicators. Using specific keywords, peer-reviewed studies spanning 2000–2024 were mined and reviewed to identify the trends of potentially toxic metal(loid)s in the marine environment and their resultant human health risks. Accordingly, findings indicated that potentially toxic metal(loid)s found their way into water bodies primarily via mining and smelting, industrial discharge, agricultural practices, stormwater runoff, and indiscriminate waste disposal. In the marine environment, this menace leads to bioaccumulation in aquatic biodiversity, disruption of food chains, reduced or loss of biodiversity, degradation of water quality, and behavioral changes in biodiversity. Through food chain transfer, humans are exposed to health risks such as increased cancer risk, kidney and liver damage, gastrointestinal distress, neurological damage, cardiovascular diseases, bone weakness, and reproductive and developmental defects. The review also revealed a strong correlation between aquatic organisms- like fish, bivalves, invertebrates, and macrophytes- and the accumulation of metal(loid). This highlights their valuable roles in long-term pollution monitoring and their potential as early warning indicators. Applying real-time measurements of concentration levels and associated risks offers a revolutionary approach to ecological and human health risk assessments of potentially toxic metal(loid)s. This will permit the optimal use of predictive modeling, accurate and effective monitoring, and early interventions to guarantee sustainability and prevent environmental and public health. The findings of this study hold great promise for improving the sustainability of ecosystems and human populations.