Human health risk of heavy metal biomagnification: Trophic transfer patterns in aquatic ecosystems

IF 3.6 3区医学 Q2 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology Pub Date : 2025-07-24 DOI:10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127704

Saira Naz , Syed Sikandar Habib , Madeeha Arshad , Saima Majeed , Ümit Acar , Osman Sabri Kesbiç , Mohamed Mohany , Francesca Aragona , Francesco Fazio

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant ecological and human health risks, particularly through trophic transfer in food webs.

Objective

This study investigates the mean concentrations and trophic transfer of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, and Pb) across various environmental compartments (water, sediment, plankton) and trophic levels (three fish species: Catla. catla, Labeo rohita, and Cyprinus carpio) in an aquatic ecosystem.

Methodology

Samples were collected in 2024 and heavy metals in the samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).

Results

Cu was most abundant in water (1.5–2.0 µg/L) and sediments (20–25 µg/g DW), while plankton accumulated high Cu and moderate Pb and Cr levels. Among fish, C. carpio showed the highest metal accumulation. Trophic magnification factor (TMF), which quantifies metal concentration trends across food chains, indicated biomagnification of Pb (TMF = 1.56) and Cd (TMF = 1.31), and biodilution of Cu (TMF = 0.64) and Cr (TMF = 0.73). Biomagnification factor (BMF), reflecting metal transfer from prey to predator, was highest for Pb in C. carpio (BMF = 3.89). Principal Component Analysis showed Cu and Pb enriched in sediments, while Cd was associated with plankton, indicating bioavailability at lower trophic levels. Although hazard index (HI) values were below the safety threshold for all fish species, C. carpio posed higher health risks due to elevated Cd and Pb levels.

Conclusions

Overall, the study reveals significant biomagnification of Pb and Cd, posing ecological and health risks, while Cu and Cr show biodilution. Mitigation requires integrated management, including source control, monitoring, ecological remediation, and public awareness.

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重金属生物放大对人类健康的危害：水生生态系统的营养转移模式

水生生态系统中的重金属污染会造成重大的生态和人类健康风险，特别是通过食物网中的营养转移。目的研究不同环境区隔（水、沉积物、浮游生物）和营养水平（三种鱼类：Catla）中重金属（Cd、Cu、Cr和Pb）的平均浓度和营养转移。水生生态系统中的catla， Labeo rohita和Cyprinus carpio)。方法采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法（ICP-AES）测定样品中的重金属含量。结果水体（1.5 ~ 2.0 µg/L）和沉积物（20 ~ 25 µg/g DW）中Cu含量最高，浮游生物中Cu含量较高，Pb、Cr含量中等。鱼类中，鲤鱼的金属积累量最高。营养放大因子（TMF）表明，Pb （TMF = 1.56）和Cd （TMF = 1.31）被生物放大，Cu （TMF = 0.64）和Cr （TMF = 0.73）被生物稀释。反映金属从猎物向捕食者转移的生物放大因子（BMF）最高，为3.89。主成分分析表明，Cu和Pb富集于沉积物中，而Cd与浮游生物相关，表明沉积物的生物利用度处于低营养水平。尽管所有鱼类的危害指数（HI）值均低于安全阈值，但由于Cd和Pb水平升高，鲤鱼具有较高的健康风险。结论总体而言，Pb和Cd具有显著的生物放大效应，对生态和健康构成风险，而Cu和Cr具有生物稀释效应。缓解需要综合管理，包括源头控制、监测、生态修复和公众意识。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 医学-内分泌学与代谢

CiteScore

6.60

自引率

2.90%

发文量

202

审稿时长

85 days

期刊介绍： The journal provides the reader with a thorough description of theoretical and applied aspects of trace elements in medicine and biology and is devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge about trace elements and trace element species. Trace elements play essential roles in the maintenance of physiological processes. During the last decades there has been a great deal of scientific investigation about the function and binding of trace elements. The Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology focuses on the description and dissemination of scientific results concerning the role of trace elements with respect to their mode of action in health and disease and nutritional importance. Progress in the knowledge of the biological role of trace elements depends, however, on advances in trace elements chemistry. Thus the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology will include only those papers that base their results on proven analytical methods. Also, we only publish those articles in which the quality assurance regarding the execution of experiments and achievement of results is guaranteed.