Abstract:
To evaluate the heavy metal contents and dietary safety of marine commercial organisms in the Pingtan waters of Fujian Province, this study focused on the concentrations of 7 heavy metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn) in the muscle tissues from 10 typical marine commercial organisms (covering fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The individual and comprehensive heavy-metal pollution levels were evaluated using the single factor index method (SFI), the N. L. Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method, and the metal pollution index (MPI) method. The human health risks from the consuming these marine organisms were assessed using daily intake (DI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) as evaluation indicators. The results showed that the average concentrations of heavy metals in the organisms were in the order of Zn>As>Cu>Se>Mn>Ba>Cd. The evaluation of heavy metal pollution levels indicated that As was the predominant pollutant in the Pingtan waters. Among the organisms, crustaceans had the strongest ability to accumulate heavy metals, with the
Solenocera alticarinate being the most severely affected by comprehensive heavy metal pollution. The health risk assessment revealed that the THQ values of inorganic As in the
Solenocera alticarinate,
Penaeus monodon, and
Sepiella maindroni exceeded the safety threshold, indicating potential health risks associated with their consumption. Therefore, As pollution in marine economic organisms in the Pingtan waters requires close attention. Future research should investigate As speciation in these organisms to improve the accuracy of health risk assessments.