Heavy metals concentration and human health risk assessment in selected shrimp species of Pakistan

Heavy metal pollution in marine organisms poses a significant threat to both ecosystems and human health. Dumping untreated sewage into the sea pollutes coastal waters with toxic metals. This study examined the levels of chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) in three shrimp species of genus <i>Penaeus</i> i.e. <i>Penaeus merguiensis</i>, <i>Penaeus monodon</i>, and <i>Penaeus indicus</i>. The findings revealed that the average levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury were considerably higher than the legislative limits. Furthermore, chromium and lead levels remained consistent across shrimp species, while other metals exhibited significant variation. Additionally, THQ and HI values were below the limit of 1, indicating low health risks from consuming shrimp species from this area. However, sustained monitoring and research are essential to protect consumer health and ensure long-term sustainability of seafood resources.