Distribution of Heavy Metals in Aquaculture Ponds and Bioaccumulation in Vannamei Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

This study evaluated the amounts of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, and Pb) in water, sediment, and the vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) from three typical ponds in Gresik, Indonesia. Heavy metal analysis was performed with Inductively Coupled Plasma–Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The research examined the concentration of heavy metals in the vannamei shrimp aquaculture ecosystem and assessed the associated human health concerns. The findings indicated a greater concentration of heavy metals in sediment than in water, particularly for cadmium and lead. The maximum concentration in water was Cd (2.94 ppm) in Pond 1, whereas the greatest concentration in sediment was Pb (1.73 ppm) in Pond 6. Copper was the predominant metal in prawn tissue, with a maximum value of 1.76ppm in Pond 6. Copper is vital for the metabolism and excretion of the vannamei prawns. Notwithstanding these findings, the human health risk assessment (HRA), predicated on Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Total THQ (TTHQ), suggested that the levels remained within acceptable consumption limits. This research is significant since it offers critical data on environmental contamination levels in aquaculture environments, assisting stakeholders, including farmers and policymakers, in making educated decisions to ensure food safety. Nonetheless, consistent monitoring and sustainable agricultural techniques are crucial to avert heavy metal buildup in the vannamei shrimp and to guarantee the safety of aquaculture products.