Ecotoxicological health risk analysis of different fish species from the Black Sea coast of Türkiye

The aim of this study, fourteen potential toxic elements (PTE) levels were measured in seven different fish consumed intensively in eight provinces along the Black Sea coastline of Türkiye. Furthermore, human health risk assessment from fish consumption was investigated using multiple statistical approaches, and a spatial distribution map of PTEs in the region was prepared. The average PTEs levels in the seven fish muscle are listed in the following order: Fe > Zn > As > Cu > Mn > Ni > Co > Hg > Cd > Pb > Cr with the values of 17.028 > 14.288 > 2.045 > 1.017 > 0.721 > 0.064 > 0.032 > 0.031 > 0.027 > 0.021 > 0.018 µg g-1, respectively. In the seven fish species examined, the sum of the mean values of toxic metals and essential metals was lowest in MM (18.75 µg g-1) and highest in EE (58.16 µg g-1) and MB (57.66 µg g-1 ). The maximum values of PTEs measured in fish were mostly observed in the provinces of Kastamonu, Sinop, Artvin and Rize. For all PTEs, hazard index (HI), target hazard quotients (THQ) and metal pollution index (MPI) from metal intake by ingesting seven fish species were less than 1, indicating no risk from consumption. It can be said that there is unlikely to be a risk of potential cancer issues in those who consume the fish used in this study, as the estimated daily PTEs intakes in fish were found to be much lower than acceptable daily intake levels. It is recommended to introduce biomonitoring species to these areas and to take preventive measures against metal pollution in order to monitor metal pollution from industrial and discharge areas, to identify, monitor and compare heavy metal sources.