The seasonal assessment of heavy metals pollution in water, sediments, and fish of grey mullet, red seabream, and sardine from the Mediterranean coast, Damietta, North Egypt

The current study investigated the deposit of heavy metals, including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and iron (Fe) in grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), red seabream (Pagrus pagrus), and sardine (Sardinella aruita) over winter and spring seasons 2022 at the Damietta port, a marine port constructed in 1982 on the north coast of Egypt, and the surrounding region. Water, sediment, and fish samples were collected from four sites near Damietta port throughout the spring and winter of 2022 to evaluate the amount of heavy metal in water, sediment, muscles, and fish liver. Heavy metal concentrations significantly differed across organs; however, their levels in liver tissues exceeded those in muscle tissues. It was noted that M. cephalus had the highest concentrations of heavy metals compared with other fish species. Heavy metals accumulation in fish organs was in the following order: Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb >Cu > Ni > Cd > Cr. During winter season, metals levels in water samples were in the following sequence: Fe > Ni > Zn > Cd > Cr > Pb > Cu > Mn, meanwhile in spring season, the order was as follows: Ni > Pb > Fe > Cr > Zn > Cd > Cu > Mn. During the winter time, the order of metals levels in sediment samples was Zn > Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr, but in the springtime, it was Zn > Fe > Mn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd > Cr. Finally, the human risk assessment concluded that grey mullet, red seabream, and sardine in Damietta port and neighboring regions are safe for human feeding and that various wastes may be disposed of securely, avoiding the buildup of heavy metals.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examined the accumulation of heavy metals in grey mullet, red seabream, and sardine in the Damietta port and surrounding region in Egypt during the winter and spring seasons of 2022. The results showed that grey mullet had the highest concentrations of heavy metals, with liver tissues having higher levels compared to muscle tissues. The human risk assessment concluded that the fish in this area are safe for human consumption.