Spatial trace element bioaccumulation along with consumer risk simulations of Mediterranean mussels in coastal waters of Turkey

Abstract

Turkey borders three seas and the most populous locations are squeezed into the coastal territories. Thus, organisms living in these aquatic territories are under longstanding anthropogenic pressure. Hence, this study investigated the consumption outcomes leading to potential child and adult health risks along with the spatial distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) sampled at 23 different stations from the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Aegean Sea coastal waters of Turkey. The mean concentrations of trace elements found in the Mediterranean mussels followed Zn (39.75 mg kg(-1)) > Cu (1.95 mg kg(-1)) > As (1.84 mg kg(-1)) > Pb (0.99 mg kg(-1)) > Ni (0.65 mg kg(-1)) > Cr (0.62 mg kg(-1)) > V (0.47 mg kg(-1)) > Cd (0.08 mg kg(-1)). Factor analysis revealed that trace elements were mostly derived from anthropogenic sources. Pb values were found to be above the permissible European Union limits at 10 sampling stations. While the estimated weekly intake did not exceed the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives limits, the target hazard quotient for As was found >1 for children. The lifetime cancer risk (CR) for adults and children was unacceptable (>10(-4)) at high consumption rates for As according to US Environmental Protection Agency. Monte Carlo simulation confirmed a CR to adult (62.98%) and children (97.24%) mussel consumers caused by As.