Al Jufaili et al. 2024 — Heavy metals in Garra shamal freshwater fish, Oman
This study measured concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and zinc in muscle, liver, and gill tissues of Garra shamal (a freshwater fish endemic to Oman) collected from multiple freshwater sites. The authors applied atomic absorption spectrometry and calculated bioaccumulation factors and health risk indices for local consumers. The paper provides a baseline contamination dataset for an understudied Middle Eastern freshwater fish species and evaluates whether current contamination levels pose human health risks.
Key numbers
Sample size: n=120 fish. Metals measured in muscle (edible portion), liver, and gill tissue. Heavy metal concentrations varied by organ and collection site; liver consistently accumulated higher concentrations than muscle. Hazard quotients and target hazard quotients were calculated for each metal and for cumulative exposure. Exact means and ranges are presented in data tables in the source.
Methods (brief)
Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for metal quantification. Tissues were acid-digested prior to analysis. Multiple freshwater collection sites across Oman. Standard reference material used for method validation.
Implications
Certification: Freshwater fish from mining-adjacent or agricultural catchment areas; contributes to the fish/seafood product-category understanding of contamination variation by geography. Courses: Illustrates regional contamination variation in fish from the Gulf region, useful for sourcing module. App: Freshwater fish contamination profile; muscle tissue values directly relevant to consumption risk estimates. Microbiome: Not addressed.