Overview
This study measures concentrations of ten trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) in the muscle tissue of 52 black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus) collected across four seasons from Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea) using ICP-MS, and evaluates associated human health risks through estimated weekly intake (EWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), carcinogenic risk (CR), and the Metal Pollution Index (MPI). The authors find that Mn, Pb, and Hg exceeded international permissible legal limits, and that Cr and Ni concentrations surpassed carcinogenic risk thresholds. Cadmium showed statistically significant sex-based differences (p < 0.05), while overall sex differences across metals were not significant (p > 0.05). Seasonal variation was significant (p < 0.05) for multiple elements.
Key numbers
Analytical method: ICP-MS on muscle tissue (wet weight). Seasonal sampling: autumn 2023, winter 2024, spring 2024, summer 2024. 52 specimens total (54% male, 46% female). Mn, Pb, and Hg exceeded permissible limits set by international standards. CR values for Cr and Ni exceeded acceptable thresholds. Cd showed a statistically significant sex-specific difference (p < 0.05). MPI values provided an integrated measure of overall metal pollution load.
Methods (brief)
ICP-MS analysis of muscle tissue. Samples purchased from Izmir Güzelbahçe Fisheries Cooperative across four seasons. Health risk models applied: EWI, THQ, cumulative THQ (ΣTHQ), carcinogenic risk (CR), Se health benefit value (HBVSe), and Metal Pollution Index (MPI). Seasonal and sex-specific comparisons performed.
Implications
Certification: Scorpionfish is an artisanal fishery species from the Aegean; Pb and Hg exceedances are directly relevant to HMT&C seafood product evidence base. Courses: Illustrates how seasonal variation affects heavy metal accumulation in marine fish and why sampling timing matters for monitoring programs. App: Contributes to the seafood ingredient contamination profile for Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, and Ni in Mediterranean fish species.
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Update history
The five most recent substantive edits to this page, classified major (evidence or structure moved), correction (a published value or statement was wrong and has been fixed), or minor (narrative rewritten without changing the underlying evidence). Each description is derived from what the edit did to this page; the linked commit is the authoritative record, routine regeneration passes are excluded, and the full version history lives in git. When DOI minting comes online (see schema docs), each entry below will also link to a version-pinned DataCite DOI.
| Commit | Date | Change | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| a8052bb | 2026-08-09 | major | 6 sections added; narrative text revised |