Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human health

Concentration of trace elements (CTEs) is a significant environmental concern worldwide. This study assessed CTE levels in the Lower Indus River (LIR) by analyzing CTEs in water, sediments, tissues of fish (Cirrhinus mrigala), and macrophytes using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAA...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Waseem Boota, Shan-e-hyder Soomro, Haoming Xia, Yaochen Qin, Muhammad Bilal Idrees, Ayesha Yousaf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1449589/full
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author Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Shan-e-hyder Soomro
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Yaochen Qin
Yaochen Qin
Yaochen Qin
Muhammad Bilal Idrees
Ayesha Yousaf
author_facet Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Shan-e-hyder Soomro
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Yaochen Qin
Yaochen Qin
Yaochen Qin
Muhammad Bilal Idrees
Ayesha Yousaf
author_sort Muhammad Waseem Boota
collection DOAJ
description Concentration of trace elements (CTEs) is a significant environmental concern worldwide. This study assessed CTE levels in the Lower Indus River (LIR) by analyzing CTEs in water, sediments, tissues of fish (Cirrhinus mrigala), and macrophytes using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The study shows that CTE range—arsenic (As, 58.7–112.1 μg/L), lead (Pb, 59.9–95.6 μg/L), cadmium (Cd, 3.8–8.1 μg/L), nickel (Ni, 40.9–63.4 μg/L), and zinc (Zn, 590.7–847.6 μg/L)—and water parameters (temperature, pH, COD, BOD, turbidity, and alkalinity) exceeded WHO (World Health Organization) acceptable limits. The CTEs (mg/kg dried basis) were analyzed in fish tissues, and As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Zn have the following accumulation order: liver > gill > muscle. In contrast, Ag and Pb were present in higher amounts in gills than in the liver (gill > liver > muscle). Prediction of bioavailability of CTEs, with the extraction of sediment load with EDTA, revealed that As, Cd, and Zn were among the most bioavailable elements in the LIR. Health risk assessment indicated that the presence of CTEs in the fish could pose potential adverse health effects on humans. The study emphasizes significant ecological and health concerns due to fish consumption in the affected region, noting high risks of non-carcinogenic effects. These insights are essential for policymakers and stakeholders in Sindh Province to manage and reduce trace element pollution.
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spelling doaj-art-485afb5452514ff6804c8f3992ac3d142025-08-20T01:58:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452024-12-011110.3389/fmars.2024.14495891449589Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human healthMuhammad Waseem Boota0Muhammad Waseem Boota1Muhammad Waseem Boota2Muhammad Waseem Boota3Shan-e-hyder Soomro4Haoming Xia5Haoming Xia6Haoming Xia7Haoming Xia8Yaochen Qin9Yaochen Qin10Yaochen Qin11Muhammad Bilal Idrees12Ayesha Yousaf13College of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Earth System Observation and Modeling, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, ChinaKey Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development and Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization Jointly Built by Henan Province and Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaCollege of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Earth System Observation and Modeling, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, ChinaKey Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development and Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization Jointly Built by Henan Province and Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaKey Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University), Ministry of Education, Kaifeng, ChinaKey Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development and Collaborative Innovation Center on Yellow River Civilization Jointly Built by Henan Province and Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, ChinaFaculty of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, ChinaConcentration of trace elements (CTEs) is a significant environmental concern worldwide. This study assessed CTE levels in the Lower Indus River (LIR) by analyzing CTEs in water, sediments, tissues of fish (Cirrhinus mrigala), and macrophytes using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The study shows that CTE range—arsenic (As, 58.7–112.1 μg/L), lead (Pb, 59.9–95.6 μg/L), cadmium (Cd, 3.8–8.1 μg/L), nickel (Ni, 40.9–63.4 μg/L), and zinc (Zn, 590.7–847.6 μg/L)—and water parameters (temperature, pH, COD, BOD, turbidity, and alkalinity) exceeded WHO (World Health Organization) acceptable limits. The CTEs (mg/kg dried basis) were analyzed in fish tissues, and As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Zn have the following accumulation order: liver > gill > muscle. In contrast, Ag and Pb were present in higher amounts in gills than in the liver (gill > liver > muscle). Prediction of bioavailability of CTEs, with the extraction of sediment load with EDTA, revealed that As, Cd, and Zn were among the most bioavailable elements in the LIR. Health risk assessment indicated that the presence of CTEs in the fish could pose potential adverse health effects on humans. The study emphasizes significant ecological and health concerns due to fish consumption in the affected region, noting high risks of non-carcinogenic effects. These insights are essential for policymakers and stakeholders in Sindh Province to manage and reduce trace element pollution.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1449589/fulltrace element concentrationCirrhinus mrigalabioavailabilityhealth risk assessmentLower Indus River
spellingShingle Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Muhammad Waseem Boota
Shan-e-hyder Soomro
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Haoming Xia
Yaochen Qin
Yaochen Qin
Yaochen Qin
Muhammad Bilal Idrees
Ayesha Yousaf
Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human health
Frontiers in Marine Science
trace element concentration
Cirrhinus mrigala
bioavailability
health risk assessment
Lower Indus River
title Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human health
title_full Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human health
title_fullStr Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human health
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human health
title_short Unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the Lower Indus River: risks to aquatic life and human health
title_sort unveiling concentrations of trace elements in the lower indus river risks to aquatic life and human health
topic trace element concentration
Cirrhinus mrigala
bioavailability
health risk assessment
Lower Indus River
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1449589/full
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