Determination of heavy metal levels in fish consumed in Konya

ABSTRACT PhD Thesis DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN FISH CONSUMED IN KONYA Hadeel Abduljabbar Abbas ALMAFRACHI Çankırı Karatekin University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Biology Advisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. İlkay ÇORAK ÖCAL Co-Advisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Numan Emre GÜMÜŞ The inability of heavy metals to biologically degrade and their tendency to accumulate in the environment make them harmful for humans who consume fish as a food source, as heavy metals can accumulate in fish tissues. In this study conducted in the province of Konya, commonly sold and consumed by the local population, fish species including common carp (Cyprinus carpio), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena), sardine (Sardina pilchardus), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), and horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) were studied to determine their levels of bioaccumulation. Fish samples were analyzed using an ICP-OES device to determine the concentrations of 11 heavy metals (aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn)). The concentrations of Se and Ni showed no statistically significant differences among the fish species. The average Cd concentrations in common carp, barracuda, and horse mackerel exceeded the limit values set by MHPRC (2013), TGK (2011), and EC (2006) guidelines. Additionally, human health risk assessment methods were employed to evaluate the metal concentrations detected in fish species. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) results indicated that non-carcinogenic health effects from individual or combined metal intake through fish consumption were not expected to occur in consumers. This implies that non-cancer health risks are not present. Except for red mullet and anchovy, the cancer risk (CR) values for other fish species were within an acceptable range. According to CR results, individuals exposed to inorganic arsenic through the consumption of red mullet and anchovy have a risk of developing cancer. 2023, 87 pages Keywords: Heavy metals, Risk assessment, Fish consumption, Bioaccumlation, Konya