Essential (Cu, Zn) And Nonessential Metals (Pb, Cd) In Muscle of Leopard Groupers (Mycteroperca Rosacea) From A Mining Port In The Gulf of California, Mexico: Human Health Risk Assessment

The concentrations of essential (Cu, Zn) and toxic (Cd, Pb) elements were quantified in the muscle of leopard groupers, Mycteroperca rosacea, in a mining district in the Gulf of California. Metal concentrations were analyzed by size, sex, maturity, season, year, and a risk factor for human consumption. Results indicated elevated levels of essential elements (Cu: 11±34.3 μg/g, Zn: 377±1390 μg/g), up to 10 times higher than concentrations of toxic elements (Cd: 0.06±0.1 μg/g, Pb: 0.98±1.5 μg/g). Cadmium was within permissible limit stated by Mexican norm (0.5 μg/g), but lead bordering its limit (1.0 μg/g). Heavy metal concentrations were comparable between males and females. Metal variations were not significantly correlated to the sex, maturity, season, or year (p>0.05). The evaluation of benefits (Daily Mineral Intake) and risks (Target Hazard Quotients) to health indicated that these fish did not represent adverse effects to the consumer, within worldwide limits, but the nutritional benefits are high.