DETERMINAYION OF SOME HEAVY METAL ELEMENTS IN DUSKY SPINEFOOT, Siganus luridus, FROM THE SYRIAN COAST (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN) AND ITS RELATIVE RISK FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Heavy metal pollution is a serious problem for the environment due to its toxicity, persistency, bioaccumulation. In this study, the concentration of four heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in muscle of Siganus luridus from the Syrian marine waters (Eastern Mediterranean) were assessed, to evaluate the potential role of domestic and industrial effluents released without treatment on the quality of the marine environment with consequences to fish resources. Samples were collected from six different areas during two consecutive years, from March 2019 to February 2021. Determination of these metals was carried out using atomic absorption spectroscopy, according to the techniques of electrothermal and flame ablation. Health risk was assessed using estimated daily intake and target hazard quotient. Heavy metal levels were higher in the site relatively close to industrial pollution sources, tourism and agricultural activities. The results showed high concentrations of zinc in the muscle compared to the other metals studied, it ranged between (3.5-6.1 μg/g wet weight), followed by copper with average ranging between (0.4-0.5μg/g wet weight), then lead with concentration (0.016-0.025 μg/g wet weight), while cadmium was the least concentrated (0.005-0.008 μg/g wet weight). All of these concentrations were within the limits allowed by the World Food and Agriculture Organization. The averages of EDI and THQ values for children were higher than adults. However, both of them were below the harmful and hazardous levels, indicating that consumption of S. luridus in the Syrian coast will not lead to health risks from the four heavy metals studied.