Comparative assessment of source-driven toxic metal bioaccumulation and human health risks in edible aquatic organisms from freshwater and estuarine ecosystems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2281-4485/25605Keywords:
Aquatic food sources, Bioaccumulation, Health risk assessment, Heavy metals, Tissue-specific distributionAbstract
Heavy metal contamination in aquatic food sources poses potential risks to human health and ecosystems. This study evaluated the tissue-specific distribution, bioaccumulation patterns, and health risks of selected heavy metals and metalloids (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in Etroplus suratensis (freshwater and brackish water) and Scylla serrata (brackish water). Metal concentrations were analyzed in edible and non-edible tissues including muscle, gills, gut, and hepatopancreas. Results revealed significant tissue-specific accumulation influenced by ecological and physiological factors. In Etroplus suratensis, muscle tissues showed elevated chromium levels exceeding permissible limits, while gills, and gut accumulated higher levels of Zn, Mn, and Pb. In Scylla serrata, the hepatopancreas exhibited the highest metal accumulation, whereas body muscle showed extremely high Zn concentrations. Statistical analyses confirmed significant differences among tissues and ecosystems (p < 0.05), and correlation patterns suggested common anthropogenic pollution sources. Multivariate analysis (PCA) indicated that 85.44% of total variance was explained by metal associations linked to environmental inputs. Risk assessment showed no significant non-carcinogenic risk for Etroplus suratensis (HI < 1), while Scylla serrata indicated potential health risks (HI > 1) due to elevated Zn and As. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring heavy metal contamination in aquatic food systems, particularly in estuarine environments.
References
ABEYSOORIYA A.P.S.W., WIJESINGHE R.D.N., BANDARA E.G.K.Y.C., SANJAYA H.L.K. (2023) Determination of heavy metals in Etroplus suratensis from Koggala Lagoon in Southern, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 27th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2023 of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 147:147.
AHMED A.S.S., RAHMAN M., SULTANA S., BABU S.M.O.F., SARKER M.S.I. (2019) Bioaccumulation and heavy metal concentration in tissues of some commercial fishes from the Meghna River Estuary in Bangladesh and human health implications. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 145: 436-447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.06.035
AHMED A.S.S., SULTANA S., HABIB A., ULLAH H., MUSA N., HOSSAIN M.B., RAHMAN M.M., SARKER M.S.I. (2019) Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some commercially important fishes from a tropical river estuary suggests higher potential health risk in children than adults. PLOS ONE, 14(10):e0219336. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219336
AHMED M.K., ISLAM S., RAHMAN S., HAQUE M.R., ISLAM M.M. (2010) Heavy metals in water, sediment and some fishes of Buriganga River, Bangladesh. International Journal of Environmental Research, 4(2):321-332. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijer.2010.202
ALAM M.A., MCKENZIE C., HALL N., BLAND S.L., HUNT J.E. (2022) Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of microplastics in marine food webs: A review of ecological risks and human health implications. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 182:113665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113665
ALI H., KHAN E., SAJAD M.A. (2013) Phytoremediation of heavy metals—Concepts and applications. Chemosphe-re, 91:869-881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.01.075
ALLOWAY B.J. (2013) Heavy metals in soils: Trace metals and metalloids in soils and their bioavailability. 3rd edn. Dordrecht: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7
AZIZ K.H.H., MUSTAFA F.S., OMER K.M., HAMA S., HAMARAWF R.F., RAHMAN K.O. (2023) Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment: Efficient and low-cost removal approaches to eliminate their toxicity: A review. RSC Advances, 13:17595-17610. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA00723E
BONADA N., PRAT N., RESH V.H., STATZNER B. (2006) Developments in aquatic insect biomonitoring: A comparative analysis of recent approaches. Annual Review of Entomology, 51:495-523. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.51.110104.151124
BANDARA S., PATHIRATNE A. (2023) Concentrations of trace metals in Siganus javus captured in Negombo estuary, Sri Lanka: Human health risk assessment through dietary exposure. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 188:114639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114639
BASHIR I., LONE F.A., BHAT R.A., MIR S.A., DAR Z.A., DAR S.A. (2020) Concerns and threats of contamination on aquatic ecosystems. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27:16371-16389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08301-3
BAPATOLA N.M., DUSHYANTHA N.P., RATNAYA- KE N.P., PREMASIRI H.M.R., PANAGODA H., JAYAWARDENA C.L., CHANDRAJITH R., ILAN-KOON I.M.S.K., ROHITHA L.P.S., RATNAYAKE A.S., KOONGOLLA J.B., ABEYSINGHE A.M.B.K., DISSA-NAYAKE D.M.D.O.K., RATNAYAKE R.M.P. (2023) Risk assessment of heavy metals in the freshwater lake sediments around Eppawala phosphate deposit, Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 51(4):573-587. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v51i4.11473
BEIRAS R., SCHÖNEMANN A.M. (2020) Anthropoge-nic pollution of aquatic ecosystems: Emerging problems with global implications. Science of the Total Environment, 713:136586.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136586
CHAUKURA N., MAMBA B.B., MHLANGA S.D., NKAMBULE T.T.I. (2021) Microplastics in the aquatic environment: Occurrence, sources, ecological impacts, fate and remediation challenges. Pollutants, 1(2):95-118. https://doi.org/10.3390/pollutants1020009
CHANG H.T., WU C.-D., WANG J.D., CHEN P.-S., SU H.J. (2021) Residential green space structures are associated with a lower risk of bipolar disorder: A nationwide popu-lation-based study in Taiwan. Environmental Pollution, 283 :115864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115864
CHOWDHURY R., RAMOND A., O’KEEFFE L.M., SHAHZAD S., KUNUTSOR S.K., MUKA T., GREGSON J., WILLEIT P., WARNAKULA S., KHAN H., CHOWDHURY S., GOBIN R., FRANCO O.H., DI ANGELANTONIO E. (2018) Environmental toxic metal contaminants and risk of cardiovascular disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 362:k3310. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k3310
CHOWDHURY S., MAZUMDER M.A.J., AL-ATTAS O., HUSAIN T. (2016) Heavy metals in drinking water: Occurrences, implications, and future needs in developing countries. Science of the Total Environment, 569–570:476-488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.166
CLEMENTS W.H., NEWMAN M.C. (2002) Community ecotoxicology: linking ecological effects of contaminants to aquatic ecosystem structure and function. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 21(10):2105-2114. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620211001
DU LAING G., VANDECASTEELE B., TACK F.M.G., VERLOO M.G. (2009) Influence of salinity on heavy metal mobility and availability in estuarine sediments: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 407(13):3972-3985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.024
EFSA (2012) Guidance on selected default values to be used by the EFSA Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and Units in the absence of actual measured data. EFSA Journal, 10(3):2579. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2579
FORSIUS M., KUJALA H., MINUNNO F., HOLMBERG M., LEIKOLA N., MIKKONEN N., AUTIO I., PAUNU V.-V., TANHUANPÄÄ T., HURSKAINEN P., MÄYRÄ J., KIVINEN S., KESKI-SAARI S., KOSENIUS A.-K., KUUSELA S., VIRKKALA R., VIINIKKA A., VIHERVAARA P., AKUJARVI A., BÄCK J., KARVOSENOJA N., KUMPULA T., KUZMIN A., MÄKELÄ A., MOILANEN A., OLLIKAINEN M., PEKKONEN M., PELTONIEMI M., POIKOLAINEN L., RANKINEN K., RASILO T., TUOMINEN S., VALKAMA J., VANHALA P., HEIKKINEN R.K. (2021) Developing a spatially explicit modelling and evaluation framework for integrated carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation: Application in southern Finland. Science of the Total Environment, 775: 145847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145847
GIGLIO V.J., BLUMSTEIN D.T., MOTTA F.S., PEREIRA-FILHO G.H. (2022) Diver presence increases egg predation on a nesting damselfish. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 549:151694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2022.151694
HAMIDIAN A.H., SHEIKHZADEH H., BOUJARI A., EAGDERI S., ASHRAFI S. (2023) Comparative assess-ment of human health risk associated with heavy metals bioaccumulation in fish species (Barbus grypus and Tenua-losa ilisha) from the Karoon River, Iran: Elucidating the role of habitat and feeding habits. Marine Pollution Bulle-tin, 188:114623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114623
HAN J., LEE J.-S., PARK J.C., HAGIWARA A., LEE K.-W., LEE J.-S. (2020) Effects of temperature changes on life parameters, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense system in the monogonont marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 155:111062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111062
HERATH B.M., YAPA P.N., DUMINDA D.M.S. (2022) The impact of the surrounding land uses on water quality of some selected cascade and perennial tanks in Anura-dhapura District, Sri Lanka. Turkish Journal of Agriculture -Food Science and Technology, 10(sp2):3063-3069. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v10isp2.3063-3069.5643
HEMON F., ROHANI M.F., SUMAIYA N., TUJ JANNAT M.F., AKTER Y., SHAHJAHAN M., ABDUL KARI Z., TAHILUDDIN A.B., GOH K.W. (2023) Bioaccumulation and bioremediation of heavy metals in fishes: A review. Toxics, 11(6):510. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060510
JAISHANKAR M., TSETEN T., ANBALAGAN N., MATHEW B.B., BEEREGOWDA K.N. (2014) Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 7(2):60-72. https://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2014-0009
JEONG H., BYEON E., KIM D.H., MASZCZYK P., LEE J.S. (2023) Heavy metals and metalloids in aquatic invertebrates: A review of single/mixed forms, combination with other pollutants, and environmental factors. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 191:114959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114959
KAYANI K.F., MOHAMMED S.J. (2025) Heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments and removal using highly efficient bimetallic metal–organic framework adsorbents. RSC Advances, 35756-35769. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA06296A
KODIKARA K.A.S., HOESSEIN T., DE SILVA P.M.C.S., RANASINGHE P., SOMASIRI H.P.P.S., MADARASINGHE S.K., GUNATHILAKA D.U.V., RANAWAKA D., DANAAEE M., ANDRIEU J., DAHDOUH-GUEBAS F. (2023) Spatial distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments of the Kalametiya Lagoon in southern Sri Lanka: Insights into the pollution status and socio-economic interactions. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 51(3):401-411. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v51i3.11193
KUMAR M., SINGH S., JAIN A., YADAV S., DUBEY A., TRIVEDI S.P. (2024) A review on heavy metal-induced toxicity in fishes: Bioaccumulation, antioxidant defense system, histopathological manifestations, and transcriptional profiling of genes. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 83:127377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127377
KUMAR P., SINGH S.K., DWIVEDI A., MISHRA S., SHARMA R.K. (2024) Critical review on toxic contaminants in surface water ecosystem: sources, monitoring, and its impact on human health. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31:34932. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34932-0
LAU S., MOHAMED M., TAN C.Y., SU’UT S. (1998) Accumulation of heavy metals in freshwater molluscs. Science of the Total Environment, 214:113-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(98)00058-8
LI J., ZHANG H., WANG Y., LIU Y., GUO L., ZHANG W., XU X. (2016) Bioavailability and ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments of a contaminated river. Chemosphere, 155:388-394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.093
LI S., ZHANG Q., LI Y. (2018) Anthropogenic impacts on water quality in river systems: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 226:239-247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.08.052
LOU W., QIAN L., LIU W., ZHANG X., WANG Q., JIANG H., CHENG B., MA H., WU Z. (2021) A potential Mg-enriched biochar fertilizer: Excellent slow-release performance and release mechanism of nutrients. Science of the Total Environment, 768:144454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144454
MADADI R., KACHOUEIYAN F., DE-LA-TORRE G.E. (2023) Effect of redox potential on the heavy metals binding phases in estuarine sediment: Case study of the Musa Estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 195:115565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115565
MADADI R., KARBASSI A., SAEEDI M. (2021) Release of heavy metals under pre-set redox potentials in Musa estuary sediments, northwestern of Persian Gulf. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 168:112390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112390
MARTINELLI M., GOMIERO A., GUICCIARDI S., FRAPICCINI E., STRAFELLA P., ANGELINI S., DOMENICHETTI F., BELARDINELLI A., COLELLA S. (2021) Preliminary results on the occurrence and anatomical distribution of microplastics in wild populations of Nephrops norvegicus from the Adriatic Sea. Environmental Pollution, 278:116872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116872
MASON V., SKOV M., HIDDINK J.G., WALTON M. (2022) Microplastics alter multiple biological processes of marine benthic fauna. Science of the Total Environment, 845:156366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156366
MISTRI M., SFRISO A.A., CASONI E., NICOLI M., VACCARO C., MUNARI C. (2022) Microplastic accumulation in commercial fish from the Adriatic Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 174:113279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113279
MUKHERJEE J., SAHA N.C., KARAN S. (2022) Bioaccumulation pattern of heavy metals in fish tissues and associated health hazards in human population. Environ-mental Science and Pollution Research, 29(15):21365-21379. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17297-6
MURRAY J.M., BERSUDER P., DAVIS S., LOSADA S. (2020) Detecting illegal cyanide fishing: Establishing the evidence base for a reliable, post-collection test. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 150:110770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110770
NESAM B.J., NAGARAJAN J., PETCHIDURAI G. (2024) Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals in Scylla serrata (Forskal, 1775) and Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) of Punnakayal mangrove ecosystem. Revista electrónica de Veterinaria, 25(1)
ÖZŞEKER K., TERZİ Y. (2025) Seasonal geochemical analysis of toxic metal contamination and ecological risk assessment in sediments of the Değirmendere River Basin and estuary, Türkiye. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 236(8):520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-025-08191-9
PERERA S., GUNAWARDENA A., RANASINGHE D. (2023) Heavy metal contamination in aquatic systems and associated environmental risks. Journal of Multidisciplinary Tropical Research, 9(1):1-10. https://doi.org/10.4038/jmtr.v9i1.18
PHAENARK C., PHANKAMOLSIL Y., SAWAN-GPROH W. (2024) Ecological and health implications of heavy metal bioaccumulation in Thai fauna: A systematic review. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117086
DE PRADO-BERT P., RUIZ-ARENAS C., VIVES-USANO M., ANDRUSAITYTE S., CADIOU S., CARRACEDO Á., CASAS M., CHATZI L., DADVAND P., GONZÁLEZ J.R., GRAZULEVICIENE R., GUTZKOW K.B., HAUG L.S., HERNÁNDEZ-FERRER C., KEUN H.C., LEPEULE J., MAITRE L., McEACHAN R., NIEUWENHUIJSEN M.J., PELEGRÍ D., ROBINSON O., SLAMA R., VAFEIADI M., SUNYER J., VRIJHEID M., BUSTAMANTE M. (2021) The early-life exposome and epigenetic age acceleration in children. Environment International, 155:106683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106683
RAHMAN M.S., MOLLA A.H., SAHA N., RAHMAN A. (2012) Study on heavy metals levels and its risk assessment in some edible fishes from Bangladeshi rivers. Food Chemistry, 134(4):1847-1854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.03.099
RANGEL-BUITRAGO N., RIZZO A., NEAL W.J., MASTRONUZZI G. (2023) Sediment pollution in coastal and marine environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 192:115023. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115023
REAL M.K.H., VAROL M., RAHMAN M.S., TOWFIQUL ISLAM A.R.M. (2024) Pollution status and ecological risks of metals in surface water of a coastal estuary and health risk assessment for recreational users. Chemosphere, 348:140768. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140768
SARAVANAN P., SARAVANAN V., RAJESHKANNAN R., ARNICA G., RAJASIMMAN M., BASKAR G., PUGAZHENDHI A. (2024) Comprehensive review on toxic heavy metals in the aquatic system: Sources, identification, treatment strategies, and health risk assessment. Environmental Research, 258:119440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119440
SHERLY WILLIAMS E., LEKSHMI PRIYA V., RAZEENA KARIM L. (2022) Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in edible tissue of crab (Scylla serrata) from an estuarine Ramsar site in Kerala, South India. Watershed Ecology and the Environment, 4:59-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsee.2022.06.001
SHETTY B.R., JAGADEESHA P.B., SALMATAJ S.A. (2025) Heavy metal contamination and its impact on the food chain: exposure, bioaccumulation, and risk assessment. CyTA - Journal of Food, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2024.2438726
KADER S., RAIMI M.O., SPALEVIC V., IYINGIALA A., BUKOLA R.W., JAUFER L., BUTT T.E. (2023) A concise study on essential parameters for the sustainability of lagoon waters in terms of scientific literature. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 47(3):288-307. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-011X.3087
SIGAMANI S., DHRISHA J.A., DONY MIRACLIN Y.T., SUBIKSHA S., BALAJI U., KOLANDHASAMY P., SYED A., ELGORBAN A.M. (2024) Bioaccumulation and health risk of metal contamination from different tiers of food chain in Ennore estuary, Southeast coast of India. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 200:116154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116154
SIMPSON S.L., MAHER E.J., JOLLEY D.F. (2004) Processes controlling metal transport and retention as metal-contaminated groundwaters efflux through estuarine sediments. Chemosphere, 56(9):821-831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.04.001
SIVANANTHA N., WIJESINGHE M.R., WIJESEKERA R.D. (2016) Distribution of five toxic heavy metals in biotic and abiotic constituents of the Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Biology, 1(1).
SMALLING K.L., MOSHER B.A., IWANOWICZ L.R., LOFTIN K.A., BOEHLKE A., HLADIK M.L., MULETZ-WOLZ C.R., CÓRTES-RODRÍGUEZ N., FEMMER R., CAMPBELL GRANT E.H. (2022) Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 41(3):781-791. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5291
TCHOUNWOU P.B., YEDJOU C.G., PATLOLLA A.K., SUTTON D.J. (2012) Heavy metal toxicity and the environment. In: LUCH A. (ed.) Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology. Experientia Supplementum, vol. 101. Basel: Springer, pp. 133-164. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7_6
TOLKOU A.K., TOUBANAKI D.K., KYZAS G.Z. (2023) Detection of arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lead, and mercury in fish: Effects on the sustainable and healthy development of aquatic life and human consumers. Sustainability, 15(23):16242. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316242
TURNER A., MILLWARD G.E. (2002) Partitioning of trace metals in estuaries. Marine Chemistry, 78(2–3):171-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4203(02)00017-6
USEPA (2000) Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS), Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part E, Supplemental Guidance for Dermal Risk Assessment). Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency.
USEPA (2011) Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS), Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part F, Supplemental Guidance for Inhalation Risk Assessment). Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency.
VLAEMINCK K., VIAENE K.P.J., VAN SPRANG P., DE SCHAMPHELAERE K.A.C. (2021) Development and validation of a mixture toxicity implementation in the Dynamic Energy Budget–Individual-based model: Effects of copper and zinc on Daphnia magna populations. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 40(2):513-527. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4946
WAN Y., LIU J., ZHUANG Z., WANG Q., LI H. (2024) Heavy metals in agricultural soils: Sources, influencing factors, and remediation strategies. Toxics, 12(1):63. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12010063
WANG N., YE Z., HUANG L., ZHANG C., GUO Y., ZHANG W. (2023) Arsenic occurrence and cycling in the aquatic environment: A comparison between freshwater and seawater. Water, 15(1):147. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15010147
WANG W.X., FISHER N.S. (1999) Assimilation efficien-cies of chemical contaminants in aquatic invertebrates: A synthesis. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 18(9): 2034-2045. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620180930
YI Y., YANG Z., ZHANG S. (2011) Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in sediment and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in fishes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin. Environmental Pollution, 159(10):2575-2585. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.06.011
YUAN B., LI Z., CHEN Y., NI H., ZHAO Z., CHEN W., ZHAO J.. (2022) Mechanical and microstructural properties of recycling granite residual soil reinforced with glass fiber and liquid-modified polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Chemosphere, 286:131652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131652
ZHANG H., DAVISON W. (2000) Performance characteristics of diffusion gradients in thin films for the in situ measurement of trace metals in aqueous solution. Analytical Chemistry, 72(18):4447-4457. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac000409z
ZHANG S., FU K., GAO S., LIANG B., LU J., FU G. (2023) Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the water, sediment, and organisms from the sea ranching areas of Haizhou Bay in China. Water, 15(12):2218. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15122218
ZHANG X., LI J., WANG Y., LIU H., CHEN Y., ZHOU Q., LI X. (2025) Phthalate exposure and associated toxicological risks: Environmental occurrence, human exposure pathways, and health effects. Toxics, 13(1):7. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010007
ZHANG Y., LI J., WANG Q., CHEN L., SUN X., ZHAO J., LIU Y., HU X. (2022) Spatiotemporal variation and risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils and vegetables in an industrial region of China. Science of the Total Environment, 846:156872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156872
ZHANG Z., WANG W.-X., ZHENG N., CAO Y., XIAO H., ZHU R., GUAN H. (2021) Methylmercury biomagnification in aquatic food webs of Poyang Lake, China: Insights from amino acid signatures. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 404(Pt A):123700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123700
ZHOU J., LIU G., ZHANG H., LIU K., ARIF M. (2021) Pollution characterization and source identification of nitrogen-containing species in fine particulates: A case study in Hefei city, East China. Chemosphere, 285:131316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131316
ZHU D. (2025) Heavy metal contamination and its effects on ecosystems and human health: challenges and solutions. Toxics, 13(10):837. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13100837
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ruwan Tharanga Perera, Nalin Gunathilaka, Asith Umayanga Dias, Alecsha Sathnara Fernando, Dilshani Sakunthala, Hiruni Gunathilaka, Janitha Liyanage
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
