# Potential risks associated with Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr contamination in the muscle of Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) from Morocco

## TL;DR

This study assesses the risk of metal contamination in sardines from Morocco and finds a potential long-term cancer risk from nickel.

## Contribution

The study identifies a potential long-term carcinogenic risk from nickel in sardines despite overall compliance with food safety standards.

## Key findings

- Zinc was the most abundant metal in sardine muscle, followed by iron, copper, and nickel.
- Nickel's carcinogenic risk exceeded the acceptable threshold, indicating a potential long-term health concern.
- Metal concentrations varied seasonally, with colder seasons showing higher iron and zinc levels.

## Abstract

Marine fish face increasing threats from human activities, particularly pollution, which exacerbates marine contamination. This study evaluates the risks of trace element contamination in the edible muscle of Sardina pilchardus from Morocco. Using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) were quantified in 360 specimens. Zinc was the most abundant metal (70.28 µg g−1 dry weight (dw)), followed by Fe (60.31 µg g−1 dw), Cu (2.31 µg g−1 dw), and Ni (0.83 µg g−1 dw), while Cr was undetected. Seasonal variations significantly influenced metal concentrations and health risk indices (p < 0.05), with higher Fe and Zn levels in colder seasons and elevated Ni and Cu levels during warmer periods. No significant differences were found between sampling locations (p > 0.05). All recorded levels were below international food safety standards. Health risk assessments, including estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient, and total THQ, indicated no immediate health risk. However, toxicological evaluation revealed that the target carcinogenic risk (CR) for Ni exceeded the threshold of 10−4, suggesting a potential long-term carcinogenic risk. While trace element levels in Sardina pilchardus generally pose no immediate health concerns, the elevated CR for Ni emphasizes the need for further research, monitoring, and mitigation strategies. These findings underline the importance of continuous assessment to ensure the safety of marine fish and to mitigate potential risks to human health over time.

Marine fish face increasing threats from human activities, particularly pollution, which contributes to the worsening of marine contamination.