Essential (Cu, Zn) and nonessential (Pb, Cd) metals in the muscle of leopard groupers (Mycteroperca rosacea) from a mining port in the Gulf of California, Mexico: human health risk assessment

Mining activities are a current environmental issue due to heavy metal release and subsequent metal uptake by organisms. In this study, we quantified the concentrations of essential (Cu, Zn) and toxic (Cd, Pb) elements in the muscle of 248 leopard groupers, Mycteroperca rosacea, captured by spearfishing and free diving close to a mining district in the Gulf of California during 2014–2015. We analysed metals using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry (HR-ICP–MS). We analysed metal concentrations by fish size, sex, maturity, season, year and risk factor for human consumption. The results indicated common levels of essential elements (Cu: 11 ± 34.3 μg/g, Zn: 377 ± 1390 μg/g) in comparison with toxic elements (Cd: 0.06 ± 0.1 μg/g, Pb: 0.98 ± 1.5 μg/g). Cadmium was within the permissible limit of Mexican standards (0.5 μg/g), but lead content bordered its limit (1.0 μg/g). Heavy metal concentrations were comparable between males and females. Metal variations were not significantly correlated with 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 a risk of adverse effects to consumers within worldwide limits, while the nutritional benefits were high. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]