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Journals / International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics / 2025 / Volume: 12 Issue: 4

Sex-Specific Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Alosa immaculata Bennett, 1835 from the Southern Black Sea

Levent Bat(Sinop Üniversitesi Su Ürünleri Fakültesi Su Ürünleri Temel Bilimler Bölümü)0000-0002-2289-6691
Süleyman Özdemir(SINOP UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-2247-0703
Ayşah Öztekin(SİNOP ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-3726-7134
Zekiye Birinci Özdemir(SİNOP ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-7443-1298
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-01-12
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This research provides vital baseline data for future environmental monitoring in this ecologically and economically significant region.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The Black Sea, a vital fishing area for Türkiye, is subject to severe anthropogenic pollution.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata), a prized anadromous fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is a dietary staple in the Sinop region, where the Inceburun coast is a proposed site for a nuclear power plant.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:This research provides vital baseline data for future environmental monitoring in this ecologically and economically significant region.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Pontic shad · potential toxic elements · sexual dimorphism

Abstract

The Black Sea, a vital fishing area for Türkiye, is subject to severe anthropogenic pollution. The Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata), a prized anadromous fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is a dietary staple in the Sinop region, where the Inceburun coast is a proposed site for a nuclear power plant. This necessitates establishing robust baseline data on contaminant levels. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of 12 elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb) in the edible tissues of male and female Pontic shad from Inceburun of the south of Black Sea and to conduct a comprehensive human health risk assessment. Elemental concentrations were quantified using ICP-MS. Health risks were evaluated by calculating the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), Carcinogenic Risk (RI), and Metal Pollution Index (MPI), and comparing results to international safety standards (EU, WHO, Codex Alimentarius). All elemental mean concentrations were well below regulatory limits. Significant sex-specific differences were identified: females exhibited higher levels of Cr, while males accumulated more Hg. The THQ for each element and the HI for the metal mixture were below 1 (HIfemale=0.22, HImale=0.15). The total carcinogenic risk indices (RIfemale=3.0x10⁻⁵, RImale=1.8x10⁻⁵) were within the acceptable range (<10⁻⁴). The consumption of Pontic shad from the Sinop Inceburun coast is considered safe and poses no significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic health risks to consumers. However, the distinct accumulation patterns between sexes underscore the critical importance of gender-specific analysis in biomonitoring studies. This research provides vital baseline data for future environmental monitoring in this ecologically and economically significant region.

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Cite This Article

Bat, L., Özdemir, S., Öztekin, A., Özdemir, Z. B. (2026). Sex-Specific Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Alosa immaculata Bennett, 1835 from the Southern Black Sea. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, Volume: 12 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.26650/ijegeo.1800347

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