Heavy metal risk in marine animals and seafood consumers in Spain

Marine animals are threatened by heavy metals, representing a risk for their populations near ports and other polluted environments. At the same time, the heavy metals that have accumulated in species exploited by fisheries represent a risk for seafood consumers as a result of bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes. When these metals enter an ecosystem, they can accumulate in the tissues of living organisms. As smaller organisms are consumed by larger predators, the concentration of heavy metals increases at each trophic level, potentially reaching dangerous levels in humans who are at the top of the food chain. This bioaccumulation and biomagnification phenomenon underscores the importance of monitoring and regulating heavy metal emissions to protect both the environment and public health. In this study, we have created a map of heavy metal risks associated with seafood animal species consumed in the SW Bay of Biscay region of Asturias (Spain) based on the scientific literature available. The region of Asturias is well known for its long tradition of coal mining and strong industrialization periods, especially in the Avilés region. Differences between species and fishing areas, with some products surpassing safe concentration limits, highlight the current heavy metal threat for both marine animals and consumers in this region.