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First Multivariate Assessment of Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Commercial Marine Fishes of the Andaman Region
1, 2 , 3 , * 4
1  Natural Products & Green Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Gijubhai Badheka Marg, Bhavnagar 364002, India
2  Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
3  Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
4  Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, Bunkyomachi, Nagasaki, Japan
Academic Editor: Gianniantonio Petruzzelli

Abstract:

This study represents the first assessment of heavy metal bioaccumulation in marine fish from the Andaman region, investigating the bioaccumulation of essential (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and non-essential (Al, Cd, Pb, Ni) metals in five commercially important fish species (Cephalopholis sonnerati, Auxis rochei, Epinephelus bleekeri, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Nemipterus japonicus) from the Junglighat & Wandoor Fish Landing Centre, Port Blair, South Andaman. Tissue samples from gills, liver, muscle and intestine were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to assess organ- and species-specific accumulation patterns. The liver emerged as the primary sink for most metals, particularly Fe, Cd and Pb, while gills accumulated Cu and Mn, and intestines showed elevated Zn and Al. Muscle consistently exhibited the lowest metal concentrations, confirming its safety for human consumption. Significant organ-specific differences were observed for most metals, except Cd, Pb, and Ni, with distinct metal profiles in detoxification (liver, gills) versus storage/digestive (intestine, muscle) organs. Correlation analyses indicated shared uptake pathways for Al with Mn, Fe, and Cu. This pioneering study establishes a critical baseline for metal bioaccumulation in the Andaman region, revealing low muscle metal levels that ensure food safety and highlighting the need for targeted monitoring of detoxification organs like the liver due to elevated Cd and Pb and also addressing research gaps and informing environmental monitoring and fisheries management.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Environment Impact, Marine Pollution
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