From water to plate: Reviewing the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and unraveling human health risks in the food chain

Abstract

As we tread upon the ever-evolving canvas of our planet, one of the emerging concerns is the silent threat of heavy metal toxicity, a modern challenge that calls for both awareness and action. A single gram of mercury which is a potent and widespread aquatic contaminant, can contaminate a 20-acre lake to the extent that fish from the lake may become unsafe for human consumption. On the other hand, the wide application of HM-based chemical substances such as insecticides (market value of 19.5 billion USD in the year 2022 worldwide which is expected to increase by 28 billion USD by 2027) is growing significantly. This alarming fact highlights the far-reaching consequences of heavy metal pollution in our precious aquatic environments. The current review discusses one of the global issues which is bioaccumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in fish, concerns related to HM bioaccumulation, gathered data on HM concentrations in various fish organs, and research gaps primarily within India. The critical approach is made by emphasizing the intricate connection between the food chain and HM bioaccumulation, highlighting the consequent transfer of contaminants to humans. The scope of this article also covers the severity of toxicity induced by HMs in both humans and fish. Overall, this review serves to provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging issues concerning HM bioaccumulation in fish and its impact on human health highlighting the need for extensive studies in relevant areas.