Heavy metal baselines in cyprinidae of the Han River: a decade-long study on bioaccumulation trends and species-specific sensitivities

• Published in: Environmental sciences Europe 2023-12, Vol.35 (1), p.110-10, Article 110
• Main Authors: Jung, Hye-Ryeong, Lee, Je-Seung, Ahn, Mijin, Cha, Yeong-Seop, Han, Ihn-Sup
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Bioaccumulation; Cadmium; Carp; Chromium; Copper; Correlation analysis; Correlation coefficient; Correlation coefficients; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Fish; Freshwater fish; Heavy metal; Heavy metals; Lead; Longitudinal studies; Longitudinal study; Mercury; Metal concentrations; Metal selectivity index; Muscles; Pollution; Pollution sources; Rivers; Total mercury; Urban areas; Water quality
• ISSN: 2190-4715; 2190-4715
• DOI: 10.1186/s12302-023-00816-2

Despite numerous urban pollution sources, research on aquatic species bioaccumulation in the Han River is scarce. In this longitudinal study, we assessed baseline heavy metal (HM) concentrations in Cyprinidae, a major freshwater fish family in the Han River. Specifically, were evaluated copper (Cu), total mercury (THg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) levels in the muscle of common carp, crucian carp, and barbel steed. Common carp had the highest HM accumulation, with baseline concentrations of Cu, THg, Cd, Pb, and Cr at 0.877, 0.060, 0.003, 0.032, and 0.178 mg/kg, respectively. Larger fish exhibited greater bioaccumulation, with THg levels significantly correlated with fish length (correlation coefficients: 0.57 (p