Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in tissues of Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) from the UAE coast, Arabian Gulf

Pollution in the Arabian Gulf has risen in recent decades due to rapid development in the region. We studied 21 elements in the liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and muscles of the Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) to characterize bioaccumulation in this abundant forage fish. Mean concentrations (μg/g wet weight) of elements ranged as follows: Cd: 0.1–8.0; Cr: 0.1–24.0; Cu: 1.2–24.0; Ni: 0.3–76.5; Ca: 1237.0–15,270.0; S: 2966.0–7467.0; Zn: 7.1–247.0; V: 0.1–27.0; Hg: 0.04–0.18 and Sr: 8.1–191.0. Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd in the tissues exceeded the maximum permissible limit recommended by FAO, WHO and EC. We suggest that bioaccumulation in fish could be a hazard for human consumption. Therefore, further monitoring is needed to better characterize pollutant levels in fish of higher trophic levels in the Arabian Gulf.