Spatial Distribution, Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Silver Pomfret (Pampus argenteus) from the Bay of Bengal: The First Comparative Study Across Major Fishing Grounds of Bangladesh.

Trace elements, both essential and potentially toxic, are pervasive in marine ecosystems, posing significant health risks through bioaccumulation in seafood. This research examines the levels of different trace elements in silver pomfret ( Pampus argenteus ) collected from three primary fishing zones in the Bay of Bengal: south patches, middle ground, and swatch of no ground, within the Bangladeshi maritime region. Using EDXRF spectrometry, we measured the levels of several trace elements such as Cr, Mn, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, Pb, Se, Co, Rb, and Sr. The concentrations of Cr, Fe, and Zn showed significant statistical variation (p > 0.05) among the sampling sites. Most elemental concentrations were within WHO/FAO limits, while Mn, Se, and Co exceeded safe levels. Nevertheless, the Se/Hg molar ratio suggested a protective effect against mercury toxicity. Pollution indices revealed high contamination levels for Cr, Mn, Se, and Co, although overall metal pollution was relatively low. The IMBI values approached 1 across all sampling sites, highlighting notable bioaccumulation. Nonetheless, EDI, THQ, HI, CR, and TCR levels were below threshold values, suggesting that fish consumption from these areas poses no immediate health risks. Multivariate methods, such as Pearson’s correlation, PCA and HCA, specified that anthropogenic activities are the primary contributors of these elements in the Bay of Bengal. This investigation underscores the urgent need for regular monitoring to ensure seafood safety and protect public health, especially in coastal areas where fish is a dietary staple.