Heavy metals concentration patterns in the Atlantic horse meckrel (Trachurus trachurus), the Round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) and the Common panadora (Pagellus erythrinus) from northwestern Egyptian coasts

Heavy metals are considered among the most serious contaminants of aquatic ecosystems, due to their biomagnifications in the tissues of fish and humans. Thus, the current study was planned to shed the light on the importance of heavy metal biomonitoring on a regular basis to ensure high quality, healthy fish, and fish products for consumers. Laboratory assessment has indicated that the highest bioaccumulation pattern of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) was recorded in Atlantic horse mackerel followed by Round Sardinella then Common panadora. Statistical analysis revealed the presence of relative variation in the accumulation patterns of heavy metals between different examined organs. The liver, spleen, and kidney have alternatively adopted the highest accumulation organ for Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Hg, while gills were the least organ. The recorded histopathological alterations within liver, kidney, spleen, gills, and muscles have confirmed that Atlantic horse mackerel were the most affected fish species followed by Round sardinella then Common panadora. The study concluded that fish from the northwestern coast of Egypt are relatively healthier than fish from other coasts on the Mediterranean either from the European or Arabian side due to lower heavy metal levels in their flesh, and Atlantic horse mackerel could promote it as a biomonitor for heavy metal pollution.