Heavy Metal Content in Fish and Shellfish Consumed in Ecuador: A Systematic Review

Heavy metal contamination in fish and shellfish is a critical issue that compromises food safety and human health in Ecuador. Metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) accumulate in aquatic ecosystems through bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes, increasing the...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Enriquez, Miguel, Quinchiguango, Roger
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:Perú
Institución:Universidad Nacional Intercultural Fabiola Salazar Leguía de Bagua
Repositorio:Revistas - Universidad Nacional Intercultural Fabiola Salazar Leguía de Bagua
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:revista.unibagua.edu.pe:article/293
Acceso en línea:https://revista.unibagua.edu.pe/index.php/dekamuagropec/article/view/293
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Acuicultura
bioacumulación
contaminación marina
metales pesados
salud pública
Aquaculture
bioaccumulation
marine contamination
heavy metals
public health
Descripción
Sumario:Heavy metal contamination in fish and shellfish is a critical issue that compromises food safety and human health in Ecuador. Metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) accumulate in aquatic ecosystems through bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes, increasing their concentration along the food chain. The study reveals a concerning bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic species, particularly in Thunnus albacares and Anadara similis, with Hg (9.60 mg/kg) and As (16.99 mg/kg) levels exceeding regulatory limits. The PRISMA review ensured the quality of the analyzed studies, highlighting the impact of contamination in oil-producing areas. The biomagnification of mercury and the capacity of bivalve mollusks as bioindicators underscore the need for environmental monitoring. These findings reinforce the importance of strict regulations to mitigate risks to human health and food safety.