University of Sistan and Baluchestan Journal of Natural Environmental Hazards 2676-4377 15 47 2026 03 21 Evaluation of heavy metal concentrations in Otolithes ruber in Tis Pier and Bandar Abbas, and health risk assessment for the consumers Evaluation of heavy metal concentrations in Otolithes ruber in Tis Pier and Bandar Abbas, and health risk assessment for the consumers 155 180 9575 10.22111/jneh.2025.52858.2129 FA Morteza Samadanifar MSc student of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Malihe Mohammadi Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Mehdi Ghanbarifardi Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran Sadegh Mosazadeh MSc. Central Laboratory Expert, General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine, Hormozgan Province, Bandar Abbas, Iran Journal Article 2025 08 06 Heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a major environmental concern due to the potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and subsequent human exposure through seafood consumption. This study evaluated the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in liver and muscle tissues of Otolithes ruber collected from Chabahar (Tis Pier) and Bandar Abbas. Sixty fish samples (30 from each location) were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Metal concentrations were higher in Chabahar samples, with liver tissues showing greater accumulation than muscle. Mean Hg concentrations in Chabahar liver and muscle were 0.098 ± 0.026 and 0.097 ± 0.019 µg/g, respectively, compared to 0.045 ± 0.019 and 0.034 ± 0.012 µg/g in Bandar Abbas (p > 0.05). Pb levels in Chabahar liver and muscle (0.56 ± 0.27 and 0.48 ± 0.10 µg/g) were significantly higher than those in Bandar Abbas (0.041 ± 0.02 and 0.030 ± 0.01 µg/g; p < 0.05). Cd concentrations in Chabahar liver and muscle (0.80 ± 0.35 and 0.63 ± 0.12 µg/g) also exceeded those in Bandar Abbas (0.07 ± 0.03 and 0.05 ± 0.02 µg/g; p < 0.05). Zn concentrations in Chabahar liver and muscle were 97.90 ± 10.17 and 24.22 ± 7.04 µg/g, respectively. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values for all metals were below the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) thresholds. However, the mean Cd concentration in Chabahar muscle exceeded permissible limits set by FAO, WHO, and MAFF. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total THQ (TTHQ) values for all metals were below 1, indicating low non-carcinogenic risk. In contrast, the Cancer Risk (CR) value for Hg in Chabahar exceeded the acceptable threshold (>10⁻⁴), suggesting a potential carcinogenic risk from long-term consumption. Continuous environmental monitoring of aquatic organisms in Chabahar is recommended to mitigate health risks associated with heavy metal exposure through seafood consumption. Heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a major environmental concern due to the potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and subsequent human exposure through seafood consumption. This study evaluated the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in liver and muscle tissues of Otolithes ruber collected from Chabahar (Tis Pier) and Bandar Abbas. Sixty fish samples (30 from each location) were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Metal concentrations were higher in Chabahar samples, with liver tissues showing greater accumulation than muscle. Mean Hg concentrations in Chabahar liver and muscle were 0.098 ± 0.026 and 0.097 ± 0.019 µg/g, respectively, compared to 0.045 ± 0.019 and 0.034 ± 0.012 µg/g in Bandar Abbas (p > 0.05). Pb levels in Chabahar liver and muscle (0.56 ± 0.27 and 0.48 ± 0.10 µg/g) were significantly higher than those in Bandar Abbas (0.041 ± 0.02 and 0.030 ± 0.01 µg/g; p < 0.05). Cd concentrations in Chabahar liver and muscle (0.80 ± 0.35 and 0.63 ± 0.12 µg/g) also exceeded those in Bandar Abbas (0.07 ± 0.03 and 0.05 ± 0.02 µg/g; p < 0.05). Zn concentrations in Chabahar liver and muscle were 97.90 ± 10.17 and 24.22 ± 7.04 µg/g, respectively. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values for all metals were below the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) thresholds. However, the mean Cd concentration in Chabahar muscle exceeded permissible limits set by FAO, WHO, and MAFF. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total THQ (TTHQ) values for all metals were below 1, indicating low non-carcinogenic risk. In contrast, the Cancer Risk (CR) value for Hg in Chabahar exceeded the acceptable threshold (>10⁻⁴), suggesting a potential carcinogenic risk from long-term consumption. Continuous environmental monitoring of aquatic organisms in Chabahar is recommended to mitigate health risks associated with heavy metal exposure through seafood consumption. https://jneh.usb.ac.ir/article_9575_bafbd3ae17f2af582a30b1f9cf627462.pdf