Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses a significant threat to both environmental and human health. Bioaccumulation, which is defined as the accumulation of toxic metals like mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr) in water living beings, is concerned with the seafood consumption cycle tying together humanity which brings potentially disastrous consequences. The industrial waste, mining, agriculture, and natural resources which include volcanic eruptions and the weathering of rocks provide environments rich in compiling seafood industry pollutants. Emphasis is given to bioaccumulation processes concerning the retention of diverse species of aquatic life which results in the species experiencing the accumulative effects of toxins over time. Fish and shellfish suffer from various conditions such as basic physiological fitness and reproduction failures as well as impaired growth and stunted release. Contaminated seafood is proven to contribute to a wide range of severe health problems like damage to the nervous system and kidneys along with stunted development. The document substantially discusses international organizational WHO, and FAO policies, presenting their guidelines, and pointing out the necessity of continuous monitoring and risk evaluation. Heavy metal pollution has to be controlled and reduced and so does providing evidence to support the preservation of aquatic diversity coupled with the protection of public health is one of the measures proposed in the conclusion.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Heavy metals, Aquatic organisms, Human health risk