Heavy Metal Accumulation in Aquatic Environments and Its Implications for Fishery Products and Human Health

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments is a global issue with significant impacts on ecosystems and human health. Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) are toxic, persistent, and capable of accumulating in aquatic organisms through the processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. This study aims to analyze heavy metal accumulation in aquatic environments and its impact on fishery products and human health using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. Data were collected from scientific articles published over the past five years relevant to the research topic. The review results indicate that heavy metals are distributed in water, sediments, and aquatic biota, with sediments serving as the primary accumulation medium. Aquatic organisms, particularly fish, have the potential to accumulate heavy metals in their body tissues, which can then be transferred to humans through consumption. Long-term exposure to heavy metals can cause serious health problems, including damage to organs and the nervous system. Therefore, sustainable environmental management and water quality monitoring are necessary to minimize the associated risks