Toxic metal accumulation in Flexopecten glaber from the Black Sea: Risk assessment for food safety and marine environmental health.

The Black Sea is a vital marine ecosystem increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pollutants, particularly toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). This study assesses the levels of these metals in Flexopecten glaber, a commercially and ecologically significant bivalve, over a temporal period of 2022-2024 in the western Black Sea. Samples were collected from four coastal regions at varying depths, and metal concentrations were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicate a significant increase in Cd (up to sixfold) and Pb (up to fourfold) concentrations over a two-year period, likely due to intensified industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and untreated wastewater. In contrast, Hg levels remained relatively stable, possibly reflecting the effectiveness of regulatory control measures. Health risk assessments using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Target Carcinogenic Risk (TR) metrics revealed alarming trends. While THQ values remained below the safety threshold of 1 based on European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) consumption data, assessments using Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) consumption values exceeded safe limits, particularly in 2024. The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter environmental policies and seafood safety regulations to mitigate the risks associated with toxic metal contamination. This study highlights the significance of F. glaber as a bioindicator species and offers actionable insights to inform sustainable marine resource management in the Black Sea region.