ARCHIVES
VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems and their consequences on fish health: A comprehensive review
Authors
Manish Sharma, Heena Sachdeva
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems across the globe are increasingly threatened by
heavy metal contamination due to rapid industrialization, urban expansion,
agricultural intensification, and improper waste disposal. Heavy metals such as
cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc persist in
the aquatic environment because of their non-biodegradable nature and long
biological half-lives. Fish, as integral components of aquatic food webs and
key indicators of environmental health, are particularly vulnerable to heavy
metal exposure. Uptake of metals occurs through gills, digestive tract, and
skin, leading to bioaccumulation in vital organs such as liver, kidney, gills,
and muscle. Heavy metal toxicity in fish manifests through a wide range of
adverse effects, including physiological dysfunction, oxidative stress,
histopathological damage, hematological alterations, immune suppression,
endocrine disruption, reproductive failure, and genotoxicity. Chronic exposure
not only affects fish survival and population sustainability but also poses
significant risks to human health through consumption of contaminated fish.
This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on sources,
uptake mechanisms, bioaccumulation patterns, and toxicological effects of heavy
metals on fish health. The use of fish as bioindicators and biomarkers for
aquatic pollution assessment is also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the need
for continuous monitoring, stricter environmental regulations, and sustainable
pollution management strategies to protect aquatic biodiversity and ensure food
safety.
Download
Pages:75-77
How to cite this article:
Manish Sharma, Heena Sachdeva "Heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems and their consequences on fish health: A comprehensive review". International Journal of Applied Review
, Vol 2, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 75-77
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.