Abstract
Red Sea heavy metal pollution lately poses a serious threat to human health and ecological integrity. The present research review examines the several effects of heavy metal contamination on the economically important Hamour fish (Epinephelus spp.), a major bioindicator species because of its benthic feeding habit and great bioaccumulation potential. Where the industrial activities, hydrocarbon exploration, desalination effluent, and coastal urbanization have produced continuous pollution vectors, promoting bioaccumulation via gill absorption, food intake, and dermal absorption in Hamour tissues. Our work demonstrates complicated toxicological effect comprising oxidative stress, hematological malfunction, immunosuppression, neurotoxicity, reproductive impairment, and genotoxic damage. Consequently, heavy metal exposure causes dysbiosis in related microbiomes, hence reducing healthy gut bacterial diversity and favoring antibiotic-resistant infections. Advanced monitoring and bioremediation projects driven by regulatory frameworks in Red Sea members have produced quantifiable results in marine pollution reduction. Still, good mitigation calls for consistent integration of citizen research, environmental restoration, and biomarker surveillance. We underline the need of evidence-based policy reinforcement, regional cooperation, and creative monitoring methods to protect public health and Red Sea fisheries.
First Page
42
Last Page
64
Recommended Citation
Aljuhani, Haifa O.; Ahmad, Osamah A.; and Almohammadi, Ashwaq R.
(2026)
"Heavy Metal Contamination in Red Sea Hamour Fish: Bioaccumulation Patterns, Toxicological Impacts, and Microbial Community Disruption,"
The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science: Vol. 36:
Iss.
2, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4252.1028
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
