Heavy metals in fish samples collected between January 2021 and January 2022 from the Greater Houston Gulf Bay region in the Gulf of Mexico

The dataset includes trace metal concentrations in fish tissue to assess the potential human health risks associated with dietary exposure. Given the proximity of these water bodies to industrial activity, this study aims to evaluate the extent to which arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) accumulate in fish species frequently consumed by local populations. Despite existing large-scale datasets on environmental contamination, direct measurements of metal concentrations in edible fish tissue are necessary to understand population-level exposure risks, particularly for chronic health conditions and cancer risk associated with arsenic ingestion.

Fish samples were obtained via local fishermen from Houston Ship Channel and Trinity Bay, comprising of black drum (Pogonias cromis), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), and speckled trout (Cynoscion nebulosus). Sample collection was conducted over a defined period, ensuring seasonal variability was accounted for in Houston Ship Channel and Trinity Bay, Texas. These locations were selected due to their historical exposure to industrial pollutants and their role as key fishing areas for local consumption.

Fish were collected following Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) size regulations, immediately stored on ice, and transported to B&B Laboratories in College Station, Texas for tissue homogenization. Samples were then analyzed at the Trace Element Research Laboratory (TERL) at Texas A&M University using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) (EPA Method 200.8) to detect trace metal concentrations. Mercury levels were further analyzed using Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption (CVAA) and Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence (CVAF) per EPA Method 245. The dataset also includes quality control data, with method blanks, spike recoveries, and reference materials to ensure data accuracy.

As of February 2025, the entire Galveston Bay Estuary is under a fish advisory from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, primarily due to potential contamination from PCBs and dioxins.

This research aimed to better understand potential public health implications for communities relying heavily on local fish for dietary needs by analyzing the presence and concentrations of heavy metals in fish samples from the area. To do this, we analyzed 26 fish samples collected between January 2021 and January 2022 for heavy metals from Trinity and Galveston Bay. This dataset captures the analysis of heavy metal concentrations in fish samples collected from the Houston Ship Channel and Trinity Bay, areas adjacent to multiple facilities reporting heavy metal emissions to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). The dataset is designed to address gaps in direct measurement of point source contamination and its potential health risks. The dataset reveals notable exceedances in arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) concentrations, with arsenic surpassing the Texas-specific screening level (TCEQ threshold of 0.036 mg/kg) and selenium exceeding safe dietary intake levels. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values indicate that arsenic and selenium pose potential health risks, particularly when considering chronic low-level exposure over time. This dataset serves as a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and public health officials seeking to quantify real-world exposure risks from contaminated seafood and develop evidence-based risk mitigation strategies for populations consuming fish from industrially impacted water bodies.