Levels of heavy metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons, and microbial load in commercially valuable fish from the marine area of Tripoli, Lebanon.

The present study aimed at evaluating the levels of microbiological contamination, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in the edible tissues of commonly consumed fish (8 species) collected from the marine area of Tripoli, Northern Lebanon. Total coliform levels in all sampled fish, and Escherichia coli levels in Liza ramada only, exceeded the permissible limits set by FAO/WHO 2002. Staphylococcus aureus counts were within the recommended thresholds, while sulfate-reducing bacteria levels were the highest in fish of the genus Liza.