Essential and non-essential trace elements in fish consumed by indigenous peoples of the European Russian Arctic

Sources of exposure to lead in Arctic and subarctic regions: a scoping review

Understanding lead exposure pathways is a priority because of its ubiquitous presence in the environment as well as the potential health risks. We aimed to identify potential lead sources and pathways of lead exposure, including long-range transport, and the magnitude of exposure in Arctic and subarctic communities. A scoping review strategy and screening approach was used to search literature from January 2000 to December 2020. A total of 228 academic and grey literature references were synthesised. The majority of these studies (54%) were from Canada. Indigenous people in Arctic and subarctic communities in Canada had higher levels of lead than the rest of Canada. The majority of studies in all Arctic countries reported at least some individuals above the level of concern. Lead levels were influenced by a number of factors including using lead ammunition to harvest traditional food and living in close proximity to mines. Lead levels in water, soil, and sediment were generally low. Literature showed the possibility of long-range transport via migratory birds. Household lead sources included lead-based paint, dust, or tap water. This literature review will help to inform management strategies for communities, researchers, and governments, with the aim of decreasing lead exposure in northern regions.

Trace metals in surface water of the Pechora River and its tributaries: Content, water quality and risks assessment (Arctic Ocean basin)

The article is devoted to the study of trace metals content in the Pechora River and its tributaries, which is the largest river in the Arctic Ocean basin. The study of physico-chemical properties of water showed aerobic conditions of low-mineralised water with pH values suitable for drinking water. Analysis of the content of trace metals has revealed that the main flow of Al, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, V, As, Mg and Fe into the Pechora River comes from its tributaries. The average content of Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, V, As, Mg and Fe in the water of the Pechora River delta was higher than for the main river channel, which indicates the transfer of a large mass of trace metals to the Barents Sea and the Arctic water ecosystem. For the studied river and tributaries, chronic pollution of the Pechora River with Al, Mn, Ba, Fe, Cu, U and Pb metals has adverse effects on waterborne organisms. The degree of contamination of natural waters by metals has been assessed using water quality indices (TMPI, TMEI, TMTI) and public health risks (HI and CR). Low contamination and weak toxicity of the Pechora River water has been determined, but serious contamination, toxicity and high non-carcinogenic risk of some of its tributaries have been observed. A high carcinogenic risk has been established for the consumption of all water sampled. Al, Ni, As, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cd, and Ba were found to be the highest priority contaminating trace metals. At present, contamination of the Pechora River and its tributaries with trace metals is formed under the influence of dissolution processes of rocks of the Ural Mountains, the Taminsky Ridge, underlying mineral deposits, permafrost degradation processes and glacier melting. Anthropogenic factors include oil and gas production and transportation.

Determination of potential sources of heavy metals in patients with urothelial carcinoma in central Taiwan: a biomonitoring case-control study

The clarification of possible exposure sources of multiple metals to identify associations between metal doses and urothelial carcinoma (UC) risk is currently limited in the literature. We sought to identify the exposure sources of 10 metals (Vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, and lead) using principal component analysis (PCA) and then linked various principal component (PC) scores with environmental characteristics, including smoking-related indices, PM2.5, and distance to the nearest bus station. In addition, urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and DNA hypomethylation markers (5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine levels; %5-MedC) were investigated in combination with UC risks. We conducted this hospital-based case control study in 359 UC patients with histologically confirmed disease and 718 controls. All data were collected from face-to-face interviews and medical records. Approximately 6 mL blood was collected from participants for analysis of multiple heavy metal and DNA methylation in leukocyte DNA. Further, a 20 mL urine sample was collected to measure urinary cotinine and 8-OHdG levels. In addition, average values for PM2.5 for individual resident were calculated using the hybrid kriging/land-use regression model. In UC patients, significantly higher cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, and cadmium (μg/L) levels were observed in blood when compared with controls. Three PCs with eigenvalues > 1 accounted for 24.3, 15.8, and 10.7% of UC patients, and 26.9, 16.7, and 11.1% of controls, respectively. Environmental metal sources in major clusters were potentially associated with industrial activities and traffic emissions (PC1), smoking (PC2), and food consumption, including vitamin supplements (PC3). Multiple metal doses were linked with incremental urinary 8-OHdG and DNA hypomethylation biomarkers. For individuals with high PC1 and PC2 scores, both displayed an approximate 1.2-fold risk for UC with DNA hypomethylation.In conclusion, we provide a foundation for health education and risk communication strategies to limit metal exposure in environment, so that UC risks can be improved potentially.

Selenium in the liver facilitates the biodilution of mercury in the muscle of Planiliza haematocheilus in the Jiaozhou Bay, China

There are increasing evidences that the biodilution effect can significantly reduce the biomagnification of mercury (Hg) in fish. The significant antagonism of selenium (Se) -Hg may have a potential diluting effect on Hg in fish; however, there is still lack of knowledge on such effect. To reveal the Se-Hg interaction and its role in controlling the biodilution effect of Hg, we investigated levels of Hg and Se in the muscle and liver of redlip mullet from Jiaozhou Bay, China, an urbanized semi-enclosed bay highly impacted by human activities. In general, Hg levels in fish muscle were significantly negatively correlated to the levels of Se in the liver and fish size for fish with a size of < 200 mm, indicating that the antagonistic effect of Se on Hg increased with fish growth. This relationship was not significant for fish with a size of > 200 mm, possibly because the normal metabolism of Hg in muscle was hindered by homeostatic regulation or physiological activities such as gonadal development in vivo. Furthermore, the molar ratio of Se in the liver/Hg in the muscle was significantly increasing with Se/Hg in the liver, suggesting that the liver may be the key organ involved in Se-Hg antagonism. Moreover, both ratios continued to decrease with increasing fish size, implying that the antagonistic effect weakens with fish growth. These results indicate that Hg sequestration by liver may be a key mechanism of Se-Hg antagonism in fish and function as a driver for the biodilution effect of Hg, especially at a size of < 200 mm. These findings are further supported by the established linear model of Se-Hg antagonism at different developmental stages.

The variability of arsenic in blood and urine of humans

BACKGROUND

Humans are exposed to inorganic and organic arsenic. The total arsenic (As) concentration in urine is a commonly used biomarker of exposure. However, little is known about variability of As in biological fluids and the diurnal variation of As excretion.

OBJECTIVES

Main objectives were to assess the variability of As in urine, plasma (P-As), whole blood (B-As), and the blood cell fraction (C-As), and to assess diurnal variation of As excretion.

METHODS

Six urine samples were collected at fixed times during 24 h on two different days around one week apart among 29 men and 31 women. Blood samples were collected when the morning urine samples were delivered. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as the ratio of the between-individuals variance to the total observed variance.

RESULTS

Geometric mean (GM) 24 h urinary excretions of As (U-As_24 h) were 41 and 39 µg/24 h on the two days of sampling. Concentrations of B-As, P-As and C-As were highly correlated with U-As_24 h and As in first void morning urine. No statistically significant differences were observed for the urinary As excretion rate between the different sampling times. A high ICC was observed for As in the cellular blood fraction (0.803), while ICC for first morning urine corrected for creatine was low (0.316).

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that C-As is the most reliable biomarker for use in exposure assessment of individual exposure. Morning urine samples have low reliability for such use. No apparent diurnal variation was observed in the urinary As excretion rate.

Diet and Blood Concentrations of Essential and Non-Essential Elements among Rural Residents in Arctic Russia

Nutrition is an essential factor for human health. Earlier research has suggested that Arctic residents are vulnerable to environmental toxic exposures through traditional foods. Although Russia is the largest Arctic country, the evidence on the topic from the Russian part of the Arctic is scarce. We studied associations between blood concentrations of essential and non-essential elements and traditional food consumption in 297 adults from seven rural settlements in the Nenets Autonomous Area, Northwest Russia. Blood arsenic concentration was positively associated with consumption of rainbow smelt, pink salmon, Arctic char and navaga fish. Frequent consumption of northern pike was associated with increased concentration of blood mercury. Blood mercury and arsenic concentrations were significantly associated with blood selenium. We also observed positive associations between blood lead levels and the frequency of goose consumption. Moreover, subjects who reported to be hunters had higher blood levels of lead, suggesting contamination of goose meat with fragments of shotgun shells. Blood cobalt and manganese concentrations were inversely associated with serum ferritin levels. Positive associations between blood levels of manganese and lead were observed. Moreover, blood lead concentrations were significantly associated with cadmium, mercury, copper, and zinc. Our results corroborate earlier findings on the traditional foods as source of non-essential elements for the Arctic residents. Observed correlations between the levels of lead and other elements warrant further research and may have potential implications for the studies on the associations between essential elements and health outcomes.

Forty-Year Biomonitoring of Environmental Contaminants in Russian Arctic: Progress, Gaps and Perspectives

This article presents a comprehensive survey of the studies on the biomonitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and metals in biota and human tissues on the territory of the Russian Arctic. It is concluded that a relatively small number of studies were carried out during the last 40 years; for several Russian Arctic regions there is no data up to date, and for some regions the data are scarce, with most of the studies carried out in 1990s, followed by the large-scale GEF/AMAP/RAIPON project of 2001-2004 covering four regions. After that, single projects have been implemented in a few regions. Only the Nenets okrug and the Chukotka okrug (and hardly the Murmansk oblast) can be attributed as the regions where the biomonitoring of contaminants was carried out during last decades on several occasions, and for which the content of POPs and metals in biota and the human organism was assessed in 12-15-year dynamic trends (at least "at three points"). For the rest of the Russian Arctic territories, only fragmentary "cross-sections" of biomonitoring data is available, mainly obtained in the 1990s or early 2000s, which do not allow judging either the dynamics of the processes or the current state of affairs. The overwhelming majority of the studies in the Russian Arctic (more than 90%) were carried out within the framework of international projects, i.e., with cofinancing, assistance and contribution (including laboratory analyses) from the foreign colleagues and partners. The shortcomings of the Russian system of biomonitoring, including the weakness of the laboratory and research base, are considered. Perspectives of the Russian Arctic biomonitoring are discussed in detail, with the proposal of the elaboration of the national Russian Arctic Contaminants Program (RACP).

Bioaccumulation of selected trace elements in some aquatic organisms from the proximity of Qeshm Island ecosystems: Human health perspective

In this study selected marine species from north Persian Gulf ecosystems were collected to investigate the concentration of 15 trace elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V, Zn and Hg) in muscle and liver tissues for the purpose of evaluating potential health risks for human consumers. The results indicated that Fe, Zn, Sr, Cu and As are the most abundant TEs in the tissues of the species. The concentration of Cu in P. semisulcatus and As in most investigated species pose the highest risk of exposure. The carcinogenic risk values indicate that As and Ni concentrations in the species are above the acceptable lifetime risk for adults and children in most of the species. The margin of exposure risk approach indicated that the risk of detrimental effects due to dietary Pb intake for age groups is low, except for consumers of T. tonggol.

Correlation of Mercury Occurrence with Age, Elemental Composition, and Life History in Sea-Run Food Fish from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago's Lower Northwest Passage

As mercury emissions continue and climate-mediated permafrost thaw increases the burden of this contaminant in northern waters, Inuit from a Northwest passage community in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago pressed for an assessment of their subsistence catches. Sea-run salmonids (n = 537) comprising Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), lake trout (S. namaycush), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), and cisco (C. autumnalis, C. sardinella) were analyzed for muscle mercury. Methylmercury is a neurotoxin and bioaccumulated with fish age, but other factors including selenium and other elements, diet and trophic level as assessed by stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and carbon (δ¹³C), as well as growth rate, condition, and geographic origin, also contributed depending on the species, even though all the fish shared a similar anadromous or sea-run life history. Although mean mercury concentrations for most of the species were ~0.09 µg·g^-1 wet weight (ww), below the levels described in several jurisdictions for subsistence fisheries (0.2 µg·g^-1 ww), 70% of lake trout were above this guideline (0.35 µg·g^-1 ww), and 19% exceeded the 2.5-fold higher levels for commercial sale. We thus urge the development of consumption advisories for lake trout for the protection of pregnant women and young children and that additionally, periodic community-based monitoring be initiated.

Trace and Major Elements Concentration in Fish and Associated Sediment-Seawater, Northern Shores of the Persian Gulf

The concentration of 19 metal and non-metal elements in two fishes (Liza subviridis and Sphyraena jello) and associated sediment-seawater from the northern part of the Persian Gulf was measured. The samples were gathered from two industrial ports, one commercial port, and one residential port. The metal accumulation in the muscle and liver of fishes was evaluated. Nickel (mean 362.07-712.83 μg/g) and chromium (mean 470.00-691.47 μg/g) in sediment and zinc (mean 9.01-31.15 μg/L) and arsenic (mean 18.22-22.14 μg/L) in seawater had the most abundancy among studied elements. The accumulation of elements in S. jello (a pelagic species) was higher than L. subviridis (a demersal species). For both species, major elements of S and Mg and trace elements of Fe, Al, Si, Zn, and Cu showed highest accumulation. Also, fish samples from Emam Hassan Port were more contaminated than other stations. Ecological indexes values have revealed a low to moderate elemental pollution of sediment and fish samples in the north part of the Persian Gulf.

Essential and non-essential elements in biological samples of inhabitants residing in Nenets Autonomous Okrug of the Russian Arctic

Exposure of Arctic residents to environmental pollutants is an emerging public health problem receiving little global attention. The objective of this study was to assess whole blood concentrations of nine selected essential (Co, Cu, Mn, Se, Zn) and non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) elements among Nenets and non-Nenets adult residents of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) living in seven coastal and inland settlements. Urine was collected in two settlements for assessment of iodine status. Altogether 297 whole blood and 68 urine samples were analysed by inductively coupled mass spectrometry and the accuracy of the measurements was assessed by use of human whole blood and urine quality control materials. Several essential and non-essential showed significant variations in whole blood concentrations characterized by gender, population group and locality. Cd levels among non-Nenets non-smokers (0.19 µg/L) indicated a dietary intake at a natural global background level. Hg concentrations in whole blood show that not more than 10% of women in the fertile age had a Hg intake above the EFAS's recommendation. The Pb concentrations were in the range of, or partly exceeding reference values for increased risk of nephrotoxicity, and there is a need for a continued effort to reduce Pb exposure among the population groups in NAO. With high prevalence of obesity among the Nenets and non-Nenets population, a high prevalence of Fe-deficiency among menstruating women (<50 years) (37.2%) and a lower I status than recommended by WHO, these nutritional dependent components deserve further attention.

Normal variability of 22 elements in 24-hour urine samples - Results from a biobank from healthy non-smoking adults

BACKGROUND

Urine is often used for biomonitoring the exposure to elements. However, most studies report concentrations in spot urine samples, which may not accurately mirror the "gold standard" of complete 24-h (24 h) urine samples. There are relatively few data published for 24 h samples, and little information on the within- and between person variability.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed at assessing variability within and between individuals in 24 h excretion for a number of elements in adults from the general population and the typical 24 h excretion of these elements. In addition, we assessed concentrations adjusted for creatinine and specific gravity (SG), and associations between elements.

METHODS

60 healthy non-smokers (31 women and 29 men) from Sweden, aged 21-64 years, collected all urine during 24 h (split into six separate samples) on two occasions, about one week apart. Concentrations of As, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, U, V, W, and Zn in urine were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma sector-field mass spectrometry (ICP-SF-MS) and 24 h excretion rates were calculated for each day. The ratio of between-individual variance and the total variance, the intra-class correlation (ICC) was calculated based on natural log-transformed 24 h excretion. Correlation coefficients were calculated between excretion rates (mass/24 h), and concentrations adjusted for creatinine and SG.

RESULTS

Geometric means (GM), and 90-percentiles are presented for each element. The 24 h excretion was higher in men than in women for most elements, and the difference was statistically significant for Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, P, Pb, S, Se, U, V, and Zn. However, for Cd and Co, the excretion was higher in women. Variability between days was low for Cd, Co, Hg, Pb, Sn, Se, V, and Zn (ICC 0.75-0.90), highest for Cr (ICC = 0.3) and Sb (ICC = 0.18), and moderate for the other elements. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were about 0.8-0.9 for 17 elements, and 0.3-0.7 for Br, Cu, P, S, Se. Excretion of P and S were highly correlated, and also associated with excretion of most of the other elements, especially Cu, Se, V, and Zn. A high correlation was also found between As and Hg, between Mo and W, as well as between Cr, Fe and Mn.

CONCLUSIONS

These data present normal variability of 24 h excretion of a number of elements, and can also be used as updated reference levels for elements with no or limited previous literature available. Information on variability within- and between individuals is important to know when designing studies with urine levels of elements used as exposure biomarker in studies of associations with health outcomes.

Biomonitoring of Heavy Metals: The Unexplored Role of Marine Sessile Taxa

Coastal areas are known to receive significant anthropogenic inputs, mainly deriving from metropolitan areas, industries, and activities related to tourism. Among these inputs, some trace elements are listed as priority pollutants in the European Water Framework Directive, due to their ability to bioaccumulate in organisms. Many studies have been conducted on heavy metals (HMs) accumulation and on their possible effects on different edible marine species. While the most studied sessile organisms are bivalves, in the current review, we focus our attention on other sessile taxa (sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, polychaetes, cirripeds, and tunicates), proposed as bioindicators in coastal shallow waters. Although their potential as bioindicator tools has been repeatedly highlighted in the literature, these organisms are still poorly investigated and considered for monitoring. In this context, we analyze the available literature about this topic, in order to summarize the current knowledge and identify possible applications of these organisms in a bioremediation scenario.

Identification of Arctic Food Fish Species for Anthropogenic Contaminant Testing Using Geography and Genetics

The identification of food fish bearing anthropogenic contaminants is one of many priorities for Indigenous peoples living in the Arctic. Mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are of concern, and these are reported, in some cases for the first time, for fish sampled in and around King William Island, located in Nunavut, Canada. More than 500 salmonids, comprising Arctic char, lake trout, lake whitefish, and ciscoes, were assayed for contaminants. The studied species are anadromous, migrating to the ocean to feed in the summers and returning to freshwater before sea ice formation in the autumn. Assessments of muscle Hg levels in salmonids from fishing sites on King William Island showed generally higher levels than from mainland sites, with mean concentrations generally below guidelines, except for lake trout. In contrast, mainland fish showed higher means for As, including non-toxic arsenobetaine, than island fish. Lake trout were highest in As and PCB levels, with salmonid PCB congener analysis showing signatures consistent with the legacy of cold-war distant early warning stations. After DNA-profiling, only 4–32 Arctic char single nucleotide polymorphisms were needed for successful population assignment. These results support our objective to demonstrate that genomic tools could facilitate efficient and cost-effective cluster assignment for contaminant analysis during ocean residency. We further suggest that routine pollutant testing during the current period of dramatic climate change would be helpful to safeguard the wellbeing of Inuit who depend on these fish as a staple input to their diet. Moreover, this strategy should be applicable elsewhere.

Comparison of Zinc, Copper and Selenium Content in Raw, Smoked and Pickled Freshwater Fish

The aim of the study was to assess the zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) content in freshwater fish from Poland. Selected species of raw, smoked and pickled fish were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The concentration of Zn, Cu and Se in the examined fish ranged from 1.5 to 49.9 mg/kg, 0.01 to 2.8 mg/kg and 30.9 to 728.2 µg/kg, respectively. One serving of every fish product covered the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of Zn by 5.38-65.0%, of Cu by 0.42-11.4% and of Se by 12.3-198.6%. A cluster analysis allowed us to distinguish European eel (raw and smoked) based on the Zn content. Additionally, based on the Cu and Se content, pickled common whitefish was differentiated from other species and types of fish products. The discriminant analysis model of smoked fish enabled their classification with a 70% accuracy. Regarding Zn, all forms of the European eel as well as raw and smoked vendace can be considered a source of this element. None of the tested fish can be considered a source of Cu. All products are safe for human consumption with regard to the Zn and Cu content. Almost each form of every species of fish can be considered a source of Se. However, the Se content should be monitored in smoked and pickled common whitefish, pickled bream and pickled vendace.

Elemental content of brown crab (Cancer pagurus) - Is it safe for human consumption? A recent case study from Mausund, Norway

The brown crab (Cancer pagurus; the edible crab) is consumed worldwide and greatly appreciated for the essential elements (e.g., Zn, Se) that it contains. However, alongside these, it contains toxic elements that can pose serious risks for human health. For the brown meat parts of the brown crab, which contain considerable Cd concentrations, official legal limits of exposure are still lacking by regulatory bodies, rendering its consumption a potential food safety threat. In this study, a survey was conducted during 2016-2018 in a major Mid-Norway commercial crab fishing area of Mausund in Frøya municipality, Norway, where brown crab media samples were collected to assess the occurrence and profile of select elements, including toxic elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, Sr, As). A yearly median concentration ranging from 6.75 (2016) to 14.0 (2017) mg Cd/kg dry weight (est.: 2.11 (2016) to 4.37 (2017) mg Cd/kg wet weight) indicated high Cd concentrations, which were alarming when compared to the maximum allowed concentration of 0.5 mg/kg wet weight set by the E.U. for raw white crab meat. Human exposures were assessed by estimating intakes of elements per 100 g serving portion of dry edible media (white/brown meat), and the tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) (as specified by the United States National Academy of Sciences) were exceeded for Fe, Cu, Ni, Se, Ca, Mg and P. The median Se and Cd estimated human dietary intakes (EDIs) (from brown crab) were 8.21-8.59 and 9.64-20.0 μg/kg body weight, respectively. The human intake dose (ID) of Cd (from brown crab) reached the order of a few tens of milligrams (mg). In addition, 33% of brown crab samples were found to be suitable for human consumption when the Se:Cd concentration ratio was applied and a stoichiometric excess of Se over Cd was indicated.

Iodine and bromine in fish consumed by indigenous peoples of the Russian Arctic

Fish muscle may constitute one of the main sources of iodine (I) for the indigenous peoples of the Russian Arctic, although limited information is available about its content in commonly consumed fish species. In the current study, bromine (Br), I, the essential elements (copper, selenium and zinc) and other non-essential elements — specifically mercury, arsenic (As), cadmium, lead and nickel — have been quantified in 10 fish species consumed by people living in the Nenets and Chukotka Regions. Fish muscle was analysed by ICP-MS after nitric acid or tetramethylammonium hydroxide digestion. Certified reference materials were employed and concentrations are reported as geometric means (GMs). Atlantic cod (6.32 mg/kg) and navaga (0.934 mg/kg) contained substantially higher amounts of I than all other fish species, while broad whitefish had the lowest (0.033 mg/kg). By comparison, navaga contained more Br (14.5 mg/kg) than the other fish species, ranging 7.45 mg/kg in Atlantic cod to 2.39 mg/kg in northern pike. A significant inter-fish association between As and I in freshwater and marine fish was observed, suggesting common sources and perhaps parallel absorption patterns. Only Atlantic cod and, to lesser extent, navaga constituted significant dietary sources of I.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Fish Consumed by the Indigenous Peoples from Nenets Autonomous Okrug

Currently, monitoring of persistent organic pollutant (POP) content in various biological and environmental matrixes in the Arctic is an urgent task. The present study focused on the determination of POPs such as: PCB#28, PCB#52, PCB#101, PCB#105, PCB#118, PCB#123, PCB#153, PCB#128, p,p’-DDE, o,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD, o,p’-DDD, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, mirex, 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene in fish consumed by the indigenous people of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) of the Russian Arctic. Fish samples were analyzed by gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) technique. The obtained results show that the major POPs in fish were dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) breakdown products and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners. The ∑PCB8 in pink salmon, Arctic char, navaga, humpback whitefish and northern pike were 1.54, 1.58, 1.24, 0.72 and 0.32 ng/g (ww), respectively. The main PCB congeners maximum average medium concentrations were 0.68 ng/g (ww) and 0.51 ng/g (ww) of PCB#153 in navaga and PCB#128 in pink salmon, respectively. The main DDT breakdown product was p,p’-DDE. In Arctic char, pink salmon, navaga, humpback whitefish and northern pike, the concentration of p,p’-DDE was 0.58, 1.61, 0.49, 0.63 and 0.08 ng/g (ww), respectively. A moderate positive relationship between ∑PCB8 and lipid content and a high positive relationship between ∑DDT and lipid content were observed. In fish samples with fat content <0.5% (northern pike, humpback whitefish), the amount of analyzed POPs was 2 or more times lower than that in fish species with fat content >1% (pink salmon, Arctic char). Despite the large number of fish in the diet of indigenous peoples from NAO, no significant risks were identified. Most legacy POP and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) tend to decrease, which can be explained by past national and regional bans and restriction on their use and emission.

Concentration dataset for 4 essential and 5 non-essential elements in fish collected in Arctic and sub-Arctic territories of the Nenets Autonomous and Arkhangelsk regions of Russia

The raw concentration data for the research article entitled “Essential and non-essential trace elements in fish consumed by indigenous peoples of the European Russian Arctic” (Sobolev et al., 2019) [1] are herein presented. Fifteen fish species were collected in the Nenets Autonomous and Arkhangelsk Regions of the Russian Federation and were analysed for 9 elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn). The sampling sites were located in the European parts of the Russian Arctic and sub-Arctic territories. Within these territories, Nenets indigenous peoples commonly catch and consume local fish. Based on questionnaire data, local fish sources constituted ∼ 90% of the total fish consumed by endemic individuals living in these regions. The data summarized in this publication fill a gap in knowledge.