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Lacombe RM, Martigny P, Pelletier D, Barst BD, Guillemette M, Amyot M, Elliott KH, Lavoie RA. Exploring the spatial variation of mercury in the Gulf of St. Lawrence using northern gannets as fish samplers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172152. [PMID: 38575012 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous and pervasive environmental contaminant with detrimental effects on wildlife, which originates from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Its distribution within ecosystems is influenced by various biogeochemical processes, making it crucial to elucidate the factors driving this variability. To explore these factors, we employed an innovative method to use northern gannets (Morus bassanus) as biological samplers of regurgitated fish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We assessed fish total Hg (THg) concentrations in relation to their geographical catch location as well as to pertinent biotic and anthropogenic factors. In small fish species, trophic position, calculated from compound-specific stable nitrogen isotopes in amino acids, emerged as the most influential predictor of THg concentrations. For large fish species, THg concentrations were best explained by δ13C, indicating higher concentrations in inshore habitats. No anthropogenic factors, such as pollution, shipping traffic, or coastal development, were significantly related to THg concentrations in fish. Moreover, previously published THg data in mussels sampled nearby were positively linked with THg concentrations in gannet prey, suggesting consistent mercury distribution across trophic levels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Our findings point to habitat-dependent variability in THg concentrations across multiple trophic levels. Our study could have many potential uses in the future, including the identification of vulnerability hotspots for fish populations and their predators, or assessing risk factors for seabirds themselves by using biologically relevant prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Lacombe
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - P Martigny
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada.
| | - D Pelletier
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada; Département de Biologie, Cégep de Rimouski, 60 rue de l'Évêché O, Rimouski, Québec G5L 4H6, Canada.
| | - B D Barst
- Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1764 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910, USA.
| | - M Guillemette
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada.
| | - M Amyot
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Montreal, 1375 Avenue Thérèse-Lavoie-Roux, Montréal, Québec H2V 0B3, Canada.
| | - K H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - R A Lavoie
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 1550 Av. D'Estimauville, Québec G1J 0C3, Canada.
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Bezerra MF, Barrios-Rodriguez CA, Rezende CE, López-Castro MC, Lacerda LD. Trophic ecology of sympatric sea turtles in the tropical Atlantic coast of Brazil. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 196:106406. [PMID: 38377937 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The Tropical Atlantic coast of Brazil is a hotspot area for multiple sea turtle species at all life stages. The multiple nearshore reefs and beaches, oceanic islands, and the only atoll in the south Atlantic Ocean, are suitable for year-round foraging, migration corridors, and nesting activities of five sea turtle species. Still, relatively few studies have assessed trophic niche among sympatric sea turtles which can provide a better understanding of how closely related species compete/partition the available resources. Using multiple biogeochemical tracers (i.e., nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) stable isotopes, and mercury (Hg)), we disentangled the trophic niches of four sea turtle species - the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the loggerhead turtle (Caretta), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) - co-occurring in nesting and foraging habitats along the northeastern coast of Brazil. We found interspecific differences in isotopic and contamination niches, as well as intraspecific niche variation associated with life stage. Differences in the estimation niche models associated to life-stage in C. caretta support the notion of ontogenetic shift in habitat and diet composition previously reported for this species. Oceanic habitat signatures were observed in juvenile green turtles and adult olive turtles, while nearshore habitat signatures were observed in adult hawksbill turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moises F Bezerra
- Universidade Federal Do Ceará - Instituto de Ciências Do Mar (LABOMAR-UFC). Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Cesar A Barrios-Rodriguez
- Universidade Federal Do Ceará - Instituto de Ciências Do Mar (LABOMAR-UFC). Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Carlos E Rezende
- Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz D Lacerda
- Universidade Federal Do Ceará - Instituto de Ciências Do Mar (LABOMAR-UFC). Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Biolé FG, Vegh SL, Bavio M, Tripodi P, Volpedo AV, Thompson G. Essential and non-essential elements in marine silverside Odontesthes argentinensis from southwestern Atlantic coast: Tissues bioaccumulation, biomagnification and public health risk assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 185:114452. [PMID: 38219848 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
In order to assess the metal pollution in the southwestern Atlantic coast, levels of eleven metals: Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn and one metalloid: As in water and tissues of Odontesthes argentinensis from the Samborombón Bay (SB) and Partido de La Costa (PC) were examined. Additionally, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation factors, estimated daily intake (EDI) for adults and children, and the hazard risk for fishermen and general populations were evaluated. Cadmium, Cu and Zn levels in the water samples exceeded the limits established by international guidelines for the protection of aquatic life in marine environments (CCME). The liver showed the highest concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, and Zn, while muscle showed the least levels of all elements examined. Bioaccumulation of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn were observed in all tissues, while Ba and Sr bioaccumulated significantly in the gills. The fish δ15N values significantly varied between sites, however, no biodilution or biomagnification was observed. The Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and the Carcinogenic Risk (CR) indices suggest that there is no human health risk to the fishermen and general populations from the O. argentinensis consumption. Furthermore, As (27%) and Cr (33%) concentrations in silversides from PC and SB, respectively, exceeded the levels recommended by local and international guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda G Biolé
- CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Villa María, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigación y Transferencia Agroalimentaria y Biotecnológica (IMITAB), Av. A. Jauretche 1555, CP5900, Villa María, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Sabina Llamazares Vegh
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marta Bavio
- Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental (3iA), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Martín de Irigoyen 3100, 1650, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pamela Tripodi
- Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental (3iA), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Martín de Irigoyen 3100, 1650, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra V Volpedo
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Thompson
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rechimont ME, Ruelas-Inzunza J, Amezcua F, Paéz-Osuna F, Castillo-Géniz JL. Hg and Se in Muscle and Liver of Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) from the Entrance of the Gulf of California: An Insight to the Potential Risk to Human Health. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:165-177. [PMID: 38383775 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01054-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The blue shark (Prionace glauca) is the most commonly caught species of Elasmobranchii at the entrance to the Gulf of California. Although fins are the primary target commodity, the entire organism is consumed. This study examined the concentration of Hg and Se in muscle and liver to understand the antagonistic process that occurs between these two elements within the organism. Twenty-two individuals were captured at the Gulf of California inlet between September 2019 and March 2021. Hg was measured by cold vapor atomic absorption, and Se by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in a graphite furnace. All individuals studied showed higher concentrations (µg g-1 wet weight) of Hg (0.69) and Se (2.49) in liver than in muscle (Hg 0.63 and Se 0.08). Although the mean Hg values were below the maximum allowable limits (Hg 1.0 µg g-1 wet weight), the molar ratio (< 1.0) and the negative health benefit value of selenium (HBVSe) in muscle show that additional caution should be taken when consuming this species. We recommend a more thorough study of the antagonistic interaction between Hg and Se to accurately assess the health risk for consumers of blue shark.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Rechimont
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - J Ruelas-Inzunza
- Instituto Tecnológico de Mazatlán, 82070, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
| | - F Amezcua
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 82040, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - F Paéz-Osuna
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 82040, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
- El Colegio de Sinaloa, 80000, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - J L Castillo-Géniz
- Centro Regional de Investigación Pesquera de Ensenada, Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuacultura, 22760, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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Cyr AP, Drew KA, Corsetti S, Seitz AC, Sutton TM, López JA, Wooller MJ, O'Hara T. Ecotoxicology of mercury concentrations in arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116955. [PMID: 37643685 PMCID: PMC10838160 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) is an important dietary resource for rural and indigenous communities in parts of Alaska, with some commercial use. As with many fish species harvested for human consumption, there are concerns regarding mercury concentrations ([Hg]) in Arctic lamprey that may impact human health. To date, information regarding the life cycle and diet of Arctic lamprey is scarce, with no published studies examining [Hg] in Arctic lamprey tissues. Our goals were to investigate the feeding ecology of Arctic lamprey from the Bering Sea, determine how diet and potential dietary shifts might influence [Hg] in muscle, and determine if current [Hg] may pose a human health risk. The mean total [Hg] in Arctic lamprey muscle (n = 98) was 19 ng/g wet-weight. Log transformed total [Hg] were not associated with any measured biological variables including length, mass, δ13C values, or δ15N values. A stable isotope mixing model estimated that capelin (Mallotus villosus) accounted for 40.0 ± 4.0% of the Arctic lamprey diet, while Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) accounted for 37.8 ± 3.1% and 22.2 ± 3.5% respectively. Finally, diet percentage compositions shifted based on size class (i.e., medium versus large). These results indicated that feeding location, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification are not important drivers of [Hg] in Arctic lamprey and current [Hg] do not pose a human health risk. Taken together, this research further expands our knowledge of Arctic lamprey trophic ecology in the eastern Bering Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Cyr
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 901 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7750, USA.
| | - Katie A Drew
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA
| | - Sierra Corsetti
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, PO Box 756100, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6100, USA
| | - Andrew C Seitz
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA
| | - Trent M Sutton
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA
| | - J Andrés López
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA; University of Alaska Museum of the North, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960, USA
| | - Matthew J Wooller
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA; Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, 306 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910, USA; Alaska Stable Isotope Facility, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910, USA
| | - Todd O'Hara
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, 306 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910, USA; Bilingual Laboratory of Toxicology, Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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Wang K, Li J, Xu S, Gong Y, Xu Y, Cai Y, Yang Y, Zhang K, Chen Z. Stable isotopic and stomach content analyses reveal changes in the trophic level and feeding habit of large-head hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) in the northern South China Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165313. [PMID: 37406705 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
The feeding habit of large-head hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) in the northern South China Sea was investigated through isotopic and stomach content analyses. The isotopic features of the hairtail at the same body size differed among regions, with the fish in coastal waters presenting higher δ15N and δ13C values compared to those in the open sea, indicating different trophic levels (TL), food habits, and isotopic baselines. According to the partial correlation of water depth with δ15N values, the sampling stations were divided into three regions based on the depth of water: coastal (20-40 m), near coastal (60-80 m), and open sea (100-200 m) regions. In the coastal region, the hairtail from stations affected by the Pearl River plume exhibited lower δ15N and δ13C values. The stomach content analysis indicated different feeding habits of the hairtail from different regions. The hairtail in the coastal and near coastal waters fed more on fish and less on crustaceans compared to the hairtail in the open sea. The relationship between δ15N and fish size exhibited two contrary patterns. First, the δ15N values increased with increasing preanal length in the hairtail sampled from the water depth of 30-40 m in section F (in fish with preanal length < 200 mm) and those samples from the water depth of 100-200 m. This finding reflected an ontogenetic shift in diet and TL. However, the δ15N values tended to decrease with the increasing preanal length of the hairtail samples collected from the water depth of 30-40 m in section F (fish with a preanal length of ~200-300 mm). These findings suggested that under the conditions of insufficient availability of high-quality prey, the larger hairtail fed more on low-TL prey to compensate for the increase energy demand, arising due to growth, which led to the observed decrease in δ15N values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Wang
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Jiajun Li
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China.
| | - Shannan Xu
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Yuyan Gong
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Youwei Xu
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Yancong Cai
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Yutao Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Zuozhi Chen
- South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laborary for Sustainable Utilization of Open-Sea Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510300, China.
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Stockin KA, Machovsky-Capuska GE, Palmer EI, Amiot C. Multidimensional trace metals and nutritional niche differ between sexually immature and mature common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:121935. [PMID: 37263561 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to understand the links between metals and nutrition for apex marine predators, which may be subject to different ecotoxicological effects at different life stages. We combined stomach content analyses (SCA), prey composition analysis (PCA), the Multidimensional Niche Framework (MNNF) with Bayesian multivariate ellipses, trace metal analysis and nicheROVER to investigate nutrition and trace metals across sex, age, and sexual maturity status in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from New Zealand. A broader prey composition niche breadth (SEAc) was estimated for immature compared to mature conspecifics, showing a higher degree of prey and nutrient generalism driven by protein (P) intake. Cd and Zn niche similarities suggests these metals were incorporated through similar prey in both immature and mature dolphins, whereas Hg and Se niche divergence indicates uptake occurred via different prey. Our multidisciplinary assessment demonstrated how nutrients and metal interactions differ in common dolphins depending upon sexual maturity. This approach has relevance when considering how marine pollution, environmental fluctuations and climate change may affect nutritional and trace metal interactions during different reproductive stages within marine predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Stockin
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand; Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
| | - Gabriel E Machovsky-Capuska
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand; Nutri Lens, East Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
| | - Emily I Palmer
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand
| | - Christophe Amiot
- UFR Science et Technologie, Nantes Université, 44000, Nantes, France; BiodivAG, Angers Université, Angers, 49000, France
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Yánez-Jácome GS, Romero-Estévez D, Vélez-Terreros PY, Navarrete H. Total mercury and fatty acids content in selected fish marketed in Quito - Ecuador. A benefit-risk assessment. Toxicol Rep 2023; 10:647-658. [PMID: 37250532 PMCID: PMC10220416 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Total mercury and fatty acids contents were determined in muscles of croaker, snapper, dolphinfish, blue marlin, and shark, from different markets in the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador. Fifty-five samples were collected and analyzed for total mercury using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry, and the fatty acids were analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. The lowest total mercury levels were found in snapper [0.041 µg·g-1 wet weight (ww)] while blue marlin showed the highest (5.883 µg·g-1 ww). EPA + DHA ranged from 1.0 mg·g-1 in snapper to 2.4 mg·g-1 in shark. A high omega-3/omega-6 ratio was found for all fish types; however, the HQEFA for the benefit-risk ratio was above 1, suggesting an evident risk to human health. Based on our results, consumption of croaker and dolphinfish is recommended up to one serving per week, considering the importance of EFAs intake and avoiding fish with elevated MeHg content. Therefore, Ecuadorian authorities could enhance public standards for seafood safety and develop consumer advice for pregnant women and young children to determine good fish choices or those to avoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela S. Yánez-Jácome
- Centro de Estudios Aplicados en Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170525, Ecuador
| | - David Romero-Estévez
- Centro de Estudios Aplicados en Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170525, Ecuador
| | - Pamela Y. Vélez-Terreros
- Centro de Estudios Aplicados en Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170525, Ecuador
| | - Hugo Navarrete
- Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito 170525, Ecuador
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Fuchs B, Joly K, Hilderbrand GV, Evans AL, Rodushkin I, Mangipane LS, Mangipane BA, Gustine DD, Zedrosser A, Brown L, Arnemo JM. Toxic elements in arctic and sub-arctic brown bears: Blood concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in relation to diet, age, and human footprint. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 229:115952. [PMID: 37116674 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Contamination with arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) is a global concern impairing resilience of organisms and ecosystems. Proximity to emission sources increases exposure risk but remoteness does not alleviate it. These toxic elements are transported in atmospheric and oceanic pathways and accumulate in organisms. Mercury accumulates in higher trophic levels. Brown bears (Ursus arctos), which often live in remote areas, are long-lived omnivores, feeding on salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and berries (Vaccinium spp.), resources also consumed by humans. We measured blood concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in bears (n = 72) four years and older in Scandinavia and three national parks in Alaska, USA (Lake Clark, Katmai and Gates of the Arctic) using high-resolution, inductively-coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. Age and sex of the bears, as well as the typical population level diet was associated with blood element concentrations using generalized linear regression models. Alaskan bears consuming salmon had higher Hg blood concentrations compared to Scandinavian bears feeding on berries, ants (Formica spp.) and moose (Alces). Cadmium and Pb blood concentrations were higher in Scandinavian bears than in Alaskan bears. Bears using marine food sources, in addition to salmon in Katmai, had higher As blood concentrations than bears in Scandinavia. Blood concentrations of Cd and Pb, as well as for As in female bears increased with age. Arsenic in males and Hg concentrations decreased with age. We detected elevated levels of toxic elements in bears from landscapes that are among the most pristine on the planet. Sources are unknown but anthropogenic emissions are most likely involved. All study areas face upcoming change: Increasing tourism and mining in Alaska and more intensive forestry in Scandinavia, combined with global climate change in both regions. Baseline contaminant concentrations as presented here are important knowledge in our changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway.
| | - Kyle Joly
- National Park Service, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 99709, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA.
| | - Grant V Hilderbrand
- National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office, 99501, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- Division of Geosciences, Luleå University of Technology, 97187, Luleå, Sweden; ALS Scandinavia AB, 97187, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Lindsey S Mangipane
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, 99503, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Buck A Mangipane
- Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, National Park Service, 99501, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - David D Gustine
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, 99503, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800, Bø in Telemark, Norway; Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ludovick Brown
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480, Koppang, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
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10
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Goyanna FAA, Fernandes MB, Silva GBD, Lacerda LDD. Mercury in oceanic upper trophic level sharks and bony fishes - A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120821. [PMID: 36509349 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities contribute to nearly half of current Hg emissions to the atmosphere. In the marine habitat, oceanic predator fishes bioaccumulate Hg throughout their lives, making their consumption the main route of Hg exposure in humans. In this context, several publications, between 1973 and 2022, were selected, analyzed, and duly compiled, with the objective to investigate Hg contamination in nine species of bony fish: Thunnus thynnus (8 publications), Thunnus albacares (19), Thunnus obesus (7), Thunnus atlanticus (5), Thunnus alalunga (4), Katsuwonus pelamis (8), Xiphias gladius (18), Coryphaena hippurus (7) and Euthynnus alletteratus (4), as well as two species of cartilaginous fishes Prionace glauca (13 publications) and Isurus oxyrinchus (8). These studies totaled 5973 individuals. We classified species according to taxonomic groups and region of capture and found a significant difference between sharks and bony fishes, with higher Hg concentrations in sharks. The regions of occurrence were divided into 4 large areas (North Atlantic - NAO, South Atlantic - SAO, Equatorial Atlantic Ocean - EAO, and Mediterranean - MED), but no significant differences were observed when comparing the overall Hg concentrations in fish among regions (including all species). Additionally, a thorough discussion of the risks associated with human consumption of these species was conducted, as nine of the selected species presented individuals with Hg concentration values that exceeded the safety limits (1 ppm) set by health agencies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A Alencar Goyanna
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Aboliçao 3207, Meireles, Fortaleza, 60.165-081, CE, Brazil.
| | - Moises Bezerra Fernandes
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Aboliçao 3207, Meireles, Fortaleza, 60.165-081, CE, Brazil
| | - Guelson Batista da Silva
- Departamento Ciências Animais, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, Mossoró, 59.625-900, RN, Brazil
| | - Luiz Drude de Lacerda
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Aboliçao 3207, Meireles, Fortaleza, 60.165-081, CE, Brazil
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11
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Tracing the Food Web of Changing Arctic Ocean: Trophic Status of Highly Abundant Fish, Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.), in the White Sea Recovered Using Stomach Content and Stable Isotope Analyses. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14110955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Studies of dietary preferences of migratory species are of great importance as these species connect food webs of habitats across the migration route and thus represent trophic relationships between the spatially disjointed communities. Here we described the dietary preferences of threespine stickleback G. aculeatus in the White Sea during the spawning season using stable isotope and stomach content analyses. The two analyses suggested that during the spawning season, when sticklebacks spend the majority of their time inshore, their diet consists mostly of benthic species, while at the beginning of the spawning season when fish migrating from the offshore were feeding on plankton. Additionally, we demonstrated that stickleback eggs contributed greatly to the diet of both male and female fish. Using Bayesian mixing modeling, we showed that dietary preferences in females were broader than in males, and more variable during the spawning season. While guarding their nests, males fed almost exclusively on eggs. Both stomach contents and isotope signatures demonstrate that by the end of the spawning season sticklebacks again increase the consumption of plankton. Isotope analysis proved to be a more reliable tool to trace this change than stomach content analysis. Our results show that stable isotope and stomach content analyses are complementary in understanding seasonal changes in the dietary composition of stickleback.
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12
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Muñoz-Abril L, Valle CA, Alava JJ, Janssen SE, Sunderland EM, Rubianes-Landázuri F, Emslie SD. Elevated Mercury Concentrations and Isotope Signatures (N, C, Hg) in Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) from the Galápagos Marine Reserve and Waters off Ecuador. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2732-2744. [PMID: 35975428 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We examined how dietary factors recorded by C and N influence Hg uptake in 347 individuals of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), an important subsistence resource from the Galápagos Marine Reserve (Ecuador) and the Ecuadorian mainland coast in 2015-2016. We found no differences in total Hg (THg) measured in red muscle between the two regions and no seasonal differences, likely due to the age of the fish and slow elimination rates of Hg. Our THg concentrations are comparable to those of other studies in the Pacific (0.20-9.60 mg/kg wet wt), but a subset of individuals exhibited the highest Hg concentrations yet reported in yellowfin tuna. Mercury isotope values differed between Δ199 Hg and δ202Hg in both regions (Δ199 Hg = 2.86 ± 0.04‰ vs. Δ199 Hg = 2.33 ± 0.07‰), likely related to shifting food webs and differing photochemical processing of Hg prior to entry into the food web. There were significantly lower values of both δ15 N and δ13 C in tuna from Galápagos Marine Reserve (δ15 N: 8.5-14.2‰, δ13 C: -18.5 to -16.1‰) compared with those from the Ecuadorian mainland coast (δ15 N: 8.3-14.4‰, δ13 C: -19.4 to -11.9‰), of which δ13 C values suggest spatially constrained movements of tuna. Results from the pooled analysis, without considering region, indicated that variations in δ13 C and δ15 N values tracked changes of Hg stable isotopes. Our data indicate that the individual tuna we used were resident fish of each region and were heavily influenced by upwellings related to the eastern Pacific oxygen minimum zone and the Humboldt Current System. The isotopes C, N, and Hg reflect foraging behavior mainly on epipelagic prey in shallow waters and that food web shifts drive Hg variations between these populations of tuna. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2732-2744. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Muñoz-Abril
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Carlos A Valle
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
| | - Juan José Alava
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah E Janssen
- Upper Midwest Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Middleton, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francisco Rubianes-Landázuri
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
| | - Steven D Emslie
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
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13
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Zou C, Yin D, Wang R. Mercury and selenium bioaccumulation in wild commercial fish in the coastal East China Sea: Selenium benefits versus mercury risks. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 180:113754. [PMID: 35605374 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the contents of total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) in 22 fish species and 10 invertebrate species from the coastal East China Sea. The THg and MeHg contents were significantly higher in benthic fishes. Both Hg and Se biomagnified in the food webs, with evidences of associations during trophic transfer. In addition, Se:Hg molar ratio and Se health benefit value (HBVSe) were used as novel criteria for Hg exposure risk assessments, showing that Se presented in molar excess of Hg in all samples, which would negate the risks of Hg toxicity. HBVSe provided more informative results than Se:Hg molar ratio, pointing to possibly lower health risks for some fishes containing high levels of Hg and Se. Although the HBVSe results challenge the traditional Hg health risk assessment, its future application still requires worldwide comprehensive investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Zou
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Daqiang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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14
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Walther EJ, Arthur DE, Cyr A, Fraley KM, Cubbage T, Hinkle E, McMahon J, Westley PAH. Ecotoxicology of mercury in burbot (Lota lota) from interior Alaska and insights towards human health. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 298:134279. [PMID: 35283142 PMCID: PMC9081214 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Fish consumption has many health benefits, but exposure to contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), in fish tissue can be detrimental to human health. The Tanana River drainage, Alaska, USA supports the largest recreational harvest of burbot (Lota lota) in the state, yet information to evaluate the potential risks of consumption by humans is lacking. To narrow this knowledge gap, we sought to (i) quantify the concentrations of total Hg ([THg]) in burbot muscle and liver tissue and the ratio between the two tissues, (ii) assess the effect of age, length, and sex on [THg] in muscle and liver tissue, (iii) evaluate if [THg] in muscle tissue varied based on trophic information, and (iv) compare observed [THg] to consumption guidelines and statewide baseline data. The mean [THg] was 268.2 ng/g ww for muscle tissue and 62.3 ng/g ww for liver tissue. Both muscle [THg] and liver [THg] values were positively associated with fish length. Trophic information (δ15N and δ13C) was not significantly related to measured [THg] in burbot muscle, which is inconsistent with typical patterns of biomagnification observed in other fishes. All burbot sampled were within the established categories for consumption recommendations determined by the State of Alaska for women of childbearing age and children. Our results provide the necessary first step towards informed risk assessment of burbot consumption in the Tanana drainage and offer parallels to fisheries and consumers throughout the subarctic and Arctic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Walther
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
| | - Donald E Arthur
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
| | - Andrew Cyr
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA; Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Kevin M Fraley
- Arctic Beringia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA
| | - Taylor Cubbage
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hinkle
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Julia McMahon
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Peter A H Westley
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
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15
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Qu P, Pang M, Wang P, Ma X, Zhang Z, Wang Z, Gong Y. Bioaccumulation of mercury along continuous fauna trophic levels in the Yellow River Estuary and adjacent sea indicated by nitrogen stable isotopes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 432:128631. [PMID: 35306412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), and its organic forms, are some of the most hazardous elements, with strong toxicity, persistence, and biological accumulation in marine organisms. Hg accumulation in continuous trophic levels (TL) in marine food chains remains unclear. In this study, individual invertebrate and fish samples collected from the Yellow River Estuary adjacent sea were grouped into continuous TL ranges, and the bioaccumulations of total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were analyzed. The trophic magnification factor in invertebrates and fish was 1.40 and 1.72 for THg, and 2.56 and 2.17 for MeHg, indicating that both THg and MeHg were significantly biomagnified with increasing TL in both invertebrates and fish through trophic transfer. To evaluate the health risk of seafood consumption, the target hazard quotient (THQ) was calculated. Increasing THQ values indicated that the health risks of invertebrate and fish consumption in humans, especially children, were both elevated with increasing TL. THQ values > 1 indicated that consumption of invertebrates at a TL above 4.0 and fish above 4.5 may pose a relatively higher risk for children. Therefore, the consumption of both individual invertebrates and fish at high trophic positions may present greater health risk, especially in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Qu
- Observation and Research Station of Bohai Eco-Corridor & Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, No. 6, Xianxialing Road, Qingdao, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 168, Wenhaizhong Road, Jimo District, Qingdao City, Shandong, China
| | - Min Pang
- Observation and Research Station of Bohai Eco-Corridor & Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, No. 6, Xianxialing Road, Qingdao, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 168, Wenhaizhong Road, Jimo District, Qingdao City, Shandong, China.
| | - Penggong Wang
- China Certification & Inspection Group Shandong Testing Co., LTD., Jiaozhou District, Qingdao City, Shandong, China
| | - Xuli Ma
- China Certification & Inspection Group Shandong Co., LTD., Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Observation and Research Station of Bohai Eco-Corridor & Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, No. 6, Xianxialing Road, Qingdao, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 168, Wenhaizhong Road, Jimo District, Qingdao City, Shandong, China
| | - Zongling Wang
- Observation and Research Station of Bohai Eco-Corridor & Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, No. 6, Xianxialing Road, Qingdao, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), No. 168, Wenhaizhong Road, Jimo District, Qingdao City, Shandong, China
| | - Yuchen Gong
- The Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao City, Shandong, China
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16
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Romero-Romero S, García-Ordiales E, Roqueñí N, Acuña JL. Increase in mercury and methylmercury levels with depth in a fish assemblage. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 292:133445. [PMID: 34968522 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite their remoteness, deep-sea species bioaccumulate mercury, mostly in the form of the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg). Although the concentration of MeHg in the water column is known to increase with depth down to a maximum found at the base of the permanent thermocline, the knowledge of the relationship between MeHg content in marine species and their depth of occurrence is limited. We analyzed total mercury (THg) and MeHg concentrations in 25 species of fish inhabiting the Avilés Submarine Canyon and its adjacent shelf (Cantabrian Sea, North-East Atlantic) between 50 and 1868 m depth. THg concentrations ranged from 0.03 μg g-1 in wet weight (ww) in Chauliodus sloani and 4.0 μg g-1 ww in Coryphaenoides guentheri. 65% of the species analyzed exceeded 0.5 μg g-1 ww of MeHg, the maximum level for safe consumption recommended by FAO/WHO. THg and MeHg contents in muscle tissue increased with the depth of occurrence of fish and was influenced by their habitat so that demersal species had higher THg content than pelagic species inhabiting the same depth. MeHg accounted for an average 76 ± 3.9% of THg (mean ± SD), which is lower than that reported for other fish communities and can be explained by the high concentration of Hg present in sediments of the Nalón estuary, which discharges right off the Avilés Canyon head. The % of THg as MeHg was also strongly correlated with δ15N values, confirming that MeHg can be an indicator of the trophic identity of a species within the food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Romero-Romero
- Área de Ecología, Dpto. de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uría s/n, 33071, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
| | - Efrén García-Ordiales
- ISYMA Research Group, Mining, Energy and Materials Engineering School, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Nieves Roqueñí
- ISYMA Research Group, Mining, Energy and Materials Engineering School, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - José Luis Acuña
- Área de Ecología, Dpto. de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uría s/n, 33071, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
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17
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Sun L, Chen W, Yuan D, Zhou L, Lu C, Zheng Y. Distribution and Transformation of Mercury in Subtropical Wild-Caught Seafood from the Southern Taiwan Strait. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:855-867. [PMID: 33792858 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02695-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Wild-caught seafood contains significant amounts of mercury. Investigating the mercury accumulation levels in wild-caught seafood and analyzing its migration and transformation are of great value for assessing the health risks of mercury intake and for the tracking of mercury sources. We determined the concentrations and stable mercury isotopic compositions (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg, Δ200Hg, and Δ201Hg) of 104 muscle samples collected from 38 species of seafood typically harvested from the Taiwan Shallow Fishing Ground (TSFG), Southern Taiwan Strait. Overall, the concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) ranged from 11 to 479 ng/g (dry weight, dw) and 10 to 363 ng/g (dw), respectively, and were below the threshold value established by the USEPA and the Chinese government. Demersal and near-benthic species accumulated more mercury than pelagic or mesopelagic species. The characteristics of mercury isotopes in wild-caught marine species differed in terms of vertical and horizontal distribution. Considering the known peripheral land sources of mercury (Δ199Hg ≈ 0), the mercury in seafood from the TSFG (Δ199Hg > 0) did not originate from anthropogenic emissions. The ratio of Δ199Hg and Δ201Hg (1.18 ± 0.03) suggested that the photoreduction of Hg (II) and the photo-degradation of MeHg equally contributed to mass-independent fractionation. Based on the values of Δ199Hg/δ202Hg (1.18 ± 0.03), about 67% of the mercury in seawater had undergone microbial demethylation prior to methylation and entering the seafood. Additionally, the vertical distribution of Δ200Hg in seafood from different water depths implies that mercury input was in part caused by atmospheric deposition. Our results provide detailed information on the sources of mercury and its transfer in the food web in offshore fishing grounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Estuarine Ecological Security and Environmental Health, Education Department of Fujian, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, 363105, China.
- Key Laboratory of the Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Ministry of Education, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China.
| | - Weijia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Estuarine Ecological Security and Environmental Health, Education Department of Fujian, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, 363105, China
- Key Laboratory of the Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Ministry of Education, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Dongxing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Ministry of Education, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Estuarine Ecological Security and Environmental Health, Education Department of Fujian, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, 363105, China
| | - Changyi Lu
- Key Laboratory of Estuarine Ecological Security and Environmental Health, Education Department of Fujian, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, 363105, China
- Key Laboratory of the Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Ministry of Education, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Yingjie Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Estuarine Ecological Security and Environmental Health, Education Department of Fujian, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, 363105, China
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18
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Annasawmy P, Point D, Romanov EV, Bodin N. Mercury concentrations and stable isotope ratios (δ 13C and δ 15N) in pelagic nekton assemblages of the south-western Indian Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113151. [PMID: 34883442 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) concentrations and stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) were investigated in micronekton collected from La Pérouse and MAD-Ridge seamounts, Reunion Island and the southern Mozambique Channel. Organisms occupying epipelagic habitats showed lower Hg concentrations relative to deeper dwelling benthopelagic ones. Increasing Hg concentrations with increasing body size were recorded in the Mozambique Channel and Reunion Island. Positive relationships were observed between Hg levels and δ15N values in pelagic nekton assemblages collected at MAD-Ridge seamount and the southern Mozambique Channel, suggesting biomagnification of Hg. Concentrations of Hg in organisms across the south-western Indian Ocean were within the same range of values. Total Hg concentrations depend on a range of factors linked to habitat range, body size and trophic position of the individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the patterns of Hg concentrations in pelagic nekton assemblages from the south-western Indian Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavanee Annasawmy
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), UMR 5563 CNRS, IRD, UPS, CNES, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 31400 Toulouse, France.
| | - David Point
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), UMR 5563 CNRS, IRD, UPS, CNES, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Evgeny V Romanov
- Centre technique de recherche et de valorisation des milieux aquatiques (CITEB), 97420 Le Port, Île de la Réunion, France
| | - Nathalie Bodin
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Fishing Port, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles; Sustainable Ocean Seychelles, Beau Belle, Mahé, Seychelles
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19
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O'Mara K, Fry B, Burford M. Benthic-pelagic mixing of trace elements in estuarine food webs. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 173:105511. [PMID: 34749254 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Trace element accumulation pathways are important in many ecological and toxicological studies on aquatic organisms, yet these pathways are often poorly understood. To study the influence of diet and environment on the trace element composition of species within estuarine food webs, we performed a community level assessment of 28 trace elements (including major and minor elements) in common fish and prawn taxa across four estuaries, and in fish, prawn, and other invertebrate taxa within a single estuary. Despite sediment substrates from the four estuaries having distinctly different geochemical compositions, food web samples showed no separation by estuary, but clear separation by taxa. Grouping of taxa by trace elements was related to feeding ecology, with pelagic taxa separated from benthic taxa, and mixed feeding by generalist taxa. Arsenic and selenium were more concentrated in benthic fish, while aluminium, barium, copper, iron, manganese, vanadium, and zinc were more concentrated in pelagic fish. Trophic level did not appear to influence trace element composition. Previous laboratory studies have shown that food sources influence trace element concentrations in marine taxa and this study confirms that this also occurs in natural food webs. These results improve our understanding of the dominant importance of diet and physiology in controlling the trace element composition of species within estuarine food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn O'Mara
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Brian Fry
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michele Burford
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Australia
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20
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da Silva JM, Alves LMF, Laranjeiro MI, Bessa F, Silva AV, Norte AC, Lemos MFL, Ramos JA, Novais SC, Ceia FR. Accumulation of chemical elements and occurrence of microplastics in small pelagic fish from a neritic environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118451. [PMID: 34740735 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of contaminant exposure in marine organisms often focuses on the most toxic chemical elements from upper trophic level species. Information on mid-trophic level species and particularly on potentially less harmful elements is lacking. Additionally, microplastics have been considered emergent contaminants in aquatic environments which have not been extensively studied in species from mid-trophic levels in food chains. This study aims to contribute to an overall assessment of environmental impacts of such chemicals in a community of small pelagic fish in the North Atlantic. The concentrations of 16 chemical elements, rarely simultaneously quantified (including minerals, trace elements and heavy metals), and the presence of microplastics were analysed in sardines (Sardina pilchardus) and mackerels (Scomber spp. and Trachurus trachurus) sampled along the Portuguese coast. Biochemical stress assessments and stable isotope analyses were also performed. The chemical element concentrations in S. pilchardus, T. trachurus, and Scomber spp. were relatively low and lower than the levels reported for the same species in the North Atlantic and adjacent areas. No clear relationships were found between chemical elements and oxidative damage in fish. However, the concentration of several chemical elements showed differences among species, being related with the species' habitat use, trophic niches, and specific feeding strategies. The presence of plastic pieces in the stomachs of 29% of the sampled fishes is particularly concerning, as these small pelagic fish from mid-trophic levels compose a significant part of the diet of humans and other top predators. This study highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches focusing on the individual, including position data, stable isotopes, and oxidative stress biomarkers as complementary tools in contamination assessment of the marine mid-trophic levels in food chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana M da Silva
- University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís M F Alves
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641, Peniche, Portugal
| | - Maria I Laranjeiro
- University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Bessa
- University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Andreia V Silva
- IPMA - Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Dr. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-165, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana C Norte
- University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marco F L Lemos
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641, Peniche, Portugal
| | - Jaime A Ramos
- University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara C Novais
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-641, Peniche, Portugal
| | - Filipe R Ceia
- University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
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21
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Smith RA, Yurkowski DJ, Parkinson KJL, Fort J, Hennin HL, Gilchrist HG, Hobson KA, Mallory ML, Danielsen J, Garbus SE, Hanssen SA, Jónsson JE, Latty CJ, Magnúsdóttir E, Moe B, Parsons GJ, Sonne C, Tertitski G, Love OP. Environmental and life-history factors influence inter-colony multidimensional niche metrics of a breeding Arctic marine bird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148935. [PMID: 34274678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Human industrialization has resulted in rapid climate change, leading to wide-scale environmental shifts. These shifts can modify food web dynamics by altering the abundance and distribution of primary producers (ice algae and phytoplankton), as well as animals at higher trophic levels. Methylmercury (MeHg) is a neuro-endocrine disrupting compound which biomagnifies in animals as a function of prey choice, and as such bioavailability is affected by altered food web dynamics and adds an important risk-based dimension in studies of foraging ecology. Multidimensional niche dynamics (MDND; δ13C, δ15N, THg; total mercury) were determined among breeding common eider (Somateria mollissima) ducks sampled from 10 breeding colonies distributed across the circumpolar Arctic and subarctic. Results showed high variation in MDND among colonies as indicated by niche size and ranges in δ13C, δ15N and THg values in relation to spatial differences in primary production inferred from sea-ice presence and colony migratory status. Colonies with higher sea-ice cover during the pre-incubation period had higher median colony THg, δ15N, and δ13C. Individuals at migratory colonies had relatively higher THg and δ15N, and lower δ13C, suggesting a higher trophic position and a greater reliance on phytoplankton-based prey. It was concluded that variation in MDND exists among eider colonies which influenced individual blood THg concentrations. Further exploration of spatial ecotoxicology and MDND at each individual site is important to examine the relationships between anthropogenic activities, foraging behaviour, and the related risks of contaminant exposure at even low, sub-lethal concentrations that may contribute to deleterious effects on population stability over time. Overall, multidimensional niche analysis that incorporates multiple isotopic and contaminant metrics could help identify those populations at risk to rapidly altered food web dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyd A Smith
- University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | | | | | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle University, La Rochelle FR-17000, France
| | - Holly L Hennin
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K0A 1H0, Canada
| | - H Grant Gilchrist
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K0A 1H0, Canada
| | | | - Mark L Mallory
- cadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Jón Einar Jónsson
- University of Iceland's Research Centre at Snæfellsnes, Hafnargata 3, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland
| | - Christopher J Latty
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States
| | - Ellen Magnúsdóttir
- University of Iceland's Research Centre at Snæfellsnes, Hafnargata 3, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland
| | - Børge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Tromsø N-9296, Norway
| | - Glen J Parsons
- Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry, Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 4E5, Canada
| | | | - Grigori Tertitski
- Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119017, Russia
| | - Oliver P Love
- University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
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22
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Besnard L, Le Croizier G, Galván-Magaña F, Point D, Kraffe E, Ketchum J, Martinez Rincon RO, Schaal G. Foraging depth depicts resource partitioning and contamination level in a pelagic shark assemblage: Insights from mercury stable isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 283:117066. [PMID: 33892372 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The decline of shark populations in the world ocean is affecting ecosystem structure and function in an unpredictable way and new ecological information is today needed to better understand the role of sharks in their habitats. In particular, the characterization of foraging patterns is crucial to understand and foresee the evolution of dynamics between sharks and their prey. Many shark species use the mesopelagic area as a major foraging ground but the degree to which different pelagic sharks rely on this habitat remains overlooked. In order to depict the vertical dimension of their trophic ecology, we used mercury stable isotopes in the muscle of three pelagic shark species (the blue shark Prionace glauca, the shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus and the smooth hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena) from the northeastern Pacific region. The Δ199Hg values, ranging from 1.40 to 2.13‰ in sharks, suggested a diet mostly based on mesopelagic prey in oceanic habitats. We additionally used carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) alone or in combination with Δ199Hg values, to assess resource partitioning between the three shark species. Adding Δ199Hg resulted in a decrease in trophic overlap estimates compared to those based on δ13C/δ15N alone, demonstrating that multi-isotope modeling is needed for accurate trophic description of the three species. Mainly, it reveals that they forage at different average depths and that resource partitioning is mostly expressed through the vertical dimension within pelagic shark assemblages. Concomitantly, muscle total mercury concentration (THg) differed between species and increased with feeding depth. Overall, this study highlights the key role of the mesopelagic zone for shark species foraging among important depth gradients and reports new ecological information on trophic competition using mercury isotopes. It also suggests that foraging depth may play a pivotal role in the differences between muscle THg from co-occurring high trophic level shark species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucien Besnard
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
| | - Gaël Le Croizier
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. IPN S/n, 23096, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
| | - David Point
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Edouard Kraffe
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzane, France
| | - James Ketchum
- Pelagios-Kakunja, Cuauhtémoc 155, 23096, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
| | - Raul Octavio Martinez Rincon
- CONACyT-Centro de Investigaciónes Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Av. IPN 195, 23096, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
| | - Gauthier Schaal
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzane, France
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23
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Bezerra MF, Seminoff JA, Lemons GE, Slotton DG, Watanabe K, Lai CT. Trophic ecology of sympatric batoid species (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea) assessed by multiple biogeochemical tracers (δ 13C, δ 15N and total Hg). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 199:111398. [PMID: 34052247 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic pollution is known to reduce biodiversity and disrupt wildlife populations. Mercury (Hg) pollution is pervasive worldwide, contributing to the degradation of ecosystems, and causing deleterious effects to exposed organisms and populations. Batoids have a life history linked to the benthic substrate of coastal areas and occupy upper trophic levels. These combined with large bodies, long lifespan, and slow growth rates contributes to increased uptake and accumulation of Hg. However, mechanisms governing these associations are not well understood. Using multiple biogeochemical tracers (δ13C, δ15N and total Hg), we describe trophic interactions of three sympatric batoid species inhabiting an urbanized estuary and identify diet sources that contribute to Hg accumulation and trophic position among these mesopredators. We also use the Bat-ray (Myliobatis californica) as a model species, to compare diet composition, trophic position, and isotopic niche between two populations in two Californian bays. Trophic plasticity in M. californica was characterized by isotopic niche, diet proportions, and trophic position estimates using Bayesian statistics. We found diet and local contamination background strongly associated with Hg accumulation, and Hg levels that exceed EPA water quality criterion (<0.3 μg.g-1 w.w.) in all studied species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Bezerra
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - J A Seminoff
- NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - G E Lemons
- NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - D G Slotton
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - K Watanabe
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - C T Lai
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
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24
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Garcia-Vazquez E, Geslin V, Turrero P, Rodriguez N, Machado-Schiaffino G, Ardura A. Oceanic karma? Eco-ethical gaps in African EEE metal cycle may hit back through seafood contamination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 762:143098. [PMID: 33127132 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The increasing global demand for electric and electronic equipment (EEE) such as smartphones, tablets and electric car batteries has resulted in an increase in heavy metal releases to the environment at different steps during its manufacture (e.g. mining, extraction, production and e-waste). Some critical raw materials (CRMs) that supply the worldwide demand of technology are mainly sourced from Africa, but their resulting heavy metal pollution can reach citizens from other regions of the world through seafood caught in African waters, which would act as a vector. In this study, we review heavy metal contents in African fish and, as proof of concept, we analyse heavy metal content in three tuna species (Thunnus alalunga, T. albacares and T. obesus) caught in different regions inside the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) by Spanish fleets and commercialised in Spain. Thunnus alalunga and T. albacares from African waters had higher concentrations of heavy metals (especially Hg but also As and Pb) in muscle than samples of the same species caught in other waters. Metal profiles in tunas from African waters were significantly correlated with those of continental and coastal fish from nearby areas impacted by mines and e-waste, as found in the literature review. Based on these results we identify research priorities that should be addressed in order to improve the social and environmental sustainability of EEE metal manufacture in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentin Geslin
- Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | - Pablo Turrero
- Spanish National Distance-Learning University (UNED), Gijón Campus, Spain
| | - Noemi Rodriguez
- Department of Education Sciences, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Alba Ardura
- Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, Spain
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25
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Murillo-Cisneros DA, Zenteno-Savín T, Harley J, Cyr A, Hernández-Almaraz P, Gaxiola-Robles R, Galván-Magaña F, O'Hara TM. Mercury concentrations in Baja California Sur fish: Dietary exposure assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 267:129233. [PMID: 33359982 PMCID: PMC7851631 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury concentrations ([THg]) in muscle were determined in commercial finfish and elasmobranchs from Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico to evaluate dietary Hg exposure for BCS communities, including the relationship of trophic ecology, length and mass with [THg] that might drive future consumption advice (e.g., recommend limited consumption of large fish for some species). The [THg] ranged from 0.06 to 528.02 μg kg-1 ww in finfish and 17.68-848.26 μg kg-1 ww in elasmobranchs. Relative to the consumption threshold set for predatory fish in Mexico, all species had a concentration below 1000 μg kg-1 ww. As expected, 16 (4.02%) and 75 (18.84%) individual fish were above advisory thresholds of 500 and 200 μg kg-1 ww, respectively. The hazard quotients (HQs) in most species were significantly <1.0, only banded guitarfish showed a significant median HQ > 1.0. Thus, the relative level of risk of high Hg exposure is low for most species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A Murillo-Cisneros
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico
| | - Tania Zenteno-Savín
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico.
| | - John Harley
- Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center, University of Alaska Southeast, 11175 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK, 99801, USA
| | - Andrew Cyr
- Biomedical Learning and Student Training, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2141 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Pablo Hernández-Almaraz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico
| | - Ramón Gaxiola-Robles
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico; Hospital General de Zona No.1. Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social. 5 de Febrero y Héroes de La Independencia, Centro, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23000, Mexico
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. I.P.N. S/n, Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apartado Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23000, Mexico
| | - Todd M O'Hara
- Bilingual Laboratory of Toxicology, Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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26
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Azad AM, Frantzen S, Bank MS, Madsen L, Maage A. Mercury bioaccumulation pathways in tusk (Brosme brosme) from Sognefjord, Norway: Insights from C and N isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 269:115997. [PMID: 33218771 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seafood is the main source of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure for humans and elevated total mercury (Hg) concentrations have been reported in marine fish from Norwegian fjords compared with offshore areas. Hg in tusk fillets (n = 201) and liver samples (n = 177) were measured in individuals from different habitats including offshore, coastal area, outer and inner Sognefjord. Specifically, the effects of habitat, energy sources and trophic complexity on Hg bioaccumulation pathways in tusk (Brosme brosme) were investigated using stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N). The concentrations of Hg in tusk increased from offshore towards inner Sognefjord. While Hg concentrations in sediment were at background levels, tusk fillet samples from 7 of 8 sites in Sognefjord had higher Hg levels than the maximum level set by European Union. Based on these findings, human consumption advice for tusk from Sognefjord was issued by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. δ13C values in tusk successfully discriminated individuals from different habitats and were positively correlated to Hg concentrations in tusk across individuals, sites and habitats, outlining the potential importance of terrestrial carbon and most likely the atmospheric deposition of Hg from the catchment to the overall Hg bioaccumulation and exposure regime in tusk. Additionally, we postulate that the effects of terrestrial carbon sources increased towards inner Sognefjord and likely influenced Hg bioavailability throughout the food web. In contrast, δ15N values were patchy throughout the fjord system and although trophic position explained some of the Hg variation between individual fish, it was not correlated with Hg variation across sites and habitats. Our results suggest that tusk can accumulate high levels of Hg in fjord ecosystems and that catchment runoff is likely an important driver of Hg bioaccumulation in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Azad
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - S Frantzen
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - M S Bank
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway; Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - L Madsen
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway; Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Maage
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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27
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Azevedo LS, Pestana IA, Almeida MG, Ferreira da Costa Nery A, Bastos WR, Magalhães Souza CM. Mercury biomagnification in an ichthyic food chain of an amazon floodplain lake (Puruzinho Lake): Influence of seasonality and food chain modeling. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 207:111249. [PMID: 32890953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) biomagnification in fish food chains is a relevant subject due to the high fish consumption of the Amazonian population and the high toxicity of this metal. In the Amazon, floodplain lake hydrodynamics change considerably along the four seasons of the hydrological cycle (rising water, high water, falling water and low water), which can influence Hg bioaccumulation in fish. The main aim of this study was to evaluate if Hg biomagnification is influenced by seasonality in a floodplain lake (Puruzinho Lake) in the Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, the influence of food chain modeling on measurement of Hg biomagnification was tested. Hg concentrations and stable isotope signatures (carbon and nitrogen) were estimated in four species, Mylossoma duriventre (herbivorous), Prochilodus nigricans (detritivorous), Cichla pleiozona (piscivorous) and Serrasalmus rhombeus (piscivorous). The "trophic magnification slope" (TMS) of the food chain composed by the four species was calculated and compared among the four seasons. There was no significant seasonal variation in TMS among rising water, high water, falling water and low water seasons (p = 0.08), suggesting that Hg biomagnification does not change seasonally. However, there was significant variation in TMS among different food chain models. Lower TMS was observed in a food chain composed of detritivorous and piscivorous fish (0.20) in comparison with a food chain composed of the four species (0.26). The results indicate food chain modeling influences TMS results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Silva Azevedo
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil.
| | - Inácio Abreu Pestana
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gomes Almeida
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Adriely Ferreira da Costa Nery
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Olaria, CEP, 76815-800, Porto Velho, Rondônia, RO, Brazil
| | - Wanderley Rodrigues Bastos
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Olaria, CEP, 76815-800, Porto Velho, Rondônia, RO, Brazil
| | - Cristina Maria Magalhães Souza
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
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28
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Le Croizier G, Lorrain A, Sonke JE, Jaquemet S, Schaal G, Renedo M, Besnard L, Cherel Y, Point D. Mercury isotopes as tracers of ecology and metabolism in two sympatric shark species. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114931. [PMID: 32590319 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In coastal ecosystems, top predators are exposed to a wide variety of nutrient and contaminant sources due to the diversity of trophic webs within inshore marine habitats. Mercury contamination could represent an additional threat to shark populations that are declining worldwide. Here we measured total mercury, carbon and nitrogen isotopes, as well as mercury isotopes, in two co-occurring shark species (the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas and the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier) and their potential prey from a coastal ecosystem of the western Indian Ocean (La Réunion Island). Our primary goals were to (i) determine the main trophic Hg sources for sharks and (ii) better characterize their diet composition and foraging habitat. Hg isotope signatures (Δ199Hg and δ202Hg) of shark prey suggested that bull sharks were exposed to methylmercury (MeHg) produced in offshore epipelagic waters, while tiger sharks were exposed to offshore mesopelagic MeHg with additional microbial transformation in slope sediments. Δ199Hg values efficiently traced the ecology of the two predators, demonstrating that bull sharks targeted coastal prey in shallow waters while tiger sharks were mainly foraging on mesopelagic species in the deeper waters of the island slope. Unexpectedly, we found a positive shift in δ202Hg (>1‰) between sharks and their prey, leading to high δ202Hg values in the two shark species (e.g. 1.91 ± 0.52‰ in bull sharks). This large shift in δ202Hg indicates that sharks may display strong MeHg demethylation abilities, possibly reflecting evolutionary pathways for mitigating their MeHg contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Croizier
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France.
| | - Anne Lorrain
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Jaquemet
- Laboratoire ENTROPIE, UMR 9220 CNRS/IRD/Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 92003, 97744, Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Gauthier Schaal
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Marina Renedo
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Lucien Besnard
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - David Point
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
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Garcia Barcia L, Argiro J, Babcock EA, Cai Y, Shea SKH, Chapman DD. Mercury and arsenic in processed fins from nine of the most traded shark species in the Hong Kong and China dried seafood markets: The potential health risks of shark fin soup. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 157:111281. [PMID: 32469749 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Shark fin is one of Asia's most valued dried seafood products, with over 80 shark species traded in Hong Kong [HK]. We analyzed processed shark fins from mainland China and HK markets (n = 267) for mercury, methyl‑mercury, and arsenic, to inform consumers, policy makers and public health officials on the health risks of ingesting fins from nine of the most common shark species in the fin trade. Fins from all species frequently exceed Hg limits established by HK authorities. Most of the mercury found is in the form of methyl‑mercury (69.0 ± 33.5%). Five species surpass methyl‑mercury PTWIs and blue shark fins can exceed inorganic arsenic BMDL0.5. Species-of-origin was a significant predictor of heavy metal concentrations, with higher mercury concentrations associated with coastal sharks and lower arsenic levels found with increasing shark trophic level. Species-specific labeling would help consumers avoid shark fin products that pose the highest health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Garcia Barcia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181, United States of America.
| | - Juana Argiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A Babcock
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, United States of America
| | - Yong Cai
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States of America
| | - Stanley K H Shea
- BLOOM Association, c/o, ADMCF, Suite 2405, 9 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
| | - Demian D Chapman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181, United States of America
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Le Croizier G, Lorrain A, Schaal G, Ketchum J, Hoyos-Padilla M, Besnard L, Munaron JM, Le Loc'h F, Point D. Trophic resources and mercury exposure of two silvertip shark populations in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 253:126645. [PMID: 32283423 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide shark populations have experienced rapid declines over the last decades, mainly due to overfishing. Marine protected areas (MPAs) have thus become an indispensable tool for the protection of these marine predators. Two recently-created MPAs in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, the Revillagigedo National Park and Clipperton Atoll, are characterized by different trophic structures potentially influencing the trophic niche and contaminant exposure of resident sharks in these two sites. In this context, we used carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope analyzes as well as total mercury concentrations ([THg]) to assess the effect of foraging site on the trophic niche and Hg levels of juvenile silvertip (ST) sharks Carcharhinus albimarginatus. Analyzing fin clip samples from Revillagigedo and Clipperton, we found that shark δ15N varied spatially in relation to δ15N baselines, suggesting similar trophic position in both MPAs. Moreover, δ13C values indicated that ST sharks from Revillagigedo would feed on different food webs (i.e. both benthic and pelagic) while individuals from Clipperton would only rely on benthic food webs. These differences between MPAs led to a weak overlap of isotopic niches between the two populations, highlighting the site residency of juvenile ST sharks. Within each population, [THg] was not correlated with trophic tracers (δ15N and δ13C) and was also similar between populations. This study revealed no influence of site or food web in [THg] and raises the question of the origin of Hg exposure for reef shark populations in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Croizier
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France; Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France.
| | - Anne Lorrain
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Gauthier Schaal
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - James Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Las Garzas, 23070, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, 23096, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., Sinaloa 1540, Las Garzas, 23070, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, 23096, Mexico; Fins Attached Marine Conservation, Colorado Springs, USA
| | - Lucien Besnard
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | | | | | - David Point
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), UMR 5563 CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
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Chételat J, Ackerman JT, Eagles-Smith CA, Hebert CE. Methylmercury exposure in wildlife: A review of the ecological and physiological processes affecting contaminant concentrations and their interpretation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 711:135117. [PMID: 31831233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) can result in detrimental health effects in wildlife. With advances in ecological indicators and analytical techniques for measurement of MeHg in a variety of tissues, numerous processes have been identified that can influence MeHg concentrations in wildlife. This review presents a synthesis of theoretical principals and applied information for measuring MeHg exposure and interpreting MeHg concentrations in wildlife. Mercury concentrations in wildlife are the net result of ecological processes influencing dietary exposure combined with physiological processes that regulate assimilation, transformation, and elimination. Therefore, consideration of both physiological and ecological processes should be integrated when formulating biomonitoring strategies. Ecological indicators, particularly stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, compound-specific stable isotopes, and fatty acids, can be effective tools to evaluate dietary MeHg exposure. Animal species differ in their physiological capacity for MeHg elimination, and animal tissues can be inert or physiologically active, act as sites of storage, transformation, or excretion of MeHg, and vary in the timing of MeHg exposure they represent. Biological influences such as age, sex, maternal transfer, and growth or fasting are also relevant for interpretation of tissue MeHg concentrations. Wildlife tissues that represent current or near-term bioaccumulation and in which MeHg is the predominant mercury species (such as blood and eggs) are most effective for biomonitoring ecosystems and understanding landscape drivers of MeHg exposure. Further research is suggested to critically evaluate the use of keratinized external tissues to measure MeHg bioaccumulation, particularly for less-well studied wildlife such as reptiles and terrestrial mammals. Suggested methods are provided to effectively use wildlife for quantifying patterns and drivers of MeHg bioaccumulation over time and space, as well as for assessing the potential risk and toxicological effects of MeHg on wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA 95620, United States
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Craig E Hebert
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
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Moura Reis Manhães B, de Souza Picaluga A, Bisi TL, de Freitas Azevedo A, Torres JPM, Malm O, Lailson-Brito J. Tracking mercury in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: the use of tuna and tuna-like species as indicators of bioavailability. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:6813-6823. [PMID: 31873906 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-07275-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a trace element that is potentially dangerous due its high toxicity and tendency to bioaccumulate in organisms. Currently, high mercury concentrations are seen in the environment especially due climate changes. Studies regarding mercury bioavailability in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean using tuna and tuna-like species are rare. The aim of the present study was to use tuna and tuna-like species (Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis, Euthynnus alletteratus, Coryphaena hippurus and Sarda sarda) as indicators of the availability of total mercury (THg) in oceanic food webs of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. THg concentrations varied significantly among species for both muscle and liver (Kruskal-Wallis test; H5,130 = 52.7; p < 0.05; H5,130 = 50.1; p < 0.05, respectively). The lowest concentrations were found in C. hippurus (0.008 mg kg-1 wet weight in the muscle and 0.003 mg kg-1 wet weight in the liver), and the highest concentrations were reported in the muscle of T. atlanticus (1.3 mg kg-1 wet weight) and in the liver of S. sarda (2.5 mg kg-1 wet weight). The continued monitoring of tuna and tuna-like species is necessary to assist in their conservation since tuna can be sentinels of mercury pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Moura Reis Manhães
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Profa. Izabel Gurgel" (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, sala 4002, 20550-013, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 Sala G0-61, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Alice de Souza Picaluga
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Profa. Izabel Gurgel" (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, sala 4002, 20550-013, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Lemos Bisi
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Profa. Izabel Gurgel" (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, sala 4002, 20550-013, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alexandre de Freitas Azevedo
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Profa. Izabel Gurgel" (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, sala 4002, 20550-013, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Machado Torres
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 Sala G0-61, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Olaf Malm
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 Sala G0-61, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - José Lailson-Brito
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores "Profa. Izabel Gurgel" (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, sala 4002, 20550-013, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Zheng N, Wang S, Dong W, Hua X, Li Y, Song X, Chu Q, Hou S, Li Y. The Toxicological Effects of Mercury Exposure in Marine Fish. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 102:714-720. [PMID: 30949738 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-019-02593-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Since the Minamata incident in Japan, the public have become increasingly aware of the negative health effects caused by mercury pollution in the ocean. Consequently, there has been significant interest in the health of humans eating fish exposed to mercury (Hg). However, the toxicity of mercury to the marine fish themselves has received far less attention. In this review, we summarize mercury accumulation in marine fish and the toxicological effects of mercury exposure. Results showed that the bioaccumulation of mercury in marine fish was highly variable, and its concentration was affected by the specific physiological and ecological characteristics of different fish species. Mercury exposure can produce teratogenic, neurotoxic effects, and reproductive toxicity. These effects can then cause harm to cells, tissues, proteins and genes, and ultimately, the survival, growth, and behavior of marine fish. Future studies should afford more attention to the toxicological effect of mercury exposure upon marine fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, College of Environment and Resources, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China.
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4888 Shengbei Street, Changchun, 130102, Jilin, China.
| | - Sujing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, College of Environment and Resources, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
| | - Wu Dong
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory Toxinscant Monitoring and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, 028043, China
| | - Xiuyi Hua
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, College of Environment and Resources, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
| | - Yunyang Li
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4888 Shengbei Street, Changchun, 130102, Jilin, China
| | - Xue Song
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4888 Shengbei Street, Changchun, 130102, Jilin, China
| | - Qingwen Chu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory Toxinscant Monitoring and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, 028043, China
| | - Shengnan Hou
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4888 Shengbei Street, Changchun, 130102, Jilin, China
- Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, College of Environment and Resources, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
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