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Bargagli R, Rota E. Mediterranean Marine Mammals: Possible Future Trends and Threats Due to Mercury Contamination and Interaction with Other Environmental Stressors. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2386. [PMID: 39199920 PMCID: PMC11350842 DOI: 10.3390/ani14162386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decreasing anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions in Europe and the banning and restriction of many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention, Mediterranean marine mammals still have one of the highest body burdens of persistent pollutants in the world. Moreover, the Mediterranean basin is one of the most sensitive to climate change, with likely changes in the biogeochemical cycle and bioavailability of Hg, primary productivity, and the length and composition of pelagic food webs. The availability of food resources for marine mammals is also affected by widespread overfishing and the increasing number of alien species colonizing the basin. After reporting the most recent findings on the biogeochemical cycle of Hg in the Mediterranean Sea and the physico-chemical and bio-ecological factors determining its exceptional bioaccumulation in odontocetes, this review discusses possible future changes in the bioavailability of the metal. Recent ocean-atmosphere-land models predict that in mid-latitude seas, water warming (which in the Mediterranean is 20% faster than the global average) is likely to decrease the solubility of Hg and favor the escape of the metal to the atmosphere. However, the basin has been affected for thousands of years by natural and anthropogenic inputs of metals and climate change with sea level rise (3.6 ± 0.3 mm year-1 in the last two decades), and the frequency of extreme weather events will likely remobilize a large amount of legacy Hg from soils, riverine, and coastal sediments. Moreover, possible changes in pelagic food webs and food availability could determine dietary shifts and lower growth rates in Mediterranean cetaceans, increasing their Hg body burden. Although, in adulthood, many marine mammals have evolved the ability to detoxify monomethylmercury (MMHg) and store the metal in the liver and other organs as insoluble HgSe crystals, in Mediterranean populations more exposed to the metal, this process can deplete the biological pool of Se, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. Mediterranean mammals are also among the most exposed in the world to legacy POPs, micro- and nanoplastics, and contaminants of emerging interest. Concomitant exposure to these synthetic chemicals may pose a much more serious threat than the Se depletion. Unfortunately, as shown by the literature data summarized in this review, the most exposed populations are those living in the NW basin, the main feeding and reproductive area for most Mediterranean cetaceans, declared a sanctuary for their protection since 2002. Thus, while emphasizing the adoption of all available approaches to mitigate anthropogenic pressure with fishing and maritime traffic, it is recommended to direct future research efforts towards the assessment of possible biological effects, at the individual and population levels, of chronic and simultaneous exposure to Hg, legacy POPs, contaminants of emerging interest, and microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilia Rota
- Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy;
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Delgado-Suarez I, Lozano-Bilbao E, Hardisson A, Paz S, Gutiérrez ÁJ. Metal and trace element concentrations in cetaceans worldwide: A review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115010. [PMID: 37167666 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This bibliographical review is a compilation of different scientific publications that reported data on metal concentrations in the muscle tissue of different species of cetaceans from seas and oceans around the world. Forty-nine scientific articles were selected, published over a fifteen-year period (2006-2021) with data on heavy metals and trace elements. The different groups of cetaceans considered in this study generally presented low concentrations of Cd and Pb. The same cannot be said of Hg. The highest concentrations of Hg were found in the groups of false killer whales. Similarly, the use of these groups of cetaceans as bioindicators of metal contamination shows that the Mediterranean Sea is one of the most metallically contaminated areas in the world. This may be due to the closed nature of the Mediterranean Sea and to the fact that it is also a highly populated and industrialized area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Delgado-Suarez
- Toxicology Area, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, University of La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Enrique Lozano-Bilbao
- Toxicology Area, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, University of La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Arturo Hardisson
- Toxicology Area, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, University of La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Soraya Paz
- Toxicology Area, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, University of La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ángel J Gutiérrez
- Toxicology Area, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, University of La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
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Tian J, Gan Z, Sanganyado E, Lu Z, Wu J, Han J, Liu W. Tissue distribution and health risk of trace elements in East Asian finless porpoises. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:118007. [PMID: 34461413 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118007] [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: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the tissue distribution, trophic transfer, and ecological risk of 13 trace elements in 26 East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), an endangered species found in the Liaodong Bay and the north Yellow Sea. All the investigated trace elements were detected in the tissue and food web of the East Asian finless porpoises. The concentrations of the potentially toxic elements were 2.37 × 10-5 - 754 mg kg-1 dry weight (dw) in stranded porpoises and 0.01-159 mg kg-1 dw in their food web. Tissue-specific distribution of the trace elements generally ranked as: liver > kidney > heart > lung > muscle. Zn was the dominant contaminant in the five investigated tissues. Significant positive correlations were found between body length or age and some trace elements, especially Cd. Adults (≥2 years old) presented higher concentrations of most of the trace elements than juveniles (<2 years old). Sex-dependent distribution of the trace elements was insignificant except for Mn, Ni, and Zn in muscle and renal tissue. As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and V biodiluted across the East Asian finless porpoise food web while Zn biomagnified. However, Hg, Cd, Co, Cr, Se, and Sn did not exhibit apparent trophic transfer trends. Overall, ecological risk assessment of trace elements in East Asian finless porpoises suggested that greater attention should be given to Hg, As, Cd, and Se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashen Tian
- Institute of Marine Science, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, 243 Daxue Road, Shantou City, 515063, China; Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, 50 Heishijiao Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116000, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhiwei Gan
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Edmond Sanganyado
- Institute of Marine Science, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, 243 Daxue Road, Shantou City, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Zhichuang Lu
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, 50 Heishijiao Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116000, Liaoning, China
| | - Jinhao Wu
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, 50 Heishijiao Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116000, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiabo Han
- Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, 50 Heishijiao Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116000, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenhua Liu
- Institute of Marine Science, Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, 243 Daxue Road, Shantou City, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 511458, China.
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Trevizani TH, Figueira RCL, Santos MCDO, Domit C. Mercury in trophic webs of estuaries in the southwest Atlantic Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 167:112370. [PMID: 33895592 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112370] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have impacted the coastal region of Brazil. In the Paranaguá estuarine complex (PEC), Cananéia-Iguape estuarine-lagoon complex (CIELC), and Santos-São Vicente estuarine complex (SSVEC), such activities occur across differing scales. In these estuaries, the concentrations of mercury (Hg) and stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) were investigated in sediments and marine organisms including benthic macrofauna, fish and cetaceans. Hg bioconcentration occurred primarily in cetaceans, polychaetes and molluscs, and reflects the impact of anthropogenic activities in the regions studied (PEC and SSVEC > CIELC). Bioaccumulation occurred in most of the studied specimens, but biodilution of Hg was observed in the trophic webs of SSVEC and CIELC. Despite measuring lower Hg levels than in studies carried out in the northern hemisphere, the results highlight potential concerns for public and environmental health in these highly productive coastal regions in the southwestern Atlantic which are important for fishing and various economic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tailisi Hoppe Trevizani
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto Oceanográfico, Praça do Oceanográfico 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil.
| | - Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto Oceanográfico, Praça do Oceanográfico 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Domit
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação - Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Pontal do Paraná, PR 83255-000, Brazil
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McCormack MA, Jackson BP, Dutton J. Effects of Formalin Fixation on Trace Element Concentrations in Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Tissues. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1149-1164. [PMID: 32164038 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Odontocetes are considered ideal sentinel species to monitor environmental trace element concentrations. Although frozen tissues are preferable for trace element analysis, formalin-fixed tissues are often the only samples available; however, it is uncertain whether formalin fixation alters tissue trace element concentrations. To explore whether formalin-fixed tissues could be utilized for toxicology studies, concentrations of 14 trace elements (arsenic [As], cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, selenium, tin, vanadium, and zinc [Zn]) were measured in frozen and formalin-fixed bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) tissues following short-term (6 wk; tissues: blubber, liver, and lung) and long-term preservation (3-7 yr; tissues: blubber, brain, kidney, liver, lung, and skin) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Following both short-term and long-term preservation, there were significant differences in tissue trace element concentrations between preservation methods. Some trace elements were found in greater concentrations in frozen tissues compared with formalin-fixed tissues, suggesting leaching (e.g., mean As concentrations were between 1.4 and 7.6 times greater in frozen tissues). In contrast, other trace elements were found in greater concentrations in formalin-fixed tissues compared with frozen tissues, suggesting contamination (e.g., mean Zn concentrations were up to 8.7 times higher in some formalin-fixed tissues). Our results suggest that it may be possible to account for the effects of formalin fixation for some trace elements, but leaching and contamination should be carefully considered. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1149-1164. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghan A McCormack
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, Aquatic Station, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Jessica Dutton
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, Aquatic Station, San Marcos, Texas, USA
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