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He X, Wallace WG, Reinfelder JR. Grass Shrimp ( Palaemonetes pugio) as a Trophic Link for Methylmercury Accumulation in Urban Salt Marshes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:8071-8081. [PMID: 35584355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) represent a potential link in the transfer of methylmercury (MeHg) from salt marsh sediments to transient young-of-the-year (YOY) fish. Across six salt marshes subject to varying degrees of Hg contamination, MeHg concentration in grass shrimp was significantly correlated with MeHg in sediment (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.81). Bioenergetic models show that grass shrimp alone account for 12-90% of MeHg observed in YOY striped bass and 6-22% of MeHg in YOY summer flounder. Direct accumulation of MeHg from grass shrimp to YOY fish increased with MeHg levels in grass shrimp and sediment. However, in the most contaminated salt marshes with the highest levels of MeHg in grass shrimp and sediment, indirect accumulation of MeHg from grass shrimp by YOY summer flounder, whose diet is dominated by benthic forage fish (mummichog), is predicted to plateau because higher concentrations of MeHg in grass shrimp are offset by a lower proportion of grass shrimp in the mummichog diet. Our results demonstrate that grass shrimp are an important trophic link in the bioaccumulation of MeHg in salt marsh food webs and that MeHg accumulation in YOY fish varies with both the concentration of MeHg in salt marsh sediments and benthic food web structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuai He
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - William G Wallace
- Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York 10314, United States
| | - John R Reinfelder
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
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Azevedo LS, Pestana IA, da Costa Nery AF, Bastos WR, Souza CMM. Variation in Hg accumulation between demersal and pelagic fish from Puruzinho Lake, Brazilian Amazon. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 28:1143-1149. [PMID: 31620950 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-019-02118-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems in the Amazon are exposed to mercury, mostly from natural sources. Hg accumulation in fish tissues poses a risk to the local population since fish is one of the main sources of protein in the region. The aim of this study was to evaluate Hg distribution in demersal and pelagic carnivorous fish between seasons in Puruzinho Lake in the Brazilian Amazon. Total Hg was quantified in 221 individuals of 8 species obtained during the high water and low water seasons. Two-way ANOVA indicated an interaction between foraging habitat and season. During high water, total Hg concentrations were similar between demersal and pelagic fish, while in low water, total Hg levels were higher in demersal fish. Pelagic and demersal fishes' Hg levels were similar between the two seasons.
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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, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil.
| | - Inácio Abreu Pestana
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | | | - Wanderley Rodrigues Bastos
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental WCP, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, CEP: 76815-800, Brazil
| | - Cristina Maria Magalhães Souza
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
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Jinadasa BKKK, Fowler SW. Critical review of mercury contamination in Sri Lankan fish and aquatic products. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 149:110526. [PMID: 31543477 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) in fish and aquatic products is a potential threat to human health and international trade, and guidelines of international advisory bodies are established for assessing Hg in these foods. As fish are the most consumed animal protein in Sri Lanka, this assessment summarises for the first-time total mercury concentrations in Sri Lankan marine and freshwater fish, invertebrates, aquatic plants, and fisheries products. It reveals that Hg levels in fish and other edible aquatic species are mostly below the published safety limits, except for certain top trophic level fish (swordfish, tuna, marlin). The review also highlights gaps in Sri Lankan Hg assessments such as a total lack of data for methyl‑mercury in these aquatic species and food products. This data compilation and assessment will serve as an initial baseline for comparison with results from future monitoring and research studies in Sri Lanka while adding to the world-wide Hg database.
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Affiliation(s)
- B K K K Jinadasa
- Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (ACL), National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency (NARA), Colombo 15, Sri Lanka.
| | - Scott W Fowler
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, USA
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Seasonal Variations in the Use of Profundal Habitat among Freshwater Fishes in Lake Norsjø, Southern Norway, and Subsequent Effects on Fish Mercury Concentrations. ENVIRONMENTS 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/environments3040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Karimi R, Frisk M, Fisher NS. Contrasting food web factor and body size relationships with Hg and Se concentrations in marine biota. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74695. [PMID: 24019976 PMCID: PMC3760827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine fish and shellfish are primary sources of human exposure to mercury, a potentially toxic metal, and selenium, an essential element that may protect against mercury bioaccumulation and toxicity. Yet we lack a thorough understanding of Hg and Se patterns in common marine taxa, particularly those that are commercially important, and how food web and body size factors differ in their influence on Hg and Se patterns. We compared Hg and Se content among marine fish and invertebrate taxa collected from Long Island, NY, and examined associations between Hg, Se, body length, trophic level (measured by δ15N) and degree of pelagic feeding (measured by δ13C). Finfish, particularly shark, had high Hg content whereas bivalves generally had high Se content. Both taxonomic differences and variability were larger for Hg than Se, and Hg content explained most of the variation in Hg:Se molar ratios among taxa. Finally, Hg was more strongly associated with length and trophic level across taxa than Se, consistent with a greater degree of Hg bioaccumulation in the body over time, and biomagnification through the food web, respectively. Overall, our findings indicate distinct taxonomic and ecological Hg and Se patterns in commercially important marine biota, and these patterns have nutritional and toxicological implications for seafood-consuming wildlife and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Karimi
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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Burger J, Gochfeld M, Fote T. Stakeholder participation in research design and decisions: scientists, fishers, and mercury in saltwater fish. ECOHEALTH 2013; 10:21-30. [PMID: 23413085 PMCID: PMC4341829 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-013-0816-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 06/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Individuals who fish and eat self-caught fish make decisions about where to fish, the type to eat, and the quantity to eat. Federal and state agencies often issue consumption advisories for some fish with high mercury (Hg) concentrations, but seldom provide either the actual metal levels to the general public, or identify the fish that have low contaminant levels. Community participatory research is of growing importance in defining, studying, and resolving complex exposure and risk issues, and this paper is at the intersection of traditional stakeholder approaches and community-based participatory research. The objective of this paper is to describe the process whereby stakeholders (fishers), were involved in directing and refining research questions to address their particular informational needs about mercury levels in fish, potential risks, and methods to maintain health, by balancing the risks and benefits of fish consumption. A range of stakeholders, mainly individual fishers, fishing organizations, and other scientists, were involved at nearly every stage. Community participants influenced many aspects of the design and implementation of the research, in the determination of which fish species to sample, in the collection of the samples, and in the final analyses and synthesis, as well as the communication of results and implications of the research through their fishing club publications, talks and gatherings. By involving the most interested and affected communities, the data and conclusions are relevant to their needs because the fish examined were those they ate and wanted information about, and directly address concerns about the risk from consuming self-caught fish. Although mercury levels in fish presumed to be high in mercury are known, little information was available to the fishermen on mercury levels in fish that were low and thus provided little risk to their families. While community participatory research is more time-consuming and expensive than traditional scientific research, both the process and results are better scientifically in terms of community relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA.
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Gochfeld M, Burger J, Jeitner C, Donio M, Pittfield T. Seasonal, locational and size variations in mercury and selenium levels in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) from New Jersey. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2012; 112:8-19. [PMID: 22226733 PMCID: PMC4193446 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2011.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Revised: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
We examined total mercury and selenium levels in muscle of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) collected from 2005 to 2008 from coastal New Jersey. Of primary interest was whether there were differences in mercury and selenium levels as a function of size and location, and whether the legal size limits increased the exposure of bass consumers to mercury. We obtained samples mainly from recreational anglers, but also by seine and trawl. For the entire sample (n=178 individual fish), the mean (±standard error) for total mercury was 0.39±0.02 μg/g (=0.39 ppm, wet weight basis) with a maximum of 1.3 μg/g (=1.3 ppm wet weight). Mean selenium level was 0.30±0.01 μg/g (w/w) with a maximum of 0.9 μg/g). Angler-caught fish (n=122) were constrained by legal size limits to exceed 61 cm (24 in.) and averaged 72.6±1.3 cm long; total mercury averaged 0.48±0.021 μg/g and selenium averaged 0.29±0.01 μg/g. For comparable sizes, angler-caught fish had significantly higher mercury levels (0.3 vs 0.21 μg/g) than trawled fish. In both the total and angler-only samples, mercury was strongly correlated with length (Kendall tau=0.37; p<0.0001) and weight (0.38; p<0.0001), but was not correlated with condition or with selenium. In the whole sample and all subsamples, total length yielded the highest r(2) (up to 0.42) of any variable for both mercury and selenium concentrations. Trawled fish from Long Branch in August and Sandy Hook in October were the same size (68.9 vs 70.1cm) and had the same mercury concentrations (0.22 vs 0.21 ppm), but different selenium levels (0.11 vs 0.28 ppm). The seined fish (all from Delaware Bay) had the same mercury concentration as the trawled fish from the Atlantic coast despite being smaller. Angler-caught fish from the North (Sandy Hook) were larger but had significantly lower mercury than fish from the South (mainly Cape May). Selenium levels were high in small fish, low in medium-sized fish, and increased again in larger fish, but overall selenium was correlated with length (tau=0.14; p=0.006) and weight (tau=0.27; p<0.0001). Length-squared contributed significantly to selenium models, reflecting the non-linear relationship. Inter-year differences were explained partly by differences in sizes. The selenium:mercury molar ratio was below 1:1 in 20% of the fish and 25% of the angler-caught fish. Frequent consumption of large striped bass can result in exposure above the EPA's reference dose, a problem particularly for fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Gochfeld
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine, EOHSI, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, and Environmental and Occupational Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Joanna Burger
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, and Environmental and Occupational Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Division of Life Sciences, 604 Allison Road, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Christian Jeitner
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, and Environmental and Occupational Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Division of Life Sciences, 604 Allison Road, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Mark Donio
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, and Environmental and Occupational Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Division of Life Sciences, 604 Allison Road, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Taryn Pittfield
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, and Environmental and Occupational Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Division of Life Sciences, 604 Allison Road, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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Burger J, Gochfeld M. Mercury and selenium levels in 19 species of saltwater fish from New Jersey as a function of species, size, and season. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2011; 409:1418-29. [PMID: 21292311 PMCID: PMC4300121 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Revised: 12/10/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
There are few data on risks to biota and humans from mercury levels in saltwater fish. This paper examines mercury and selenium levels in muscle of 19 species of fish caught by recreational fisherfolk off the New Jersey shore, as a function of species of fish, size, and season, and risk of mercury to consumers. Average mercury levels ranged from 0.01 ppm (wet weight) (Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus) to 1.83 ppm (Mako Shark Isurus oxyrinchus). There were four categories of mercury levels: very high (only Mako), high (averaging 0.3-0.5 ppm, 3 species), medium (0.14-0.20 ppm, 10 species), and low (below 0.13 ppm, 5 species). Average selenium levels for the fish species ranged from 0.18 ppm to 0.58 ppm, and had lower variability than mercury (coefficient of variation=38.3 vs 69.1%), consistent with homeostatic regulation of this essential element. The correlation between mercury and selenium was significantly positive for five and negative for two species. Mercury levels showed significant positive correlations with fish size for ten species. Size was the best predictor of mercury levels. Selenium showed no consistent relationship to fish length. Over half of the fish species had some individual fish with mercury levels over 0.3 ppm, and a third had fish with levels over 0.5 ppm, levels that pose a human health risk for high end consumers. Conversely several fish species had no individuals above 0.5 ppm, and few above 0.3 ppm, suggesting that people who eat fish frequently, can reduce their risk from mercury by selecting which species (and which size) to consume. Overall, with the exception of shark, Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus), Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) and Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), the species sampled are generally medium to low in mercury concentration. Selenium:mercury molar ratios were generally above 1:1, except for the Mako shark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA.
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Thomas MA, Yang L, Carter BJ, Klaper RD. Gene set enrichment analysis of microarray data from Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque), a non-mammalian model organism. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:66. [PMID: 21269471 PMCID: PMC3037904 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methods for gene-class testing, such as Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), incorporate biological knowledge into the analysis and interpretation of microarray data by comparing gene expression patterns to pathways, systems and emergent phenotypes. However, to use GSEA to its full capability with non-mammalian model organisms, a microarray platform must be annotated with human gene symbols. Doing so enables the ability to relate a model organism's gene expression, in response to a given treatment, to potential human health consequences of that treatment. We enhanced the annotation of a microarray platform from a non-mammalian model organism, and then used the GSEA approach in a reanalysis of a study examining the biological significance of acute and chronic methylmercury exposure on liver tissue of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Using GSEA, we tested the hypothesis that fathead livers, in response to methylmercury exposure, would exhibit gene expression patterns similar to diseased human livers. Results We describe an enhanced annotation of the fathead minnow microarray platform with human gene symbols. This resource is now compatible with the GSEA approach for gene-class testing. We confirmed that GSEA, using this enhanced microarray platform, is able to recover results consistent with a previous analysis of fathead minnow exposure to methylmercury using standard analytical approaches. Using GSEA to compare fathead gene expression profiles to human phenotypes, we also found that fathead methylmercury-treated livers exhibited expression profiles that are homologous to human systems & pathways and results in damage that is similar to those of human liver damage associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B. Conclusions This study describes a powerful resource for enabling the use of non-mammalian model organisms in the study of human health significance. Results of microarray gene expression studies involving fathead minnow, typically used for aquatic ecological toxicology studies, can now be used to generate hypotheses regarding consequences of contaminants and other stressors on humans. The same approach can be used with other model organisms with microarray platforms annotated in a similar manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Stop 8007, 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello Idaho 83209-8007, USA.
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McKelvey W, Chang M, Arnason J, Jeffery N, Kricheff J, Kass D. Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in Asian market fish: a response to results from mercury biomonitoring in New York City. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2010; 110:650-7. [PMID: 20691969 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2010.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2010] [Revised: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
In 2004, the New York City (NYC) Health and Nutrition Examination Survey measured the highest blood mercury levels in Asian and foreign-born Chinese demographic groups. Fish consumption was the strongest predictor of exposure. The survey did not inquire about consumption of individual species, and subsequent visits to fish markets serving the Asian community suggested that many popular species lack contaminant data. Our objective was to supplement existing information on contaminants in commercial fish by collecting data on species present in markets serving the Asian community. We measured total mercury and the sum of 101 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in 282 individual specimens of 19 species or products from retail fish markets in Chinese neighborhoods in NYC. Species were selected based on their volume in the market, and an absence or insufficiency of national data on mercury levels. PCBs were measured because they are also contaminants of concern. All measurements were made on a wet weight basis on whole fillets (with skin) or products (drained of liquid). Mean mercury levels ranged from below the limit of detection (0.004microg/g) in tilapia to 0.229microg/g in tilefish. The highest mercury level (1.150microg/g) was measured in a tilefish specimen, and mercury levels in tilefish increased with the specimen size. Mean PCB levels ranged from 1ng/g in red snapper to 98ng/g in buffalo carp. The highest PCB levels were measured in a buffalo carp (469ng/g) and a yellow croaker (495ng/g). Species-specific differences in PCB levels accounted for only 6.3% of total variability, in contrast with 39.2% for mercury. Although we did not measure high mean mercury levels in the species we sampled, frequent consumption of fish with low to moderate levels can also elevate blood mercury. The data we collected can be used to guide fish consumption in Asian communities. However, risk-benefit trade-offs also need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy McKelvey
- Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, Division of Environmental Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 22 Cortlandt St., 12th floor, CN-34E, New York, NY 10007, USA.
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