1
|
Nalley EM, Pirkle CM, Schmidbauer MC, Lewis CJ, Dacks RS, Thompson MD, Sudnovsky MD, Whitney JL, Donahue MJ. Trophic and spatial patterns of contaminants in fishes from the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the equatorial Pacific. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 314:137593. [PMID: 36572359 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has been affected by marine pollution from militarization and urbanization. To address concerns raised by the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, this study examined concentrations of dissolved contaminants in reef and pelagic fishes in the RMI and assessed potential associated risks. Metals, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were examined in reef and pelagic fishes from six atolls: Kwajalein, Majuro, Jaluit, Utirik, Rongelap, and Wotje. Clear trophic patterns emerged for metals. Total arsenic was highest in higher trophic level reef fishes, particularly in the camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion) (>100 μg g-1 total As), but inorganic arsenic was negligible in higher trophic levels and showed an inverse trend with the highest percentages present in parrotfishes and herbivores. Copper and mercury were elevated in higher trophic level reef and pelagic fishes, respectively, and the maximum mercury concentrations (6.45 μg g-1 in Gymnosarda unicolor) were among the highest reported in the Pacific. Conversely, cadmium and lead were highest in lower trophic levels, like surgeonfishes and parrotfishes. PCBs were more clearly linked to locations and were highest at two atolls with military history (Kwajalein and Jaluit) (>U.S. EPA Screening Value of 2.5 ppb). PAHs were ubiquitous across taxa (detected in 97% of samples), but the highest concentrations were in lower trophic levels. Organochlorine pesticides were detected at very low concentrations that do not likely pose a risk. We compare concentrations to established thresholds for human health and find that - for specific locations and species - contaminant concentrations may pose a risk to fish and other marine taxa, as well as human consumers. This study provides baseline information that aids the development of marine conservation and public health recommendations and addresses a data gap that persists for marine pollution throughout the Pacific Islands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E M Nalley
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA.
| | - C M Pirkle
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Office of Public Health Studies, 1960 East-West Road, BioMed Tower 102, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - M C Schmidbauer
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - C J Lewis
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA; University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, School of Life Sciences, 3190 Maile Way, St. John 101, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - R S Dacks
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA; University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, School of Life Sciences, 3190 Maile Way, St. John 101, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - M D Thompson
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Office of Public Health Studies, 1960 East-West Road, BioMed Tower 102, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - M D Sudnovsky
- University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, College of the Marshall Islands, P.O. Box 1258, Majuro, 96960, Marshall Islands
| | - J L Whitney
- NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA
| | - M J Donahue
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI, 96744, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lopez MC, Ungaro RF, Baker HV, Moldawer LL, Robertson A, Abbott M, Roberts SM, Grattan LM, Morris JG. Gene Expression Patterns in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in Patients with Recurrent Ciguatera Fish Poisoning: Preliminary Studies. HARMFUL ALGAE 2016; 57:35-38. [PMID: 27594814 PMCID: PMC5008692 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Ciguatera fish poisoning (ciguatera) is a common clinical syndrome in areas where there is dependence on tropical reef fish for food. A subset of patients develops recurrent and, in some instances, chronic symptoms, which may result in substantial disability. To identify possible biomarkers for recurrent/chronic disease, and to explore correlations with immune gene expression, peripheral blood leukocyte gene expression in 10 ciguatera patients (7 recurrent, 3 acute) from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 5 unexposed Florida controls were evaluated. Significant differences in gene expression were noted when comparing ciguatera patients and controls; however, it was not possible to differentiate between patients with acute and recurrent disease, possibly due to the small sample sizes involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Cecilia Lopez
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ricardo F. Ungaro
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Henry V. Baker
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Lyle L. Moldawer
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Alison Robertson
- Marine Ecotoxicology Lab, Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama & Dauphin Island Sea Lab, USA
| | - Margaret Abbott
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sparkle M. Roberts
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 S., Paca St., 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Lynn M. Grattan
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 S., Paca St., 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - J. Glenn Morris
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Box 100009, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: (352) 273-7526.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Large outbreaks of ciguatera after consumption of brown marbled grouper. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:2041-9. [PMID: 25019942 PMCID: PMC4113740 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6072041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Brown marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) is an apex predator from coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. All five published case series of ciguatera after consumption of brown marbled grouper were reviewed to characterize the types, severity and chronicity of ciguatera symptoms associated with its consumption. Three of these case series were from large outbreaks affecting over 100–200 subjects who had eaten this reef fish served at banquets. Affected subjects generally developed a combination of gastrointestinal, neurological and, less commonly, cardiovascular symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms occurred early and generally subsided in 1–2 days. Some neurological symptoms (e.g., paresthesia of four limbs) could last for weeks or months. Sinus bradycardia and hypotension occurred early, but could be severe and prolonged, necessitating the timely use of intravenous fluids, atropine and dopamine. Other cardiovascular and neurological features included atrial ectopics, ventricular ectopics, dyspnea, chest tightness, PR interval >0.2 s, ST segment changes, polymyositis and coma. Concomitant alcohol consumption was associated with a much higher risk of developing bradycardia, hypotension and altered skin sensation. The public should realize that consumption of the high-risk fish (especially the ciguatoxin-rich parts and together with alcohol use) and repeated ciguatoxin exposures will result in more severe and chronic illness.
Collapse
|