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Ralston NVC, Raymond LJ, Gilman CL, Soon R, Seale LA, Berry MJ. Maternal seafood consumption is associated with improved selenium status: Implications for child health. Neurotoxicology 2024; 101:26-35. [PMID: 38272071 PMCID: PMC10978253 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is required for synthesis of selenocysteine (Sec), an amino acid expressed in the active sites of Se-dependent enzymes (selenoenzymes), including forms with essential functions in fetal development, brain activities, thyroid hormone metabolism, calcium regulation, and to prevent or reverse oxidative damage. Homeostatic mechanisms normally ensure the brain is preferentially supplied with Se to maintain selenoenzymes, but high methylmercury (CH3Hg) exposures irreversibly inhibit their activities and impair Sec synthesis. Due to Hg's high affinity for sulfur, CH3Hg initially binds with the cysteine (Cys) moieties of thiomolecules which are selenoenzyme substrates. These CH3Hg-Cys adducts enter selenoenzyme active sites and transfer CH3Hg to Sec, thus irreversibly inhibiting their activities. High CH3Hg exposures are uniquely able to induce a conditioned Se-deficiency that impairs synthesis of brain selenoenzymes. Since the fetal brain lacks Se reserves, it is far more vulnerable to CH3Hg exposures than adult brains. This prompted concerns that maternal exposures to CH3Hg present in seafood might impair child neurodevelopment. However, typical varieties of ocean fish contain far more Se than CH3Hg. Therefore, eating them should augment Se-status and thus prevent Hg-dependent loss of fetal selenoenzyme activities. To assess this hypothesis, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue samples were collected following delivery of a cohort of 100 babies born on Oahu, Hawaii. Dietary food frequency surveys of the mother's last month of pregnancy identified groups with no (0 g/wk), low (0-12 g/wk), or high (12 + g/wk) levels of ocean fish consumption. Maternal seafood consumption increased Hg contents in fetal tissues and resulted in ∼34% of cord blood samples exceeding the EPA Hg reference level of 5.8 ppb (0.029 µM). However, Se concentrations in these tissues were orders of magnitude higher and ocean fish consumption caused cord blood Se to increase ∼9.4 times faster than Hg. Therefore, this study supports the hypothesis that maternal consumption of typical varieties of ocean fish provides substantial amounts of Se that protect against Hg-dependent losses in Se bioavailability. Recognizing the pivotal nature of the Hg:Se relationship provides a consilient perspective of seafood benefits vs. risks and clarifies the reasons for the contrasting findings of certain early studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura J Raymond
- Sage Green Nutrition Research Guidance, Grand Forks, ND, 58203, USA
| | - Christy L Gilman
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Reni Soon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Lucia A Seale
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Marla J Berry
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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2
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Burger J, Feigin S, Ng K, Jeitner C, Tsipoura N, Niles L, Gochfeld M. Some metals and metalloids in the blood of three species of shorebirds increase while foraging during two-week migratory stopover in Delaware Bay, New Jersey. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117194. [PMID: 37748669 PMCID: PMC10841762 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Most migratory shorebird species are declining, some are endangered, and some may be vulnerable to contaminants on long distance travel between wintering grounds and high latitude breeding grounds. We examined whether shorebirds accumulated trace elements at the Delaware Bay (New Jersey) stopover by testing the null hypothesis that there was no difference in the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium in blood of three species of shorebirds collected early in their stopover compared to levels in blood collected about two weeks later near the end of the stopover, before departing for breeding grounds. There were significantly higher levels of all metals and metalloids in the blood of ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) later in May than earlier. There were seasonal increases in blood levels of arsenic and selenium for all three species. Chromium and lead levels also increased in red knots (Calidris canutus). These increases occurred although the birds were only present for about two weeks. Levels of arsenic, mercury, and lead in knots and selenium in sanderlings (Calidrris alba), exceeded reported effects levels. These results have potential implications for studying the refueling physiology, energetics, and feeding behavior of migratory shorebirds. However, they also suggest cause for concern because the increased contaminant loads occur in a short period, and the high metal level bolus received all in a few days may result in adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8082, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854, USA; Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Environmental Science Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08903, USA; Ecology and Evolution Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, 08903.
| | - Stephanie Feigin
- Environmental Science Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08903, USA; Wildlife Restoration Partnership, 109 Market Land, Greenwich, N 08323, USA.
| | - Kelly Ng
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8082, USA; Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Ecology and Evolution Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, 08903.
| | - Christian Jeitner
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
| | - Nellie Tsipoura
- New Jersey Audubon Society, 11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ, 07924, USA.
| | - Larry Niles
- Wildlife Restoration Partnership, 109 Market Land, Greenwich, N 08323, USA.
| | - Michael Gochfeld
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854, USA; Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health & Justice, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA, 08854.
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Zareba G, Harrington D, Scrimale T, Lesperance A, Watson GE, van Wijngaarden E, Shamlaye CF, Nicholas T, Myers GJ, Thurston SW. Relationship of mercury and selenium in ocean fish frequently consumed in the Seychelles: A comparison to levels in ocean fish consumed in the US. Neurotoxicology 2023; 99:34-42. [PMID: 37678724 PMCID: PMC10873038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
We characterized mercury and selenium in the fish consumed in the Seychelles Islands to determine if their levels are similar to fish consumed in the US. A secondary aim was to examine whether fish weight and species predict mercury and selenium in fish consumed in the Seychelles. We measured total mercury (THg) and selenium (Se) content of 10 samples from each of the 19 most frequently consumed fish species in Seychelles and for each calculated the Se:Hg molar ratios and the Selenium Health Benefit Value Index (HBV Se). Linear regression models examined associations with weight and species. Average MeHg levels in fish ranged from less than 0.01 ppm (streamlined spinefoot) to 0.7 ppm (bludger trevally) with an overall mean of 0.21 ± 0.23 ppm. Average Se levels ranged from 0.34 ppm (blue-barred parrot fish) to 0.93 ppm (blue-lined large-eye bream) with a mean of 0.54 ± 0.23 ppm. All fish species had a mean Se:Hg molar ratio > 1 and positive mean HBV Se index values. Weight was strongly predictive of MeHg and Se:Hg molar ratio, both across and within most species, but was less predictive of Se and HBV Se. Our study demonstrated that fish consumed in Seychelles have mercury and selenium content similar to that of fish consumed in the US. Fish in both countries have favorable positive values for Se:Hg molar ratios and HBV Se indexes. Because mercury and selenium concentrations in fish are similar to those in the US but fish consumption is substantially higher in Seychelles, the Seychellois make an ideal population in which to determine if there are adverse effects of prenatal, postnatal, and lifetime low dose MeHg exposure from fish consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Zareba
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Donald Harrington
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 630, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Tom Scrimale
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Aubrey Lesperance
- Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Fishing Port, Victoria P.O. Box 449, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Gene E Watson
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 705, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Edwin van Wijngaarden
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences; University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Conrad F Shamlaye
- Republic of Seychelles Ministry of Health and Social Services, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
| | - Tyler Nicholas
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Gary J Myers
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences; University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Sally W Thurston
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box EHSC, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 630, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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Rudershausen PJ, Cross FA, Runde BJ, Evans DW, Cope WG, Buckel JA. Total mercury, methylmercury, and selenium concentrations in blue marlin Makaira nigricans from a long-term dataset in the western north Atlantic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159947. [PMID: 36336054 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159947] [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: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury in seafood is a neurotoxicant that threatens human health. Dynamic rates of mercury emission, re-emission, and atmospheric deposition warrant studies into mercury concentrations in fish because many are consumed by humans and can serve as sentinels of mercury levels in the environment. We modeled trends in total mercury content in an apex marine fish predator, Atlantic blue marlin Makaira nigricans, whose muscle tissues were opportunistically sampled from North Carolina (USA) sportfishing tournaments over a discontinuous time period: between 1975 and 77 and 1998-2021 (n = 148). The model-estimated influence of marlin weight on total mercury concentration was constant across years (shared slope) allowing for comparisons of weight-corrected mercury concentrations among years. Weight-corrected total mercury concentrations revealed an inter-decadal decline of approximately 45 % between the 1970s and late 1990s and then variable but relatively stable concentrations through 2021. The mean (SD) wet weight concentration of total mercury was 9.47 (4.11) from 1975 to 77 and 4.17 (2.61) from 2020 to 2021. Methylmercury and selenium were measured on a subset of fish to address questions related to human health and consumption. Methylmercury levels (mean = 0.72 μg/g) were much lower than total mercury (mean = 4.69 μg/g) indicating that total mercury is not a good proxy for methylmercury in Atlantic blue marlin. Selenium, examined as a Se:Hg molar ratio and as a selenium health benefit value (HBVSe), showed high protective value against mercury toxicity. Long-term trends in the concentration of mercury in blue marlin should continue to be monitored to determine whether policies to mitigate anthropogenic contributions to global mercury are achieving their intended goals and to provide information to inform safe human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Rudershausen
- North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, 303 College Circle, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA.
| | - F A Cross
- NOAA, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - B J Runde
- North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, 303 College Circle, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA
| | - D W Evans
- NOAA, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - W G Cope
- North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology, Box 7617, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - J A Buckel
- North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, 303 College Circle, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA
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Correia E, Granadeiro JP, Vale C, Catry T. Trace elements in relation to trophic ecology of long-distance migratory shorebirds and seabirds in West Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120674. [PMID: 36403880 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Shorebirds and seabirds are abundant predators in coastal habitats worldwide, relying upon a high diversity of benthic invertebrates and fish, respectively. While occupying different trophic guilds, they are differently exposed to element contamination entering the coastal food web. Therefore, these birds have been used as bioindicators of environmental contamination in marine ecosystems. We analysed the concentration of trace elements in blood samples of 16 shorebird and seabird migratory species in a major non-breeding site, the Bijagós Archipelago, in regard to their trophic ecology. Overall, our study shows low exposure of this bird community to toxic elements, except for Hg. Most species presented Hg burdens within the moderate toxicity threshold, but one species (Dunlin) presented values at a potential high Hg toxicity risk. We found a positive relationship between Se and Ni concentrations and δ15N values (a proxy for trophic level). In addition, a positive relationship was found between δ13C (a proxy for habitat characteristics) and Hg, Fe, Cu and Mn, while the opposite pattern was recorded for As. Differences were also shown for several trace elements between the two studied trophic guilds: concentrations of As, Pb and Se were higher in pelagic fish consumers (seabirds), whereas Cr, Fe and Sr burdens were higher in benthic invertebrate consumers (shorebirds). Although previous studies in the same site revealed very high concentrations of Cd and Pb in some of the prey species of shorebirds and seabirds (bivalves and fishes), values found in birds for these two elements suggest no toxicological risk. Thus, exposure to toxic elements is not currently a threat to coastal bird populations, namely those facing apparent local declines in Guinea-Bissau, one of the most important non-breeding quarters for of West Africa. Still, Hg burdens were high in some species, deserving further monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Correia
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - José Pedro Granadeiro
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos Vale
- IPMA - Divisão de Oceanografia e Ambiente Marinho, Instituto Português Do Mar da Atmosfera, I.P., Avenida Doutor Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6 1495-165, Algés, Portugal
| | - Teresa Catry
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
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Burger J, Greenberg M, Lowrie K, Lemire M. Mélanie Lemire-Be honest, transparent, culturally relevant, and take time, and then more time. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2022; 42:2520-2524. [PMID: 36625045 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Cell Biology and Neurosciences, NIEHS Center of Excellence, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Ecology and Evolution Graduate Program, and Pinelands Research Station, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Michael Greenberg
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Karen Lowrie
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Toxic and essential trace element concentrations in Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) skeletal muscle varies by location and reproductive status. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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8
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Herrmann SJ, Nimmo DWR, Herrmann-Hoesing LM. Field-Based Selenium Partitioning Coefficients and Trophic Transfer Factors for Cutthroat Trout Fisheries from Four Montane Lakes, Colorado, USA. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.3398/064.082.0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott J. Herrmann
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Boulevard, Pueblo, CO 81001
| | - Del Wayne R. Nimmo
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Boulevard, Pueblo, CO 81001
| | - Lynn M. Herrmann-Hoesing
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Boulevard, Pueblo, CO 81001
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Córdoba-Tovar L, Marrugo-Negrete J, Barón PR, Díez S. Drivers of biomagnification of Hg, As and Se in aquatic food webs: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112226. [PMID: 34717950 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112226] [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: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Biomagnification of trace elements is increasingly evident in aquatic ecosystems. In this review we investigate the drivers of biomagnification of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) in aquatic food webs. Despite Hg, As and Se biomagnify in food webs, the biomagnification potential of Hg is much higher than that of As and Se. The slope of trophic increase of Hg is consistent between temperate (0.20), tropical (0.22) and Arctic (0.22) ecosystems. Se exerts a mitigating role against Hg toxicity but desired maximum and minimum concentrations are unknown. Environmental (e.g. latitude, temperature and physicochemical characteristics) and ecological factors (e.g. trophic structure composition and food zone) can substantially influence the biomagnification process these metal (oids). Besides the level of bioaccumulated concentration, biomagnification depends on the biology, ecology and physiology of the organisms that play a key role in this process. However, it may be necessary to determine strictly biological, physiological and environmental factors that could modulate the concentrations of As and Se in particular. The information presented here should provide clues for research that include under-researched variables. Finally, we suggest that biomagnification be incorporated into environmental management policies, mainly in risk assessment, monitoring and environmental protection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonomir Córdoba-Tovar
- Universidad Tecnólogica del Chocó, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Grupo de Investigación Recursos Naturales y Toxicología Ambiental, Quibdó, Chocó, A.A 292, Colombia; Universidad de Córdoba, Cra 6 # 76 - 103, Montería, 230002, Córdoba, Colombia
| | | | - Pablo Ramos Barón
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Facultad de Estudios Ambientales y Rurales, Transversal 4#42-00, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia
| | - Sergi Díez
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, E-08034, Barcelona, 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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Burger J, Gochfeld M, Bunn A, Looney B, Jeitner C. Role of uncertainties in protecting ecological resources during remediation and restoration. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2021; 84:485-502. [PMID: 33632081 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2021.1887783] [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: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cleanup of contaminated waste sites is a National priority to protect human health and the environment, while restoring land to productive uses. While there are uncertainties with understanding risk to individuals from exposure, the aim of this study was to focus on uncertainties and complexities for ecological systems, complicated by hundreds of species occupying any remediation site which participate in multiple-interacting food webs. The ability to better predict the effectiveness of remediation in fostering future ecosystems might facilitate remedy selection and improve strategic environmental management. This investigation examined (1) uncertainties in ecosystem processes, (2) uncertainties in exposure from contamination before remediation, and (3) uncertainties during remediation. Two Department of Energy sites Hanford Site and Savannah River Site were used as case studies to illustrate how the uncertainties affect eco-receptors. Several types of ecological, physical, and human dimension uncertainties are defined. Ecological uncertainties include temporal, spatial, individual, developmental, and exogenous types. Physical uncertainties are weather-related, watershed variations, slope/aspect, soil/sediment structure and form, unforeseen events, and temporal patterns. Human dimension uncertainties include current land use, future land use, extractive and non-extractive recreation. The effects of remedial strategies varied between the two sites because Hanford is a primarily arid shrub-steppe ecotype, while Savannah River is a wet forest ecotype. Defining the associated ecological sensitivities and uncertainties and providing examples might help policy-makers, managers, planners, and contractors to be aware of issues to consider throughout planning, remediation, and restoration. Adding ecological uncertainty analysis to risk evaluations and remediation planning is analogous to using safety factors in human health risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael Gochfeld
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Amoret Bunn
- Earth Systems Science Division, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Brian Looney
- Senior Advisory Engineer, Savannah River Site National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Christian Jeitner
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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12
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Burger J, Gochfeld M. Biomonitoring selenium, mercury, and selenium:mercury molar ratios in selected species in Northeastern US estuaries: risk to biota and humans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:18392-18406. [PMID: 33471308 PMCID: PMC9624179 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-12175-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The mutual mitigation of selenium and mercury toxicity is particularly interesting, especially for humans. Mercury is widely recognized as a pantoxic element; all forms are toxic to all organisms. Less well known is that selenium in excess is toxic as well. The high affinity between these elements influences their bioavailability and toxicity. In this paper, we use selected species from Barnegat and Delaware Bays in New Jersey to examine variations in levels of selenium and mercury, and selenium:mercury molar ratios between and within species. We report on species ranging from horseshoe crab eggs (Limulus polyphemus), a keystone species of the food chain, to several fish species, to fish-eating birds. Sampling began in the 1970s for some species and in the 1990s for others. We found no clear time trends in mercury levels in horseshoe crab eggs, but selenium levels declined at first, then remained steady after the mid1990s. Concentrations of mercury and selenium in blood of migrant shorebirds directly reflected levels in horseshoe crab eggs (their food at stopover). Levels of mercury in eggs of common terns (Sterna hirundo) varied over time, and may have declined slightly since the mid2000s; selenium levels also varied temporally, and declined somewhat. There were variations in mercury and selenium levels in commercial, recreational, and subsistence fish as a function of species, season, and size (a surrogate for age). Selenium:mercury molar ratios also varied as a function of species, year, season, and size in fish. While mercury levels increased with size within individual fish species, selenium levels remained the same or declined. Thus selenium:mercury molar ratios declined with size in fish, reducing the potential of selenium to ameliorate mercury toxicity in consumers. Mercury levels in fish examined were higher in early summer and late fall, and lower in the summer, while selenium stayed relatively similar; thus selenium:mercury molar ratios were lower in early summer and late fall than in midsummer. We discuss the importance of temporal trends in biomonitoring projects, variations in levels of mercury, selenium, and the molar ratios as a function of several variables, and the influence of these on risks to predators and humans eating the fish, and the eggs of gulls, terns. Our data suggests that variability limits the utility of the selenium:mercury molar ratio for fish consumption advisories and for risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Science, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
| | - Michael Gochfeld
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
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Gochfeld M, Burger J. Mercury interactions with selenium and sulfur and the relevance of the Se:Hg molar ratio to fish consumption advice. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:18407-18420. [PMID: 33507504 PMCID: PMC8026698 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12361-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Eating fish is often recommended as part of a healthful diet. However, fish, particularly large predatory fish, can contain significant levels of the highly toxic methylmercury (MeHg). Ocean fish in general also contain high levels of selenium (Se), which is reported to confer protection against toxicity of various metals including mercury (Hg). Se and Hg have a high mutual binding affinity, and each can reduce the toxicity of the other. This is an evolving area of extensive research and controversy with variable results in the animal and epidemiologic literature. MeHg is toxic to many organ systems through high affinity for -SH (thiol) ligands on enzymes and microtubules. Hg toxicity also causes oxidative damage particularly to neurons in the brain. Hg is a potent and apparently irreversible inhibitor of the selenoenzymes, glutathione peroxidases (GPX), and thioredoxin reductases (TXNRD) that are important antioxidants, each with a selenocysteine (SeCys) at the active site. Hg binding to the SeCys inhibits these enzymes, accounting in part for the oxidative damage that is an important manifestation of Hg toxicity, particularly if there is not a pool of excess Se to synthesize new enzymes. A molar excess of Se reflected in an Se:Hg molar ratio > 1 is often invoked as evidence that the Hg content can be discounted. Some recent papers now suggest that if the Se:Hg molar ratio exceeds 1:1, the fish is safe and the mercury concentration can be ignored. Such papers suggested that the molar ratio rather than the Hg concentration should be emphasized in fish advisories. This paper examines some of the limitations of current understanding of the Se:Hg molar ratio in guiding fish consumption advice; Se is certainly an important part of the Hg toxicity story, but it is not the whole story. We examine how Hg toxicity relates also to thiol binding. We suggest that a 1:1 molar ratio cannot be relied on because not all of the Se in fish or in the fish eater is available to interact with Hg. Moreover, in some fish, Se levels are sufficiently high to warrant concern about Se toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Gochfeld
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institutes, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
| | - Joanna Burger
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institutes, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
- Division of Life Science, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
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14
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Lescord GL, Johnston TA, Heerschap MJ, Keller WB, Southee FM, O'Connor CM, Dyer RD, Branfireun BA, Gunn JM. Arsenic, chromium, and other elements of concern in fish from remote boreal lakes and rivers: Drivers of variation and implications for subsistence consumption. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 259:113878. [PMID: 32032983 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Eating fish provides numerous health benefits, but it is also a dominant pathway for human exposure to contaminants. Many studies have examined mercury (Hg) accumulation in fish, but fewer have considered other elements, such as arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr). Recently, freshwater fish from several pristine boreal systems across northern Ontario, Canada, have been reported with elevated concentrations of As and Cr for reasons that are not well understood. Our goal was to investigate the ecological and environmental influences over concentrations of As, Cr, and other elements in these fish to better understand what affects metal uptake and the risk to consumers. We measured 10 elements (including As, Cr, Hg) as well as carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), and sulfur (δ34S) stable isotopes in 388 fish from 25 lake and river sites across this remote region. These data were used to determine the effect of: 1) trophic ecology; and 2) watershed geology on piscine elemental content. Overall, most element concentrations were low, often below provincial advisory benchmarks (ABs). However, traces of Hg, As, Cr, and selenium (Se) were detected in most fish. Based on their exceedance of their respective ABs, the most restrictive elements on fish consumption in these boreal systems were Hg > As > Cr. Arsenic and Se, but not Cr concentrations were related to fish size and trophic ecology (inferred from δ13C and δ15N), suggesting bioaccumulation of the former elements. Fish with enriched δ34S values, suggestive of anadromous behaviour, had marginally lower Hg but higher Se concentrations. Modeling results suggested a strong effect of site-specific factors, though we found weak trends between piscine elemental content and geological features (e.g., mafic intrusions), potentially due to the broad spatial scale of this study. Results from this study address gaps in our understanding of As and Cr bioaccumulation and will help to inform fish consumption guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen L Lescord
- Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada; Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, Thunder Bay, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Thomas A Johnston
- Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew J Heerschap
- Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - W Bill Keller
- Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - F Meg Southee
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, Thunder Bay, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Richard D Dyer
- Earth Resources and Geoscience Mapping Section, Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - Brian A Branfireun
- Department of Biology and Centre for Environment & Sustainability, University of Western Ontario, London ON, Canada
| | - John M Gunn
- Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada
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Kosik-Bogacka D, Osten-Sacken N, Łanocha-Arendarczyk N, Kot K, Pilarczyk B, Tomza-Marciniak A, Podlasińska J, Chmielarz M, Heddergott M, Frantz AC, Steinbach P. Selenium and mercury in the hair of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Germany and Luxembourg. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:1-12. [PMID: 31734834 PMCID: PMC6987061 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-019-02120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the concentration of total mercury (THg) and selenium (Se), as well as the molar ratio of Se:THg in hair samples of terrestrial animals. THg and Se concentrations were measured from the hair of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Germany and Luxembourg. Median THg concentrations in hair from raccoons and wildcats were 0.369 and 0.273 mg kg-1 dry weight (dw), respectively. Se concentrations were higher in the hair of raccoons than of wildcats (0.851 and 0.641 mg kg-1 dw, respectively). Total mercury concentration in hair of raccoons from Luxembourg was almost 5× higher that found in hair of raccoons from Germany; however, Se concentration was similar. Thus, molar ratio of Se:THg was ~4× higher in the hair of raccoons from Germany than those from Luxembourg. Significant negative correlation was found between THg concentration and Se:THg molar ratio in both wildcats and raccoons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- Independent of Pharmaceutical Botany, Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Natalia Osten-Sacken
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Gagarina 7, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
- Fondation faune-flore, 25 rue Muenster, L-2160, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bogumiła Pilarczyk
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Prophylaxis, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Judyma 6, 71-466, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Prophylaxis, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Judyma 6, 71-466, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Joanna Podlasińska
- Department of Ecology, Environmental Management and Protection, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Słowackiego 17, 71-434, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mateusz Chmielarz
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mike Heddergott
- National Museum of Natural History, 25 Rue Münster, 2160, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Alain C Frantz
- National Museum of Natural History, 25 Rue Münster, 2160, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Peter Steinbach
- University of Göttingen, Faculty of Chemistry, Tammannstraße 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
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Heavy Metals in Biota in Delaware Bay, NJ: Developing a Food Web Approach to Contaminants. TOXICS 2019; 7:toxics7020034. [PMID: 31200491 PMCID: PMC6631324 DOI: 10.3390/toxics7020034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between heavy metal and selenium levels in biota and their foods is important, but often difficult to determine because animals eat a variety of organisms. Yet such information is critical to managing species populations, ecological integrity, and risk to receptors (including humans) from consumption of certain prey. We examine levels of cadmium, lead, mercury, and selenium in biota from Delaware Bay (New Jersey, USA) to begin construction of a “springtime” food web that focuses on shorebirds. Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs are one of the key components at the base of the food web, and crab spawning in spring provides a food resource supporting a massive stopover of shorebirds. Fish and other biota also forage on the crab eggs, and a complex food web leads directly to top-level predators such as bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis), both of which are consumed by egrets, eagles, ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), and humans. Metal levels in tissues were generally similar in algae, invertebrates, and small fish, and these were similar to those in blood of shorebirds (but not feathers). There was a significant direct relationship between the levels of metals in eggs of horseshoe crabs and mean metal levels in the blood of four species of shorebirds. Metal levels in shorebird feathers were higher than those in blood (except for selenium), reflecting sequestration of metals in feathers during their formation. Levels in feathers of laughing gulls (Leucophaeus atricilla) were similar to those in feathers of shorebirds (except for selenium). Selenium bears special mention as levels were significantly higher in the blood of all shorebird species than in other species in the food web, and were similar to levels in their feathers. Levels of metals in bluefish and striped bass were similar or higher than those found in the blood of shorebirds (except for selenium). The mean levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in the blood and feathers of shorebirds were below any effect levels, but selenium levels in the blood and feathers of shorebirds were higher than the sublethal effect levels for birds. This is a cause for concern, and warrants further examination.
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Burger J, Mizrahi D, Jeitner C, Tsipoura N, Mobley J, Gochfeld M. Metal and metalloid levels in blood of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) from Brazil, Suriname, and Delaware Bay: Sentinels of exposure to themselves, their prey, and predators that eat them. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 173:77-86. [PMID: 30901611 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Identifying animals as sentinels for humans and other animal species is an excellent method for understanding exposure to environmental contamination at different times and places. Shorebirds are useful sentinels because they have a world-wide distribution, eat a range of prey, and are eaten by a range of other species, including humans. We collected blood from semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) wintering in northern (Suriname N = 71) and northeastern (Brazil N = 61) South America to examine levels of heavy metals and metalloids (arsenic, selenium), and compare them to blood levels in sandpipers at a heavily used stopover site in New Jersey (N = 30; Delaware Bay, NJ). Since blood represents relatively recent exposure, it can provide information on where and when the birds were exposed. Levels were highest in Brazil for arsenic and particularly selenium; highest in Suriname for cadmium and lead; and highest in New Jersey for chromium. Samples from Brazil and Suriname presented higher levels of mercury than did those from New Jersey. There were no geographic differences for cobalt. Levels of all metals were generally within an order of magnitude. The significant geographic difference for selenium was interesting because it is regulated in the body. Selenium levels in the NJ sample were directly proportional to levels found in their principle food at this migration stopover site (eggs of horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus). Mean selenium level was almost an order of magnitude higher in the semipalmated sandpiper blood samples from Brazil (mean of 27,500 µg/L= ppb) compared to the other sampling locations (mean > 5330 µg/L). This is a toxic level and cause for concern and further investigation, alerting us to look for other evidence of excess selenium exposure. Otherwise the levels of other metals are generally not high enough to cause harm to the sandpipers themselves or to predators that eat them. We discuss the implications for these birds and their exposure to contaminants at different stopover sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - David Mizrahi
- New Jersey Audubon, 11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ, USA.
| | - Christian Jeitner
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA.
| | - Nellie Tsipoura
- New Jersey Audubon, 11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ, USA.
| | - Jason Mobley
- AQUASIS - Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos, Reserva Ecológica do SESC Iparana, Praia de Iparana, Caucaia, Ceará 61.627-210, Brazil.
| | - Michael Gochfeld
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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Annibaldi A, Truzzi C, Carnevali O, Pignalosa P, Api M, Scarponi G, Illuminati S. Determination of Hg in Farmed and Wild Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ( Thunnus thynnus L. ) Muscle. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24071273. [PMID: 30939866 PMCID: PMC6480458 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a well-known toxic element, diffused in the environment, especially in the Mediterranean Sea which is rich in cinnabar deposits. Mercury bioaccumulation in fish is of great concern, especially for top-level aquatic predators (e.g., shark, tuna, swordfish) and above all for species of large human consumption and high nutritional value. This work aimed to determine Hg concentrations in farmed and wild Atlantic Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean area in order to evaluate the level of Hg bioaccumulation. selenium (Se) content was also determined, since this element is an antagonist of mercury toxicity. Mercury and Se were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion of the samples. Hg content in farmed tuna was below the legal limit (1 mg/kg, wet weight, w.w.) for all specimens (0.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg), whereas the wild ones had a content over the limit (1.7 ± 0.6 mg/kg); Se concentration was higher in farmed specimens (1.1 ± 0.9 mg/kg) compared to wild ones (0.6 ± 0.3 mg/kg). A safe seafood could show a Se/Hg ratio >1 and a health benefit value (HBVSe) > 0: farmed tuna had higher values than the wild specimens (Se/Hg 5.48 vs. 1.32; HBVSe 11.16 vs. 0.29). These results demonstrate that for Hg, there is a better risk/benefit ratio in farmed T. thynnus. making it safer than wild tuna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Annibaldi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Cristina Truzzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Oliana Carnevali
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | | | - Martina Api
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Scarponi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Silvia Illuminati
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
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Suami RB, Sivalingam P, Kabala CD, Otamonga JP, Mulaji CK, Mpiana PT, Poté J. Concentration of heavy metals in edible fishes from Atlantic Coast of Muanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo. J Food Compost Anal 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Kosik-Bogacka D, Łanocha-Arendarczyk N, Kot K, Malinowski W, Szymański S, Sipak-Szmigiel O, Pilarczyk B, Tomza-Marciniak A, Podlasińska J, Tomska N, Ciosek Ż. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in afterbirth and their relations with various factors. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2018; 40:1683-1695. [PMID: 29492803 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-018-0081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate Hg and Se concentrations and Se:Hg molar ratios in the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes, and to examine the relationship between the concentrations of the elements and selected factors. The study material consisted of the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes obtained from 91 healthy women from northwestern and central Poland. In our study mean Hg and Se concentrations in afterbirth were ~ 0.01 mg/kg dry weight (dw) and ≤ 0.5 mg/kg dw, respectively. Correlation analysis showed negative relationships between placenta weight and Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord, as well as between placenta length and Se levels in the umbilical cord. We found negative correlations between THg concentration in the placenta and birth weight and between Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord and the morphological parameters of the placenta. Furthermore, we noted new types of interactions in specific parts of the afterbirth. In our study, Se:THg molar ratios ranged from 5 to 626; these values indicate protection against Hg toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Witold Malinowski
- Department of Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing, Pomeranian Medical University, Żołnierska 48, 71-210, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sławomir Szymański
- Department of Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing, Pomeranian Medical University, Żołnierska 48, 71-210, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Olimpia Sipak-Szmigiel
- Department of Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing, Pomeranian Medical University, Żołnierska 48, 71-210, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bogumiła Pilarczyk
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Prophylaxis, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Judyma 6, 71-466, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Prophylaxis, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Judyma 6, 71-466, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Joanna Podlasińska
- Department of Ecology, Environmental Management and Protection, Słowackiego 17, 71-434, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Natalia Tomska
- Laboratory of Medical Rehabilitation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 54, 71-210, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Żaneta Ciosek
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
- Laboratory of Medical Rehabilitation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 54, 71-210, Szczecin, Poland
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21
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Burger J, Mizrahi D, Tsipoura N, Jeitner C, Gochfeld M. Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Cobalt, Arsenic and Selenium in the Blood of Semipalmated Sandpipers ( Calidris pusilla) from Suriname, South America: Age-related Differences in Wintering Site and Comparisons with a Stopover Site in New Jersey, USA. TOXICS 2018; 6:toxics6020027. [PMID: 29747411 PMCID: PMC6027228 DOI: 10.3390/toxics6020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It is essential to understand contaminant exposure and to compare levels of contaminants in organisms at different ages to determine if there is bioaccumulation, and to compare levels encountered in different geographical areas. In this paper, we report levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, cobalt, arsenic and selenium in the blood of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) wintering in Suriname as a function of age, and compare them to blood levels in northbound migrants at a stopover in Delaware Bay, New Jersey. We found (1) young birds had higher levels of cadmium, cobalt, and lead than adults (after second year birds); (2) there were no age-related differences for arsenic, mercury and selenium; (3) only four of the possible 16 inter-metal correlations were significant, at the 0.05 level; (4) the highest correlation was between cadmium and lead (Kendall tau = 0.37); and (5) the adult sandpipers had significantly higher levels of cadmium, mercury and selenium in Suriname than in New Jersey, while the New Jersey birds had significantly higher levels of arsenic. Suriname samples were obtained in April, after both age classes had spent the winter in Suriname, which suggests that sandpipers are accumulating higher levels of trace elements in Suriname than in Delaware Bay. The levels of selenium may be within a range of concern for adverse effects, but little is known about adverse effect levels of trace elements in the blood of wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - David Mizrahi
- New Jersey Audubon, 11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, USA.
| | - Nellie Tsipoura
- New Jersey Audubon, 11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, USA.
| | - Christian Jeitner
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Michael Gochfeld
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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22
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Kalisinska E, Lanocha-Arendarczyk N, Kosik-Bogacka D, Budis H, Pilarczyk B, Tomza-Marciniak A, Podlasinska J, Cieslik L, Popiolek M, Pirog A, Jedrzejewska E. Muscle mercury and selenium in fishes and semiaquatic mammals from a selenium-deficient area. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 136:24-30. [PMID: 27810577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate and compare total mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), and Se:Hg molar ratios in fish muscles (phytophages n=3; benthophages n=32; predators n=5) and semiaquatic carnivores, including piscivores (the European otter n=8, the feral American mink n=7) and the omnivorous raccoon (n=37) from a riverine European ecosystem in a Se-deficient area. The Hg concentration in fish reached 0.337μg/g dry weight, dw (0.084μg/g wet weight, ww). We found significant differences among Hg levels in tested vertebrate groups (predators vs benthophages: 0.893 vs 0.281μg/g; piscivores vs omnivores: 6.085 vs 0.566μg/g dw). Fish groups did not differ in Se concentrations, with a mean value of 0.653μg/g dw. Significant differences were revealed between Se levels in piscivorous and omnivorous carnivores (0.360 vs 0.786μg/g dw, respectively). Fish Se:Hg molar ratio values were >2.2. Benthophages had higher the ratio than predators but similar to phytophages. Among carnivores, piscivores had much lower the ratio than raccoon (0.14 vs 3.75) but raccoon and fish medians did not significantly differ. We found almost two times higher Se levels in fish and raccoons compared to piscivores, possibly resulting from lower fish Se digestibility by piscivores in contrast to higher absorption of plant Se by many fish and omnivorous raccoons. Considering that a tissue Se:Hg molar ratio <1 may be connected with a Hg toxicity potential increase, we assume that piscivores in Se-deficient area are in worse situation and more exposed to Hg than fish and omnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Kalisinska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, in Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, in Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Halina Budis
- Department of Health Education, University of Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bogumila Pilarczyk
- Chair of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak
- Chair of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
| | - Joanna Podlasinska
- Department of Environmental Management and Protection, Western Pomeranian University of Technology,in Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Marcin Popiolek
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Pirog
- Department of Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology, Institute of Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
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23
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Hoang VAT, Do HTT, Agusa T, Koriyama C, Akiba S, Ishibashi Y, Sakamoto M, Yamamoto M. Hair mercury levels in relation to fish consumption among Vietnamese in Hanoi. J Toxicol Sci 2017; 42:651-662. [DOI: 10.2131/jts.42.651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Van Anh Thi Hoang
- Department of Basic Medical Science, National Institute for Minamata Disease
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Prefectural University of Kumamoto
| | - Hien Thu Thi Do
- General Planning Department, National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Vietnam
| | - Tetsuro Agusa
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Prefectural University of Kumamoto
| | - Chihaya Koriyama
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
| | - Suminori Akiba
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
| | - Yasuhiro Ishibashi
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Prefectural University of Kumamoto
| | - Mineshi Sakamoto
- Department of Environmental Science and Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease
| | - Megumi Yamamoto
- Department of Basic Medical Science, National Institute for Minamata Disease
- Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Prefectural University of Kumamoto
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24
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Reyes ES, Aristizabal Henao JJ, Kornobis KM, Hanning RM, Majowicz SE, Liber K, Stark KD, Low G, Swanson HK, Laird BD. Associations between omega-3 fatty acids, selenium content, and mercury levels in wild-harvested fish from the Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories, Canada. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2016; 80:18-31. [PMID: 27905863 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1230916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the risks and benefits of eating wild-harvested fish from the Northwest Territories, Canada, levels of total mercury (HgT) and selenium (Se) and composition of omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) were measured in muscle tissue of fish harvested from lakes in the Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories, Canada. Average HgT levels ranged from 0.057 mg/kg (cisco) to 0.551 mg/kg (northern pike), while average n-3 FA concentrations ranged from 101 mg/100 g (burbot) to 1,689 mg/100 g (lake trout). In contrast to HgT and n-3 FA, mean Se concentrations were relatively similar among species. Consequently, species such as lake whitefish, cisco, and longnose sucker displayed the highest nutrient levels relative to HgT content. Levels of HgT tended to increase with fish size, while Se and n-3 FA levels were typically not associated with fork length or fish weight. Interestingly, HgT concentration was occasionally inversely related to tissue nutrient content. Significant negative correlations were observed between Hg and n-3 FA for lake trout, northern pike, and walleye. There were also significant negative correlations between Hg and Se noted for lake whitefish, cisco, and northern pike. Samples with the highest nutritional content displayed, on occasion, lower levels of HgT. This study provides valuable information for the design of probabilistic models capable of refining public health messaging related to minimizing Hg risks and maximizing nutrient levels in wild-harvested fish in the Canadian subarctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen S Reyes
- a School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | | | | | - Rhona M Hanning
- a School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - Shannon E Majowicz
- a School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - Karsten Liber
- d Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada
| | - Ken D Stark
- b Department of Kinesiology , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - George Low
- e Dehcho Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Ocean Management , Hay River, Northwest Territories , Canada
| | - Heidi K Swanson
- c Department of Biology , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
| | - Brian D Laird
- a School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
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