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1 Species variations in mercury content (ppm) (Source: John Blanchard (Sources: FDA and EPA), Sierra Magazine, Nov/Dec 2011)
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Methyl mercury is highly toxic to humans, particularly to the developing nervous system. Virtually all mercury in muscle tissue of naturally-occurring edible fish is in the form of methyl mercury, and fish consumption is the most common route of human exposure to methyl mercury. The monitoring of mercury in fish thus provides reliable indication of...
Citations
... The authors would also like to acknowledge the contribution received from the following projects: Amsterdam Island Hg data, accessible in GMOS-FR national database (https://gmos.aeris-data.fr/), has been collected with funding from the European Union 7 th Framework Programme project, GMOS (GMOS 2010-2015, the French Polar Institute (IPEV) via GMOStral-1028 IPEV program since 2012, the LEFE CHAT CNRS/INSU (TOPMMODEL program) and the H2020 ERA-775 PLANET (689443) iGOSP programme. ...
Air-sea exchange of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) is a major component of the global mercury (Hg) biogeochemical cycle but remains poorly understood due to sparse in situ measurements. Here, we used long-term atmospheric Hg0 (Hg0air) observations combined with air mass back trajectories at four ground-based monitoring sites to study Hg0 air-sea exchange. The trajectories showed that all four sites sample mainly marine air masses. At all sites, we observed a gradual increase in mean Hg0air concentration with air mass recent residence time in the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL), followed by a steady state. The pattern is consistent with the thin film gas exchange model, which predicts net Hg0 emissions from the surface ocean until the Hg0air concentration normalised by Henry’s law constant matches the surface ocean dissolved Hg0 (Hg0aq) concentration. This provides strong evidence that ocean Hg0 emissions directly influence Hg0air concentrations at these sites. Using the observed relationship between Hg0air concentrations and air mass recent MBL residence time, we estimated mean surface ocean Hg0aq concentrations of 4–7 pg L-1 for the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans (AA) and 4 pg L-1 for the Southern, South Atlantic and south Indian oceans (SSI). Estimated ocean Hg0 emission fluxes ranged between 0.58–0.75 and 0.47–0.66 ng m-2 h-1 for the AA and SSI, respectively, with a global extrapolated mean flux of 1900 t y-1 (1200–2600 t y-1). This study demonstrates the applicability of long-term, ground-based Hg0air observations in constraining Hg0 air-sea exchange.
... The primary route of Hg uptake in sh is diet with trophic feeding level and biogeochemical factors governing biomagni cation processes into diet items (Hall et al.1997;Zillioux 2015). In response, we speculate the reason for dissimilarity of Hg concentrations in Alligator Gar between our two regions is likely linked to different Hg levels in their prey species (Hall et al. 1997). . ...
We compared mercury (Hg) and stable isotopic ratios of nitrogen (δ ¹⁵ N) in a long-lived apex predator, Alligator Gar ( Atractosteus spatula ), from a coastal region of the Brazos River exposed to high aerial Hg deposition, to an inland population exposed to moderate Hg deposition, in order to test the relative importance of biomagnification through trophic dynamics and aerial deposition rates in an apex predator. We used generalized linear models (GLMs) to examine the effects of fish size (Length, mm) and Region (Inland versus Coastal) on Hg concentration and δ ¹⁵ N. Length had a significant positive effect on both Hg and δ ¹⁵ N. However, after accounting for the effect of Length, both Hg and δ ¹⁵ N were significantly higher in the Inland population (N = 48; mean ± SE = 0.232 ± 0.020 mg/kg ww and 18.8 ± 0.184‰, respectively) than the Coastal population (N = 45; mean ± SE = 0.143 ± 0.012 mg/kg ww and 16.72 ± 0.291‰, respectively). We further estimated probabilities of Alligator Gar exceeding Hg consumption advisory guidelines used by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). WHO and USEPA exceedance probabilities were 0.414 and 0.048 for Coastal, and 0.835 and 0.276 for Inland populations, respectively. However, WHO and USEPA exceedance probability estimates for fish ≥ 2000 mm climbed to 0.747 and 0.146 for Coastal and ≥ 0.999 and 0.559 for Inland populations, respectively. These results suggest that variation in food web dynamics, and resultant impacts on biomagnification, may be a more important driver of Hg uptake in Alligator Gar, when compared to the role of aerial deposition rates. Our results also demonstrate that Alligator Gar often exceed consumption advisory Hg concentrations, particularly in the largest individuals, and that they likely experience some level of reproductive toxicity because of sublethal Hg exposures.
... It is estimated that approximately 95% of the MeHg found in fish is absorbed by the human body (Zillioux, 2015). This mercury is absorbed in the digestive tract and then passes into the blood. ...
One of the greatest challenges facing global environmental science is the protection of aquatic from heavy metal contamination stemming from human activities. This article is intended as a response to the global dynamic evolution of industries, transportation, increased extraction of fossil fuels, ever-rising consumption patterns, and unregulated discharge of wastewater resulting in increasing of environmental pollution with heavy metals. The aim of the article extends beyond the mere identification of heavy metals in the environment; it encompasses a comprehensive analysis of their modes of transportation and fate, a thorough evaluation of their impacts on various trophic levels, and an in-depth exploration of their potential toxicity. Furthermore, this article looks toward a fresh era in environmental stewardship, characterized by a deep-seated commitment to improving the removal of such damaging pollutants from our environment. To continue to foster ecological and economic sustainability, as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals 2015, and develop global environmental policy, there is an increasing need for pioneering and comprehensive methods of environmental reclamation aimed at eradicating heavy metals from surface waters. Such comprehensive methods include ecohydrological biotechnologies and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) based on knowledge of geochemical and molecular processes. Both are presented in this article under the global principle of ‘One Health’ - the health of the environment, people and animals. Due to its extensive effects on ecosystems, and the resulting need for international cooperation, it is crucial that the problem of heavy metal contamination is addressed on the global scale.
... Atmospheric deposition of mercury increases with altitude (Blais et al. 2006;Wang et al. 2017), with its concentrations in the alpine habitats approximately twice as high as in the lowlands (Ballabio et al. 2021). The form in which it is deposited is Hg 2+ ; in water, it is efficiently converted to methylmercury (MeHg), which in turn is efficiently taken up by aquatic organisms in the first stages of the food chain (Zillioux 2015). Spring flooding of snowmelt in elevated alpine lake areas is reported as important mercury source, releasing to the lake water, and sediments could be another reason of mercury important source (Loseto et al. 2004;Chételat et al. 2015). ...
The spatiotemporal distribution and transport of mercury, zinc, molybdenum, rubidium, and strontium from alpine terrestrial ecosystems to alpine lake and mountain stream populations of Cottus poecilopus were investigated. Metals were measured for 66 wild fish collected from different lakes and Javorinka stream across. Mercury was measured in the pectoral fins, other elements in the skull. Bullheads contained more metals in the alpine lakes than in the mountain stream. In particular, mercury and zinc concentrations in lake bullheads were 6 and 2.5 times higher, respectively, than those of stream-dwelling fish. New data were generated on metal bioaccumulation in fish of understudied West Carpathian alpine lake environments. In July 2018, a major flood occurred in the area of the Javorinka. Already then, the mercury content in bullheads increased significantly. Bioaccumulation of mercury in fish occurred very quickly after the flood and was also significant in the following 2019. Then, the concentrations of mercury quickly decreased up to 70% in 2021–2022. Average concentrations of molybdenum and rubidium in bullheads in the stream rapidly declined in the year following the flood disturbance, but within less than 2 years, the metal levels stabilized at about the same level as in 2017 prior the flood. Strontium concentrations in fish dropped rapidly immediately after the flood, increased in the following years, and dropped again after 4 years, suggesting that many more factors are influencing strontium bioaccumulation in fish that are comparable in magnitude to the flood. The most serious warning seems to be the absence of biogenic zinc. The average concentration in the Alpine bullheads population in the stream has declined by 70% in less than 5 years and is steadily declining. An important result of this study is the demonstration that disturbance by a single factor (heavy rainfall and flooding) has a clear and timely effect on average metal concentrations in the fish population.
Graphical abstract
... Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and Copper (Cu) are frequently studied as typical TMs because they are widely distributed and present high toxicity [2][3][4][5]. When TMs enter the aquatic environment, they not only threaten the growth of aquatic organisms but also cause potential risks to human health via the food chain [6,7]. Therefore, TM pollution threatens fish and human health and has become an important environmental problem [8]. ...
The Gongxin River is one of the main rivers in the Dashan Region of Anhui Province in China, which is a Se-rich and high-Cd area, but no research has focused on the concentration, source, antagonism, and health risks of Se and TMs in fish. In this study, 120 fish samples (14 species), 24 sediment samples, and 24 water samples were collected to investigate the antagonistic effects, sources, and health risks of TMs and Se in fish from a typical selenium-rich and high cadmium region. Zn and Se in fish from the Gongxin River were higher than in the background, which might be attributed to the different feeding habits of different fish species. The apparent antagonism between Se and Cu, Pb, and Cd was explored, and the results showed that 30%, 75%, and 100% of the Se/Cu, Se/Pb, and Se/Cd ratios were greater than one, indicating that Cu, Pb, and Cd in fish might be combined with or detoxicated by Se. The source analysis of the elements showed that the geological background was the source of TMs and Se in fish samples. The amounts of Se and TMs were all within China’s acceptable level guidelines, signifying no harm to citizens from eating fish.
... Mercury concentrations in marinka and Syr-Darya striped bystranka from contemporary and ancient Hg mining sites exceeded Hg consumption guidelines imposed by several national regulations. 45 Because samples analyzed herein were collected and analyzed between 1980 and 2001, whether topsoil and fish Hg concentrations remain elevated above safety guidelines today remains unknown. ...
... Within sites, marinka were expected to have higher Hg concentrations than Syr-Darya striped bystranka because marinka typically have higher trophic positions than bystranka, 47 and Hg typically biomagnifies through food chains. 45,48,49 However, the similarities of mean Hg concentrations between these two species (p > 0.05 at all three site types, Figure 2) suggest that rates of Hg uptake and biomagnification in aquatic ecosystems of the Fergana Valley region may be reduced. Likewise, wormwood and fescue Hg concentrations were also similar to topsoil Hg concentrations at all three site types; this was unexpected as A. douglasiana (a congeneric species to wormwood) grown in arid Hg-contaminated soils had Hg concentrations in their stems and leaves approximately 100 times lower than those in the soil. ...
The toxic metal mercury (Hg) has been mined, processed, and used throughout the Fergana Valley region of post-Soviet Central Asia for millennia. Although most historical Hg mining activities have ceased throughout the Fergana Valley region, today Hg is still mined, processed, and exported globally from the Khaidarkan kombinat in southwestern Kyrgyzstan. Despite the rich history of Hg mining and use throughout the Fergana Valley region, the legacy effects of these activities on environmental Hg contamination remain undescribed. Mercury concentrations were analyzed in topsoil, terrestrial vegetation, earthworms, riverine sediments, and fishes collected from sites with varied histories of Hg mining within the Fergana Valley region. Environmental and biological Hg concentrations were greatest at contemporary mining sites where Hg has been mined after 1940, intermediate at ancient mining sites where all historical Hg mining activities ceased before 1300 AD, and lowest at reference sites without known Hg mining history. For all environmental media and biota, Hg concentrations were 1-2 orders of magnitude greater at contemporary mining sites than at reference sites. Elevated Hg concentrations at contemporary mining sites are attributed to the recency and intensity of Hg mining and showcase the detrimental effects of Hg mining to diverse environmental media and biota. Elevated Hg concentrations at ancient mining sites are attributed to a combination of 1) legacy Hg contamination in soils and sediments introduced by historical mining and processing activities over 700 years ago and 2) the presence of naturally Hg-rich geologic belts upon which ancient mines were constructed.
... Asia's high levels of mercury in the body are likely due to frequent intake of fish and shellfish [44]. In addition, larger fish tend to contain higher levels of mercury due to bioaccumulation [45]. Asia is the biggest fish supplier and consumer in the world. ...
Objectives: Previous studies have evaluated the association between mercury exposure and obesity but have yielded mixed conclusions. The aim of this study was to systematically review and summarize scientific evidence regarding the association between mercury exposure and obesity in the human population.
Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct for articles related to mercury exposure and obesity. Meta-analyses of the highest and lowest categories of mercury levels were evaluated using a random effects model. Begg’s test was used to detect publication bias.
Results: A total of 9 articles were included. The pooled random effects odds ratio (OR) for mercury exposure and obesity of all 9 studies was 1.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-2.38). This positive association was evident in adults (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02-2.54) and among studies with Asian populations (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.53-2.59), but not among those with North America/African populations (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.50-1.65).
Conclusions: The present meta-analysis identified a positive association between mercury exposure and obesity. These findings suggest that toxic environmental metals such as mercury may be an important risk factor for obesity along with dietary habits and lifestyles.
... Mercury also has a toxic effect on the development of the human nervous system, and it is similar to Pb. Furthermore, it commonly accumulates in the muscle of fish, and consumption of Hg-containing fish muscle can Pb to its bioaccumulation [67]. Tables-2 and 3 show the EDI values of yellowfin tuna and swordfish caught from the Pacific and Indian Oceans, which were still within the acceptable range specified by SNI and JECFA. ...
Background and Aim: Yellowfin tuna and swordfish are seafood commodities commonly caught from deep oceans worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the levels of three heavy metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in yellowfin tuna and swordfish. The results are expected to provide consumers with information on the safety of consuming or exporting these fishes caught in the Hindian and Pacific Oceans.
Materials and Methods: Fresh yellowfin and swordfish were obtained from fishermen’s catches in FAO Fishing Zone 57 (Indian Ocean) and 71 (Pacific Ocean) and then collected at Benoa Harbor, Bali Province. The comparative method was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in each fish. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations, including Pb, Cd, and Hg, were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis. These results were then used to assess the safety of these fishes by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotients-total target hazard quotients (THQs-TTHQs).
Results: The analysis showed that none of the samples exceeded the threshold levels for the three heavy metals, which was specified by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) and European Commission Regulation (CR) No. 1881/2006. The EDI and provisional tolerable weekly index (PTWI) obtained in this study were still in the safe range. However, the PTWI values for Pb in yellowfin tuna product from the Indian Ocean were higher (0.0038 mg/kg) compared to the recommended standard for the adult population. The THQ-TTHQ values of fish caught from these oceans were also within the acceptable range specified by the two agencies, indicating that they are safe for consumption by people with various age groups and for export purposes.
Conclusion: The average levels of three heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg) in muscle samples of yellowfin tuna and swordfish caught from the Pacific and Hindian Oceans were within the acceptable range as specified by the SNI and CR No. 1881/2006. Furthermore, the EDI and THQs values indicated that fishes caught from the Pacific and Hindian Oceans were safe for consumption. This research is still limited to assessing two capture fisheries commodities. Further research is needed on the assessment of heavy metal levels in other capture fisheries commodities in this capture zone.
... Mercury exposure from consumption of sh is a major public health concern in the United States of America (US) and throughout the world (Zillioux, 2015), and a leading cause for the issuance of advisories against eating wild-caught sh (NDEQ, 2007, USEPA, 2007. In its National Lakes Assessment of 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classi ed 68% of the sampled lakes in the US as "moderately" or "mostly" disturbed due to methylmercury and 77% disturbed due to total mercury in the sediment (USEPA, 2012). ...
Mercury, a highly toxic metal, is deposited onto land from the atmosphere through wet and dry deposition, and can be transported into waterways. In lakes and streams, mercury bioaccumulates and then biomagnifies in sediments and aquatic food webs. Thus, mercury from food web sources can be biomagnified in fish tissue, and humans can be exposed through consuming contaminated fishes. Several biological, chemical, and physical factors influence the concentration of mercury in fish tissues, such as species identity, and watershed land use. We accessed publicly available fish tissue mercury data for six states in the Great Plains, USA (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota), and linked them to watershed characteristics such as land use. We used mixed-effect regression analysis and model selection approaches to test the prediction that the presence of wetlands and agriculture in the watershed increases the mercury concentration found in fish tissue. Fish tissue mercury depended on species identity foremost and secondarily on spatial variables (e.g. land use/land cover, state). Presence of wetlands and mixed-forest habitat in the watershed increased fish tissue mercury concentration, but other land uses showed weaker relationships. Overall, our results emphasized the importance of species traits in predicting fish tissue mercury concentrations. Analysis of watershed land use and land cover variables also explained variation in fish contamination, highlighting the importance of watershed-scale parameters in evaluations of mercury exposure from wild-caught fish.
... Mercury is a dangerous metal found in contaminated air, soil, and waste disposal water. Organic mercury, specifically monomethyl mercury (CH3Hg+ or MeHg), is the most toxic form of mercury commonly found in the environment, and contaminated fish consumption is the most common human exposure to MeHg (Zillioux, 2015). Cadmium is a white metal carcinogenic and the most commonly found toxic metal in the natural environment (Winiarska-Mieczan et al., 2018). ...
bstract This study aimed to determine the number of cases, causes, and main rejection factors of Indonesia's fishery products by the USA and European markets. Data were obtained from the websites of USFDA (USA) and RASFF (Europe) from 2010 to 2020. Pareto analysis and fishbone diagram were used for analyzing data that informants validated from selected exporters and experts. Within the observed period, there were 2,318 cases of rejection in the USA and 79 in Europe. The highest case was in 2011 in the USA and 2012 in European markets. Based on Pareto analysis of rejection cases, the main factors that accounted for more than 80% of rejections in the USA were filthy and Salmonella; meanwhile, in Europe, were mercury, poor temperature control, Salmonella, histamine, and cadmium. The fishbone diagram result with validation from fishery product exporter shows that human factor, such as the lack of coordination and communication between business actors, especially at the supplier level when selecting raw materials, was considered the cause of rejection (filthy). Establishing well-managed cooperation among business actors within an integrated fish supply chain management is essential to ensure the quality of fishery products. Keywords: Europe, fishery product, rejection, root causes, United States of America Abstrak Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui jumlah kasus, penyebab dan faktor utama penyebab penolakan produk perikanan Indonesia di Pasar Eropa dan Amerika. Data diperoleh dari website USFDA (Amerika) dan RASFF (Eropa) dalam kurung waktu 2010 – 2020. Analisis data yang digunakan yaitu analisis pareto dan diagram tulang ikan, yang divalidasi oleh informan dari eksportir terpilih dan ahli. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan penolakan produk ekspor perikanan Indonesia di pasar Amerika berjumlah 2.318 kasus dan 79 kasus di Eropa dalam kurun waktu penelitian. Penolakan tertinggi terjadi pada tahun 2011 di pasar Amerika dan pada tahun 2012 di Eropa. Hasil analisis data dengan diagram pareto menunjukkan bahwa produk kotor dan Salmonella menyumbang 80% penolakan produk perikanan di Amerika, sedangkan mercury, pengendalian suhu yang tidak bagus, Salmonella, histamine, dan cadmium di pasar Eropa. Hasil analisis diagram tulang ikan dan validasi dengan eksportir menunjukkan bahwa penyebab penolakan untuk pasar Amerika Serikat (yaitu produk kotor) adalah faktor manusia, seperti kurang koordinasi dan komunikasi antar pelaku usaha, khususnya di tingkat supplier. Kerjasama antar pelaku usaha dalam pengelolaan rantai pasok ikan terintegrasi dapat menjamin kualitas produk perikanan yang sesuai standar yang dipersyaratkan. Kata kunci: akar masalah, Amerika Serikat, Eropa, penolakan, produk perikanan
