Mercury is an element of special concern for human health. Measurements of total mercury levels in fish have been taken into consideration to assess risk. In this study, the Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni was evaluated as a potential safe food source through measurement of total mercury contents. Total mercury concentrations in Antarctic toothfish ranged from 0.101 ± 0.047 mg/kg to 0.139 ± 0.075 mg/kg. The total mercury concentration was significantly correlated with macroscopic values including total fish length, weight, gonadosomatic index, and maturity (P < 0.01 or 0.05). Furthermore, according to the risk assessment, the total mercury body exposure rate from Antarctic toothfish ranged from 2.125% to 2.847% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. Therefore, the Antarctic toothfish could be used as a potential safe seafood source.

The sanitary quality of a shellfish-growing area in Gangjinman, Korea, was assessed through a bacteriological examination of seawater form January 2007 to December 2009. The range of the geometric mean (GM) and the estimated 90th percentile for most-probable-number (MPN) values for fecal coliforms in samples collected in the designated area were 2.0-2.4 and 6.1-11.5 MPN/100 mL, respectively. Therefore, the bacteriological quality of seawater in the designated area in the Gangjinman area met the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP, USA) guidelines for approved areas. Also, the sanitary status of shellfish harvested from the designated area met the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program (KSSP) fecal coliform criterion (<230 MPN/100 g). However, the degree of bacteriological contamination increased rapidly, and water quality exceeded the criteria for approved areas when large amounts of rain fell before the sampling date. Fortunately, fecal pollutants did not affect the bacteriological quality of a buffer zone established between the shoreline and the designated area. These results indicate that the current buffer zone established around the designated area protects the designated area properly.

We investigated the effect of the discharged water from Bong Stream, which is located in the drainage area of Gangjinman area on the bacteriological water quality in the coastal area after rainfall events. Following 12.5 mm of rainfall, water discharged from Bong Stream had a very limited effect on bacteriological water quality in adjacent area and the affected area did not extend to the designated area. On the other hand, after 23 mm rainfall, the density of fecal coliform at stations located in the designated area was higher than at stations located in the adjacent area. The degree of bacteriological contamination at the surveyed stations in the coastal area after rainfall events did not show a relationship with distance from the shoreline. These results indicate that the direction of spread and the range of contaminants from the drainage area were affected by tides at the time of the survey. Therefore, a detailed survey of the effects of tides on the diffusion characteristics of the contaminants from Bong Stream is needed to establish a proper management plan for the surveyed area.

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