Total mercury, methylmercury, and selenium in aquatic products from coastal cities of China: Distribution characteristics and risk assessment

Zhang, Haiyan; Guo, Chenqi; Feng, Hongru; Shen, Yanting; Wang, Yaotian; Zeng, Tao

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140034

Cited by 27 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…In this study, 94% of samples had Se:Hg molar ratios greater than 5:1, reaching up to 25:1 in the muscle of freshwater species (Italian chub) and 37:1 in flathead grey mullet ( Table 4 ). Higher Se:Hg molar ratios in flathead grey mullet, as the only marine species, could be expected since it is known that freshwater fish species have substantially lower Se levels than marine species [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Ratios lower than 5:1 were recorded only in one specimen of Prussian carp and one specimen of Italian barbel, mostly due to an increase in Hg concentrations in those individuals, but even these ratios were significantly higher than 3:1.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potentially Toxic Elements in Water, Sediments and Fish from the Karstic River (Raša River, Croatia) Located in the Former Coal-Mining Area

Kljaković-Gašpić

Sekovanić

Orct

et al. 2022

Toxics

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The assessment of the environmental quality of a sensitive karst aquatic system under the centuries-long anthropogenic influence of the coal mining industry is important for both improving the quality of water resources and protecting aquatic wildlife and human health. In this study, we investigated the anthropogenic impact on the aquatic environment of the upper and middle course of the Raša River through the analysis of a suite of metal(loid)s in three aquatic compartments (water, sediment, fish) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of inorganic constituents in water were low, while the chemical composition of stream sediments mainly reflected the geological background of the area, indicating the origin of metal(loid)s from predominantly natural sources. Although comparison with PEC-Q values indicated that existing sediment quality conditions could pose a threat to benthic organisms with regard to Cr and Ni, the constant vertical profiles of these elements suggested their natural origin from the weathering of flysch. Element levels in the muscle of targeted fish species were in accordance with the values typical for low-contaminated freshwater systems, while levels of Cd, Pb and Hg were mostly below the European regulatory limits for toxic elements in foods, indicating that the low concentrations of most contaminants in muscles of fish from the Raša River do not present a risk to humans or other consumers. The obtained data indicated a generally low contamination status of the western part of the Raša River basin with regard to the analyzed inorganic elements.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potentially Toxic Elements in Water, Sediments and Fish from the Karstic River (Raša River, Croatia) Located in the Former Coal-Mining Area

Kljaković-Gašpić

Sekovanić

Orct

et al. 2022

Toxics

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“…Duplicate samples were analysed every 20 samples, and the mean relative difference percentage was 9.23% ± 8.12% (range 0.04-28.22%; n = 20) ( Supplementary Table S4). Total mercury (THg) was used as a proxy for methylmercury (MeHg) since previous studies have found that most of the THg in fish tissue is MeHg (i.e., > 95% 54 ; 83.5 ± 19.7% 35 ; 68.1-88.8% 34,36 ). The assumption that > 90% of THg is MeHg applies to predatory species but does not necessarily apply to young fish and to fish from lower trophic levels where the percentage of MeHg is lower 35 .…”

Section: Mercury Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of these "best choice" species are fish at lower trophic levels which are expected to have lower levels of THg. The percentage of MeHg in THg has also been found to be lower in fish at lower trophic levels such as forage fish [34][35][36] . Nevertheless, the "best choice" list includes eight species of predatory fish that are high in mercury ( Supplementary Table S3).…”

Section: Mercury Mercury Concentration In Fish Varied Greatly Betweementioning

confidence: 99%

Mislabelling and high mercury content hampers the efforts of market-based seafood initiatives in Peru

Biffi

López-Mobilia²,

Kelez

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Peru is experiencing a “gastronomic boom” that is increasing the demand for seafood. We investigated two implicit assumptions of two popular sustainable seafood consumer-based initiatives: (1) seafood is labelled correctly, and (2) the recommended species are healthy for consumers. We used DNA barcoding to determine the taxonomic identity of 449 seafood samples from markets and restaurants and analysed the concentration of total mercury (THg) in a sub-sample (271 samples) of these. We found that a third of seafood is mislabelled and that over a quarter of all samples had mercury levels above the upper limit recommended by the US EPA (300 ng/g ww). Additionally, 30% of samples were threatened and protected species. Mislabelling often occurred for economic reasons and the lack of unique common names. Mislabelled samples also had significantly higher mercury concentrations than correctly labelled samples. The “best choice” species compiled from two sustainable seafood guides had less mislabelling, and when identified correctly through DNA barcoding, had on average lower mercury than the other species. Nevertheless, some high mercury species are included in these lists. Mislabelling makes the efforts of seafood campaigns less effective as does the inclusion of threatened species and species high in mercury.

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“…The bioaccumulation of toxic metals by reptiles results from surface contact with the water and food chain [47,63,64], and the concentrations depend on the environmental levels of trace metals in the habitat, since they are absorbed and stored in the tissues [65]. Researchers have shown that the mercury concentrations in the muscles of freshwater animals varies widely depending on the capture location [59,66].…”

Section: Thg Bioaccumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Total Mercury Content in the Tissues of Freshwater Chelonium (Podocnemis expansa) and a Human Health Risk Assessment for the Amazon Population in Brazil

Targino,

Ribeiro,

Simões

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Researchers recognize the silent, negative and deleterious effects caused by mercury pollution in gold mining areas. Freshwater turtles are culturally part of the diet of riverside populations in the Amazon region and this area presents mercury (Hg) pollution issues mainly due to gold mining activities. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the total mercury (THg) content in the different organs of Amazonian giant river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) and carry out a human health risk assessment associated with the consumption of these animals. This study was conducted in the Vila Balbina, municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Skin (n = 28), muscle (n = 19) and brain (n = 2) samples were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (TDA-AAS) and a DMA-80™ mercury analyzer was used for the total mercury determinations. The average values found for THg in the skin, muscle and brain samples were, respectively, 0.1045 mg·kg−1, 0.1092 mg·kg−1 and 0.0601 mg·kg−1. Thus, THg was observed even though the P. expansa were kept in captivity, possibly due to previous contamination by air, water and food. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) was calculated considering a 9.07 g·day−1 intake dose of P. expansa and the consumption of turtles once a week showed an HQ = 2.45, which may cause long-term injuries to human health. Although the muscle concentrations were below the maximum limit established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Brazilian regulatory agencies, it is important to evaluate consumption factors such as amount ingested, frequency and animal gender, which may cause a potential risk to regular consumers due to mercury bioaccumulation. The WHO may consider various aspects in order to warn the Amazon population about the severity and silent hazard of this metal, especially due to the importance of this matrix in the region. This region urgently needs government actions to inhibit clandestine mining and to prevent future serious, chronic health problems of the entire population.

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Total mercury, methylmercury, and selenium in aquatic products from coastal cities of China: Distribution characteristics and risk assessment

Cited by 27 publications

References 48 publications

Potentially Toxic Elements in Water, Sediments and Fish from the Karstic River (Raša River, Croatia) Located in the Former Coal-Mining Area

Potentially Toxic Elements in Water, Sediments and Fish from the Karstic River (Raša River, Croatia) Located in the Former Coal-Mining Area

Mislabelling and high mercury content hampers the efforts of market-based seafood initiatives in Peru

Total Mercury Content in the Tissues of Freshwater Chelonium (Podocnemis expansa) and a Human Health Risk Assessment for the Amazon Population in Brazil

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