Zupo, Graber, Kamel et al. 2019
Zupo, Graber, Kamel et al. 2019
Zupo, V., G. Graber, S. Kamel, V. Plichta, S. Granitzer, C. Gundacker & K.J. Wittmann, 2019. Mercury accumulation in freshwater and marine fish from the wild and from aquaculture ponds. Environmental Pollution, 255 (1): 112975; 13 pp., Tabs 1-3, Figs 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.112975
We analysed the total mercury (Hg) accumulation in bodies and gut contents of 13 species of marine wild fish, 7 species of wild freshwater fish and 4 species of farmed fish. In addition, metal concentrations were recorded in water, sediment, fish prey and fodder materials, to track the dynamics of bio-accumulation. Cultured freshwater fish were collected at four Austrian farms and compared with samples obtained from markets. Wild marine fish were collected at Santa Croce bank, in Italy (Mediterranean Sea). Metal accumulation varied with sampling site, species, and age (or weight) of fish. Wild marine fish exhibited higher levels than wild freshwater fish, which in turn had higher Hg levels than cultured freshwater fish. Mercury increased according to trophic levels of consumers. Total Hg contents in muscle of cultured and wild freshwater fish sampled in 2006-2008 did not exceed legal nutritional limits. Similarly, in market samples of trout and carp collected in 2019, we found low or undetectable concentrations of total Hg in muscle tissue. In contrast, some marine fish (both market samples and some species from coastal waters) exceeded the legal limits. Environmental contamination, food webs and biological factors are the main causes of Hg accumulation in fish. Our results reflect the actual differences between specific European sites and should not be generalized. However, they support the generally increasing demand for monitoring mercury pollution in view of its impact on human health and its value as an indicator of ecosystem contamination.
Mercury load; heavy metals; pollution; contamination; bioaccumulation; freshwater; marine; market
Anodonta cygnaea; Anthias anthias; Boops boops; Chromis chromis; Chydorus sphaericus; Citharus linguatula; Coregonus; Coris julis; Cyprinus carpio; Dugesia lugubris; Esox lucius; Gammarus pulex; Gammarus roeseli; Ilyocoris cimicoides; Lepidocybium flavobrunneum; Microchirus ocellatus; Mullus surmuletus; Notonecta; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Pangasianodon hypophthalmus; Perca fluviatilis; Pholis; Phycis phycis; Polycelis felina; Radix ovata; Salmo salar; Salmo trutta; Sander lucioperca; Scorpaena notata; Scorpaena porcus; Serranus hepatus; Silurus glanis; Spicara maena; Squalus acanthias; Thunnus; Trachurus trachurus; Xiphias gladius