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Yoshino K, Yamada K, Kanaya G, Komorita T, Okamoto K, Tanaka M, Tada Y, Henmi Y, Yamamoto M. Food Web Structures and Mercury Exposure Pathway to Fish in Minamata Bay. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 85:360-373. [PMID: 37919444 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01040-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed total mercury content (THg) and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios in fish, subtidal macrobenthos, and particulate organic matter (POM) as a proxy for pelagic phytoplankton and attached microalgae as a proxy for microphytobenthos to investigate the mercury exposure pathway in fish. For four seasons, samples of the above-mentioned organisms were collected on five occasions (July and October 2018 and January, April, and July 2019) in Minamata Bay. Isotope analysis showed that Minamata Bay food web structures were almost entirely fueled by microphytobenthos. The THg values of the fish and macrobenthos species were positively correlated with their δ13C. This indicates that their diets, which were highly fueled by microphytobenthos, led to high THg bioaccumulation in both macrobenthos and fish. The feeding habits of fishes differ depending on the species, and they prey on organisms of many taxa, including fish (mainly Japanese anchovy), crabs, shrimp, copepods, annelids, and algae. Fish species that preyed on benthic crustaceans had high THg. These results suggest that the main pathway of Hg bioaccumulation in fish from Minamata Bay is the benthic food chain, which is primarily linked to benthic crustaceans fueled by microphytobenthos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yoshino
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Katsumasa Yamada
- Aitsu Marine Station, Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management, Kumamoto University, Matstushima, Kami-Amakusa, Kumamoto, 861-6102, Japan
| | - Gen Kanaya
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Komorita
- Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, 3-1-100 Tsukide, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto, 862-8502, Japan
| | - Kai Okamoto
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
| | - Masaatsu Tanaka
- Department of Biology, Keio University, 4-1-1 Hiyoshi, Yokohama, 223-8521, Japan
| | - Yuya Tada
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Henmi
- Aitsu Marine Station, Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment and Disaster Management, Kumamoto University, Matstushima, Kami-Amakusa, Kumamoto, 861-6102, Japan
| | - Megumi Yamamoto
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
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Cardoso PG, Morais H, Crespo D, Tavares D, Pereira E, Pardal MÂ. Seasonal characterization of mercury contamination along the Portuguese coast: human health and environmental risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:101121-101132. [PMID: 37646930 PMCID: PMC10541821 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
A seasonal characterization of mercury (Hg) accumulation in three different estuaries along the Portuguese coast (i.e. Ria de Aveiro, Tagus estuary and Ria Formosa) was done. For that, it was evaluated: (1) Hg concentrations in abiotic (water) and biotic matrices (flora and fauna); (2) the risk of consumption of local seafood species (e.g. bivalves) to human health; and (3) the environmental risk to Hg exposure. During 1 year, water and biological samples were collected during low tide, in each system for Hg quantification. Our findings revealed that total Hg concentrations in surface waters were higher in Ria de Aveiro and Tagus estuary than in Ria Formosa. In Ria de Aveiro, a particular attention should be given in autumn periods, where Hg levels (≈ 100 µg L-1) were considered quite high according to European quality parameters. The same was observed for the Tagus estuary during spring time. Regarding macrofauna Hg levels, no clear seasonal trend was observed. Also, total Hg concentrations in edible species (< 0.5 µg. g-1 ww) represent no risk for consumption. However, considering the environmental risk, in Ria de Aveiro, there is a moderate risk (RQ > 0.1) in autumn periods, which can be a matter of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Gonçalves Cardoso
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Hugo Morais
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Daniel Crespo
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Daniela Tavares
- LAQV-REQUIMTE - Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Pereira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE - Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Miguel Ângelo Pardal
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
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Wang X, Xie Q, Wang Y, Lü H, Fu M, Wang D, Li J. Hg bioaccumulation in the aquatic food web from tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China and potential consumption advisories. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 458:131902. [PMID: 37364435 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) holds the distinction of being China's largest reservoir, and the presence of pollutants in the fish from the reservoir have a direct impact on the health of local residents. Thus, 349 fish specimens of 21 species and 1 benthos (Bellamya aeruginosas) were collected from four typical tributaries of the TGR from 2019 to 2020. These specimens were analyzed for the concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg), and some representative samples were tested for δ13C and δ15N values to reveal the characteristics of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The maximum safe daily consumption was estimated based on the oral reference dose (0.1 μg kg-1 bw/day according to US-EPA, 2017). The results showed that the mean THg and MeHg concentrations in fish from the TGR tributaries were 73.18 ± 49.21 ng g-1 and 48.42 ± 40.66 ng g-1, respectively, with the trophic magnification factors (TMFs) of THg and MeHg being 0.066 and 0.060, respectively. Among all the fish species in the tributaries, the highest daily maximum safe consumption amount was 1253.89 g for S. asotus consumed by adults, while the lowest was 62.88 g for C. nasus consumed by children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueheng Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qing Xie
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Resources, Environment and Safety, Chongqing Vocational Institute of Engineering, Chongqing 402260, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yongmin Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hongjian Lü
- College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; National Base of International S&T Collaboration on Water Environmental Monitoring and Simulation in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Mei Fu
- College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; National Base of International S&T Collaboration on Water Environmental Monitoring and Simulation in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Jiajia Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; National Base of International S&T Collaboration on Water Environmental Monitoring and Simulation in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Yuan CS, Chiang KC, Yen PH, Ceng JH, Lee CE, Du IC, Soong KY, Jeng MS. Long-range transport of atmospheric speciated mercury from the eastern waters of Taiwan Island to northern South China Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120899. [PMID: 36565910 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120899] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the temporospatial distribution, gas-particle partition, and pollution sources of atmospheric speciated mercury (ASM) from the eastern offshore waters of the Taiwan Island (TI) to the northern South China Sea (SCS). Both gaseous and particulate mercury were simultaneously sampled at three remote sites in four seasons. The average concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM), and particulate bound mercury (PBM) were 2.05 ± 0.45 ng/m3, 19.17 ± 5.39 pg/m3, and 0.11 ± 0.06 ng/m3, respectively. The concentrations of GEM and PBM in the cold seasons were higher than those in the warm seasons, but those of GOM had an opposite trend. In terms of gas-solid partition, ASM was apportioned as 91.3-97.3% of GEM and 2.7-8.7% of GOM and PBM. The average concentrations of GEM, GOM, and PBM at the Green Island (GI) were 2.21 ± 0.47 ng/m3, 22.31 ± 5.35 pg/m3, and 0.12 ± 0.06 ng/m3; those at the Kenting Peninsula (KT) were 2.11 ± 0.43 ng/m3, 20.57 ± 4.38 pg/m3, and 0.11 ± 0.06 ng/m3; and those at the Dongsha Islands (DS) were 1.84 ± 0.40 ng/m3, 15.19 ± 3.58 pg/m3, and 0.08 ± 0.05 ng/m3, respectively. Overall, the spatial distribution of ASM concentrations showed the order as: GI > KT > DS. Air masses blown mainly from the West Pacific Ocean (WPO) and SCS in summer showed the lowest ASM concentrations. Oppositely, high ASM concentrations were commonly observed in spring and winter when polluted air masses were blown by Asian Northeastern Monsoons (ANMs). The transport routes of polluted air masses were originated mainly from North China, Central China, Northeast China, Korea and Japan, and mostly passed through the urban and industrial regions in the northeastern Asian countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Shin Yuan
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC; Aerosol Science Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Kuan-Chen Chiang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Hsuan Yen
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jun-Hao Ceng
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-En Lee
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC
| | - I-Chieh Du
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ker-Yea Soong
- Institute of Marine Biology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Shiou Jeng
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC; Green Island Marine Research Station, Biodiversity Research Center, Academia. Sinica, Green Island, Taitung County, Taiwan, ROC
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Huang ZL, Yang ZB, Xu XX, Lei YJ, He JS, Yang S, Wong MH, Man YB, Cheng Z. Health risk assessment of mercury in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed housefly maggots. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158164. [PMID: 36055489 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158164] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) by housefly maggots (HM) during the conversion of food waste (vegetables and meat (VM) and rice waste) under various waste feed ratios were investigated. Subsequently, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed with the commercial feed, commercial dried HM, dried HM, and fresh HM, followed by a human health risk assessment of Hg via fish consumption. The THg concentrations of HM fed with food waste ranged from 39.5 to 100 μg kg-1 ww. Concentrations of MeHg in the maggots fed with 100 % vegetables and meat (VM) waste (13.7 ± 1.12 μg kg-1 ww) was significantly higher than that fed with other mixed ratios of rice waste and VM waste (p<0.05). Concentrations of MeHg were positively correlated with the weight and lipid content of houseflies (p<0.05). THg and MeHg concentrations in tilapia fed with the converted HM (dried and fresh HM) were 22.5 ± 6.50 μg kg-1 ww and 2.43 ± 0.36 μg kg-1 ww, respectively. There was no significant difference in MeHg between tilapia fed the four experiment diets (p>0.05). Health risk assessment results indicated that mercury in tilapia fed the food waste-grown HM did not pose potential health risks to humans (target hazard quotient < 1). In conclusion, HM could convert food waste into high-quality and safe fish feeds for cultivating tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Li Huang
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhan-Biao Yang
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-Xun Xu
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong-Jia Lei
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin-Song He
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Song Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Hung Wong
- Consortium on Health, Environment, Education, and Research (CHEER), and Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu-Bon Man
- Consortium on Health, Environment, Education, and Research (CHEER), and Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhang Cheng
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
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Leaphart JC, Abercrombie SA, Borchert EJ, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. Bioaccumulation of Mercury and Radiocesium in Waterfowl Introduced to a Site with Legacy Contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2479-2487. [PMID: 35866467 PMCID: PMC9804915 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the propensity of waterfowl species to readily accumulate anthropogenic contaminants within polluted environments, few studies have examined bioaccumulation rates over time when entering such a contaminated site. We examined mercury (Hg) and radiocesium (137 Cs) bioaccumulation over time in two waterfowl species released into a wetland system containing legacy contamination on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Released birds were collected at select time intervals over an exposure period of 94 days. We quantified total Hg concentrations in blood, muscle, and liver tissues, and 137 Cs activity in whole-body and muscle tissues. The relationship between the contaminant burdens of different body tissue types was examined over time. Likely a result of microhabitat selection, mallards in our study readily accumulated both Hg and 137 Cs at consistent rates over time within our study system, while ring-neck ducks did not. The findings demonstrated that whole blood can be used as a robust, nondestructive sampling alternative to estimate Hg burdens within muscle and liver, and whole-body 137 Cs activity is a good predictor of muscle burdens. Understanding such bioaccumulation information in waterfowl is useful for the assessment of the potential health risk in wildlife, as well as being important for human risk assessment toward the consumption of popular game species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2479-2487. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Leaphart
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | | | - Ernest J. Borchert
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Albert L. Bryan
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaAikenSouth CarolinaUSA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
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Yuan CS, Lee CE, Ie IR, Chiang KC, Tseng YL, Wong KW. Seasonal variation and source identification of atmospheric speciated mercury in an industrial harbor area in East Asia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:152785. [PMID: 34990687 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152785] [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: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the pollution characteristics, spatiotemporal variation, and potential sources of atmospheric speciated mercury (ASM) in an industrial harbor area were explored. Gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM), and particle-bound mercury (PBM) were sampled by a self-designed manual system at three harbor sites in four seasons. The yearly average concentrations of GEM, GOM, and PBM were 6.7 ± 2.0 ng/m3, 244 ± 70 pg/m3, and 410 ± 105 pg/m3, respectively. The seasonal average ASM concentration was in the order of: winter > fall > spring > summer. In terms of species, GEM dominated ASM, while reactive mercury (RM = GOM + PBM) accounted for 6.0-15.7%of ASM, implying that ASM was governed by anthropogenic sources in the harbor area. The highest ASM concentrations were observed at Site Zhonghe (ZH), which is mainly influenced by both ship exhausts and industrial emissions, and positively correlated with CO, NOx, and SO2. In particular, GOM was positively correlated with O3, and negatively correlated with air temperature and relative humidity, showing high impact from atmospheric photochemical reactions. Air masses transporting westerly in spring were mainly from ship exhausts. In summer, air masses transporting from the south were from utility power plants and machinery exhausts. In fall and winter, air masses were transported mainly from the north, blowing by the long-range transport of polluted air masses originated from the north. Both principal component analysis and positive matrix factorization results indicate that coal burning, industrial emissions, and vehicular exhausts are the main contributors to ASM. Site Zhongdao (ZD) was close to the bulk carrier loading and unloading zones and was highly influenced by mobile sources, while Site ZH was mainly influenced by the neighboring industrial complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Shin Yuan
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70, Lian-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Cheng-En Lee
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70, Lian-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Iau-Ren Ie
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70, Lian-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuan-Chen Chiang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70, Lian-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Lun Tseng
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70, Lian-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kwok-Wai Wong
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70, Lian-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan, ROC
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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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Jiang X, Wang J, Pan B, Li D, Wang Y, Liu X. Assessment of heavy metal accumulation in freshwater fish of Dongting Lake, China: Effects of feeding habits, habitat preferences and body size. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 112:355-365. [PMID: 34955218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We measured the concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg, and the stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) in 87 fish samples within 12 economic fish species collected from the Dongting Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in China. With few exceptions in concentration of Cr, most of fish species showed lower concentrations of the 8 metals than legislation thresholds. Piscivorous fishes had significantly higher values of δ15N (possessing higher trophic level) and metal concentrations than planktivorous and herbivorous fishes. Moreover, demersal fishes showed higher concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb than pelagic and benthopelagic fishes. We found positive correlations between concentrations of Fe, Pb and Hg and δ15N ratio, confirming the biomagnification of the three metals through trophic transfer. In contrast, fishes showed clear growth dilution effect for Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb and Hg, indicated by the negative correlations between their concentrations and fish weight or length. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that growth dilution and biomagnification effects simultaneously governed the metal concentrations in fish muscle, and the two effects' importance varied among different metals. The human health risk assessment indicated that all 8 metals gave target hazard quotient (THQ) values < 1.0, i.e., the estimated daily intake (EDI) of metals did not exceed the oral reference dose (RfD), indicating a safe consumption of these fish species for consumer. Our study provides comprehensive approaches to better understand the determining processes and potential risk of heavy metals in freshwater lake fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Baozhu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China.
| | - Dianbao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Yuzhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Xinyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
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Azevedo LS, Pestana IA, Almeida MG, Ferreira da Costa Nery A, Bastos WR, Magalhães Souza CM. Mercury biomagnification in an ichthyic food chain of an amazon floodplain lake (Puruzinho Lake): Influence of seasonality and food chain modeling. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 207:111249. [PMID: 32890953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111249] [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: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) biomagnification in fish food chains is a relevant subject due to the high fish consumption of the Amazonian population and the high toxicity of this metal. In the Amazon, floodplain lake hydrodynamics change considerably along the four seasons of the hydrological cycle (rising water, high water, falling water and low water), which can influence Hg bioaccumulation in fish. The main aim of this study was to evaluate if Hg biomagnification is influenced by seasonality in a floodplain lake (Puruzinho Lake) in the Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, the influence of food chain modeling on measurement of Hg biomagnification was tested. Hg concentrations and stable isotope signatures (carbon and nitrogen) were estimated in four species, Mylossoma duriventre (herbivorous), Prochilodus nigricans (detritivorous), Cichla pleiozona (piscivorous) and Serrasalmus rhombeus (piscivorous). The "trophic magnification slope" (TMS) of the food chain composed by the four species was calculated and compared among the four seasons. There was no significant seasonal variation in TMS among rising water, high water, falling water and low water seasons (p = 0.08), suggesting that Hg biomagnification does not change seasonally. However, there was significant variation in TMS among different food chain models. Lower TMS was observed in a food chain composed of detritivorous and piscivorous fish (0.20) in comparison with a food chain composed of the four species (0.26). The results indicate food chain modeling influences TMS results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Silva Azevedo
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil.
| | - Inácio Abreu Pestana
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gomes Almeida
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Adriely Ferreira da Costa Nery
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Olaria, CEP, 76815-800, Porto Velho, Rondônia, RO, Brazil
| | - Wanderley Rodrigues Bastos
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Olaria, CEP, 76815-800, Porto Velho, Rondônia, RO, Brazil
| | - Cristina Maria Magalhães Souza
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Parque Califórnia, CEP, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil
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11
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Siau YF, Le DQ, Suratman S, Jaaman SA, Tanaka K, Kotaro S. Seasonal variation of total mercury transfer through a tropical mangrove food web, Setiu Wetlands. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 162:111878. [PMID: 33341077 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111878] [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: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal variations in total mercury concentrations [Hg] and trophic transfer through the food web were assessed using stable isotopic tracers for the Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu. The [Hg] measured in surface sediments and biota varied inversely between wet and dry seasons. Increased rainfall and water disturbance during the wet season are suggested as the main factors releasing Hg from surface sediments and enhancing the bioavailability of Hg to biota. The elevated Hg levels associated with the leaf stage suggested that litterfall and atmospheric deposition may be the main Hg inputs into mangrove food webs. The positive relationships between log [Hg] and δ15N provided evidence for Hg biomagnification, however low trophic magnification slopes in both seasons indicated that the ecological risk of Hg in the wetland would be negligible. The [Hg] in fish and commercial crabs were below the permitted limits for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Fui Siau
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Dung Quang Le
- Environmental Engineering and Management Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, 19 Nguyen Huu Tho, Tan Phong, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, 19 Nguyen Huu Tho, Tan Phong, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
| | - Suhaimi Suratman
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Saifullah Arifin Jaaman
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Kentaro Tanaka
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8564, Japan
| | - Shirai Kotaro
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8564, Japan
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12
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Effects of Contamination by Heavy Metals and Metalloids on Chromosomes, Serum Biochemistry and Histopathology of the Bonylip Barb Fish Near Sepon Gold-Copper Mine, Lao PDR. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17249492. [PMID: 33352927 PMCID: PMC7766976 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of the present study were to determine the concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids in water, sediment and Osteochilus vittatus fish, and to assess chromosome aberrations, serum biochemical changes and histopathological alterations in O. vittatus from the Nam Kok river near the Sepon gold-copper mine, Lao People’s Democratic Republic compared with the reference area. The results showed that Fe, Mn and Ni in water, As and Cd in sediment as well as As, Cd, Cr, Mn and Ni in O. vittatus muscle samples near the gold-copper mine exceeded standard values. Furthermore, the chromosome assessment in O. vittatus revealed seven types of chromosome aberrations, and the highest total number of chromosome aberrations was a centromere gap. The total number of chromosome aberrations, cell number with chromosome aberrations and percentage of chromosome aberrations in O. vittatus as well as serum liver enzymes between the studied areas were significantly different (p < 0.05). The liver histopathological alterations of the fish near the gold-copper mine revealed atypical cellular structures as nuclear membrane degeneration, rough endoplasmic reticulum disintegration and abnormal cytoplasmic mitochondria. The results of this study suggested that heavy metal and metalloid contaminations from the Sepon gold-copper mine area negatively affect O. vittatus fish in terms of chromosomal defects, serum biochemical changes and liver histopathological appearances.
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13
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Survey and assessment of metals distribution in the overlying water of the representative lake and rivers in Zhenjiang, China. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-2567-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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14
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Azevedo LS, Pestana IA, da Costa Nery AF, Bastos WR, Souza CMM. Variation in Hg accumulation between demersal and pelagic fish from Puruzinho Lake, Brazilian Amazon. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 28:1143-1149. [PMID: 31620950 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-019-02118-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems in the Amazon are exposed to mercury, mostly from natural sources. Hg accumulation in fish tissues poses a risk to the local population since fish is one of the main sources of protein in the region. The aim of this study was to evaluate Hg distribution in demersal and pelagic carnivorous fish between seasons in Puruzinho Lake in the Brazilian Amazon. Total Hg was quantified in 221 individuals of 8 species obtained during the high water and low water seasons. Two-way ANOVA indicated an interaction between foraging habitat and season. During high water, total Hg concentrations were similar between demersal and pelagic fish, while in low water, total Hg levels were higher in demersal fish. Pelagic and demersal fishes' Hg levels were similar between the two seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Silva Azevedo
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil.
| | - Inácio Abreu Pestana
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | | | - Wanderley Rodrigues Bastos
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental WCP, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, CEP: 76815-800, Brazil
| | - Cristina Maria Magalhães Souza
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
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15
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de Almeida Rodrigues P, Ferrari RG, Dos Santos LN, Conte Junior CA. Mercury in aquatic fauna contamination: A systematic review on its dynamics and potential health risks. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 84:205-218. [PMID: 31284912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is an important pollutant, released into aquatic ecosystems both naturally and by anthropogenic action. This element is transferred to aquatic organisms in different ways, causing potential health risks. In addition, mercury can be accumulated by humans, especially through the consumption of contaminated food. This systematic review aims to present mercury pathways, the major routes through which this element reaches the aquatic environment and its transformations until becoming available to living animals, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification phenomena. The key biotic and abiotic factors affecting such processes, the impact of mercury on animal and human health and the issue of seafood consumption as a source of chronic mercury contamination are also addressed. A total of 101 articles were retrieved from a standardized search on three databases (PubMed, Emabse, and Web of Science), in addition to 28 other studies not found on these databases but considered fundamental to this review (totaling 129 articles). Both biotic and abiotic factors display fundamental importance in mediating mercurial dynamics, i.e., muscle tropism, and salinity, respectively. Consequently, mercurial contamination in aquatic environments affects animal health, especially the risk of extinction species and also on human health, with methylmercury the main mercury species responsible for acute and chronic symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma de Almeida Rodrigues
- Molecular and Analytical Laboratory Center, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Gomes Ferrari
- Molecular and Analytical Laboratory Center, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Chemistry Institute, Food Science Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciano Neves Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Ichthyology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Adam Conte Junior
- Molecular and Analytical Laboratory Center, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Chemistry Institute, Food Science Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Health Quality Control, Fundaçãeo Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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16
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Broadley HJ, Cottingham KL, Baer NA, Weathers KC, Ewing HA, Chaves-Ulloa R, Chickering J, Wilson AM, Shrestha J, Chen CY. Factors affecting MeHg bioaccumulation in stream biota: the role of dissolved organic carbon and diet. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 28:949-963. [PMID: 31410744 PMCID: PMC6814552 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-019-02086-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) in freshwater ecosystems is thought to be mediated by both water chemistry (e.g., dissolved organic carbon [DOC] and dissolved mercury [Hg]) and diet (e.g., trophic position and diet composition). Hg in small streams is of particular interest given their role as a link between terrestrial and aquatic processes. Terrestrial processes determine the quantity and quality of streamwater DOC, which in turn influence the quantity and bioavailability of dissolved MeHg. To better understand the effects of water chemistry and diet on Hg bioaccumulation in stream biota, we measured DOC and dissolved Hg in stream water and mercury concentration in three benthic invertebrate taxa and three fish species across up to 12 tributary streams in a forested watershed in New Hampshire, USA. As expected, dissolved total mercury (THg) and MeHg concentrations increased linearly with DOC. However, mercury concentrations in fish and invertebrates varied non-linearly, with maximum bioaccumulation at intermediate DOC concentrations, which suggests that MeHg bioavailability may be reduced at high levels of DOC. Further, MeHg and THg concentrations in invertebrates and fish, respectively, increased with δ15N (suggesting trophic position) but were not associated with δ13C. These results show that even though MeHg in water is strongly determined by DOC concentrations, mercury bioaccumulation in stream food webs is the result of both MeHg availability in stream water and trophic position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Broadley
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
- Environmental Studies Program, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, 04240, USA.
| | | | - Nicholas A Baer
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, 03257, USA
| | | | - Holly A Ewing
- Environmental Studies Program, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, 04240, USA
| | - Ramsa Chaves-Ulloa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Department of General Education, Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jessica Chickering
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, 03257, USA
| | - Adam M Wilson
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, 03257, USA
| | - Jenisha Shrestha
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, 03257, USA
| | - Celia Y Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
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17
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Guiry E. Complexities of Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Biogeochemistry in Ancient Freshwater Ecosystems: Implications for the Study of Past Subsistence and Environmental Change. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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18
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Wu X, Wu H, Gu X, Zhang R, Ye J, Sheng Q. Biomagnification characteristics and health risk assessment of the neurotoxin BMAA in freshwater aquaculture products of Taihu Lake Basin, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 229:332-340. [PMID: 31078890 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In freshwater aquaculture ecosystems with high-frequency occurrences of cyanobacteria blooms, a chronic neurotoxic cyanobacteria toxin, β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA), is a new pollutant that affects the normal growth, development, and reproduction of aquaculture organisms. BMAA poses a great threat to the food quality and food safety of aquatic products. In this paper, high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to detect the contents of BMAA in the edible portions of six representative freshwater aquaculture products (Corbicula fluminea, Anodonta arcaeformis, Macrobrachium nipponense, Eriocheir sinensis, Ctenopharyngodon idella, and Mylopharyngodon piceus) from Taihu Lake Basin in China. Noncarcinogenic health risks were assessed with reference to the model recommended by the International Environmental Modelling and Software Society and based on the biomagnification characteristics of BMAA in the various aquaculture products investigated by the stable nitrogen isotope technique. The average BMAA concentrations in the edible portions of the six freshwater culture products were from 2.05 ± 1.40 to 4.21 ± 1.26 μg g-1 dry weight (DW), and the difference was significant (p < 0.05), such a difference increased with the increase in the trophic level in the aquaculture products. Although a biomagnification indication was observed, the trophic magnification factor (TMF) was only 1.20 which exhibited a relatively low biomagnification efficiency. The annual health risk values of BMAA in all the measured aquatic products were within the maximum tolerable range (<1 × 10-6 a-1), and the health risk increased with the increase in the trophic level. The risk values of BMAA in the six freshwater aquaculture products for children was slightly higher than the negligible level (<1 × 10-7 a-1), thus there might have potential health risks for children's long-term consumption. Considering China's national conditions, the guidance values of BMAA based on the quality and safety of freshwater aquaculture products were proposed to be 7.2 μg g-1 DW for adults and 1.8 μg g-1 DW for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development Technology Research, College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 313000, China.
| | - Hao Wu
- Environmental Protection Monitoring Centre Station, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 313000, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Gu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development Technology Research, College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 313000, China
| | - Rongfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development Technology Research, College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 313000, China
| | - Jinyun Ye
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development Technology Research, College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 313000, China
| | - Qiang Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development Technology Research, College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 313000, China
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19
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Fairbrother A, Muir D, Solomon KR, Ankley GT, Rudd MA, Boxall AB, Apell JN, Armbrust KL, Blalock BJ, Bowman SR, Campbell LM, Cobb GP, Connors KA, Dreier DA, Evans MS, Henry CJ, Hoke RA, Houde M, Klaine SJ, Klaper RD, Kullik SA, Lanno RP, Meyer C, Ottinger MA, Oziolor E, Petersen EJ, Poynton HC, Rice PJ, Rodriguez‐Fuentes G, Samel A, Shaw JR, Steevens JA, Verslycke TA, Vidal‐Dorsch DE, Weir SM, Wilson P, Brooks BW. Toward Sustainable Environmental Quality: Priority Research Questions for North America. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:1606-1624. [PMID: 31361364 PMCID: PMC6852658 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Anticipating, identifying, and prioritizing strategic needs represent essential activities by research organizations. Decided benefits emerge when these pursuits engage globally important environment and health goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, horizon scanning efforts can facilitate identification of specific research needs to address grand challenges. We report and discuss 40 priority research questions following engagement of scientists and engineers in North America. These timely questions identify the importance of stimulating innovation and developing new methods, tools, and concepts in environmental chemistry and toxicology to improve assessment and management of chemical contaminants and other diverse environmental stressors. Grand challenges to achieving sustainable management of the environment are becoming increasingly complex and structured by global megatrends, which collectively challenge existing sustainable environmental quality efforts. Transdisciplinary, systems-based approaches will be required to define and avoid adverse biological effects across temporal and spatial gradients. Similarly, coordinated research activities among organizations within and among countries are necessary to address the priority research needs reported here. Acquiring answers to these 40 research questions will not be trivial, but doing so promises to advance sustainable environmental quality in the 21st century. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1606-1624. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Derek Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington ONCanada
| | - Keith R. Solomon
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of Guelph, GuelphOntarioCanada
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer N. Apell
- Department of Civil & Environmental EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeMAUSA
| | - Kevin L. Armbrust
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of the Coast and EnvironmentLouisiana State University, Baton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Bonnie J. Blalock
- School for the EnvironmentUniversity of Massachusetts BostonBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sarah R. Bowman
- Michigan Department of Environmental QualityDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Linda M. Campbell
- Environmental Science, Saint Mary's University, HalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - George P. Cobb
- Department of Environmental ScienceBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| | | | - David A. Dreier
- Center for Environmental & Human ToxicologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Marlene S. Evans
- Aquatic Contaminants Research DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington ONCanada
| | | | | | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington ONCanada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Biology and BiochemistryUniversity of HoustonHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Elias Oziolor
- Department of Environmental ScienceBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| | - Elijah J. Petersen
- Material Measurement LaboratoryNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyGaithersburgMarylandUSA
| | - Helen C. Poynton
- School for the EnvironmentUniversity of Massachusetts BostonBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Pamela J. Rice
- US Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research ServiceWashington, DC
| | | | | | - Joseph R. Shaw
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana UniversityBloomingtonIndianaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Scott M. Weir
- Queen's University of CharlotteCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Bryan W. Brooks
- Procter and GambleCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
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20
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Fang T, Lu W, Cui K, Li J, Yang K, Zhao X, Liang Y, Li H. Distribution, bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of trace metals in the food web of Chaohu Lake, Anhui, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 218:1122-1130. [PMID: 30414697 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chaohu Lake is one of the five largest freshwater lakes in China situated in Anhui Province. Water, sediment and aquatic organisms were collected from Chaohu Lake. Trace metals were measured to investigate their bioaccumulation pattern and trophic transfer in the food web as well as potential health risk assessment through fish consumption. Trophic interactions were investigated by stable nitrogen isotope. Linear regression of log metal concentration versus δ15N was used to determine whether there is biomagnification or biodilution. Results showed that concentrations of trace metals in water were rather low except Hg, some of which surpassed the scope of quality standard. Trace metals in sediment exceeded background values nevertheless within the range for the protection of aquatic life. Therein, geochemical fractionation showed that Cd would pose a considerable potential ecological risk. Trace metals were higher in plankton except for Cu and Zn was higher in shrimp due to metabolic needs. Decreasing trend was observed in Pb, Cr, Cd, As and Hg levels with increasing trophic level whereas increasing trend was observed in Zn. Trace metals in fish were lower than legislation thresholds except for Cr in two samples that exceeded the threshold value. Nonetheless, total target hazard quotient values and target cancer risk were lower than unit and within acceptable range, indicating there was no health risk for inhabitants from trace metals through fish consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Fang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Wenxuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Kai Cui
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Kun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Xiuxia Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Yangyang Liang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Hui Li
- School of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
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21
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Govaerts A, Verhaert V, Covaci A, Jaspers VLB, Berg OK, Addo-Bediako A, Jooste A, Bervoets L. Distribution and bioaccumulation of POPs and mercury in the Ga-Selati River (South Africa) and the rivers Gudbrandsdalslågen and Rena (Norway). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:1319-1330. [PMID: 30413296 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Biomagnification of Hg and persistent organic pollutants (POPs: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) in aquatic food chains can lead to high pollutant concentrations in top predators, including humans. Despite this threat to human health, research concerning bioaccumulation is still underrepresented in the southern hemisphere and in (sub)arctic and (sub)tropical areas, emphasizing the need for research in these locations. In this study, samples of water, sediment and aquatic biota were analyzed to determine concentrations of POPs and total mercury (THg) in the Ga-Selati river (South Africa) and two rivers Rena and Gudbrandsdalslågen in Norway. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were determined to evaluate and compare the biomagnification and the threat to human health due to consumption of the fish was assessed. Concentrations of POPs in sediment and biota samples were generally low except for relatively high concentrations of ∑DDX (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and metabolites) in aquatic biota from the Ga-Selati river (ranging from 1.9 to 133 ng/g ww in invertebrates and 1.9 to 5643 ng/g ww in fish). Dissolved THg concentrations were high in the Ga-Selati river (ranging from 0.009 to 0.036 μg/l) but THg concentrations in sediment and biota were low in studied rivers compared to other studies. Biomagnification occurred for THg, several DDT-metabolites and PCB compounds, TN and CN. Biomagnification of p,p'-DDT and THg differed significantly between the two countries, supporting existing patterns found in literature, although more data is needed to attribute these differences to climatic or other factors. Concentrations in fish from the rivers Ga-Selati and Rena were under the threshold levels reported for THg and POPs, but caution should be taken when consuming Northern pike (Esox Lucius) from the subarctic river Gudbrandsdalslågen, to avoid harmful effects due to both elevated THg and PBDE exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Govaerts
- Laboratory of Systemic, Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan, 171 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vera Verhaert
- Laboratory of Systemic, Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan, 171 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk-Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ole Kristian Berg
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Abraham Addo-Bediako
- Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Jooste
- Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Laboratory of Systemic, Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan, 171 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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22
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Kelly BC, Myo AN, Pi N, Bayen S, Leakhena PC, Chou M, Tan BH. Human exposure to trace elements in central Cambodia: Influence of seasonal hydrology and food-chain bioaccumulation behaviour. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 162:112-120. [PMID: 29990722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.06.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to mercury and other trace elements remains an important public health concern, worldwide. The present study involved a comprehensive field study to determine concentrations of fourteen trace elements (Al, As, Cr, Co, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn) in surface water and different fish species from Tonlé Sap Lake in central Cambodia, during both the dry and wet seasons. Total arsenic (tAs) and Mn in surface water during the dry season exceeded WHO drinking water guidelines. Total mercury (tHg) concentrations (µg/g wet wt.) in fish during the wet season (GM = 0.055; CI95 = 0.01-0.26) were approximately 15 times higher (P < 0.05) compared to those during the dry season (GM = 0.0035; CI95 = 0.0004-0.033). Mean target hazard quotients (THQs) for inorganic arsenic (iAs), methyl mercury (MeHg), Mn and Pb were > 1, with estimated maximum values greatly exceeding 1. Mean THQs of Zn, Cd, Ni and Se were very near 1, with estimated maximum values exceeding 1. The MeHg THQ (min-max range: 0.16-9.09) during the wet season was 7 times higher than in the dry season (min-max range: 0.05-1.35). Concentrations of Hg and other trace elements varied widely between fish species. The findings suggest that exposure of some trace elements via water and food is of concern in this region. High consumption rates of fish and rice key factors related to trace element exposure. Seasonal hydrology and species-specific bioaccumulation behaviour in the Tonlé Sap Lake watershed also play an important role. The generated information will be useful to better mitigate trace element exposure in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry C Kelly
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Aung Naing Myo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Na Pi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Phoeung Chan Leakhena
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Mondarin Chou
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Jiang Z, Xu N, Liu B, Zhou L, Wang J, Wang C, Dai B, Xiong W. Metal concentrations and risk assessment in water, sediment and economic fish species with various habitat preferences and trophic guilds from Lake Caizi, Southeast China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 157:1-8. [PMID: 29605640 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.03.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the potential emissions of heavy metal pollution in Lake Caizi due to extensive agriculture, urban growth and fishing activities, the risk posed by metal concentrations to aquatic environments and human populations has not yet been studied. In this study we compared the concentrations of Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn in water, sediment, and economic fish species with different habitat preferences and trophic guilds across important fishery areas in Lake Caizi, located on the northern shore of the Yangtze River, Southeast China. The concentrations of Cr in water were found approximately 6 times higher than the safety thresholds established by international legislation. Cr, Zn, As and Cd concentrations in sediments surpassed the background values for Yangtze River basin in Anhui Province. However, all the studied fish species in Lake Caizi had metal concentrations lower than legislation thresholds established by China and international organizations. Heavy metal concentrations were found to be significantly higher in demersal (inhabiting near the sediments) and piscivorous (possessing higher trophic level) fishes than in pelagic/benthopelagic (inhabiting the upper and lower water column) and herbivorous/planktivorous (possessing lower trophic level) fishes. Our finding demonstrated that the metal concentrations in fishes are simultaneously influenced by the habitat and bio-accumulation through the food chain. According to target hazard quotient (THQ) calculations for heavy metal contents in the muscles of fish species, all the determined heavy metals gave THQ values lower than 1, suggesting the inexistence of health risks from the intake of fishes from Lake Caizi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongguan Jiang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, PR China
| | - Nan Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Bingxiang Liu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, PR China.
| | - Lizhi Zhou
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, PR China
| | - Juan Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, PR China
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, PR China
| | - Bingguo Dai
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, PR China
| | - Wen Xiong
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, PR China
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24
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Puga S, Cardoso V, Pinto-Ribeiro F, Pacheco M, Almeida A, Pereira P. Brain morphometric profiles and their seasonal modulation in fish (Liza aurata) inhabiting a mercury contaminated estuary. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 237:318-328. [PMID: 29499575 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a potent neurotoxicant known to induce important adverse effects on fish, but a deeper understanding is lacking regarding how environmental exposure affects the brain morphology and neural plasticity of specific brain regions in wild specimens. In this work, it was evaluated the relative volume and cell density of the lateral pallium, hypothalamus, optic tectum and molecular layer of the cerebellum on wild Liza aurata captured in Hg-contaminated (LAR) and non-contaminated (SJ) sites of a coastal system (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). Given the season-related variations in the environment that fish are naturally exposed, this assessment was performed in the winter and summer. Hg triggered a deficit in cell density of hypothalamus during the winter that could lead to hormonal dysfunctions, while in the summer Hg promoted larger volumes of the optic tectum and cerebellum, indicating the warm period as the most critical for the manifestation of putative changes in visual acuity and motor-dependent tasks. Moreover, in fish from the SJ site, the lateral pallium relative volume and the cell density of the hypothalamus and optic tectum were higher in the winter than in summer. Thus, season-related stimuli strongly influence the size and/or cell density of specific brain regions in the non-contaminated area, pointing out the ability of fish to adapt to environmental and physiological demands. Conversely, fish from the Hg-contaminated site showed a distinct seasonal profile of brain morphology, presenting a larger optic tectum in the summer, as well as a larger molecular layer of the cerebellum with higher cell density. Moreover, Hg exposure impaired the winter-summer variation of the lateral pallium relative size (as observed at SJ). Altogether, seasonal variations in fish neural morphology and physiology should be considered when performing ecotoxicological studies in order to better discriminate the Hg neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Puga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Vera Cardoso
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Filipa Pinto-Ribeiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Mário Pacheco
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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25
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Lescord GL, Emilson EJS, Johnston TA, Branfireun BA, Gunn JM. Optical Properties of Dissolved Organic Matter and Their Relation to Mercury Concentrations in Water and Biota Across a Remote Freshwater Drainage Basin. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:3344-3353. [PMID: 29444573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) includes an array of carbon-based compounds that vary in size and structure and have complex interactions with mercury (Hg) cycling in aquatic systems. While many studies have examined the relationship between dissolved organic carbon concentrations ([DOC]) and methyl Hg bioaccumulation, few studies have considered the effects of DOM composition (e.g., protein-content, aromaticity). The goal of this study was to explore the relationships between total and methyl [Hg] in water, invertebrates, and fish and optically derived measures of DOM composition from 47 lake and river sites across a boreal watershed. Results showed higher aqueous total [Hg] in systems with more aromatic DOM and higher [DOC], potentially due to enhanced transport from upstream or riparian areas. Methyl [Hg] in biota were all positively related to the amount of microbial-based DOM and, in some cases, to the proportions of labile and protein-like DOM. These results suggest that increased Hg bioaccumulation is related to the availability of labile DOM, potentially due to enhanced Hg methylation. DOM composition explained 68% and 54% more variability in [Hg] in surface waters and large-bodied fish, respectively, than [DOC] alone. These results show that optical measures of DOM characteristics are a valuable tool for understanding DOM-Hg biogeochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen L Lescord
- Laurentian University , 935 Ramsey Lake Road , Sudbury , Ontario P3E 2C6 , Canada
| | - Erik J S Emilson
- Natural Resources Canada , Great Lakes Forestry Centre , 1219 Queen Street East , Sault Sainte Marie , Ontario P6A 2E5 , Canada
| | - Tom A Johnston
- Laurentian University , 935 Ramsey Lake Road , Sudbury , Ontario P3E 2C6 , Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry , Sudbury , Ontario P3E 2C6 , Canada
| | | | - John M Gunn
- Laurentian University , 935 Ramsey Lake Road , Sudbury , Ontario P3E 2C6 , Canada
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26
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Liu Y, Liu G, Yuan Z, Liu H, Lam PKS. Heavy metals (As, Hg and V) and stable isotope ratios (δ 13C and δ 15N) in fish from Yellow River Estuary, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 613-614:462-471. [PMID: 28918278 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The Yellow River Estuary is a significant fishery, but at present there are few studies about the concentrations of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and vanadium (V) in fish from this area, which might cause potential health risk to fish consumers. The aim of this study was to research on the accumulation and potential sources of heavy metals in the fish of the Yellow River Estuary. Arsenic, Hg, V and stable isotope ratios (δ15N and δ13C) in 11 species of 129 fish were analyzed. Results showed that the concentrations of As and Hg were all lower than the guideline levels established by international organizations and legal limits by several countries. The mean concentrations of V in samples in this study were significantly higher than the results of previous studies on other regions. Arsenic, Hg and V significantly differed across species (P<0.05), which might be due to the different foraging habitats and dietary habits of the studied fish. Values of δ15N and δ13C in fish from the study area ranged from 5.1‰ to 14.6‰ and from -27.6‰ to -14.5‰, indicating a wide range of trophic positions and energy sources. There was evidence of bioaccumulation of Hg, which could be explained by the positive correlation between Hg concentrations and δ15N in fish. Through estimation of daily intake of inorganic As (iAs), Hg and V via fish consumption, the heavy metal contamination level of fish samples fell in an acceptable range, indicating no potentially hazardous for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710075, China; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China
| | - Guijian Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710075, China.
| | - Zijiao Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Houqi Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Suzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215100, China
| | - Paul K S Lam
- State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China
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27
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Keva O, Hayden B, Harrod C, Kahilainen KK. Total mercury concentrations in liver and muscle of European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) in a subarctic lake - Assessing the factors driving year-round variation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 231:1518-1528. [PMID: 28923342 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.09.012] [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: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Subarctic lakes are characterised by extreme seasonal variation in light and temperature which influences growth, maturation, condition and resource use of fishes. However, our understanding of how seasonal changes affect mercury concentrations of fishes is limited. We conducted a year-round study (3 ice-covered months, 3 open-water months) with open-water inter-annual aspect (3 years: samples from August/September), focusing on total mercury (THg) concentrations and ecological characteristics of a common freshwater fish, European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) from a subarctic lake. We measured THg concentrations from tissues with fast (liver, n = 164) and moderate (muscle, n = 225) turnover rates, providing information on THg dynamics over different temporal scales. In both tissues, lipid-corrected THg concentrations were highest in winter (liver: 1.70 ± 0.88 μg/g, muscle: 0.24 ± 0.05 μg/g) and lowest in summer (liver: 0.87 ± 0.72 μg/g, muscle: 0.19 ± 0.04 μg/g). THg concentrations increased in winter following the summer-autumn dietary shift to pelagic zooplankton and starvation after spawning. Whitefish THg concentrations decreased towards summer, and were associated with consumption of benthic macroinvertebrates and subsequent growth dilution. Mercury bioaccumulated in both tissues with age, both showing the strongest regression slopes in winter and lowest in summer. THg concentrations in liver and muscle tissue were correlated throughout the year, however the correlation was lowest in summer, indicating high metabolism during somatic growing season in summer and growth dilution. Multiple linear regression models explained 50% and 55% of the THg variation in liver and muscle both models dominated by seasonally-variable factors i.e. sexual maturity, δ13C, and condition factor. Seasonally varying bioaccumulation slopes and the higher level of intra-annual variation (21%) in whitefish THg concentration in muscle than the inter-annual accumulation (8%) highlight the importance of including seasonal factors in future THg studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ossi Keva
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 65, FIN-00014, Finland.
| | - Brian Hayden
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 65, FIN-00014, Finland; Kilpisjärvi Biological Station, Käsivarrentie 14622, FIN-99490 Kilpisjärvi, Finland; Canadian Rivers Institute, Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Chris Harrod
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander Von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile; Núcleo Milenio de Salmónidos Invasores, Concepción, Chile
| | - Kimmo K Kahilainen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 65, FIN-00014, Finland; Kilpisjärvi Biological Station, Käsivarrentie 14622, FIN-99490 Kilpisjärvi, Finland
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28
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Hartman CA, Ackerman JT, Herzog MP, Eagles-Smith CA. Season, molt, and body size influence mercury concentrations in grebes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 229:29-39. [PMID: 28577380 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We studied seasonal and physiological influences on mercury concentrations in western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark's grebes (A. occidentalis) across 29 lakes and reservoirs in California, USA. Additionally, at three of these lakes, we conducted a time series study, in which we repeatedly sampled grebe blood mercury concentrations during the spring, summer, and early fall. Grebe blood mercury concentrations were higher among males (0.61 ± 0.12 μg/g ww) than females (0.52 ± 0.10 μg/g ww), higher among Clark's grebes (0.58 ± 0.12 μg/g ww) than western grebes (0.51 ± 0.10 μg/g ww), and exhibited a strong seasonal pattern (decreasing by 60% from spring to fall). Grebe blood THg concentrations exhibited a shallow, inverse U-shaped pattern with body size, and was lowest among the smallest and largest grebes. Further, the relationship between grebe blood mercury concentrations and wing primary feather molt exhibited a shallow U-shaped pattern, where mercury concentrations were highest among birds that had not yet begun molting, decreased approximately 24% between pre-molt and late molt, and increased approximately 19% from late molt to post-molt. Because grebes did not begin molting until mid-summer, lower grebe blood mercury concentrations observed in late summer and early fall were consistent with the onset of primary feather molt. However, because sampling date was a much stronger predictor of grebe mercury concentrations than molt, other seasonally changing environmental factors likely played a larger role than molt in the seasonal variation in grebe mercury concentrations. In the time series study, we found that seasonal trends in grebe mercury concentrations were not consistent among lakes, indicating that lake-specific variation in mercury dynamics influence the overall seasonal decline in grebe blood mercury concentrations. These results highlight the importance of accounting for sampling date, as well as ecological processes that may influence mercury concentrations, when developing monitoring programs to assess site-specific exposure risk of mercury to wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Alex Hartman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Mark P Herzog
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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Removal of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr from Yangtze Estuary Using the Phragmites australis Artificial Floating Wetlands. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:6201048. [PMID: 28717650 PMCID: PMC5498921 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6201048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Contamination of heavy metals would threaten the water and soil resources; phytoremediation can be potentially used to remediate metal contaminated sites. We constructed the Phragmites australis artificial floating wetlands outside the Qingcaosha Reservoir in the Yangtze Estuary. Water characteristic variables were measured in situ by using YSI Professional Pro Meter. Four heavy metals (copper, zinc, lead, and chromium) in both water and plant tissues were determined. Four heavy metals in estuary water were as follows: 0.03 mg/Kg, 0.016 mg/Kg, 0.0015 mg/Kg, and 0.004 mg/Kg. These heavy metals were largely retained in the belowground tissues of P. australis. The bioaccumulation (BAF) and translation factor (TF) value of four heavy metals were affected by the salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. The highest BAF of each metal calculated was as follows: Cr (0.091 in winter) > Cu (0.054 in autumn) > Pb (0.016 in summer) > Zn (0.011 in summer). Highest root-rhizome TF values were recorded for four metals: 6.450 for Cu in autumn, 2.895 for Zn in summer, 7.031 for Pb in autumn, and 2.012 for Cr in autumn. This indicates that the P. australis AFW has potential to be used to protect the water of Qingcaosha Reservoir from heavy metal contamination.
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Hoffman E, Lyons J, Boxall J, Robertson C, Lake CB, Walker TR. Spatiotemporal assessment (quarter century) of pulp mill metal(loid) contaminated sediment to inform remediation decisions. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:257. [PMID: 28478542 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-5952-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A bleached kraft pulp mill in Nova Scotia has discharged effluent wastewater into Boat Harbour, a former tidal estuary within Pictou Landing First Nation since 1967. Fifty years of effluent discharge into Boat Harbour has created >170,000 m3 of unconsolidated sediment, impacted by inorganic and organic contaminants, including metal[loid]s, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, and furans. This study aimed to characterize metal(loid)-impacted sediments to inform decisions for a $89 million CAD sediment remediation program. The remediation goals are to return this impacted aquatic site to pre-mill tidal conditions. To understand historical sediment characteristics, spatiotemporal variation covering ~quarter century, of metal(loid) sediment concentrations across 103 Boat Harbour samples from 81 stations and four reference locations, were assessed by reviewing secondary data from 1992 to 2015. Metal(loid) sediment concentrations were compared to current Canadian freshwater and marine sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Seven metal(loid)s, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn, exceeded low effect freshwater and marine SQGs; six, As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and Zn, exceeded severe effect freshwater SQGs; and four, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn, exceeded severe effect marine SQGs. Metal(loid) concentrations varied widely across three distinct temporal periods. Significantly higher Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn concentrations were measured between 1998 and 2000, compared to earlier, 1992-1996 and more recent 2003-2015 data. Most samples, 69%, were shallow (0-15 cm), leaving deeper horizons under-characterized. Geographic information system (GIS) techniques also revealed inadequate spatial coverage, presenting challenges for remedy decisions regarding vertical and horizontal delineation of contaminants. Review of historical monitoring data revealed that gaps still exist in our understanding of sediment characteristics in Boat Harbour, including spatial, vertical and horizontal, and temporal variation of sediment contamination. To help return Boat Harbour to a tidal estuary, more detailed sampling is required to better characterize these sediments and to establish appropriate reference (background) concentrations to help develop cost-effective remediation approaches for this decades-old problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Hoffman
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - James Lyons
- Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - James Boxall
- Marine Affairs Program, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Cam Robertson
- Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Craig B Lake
- Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tony R Walker
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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Asante C, Hobson K, Bond A, Jardine T. Resource partitioning among five species of waterfowl (Anasspp.) at an autumn migratory stopover: combining stable isotope and mercury biomarkers. CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Saskatchewan River Delta (SRD) is North America’s largest inland delta and an important stopover site for waterfowl in the Central Flyway. However, little is known about their basic feeding ecology at this site and how species segregate or overlap in resource use. We used stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes and mercury concentrations ([Hg]) in liver tissue to trace use of local nutrient sources by five waterfowl species and tested for differences in diets among species, sexes, and age groups. Macrophytes were the dominant food source for Northern Pintail (Anas acuta L., 1758) and American Wigeon (Anas americana Gmelin, 1789) with median proportions of 0.86 and 0.98, respectively. There was also evidence of partitioning of resources, as Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors L., 1766) and Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis Gmelin, 1789) consumed invertebrates, as did a subset of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos L., 1758), suggesting that these birds might minimize competition for resources during the short staging period in the SRD when waterfowl densities are high. Other isotopes or tracers, such as [Hg] that varied among sources (0.03–0.20 μg·g–1dry mass) and waterfowl species (0.22–3.19 μg·g–1dry mass), can be used for further refining dietary estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.K. Asante
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada
| | - K.A. Hobson
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada; University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - A.L. Bond
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, UK; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada
| | - T.D. Jardine
- School of Environment and Sustainability, Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada
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Roach B, Walker TR. Aquatic monitoring programs conducted during environmental impact assessments in Canada: preliminary assessment before and after weakened environmental regulation. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:109. [PMID: 28210891 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-5823-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic monitoring programs are imperative for the functioning of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and a cornerstone for industrial compliance in Canada. However, in 2012, several leading pieces of federal environmental legislation (e.g., Canadian Environmental Assessment Act c.19, s. 52, 2012) were drastically altered, effectively weakening levels of environmental protection for aquatic ecosystems during project developments. This paper assesses the impact of CEAA 2012 on aquatic monitoring programs (and subsequent monitoring data reporting) across Canada for ten projects (five completed pre-CEAA 2012 and five completed post-CEAA 2012). Projects included four energy and six mining projects and were selected based on the following criteria: (i) representative of Canada's resource economy; (ii) project information was publicly available; and (iii) strong public interest. Projects pre- and post-CEAA 2012 exhibited few apparent differences before and after environmental regulatory changes. However, wide discrepancies exist in numbers and types of parameters reported, along with a lack of consistency in reporting. Projects pre-CEAA 2012 provided more follow-up monitoring commitments. Although qualitative differences remain inconclusive, this paper highlights requirements for further assessment of aquatic monitoring and follow-up programs in Canada. Recommendations for the government to consider during reviews of the federal environmental assessment processes include (i) improved transparency on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency website ( https://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/ ); (ii) creation of a legally binding standardized aquatic monitoring program framework to ensure that all Canadian aquatic ecosystems are monitored with equal rigour; and (iii) commitments and justification related to frequency of aquatic monitoring of water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brynn Roach
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Tony R Walker
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Arcagni M, Rizzo A, Juncos R, Pavlin M, Campbell LM, Arribére MA, Horvat M, Ribeiro Guevara S. Mercury and selenium in the food web of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Patagonia, Argentina. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 166:163-173. [PMID: 27697704 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.09.085] [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: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite located far from point sources of Hg pollution, high concentrations were recorded in plankton from the deep oligotrophic Lake Nahuel Huapi, located in North Patagonia. Native and introduced top predator fish with differing feeding habits are a valuable economic resource to the region. Hence, Hg and Se trophic interactions and pathways to these fish were assessed in the food web of this lake at three sites, using stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes. As expected based on the high THg in plankton, mercury did not biomagnify in the food web of Lake Nahuel Huapi, as most of the THg in plankton is in the inorganic form. As was observed in other aquatic systems, Se did not biomagnify either. When trophic pathways to top predator fish were analyzed, they showed that THg biomagnified in the food chains of native fish but biodiluted in the food chains of introduced salmonids. A more benthic diet, typical of native fish, resulted in higher [THg] bioaccumulation than a more pelagic or mixed diet, as in the case of introduced fish. Se:THg molar ratios were higher than 1 in all the fish species, indicating that Se might be offering a natural protection against Hg toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Arcagni
- Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, CNEA, Av. Bustillo 9500, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Andrea Rizzo
- Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, CNEA, Av. Bustillo 9500, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Romina Juncos
- Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, CNEA, Av. Bustillo 9500, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Majda Pavlin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute Jožef Stefan, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Linda M Campbell
- Faculty of Science, Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3C3, Canada
| | - María A Arribére
- Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, CNEA, Av. Bustillo 9500, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute Jožef Stefan, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sergio Ribeiro Guevara
- Laboratorio de Análisis por Activación Neutrónica, Centro Atómico Bariloche, CNEA, Av. Bustillo 9500, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina
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Seasonal Variations in the Use of Profundal Habitat among Freshwater Fishes in Lake Norsjø, Southern Norway, and Subsequent Effects on Fish Mercury Concentrations. ENVIRONMENTS 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/environments3040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Marshall BG, Forsberg BR, Thomé-Souza M, Peleja R, Moreira MZ, Freitas CEC. Evidence of mercury biomagnification in the food chain of the cardinal tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi (Osteichthyes: Characidae) in the Rio Negro, central Amazon, Brazil. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 89:220-240. [PMID: 27028984 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, nitrogen stable isotope (δ(15) N) and total mercury (THg) analyses were conducted on algae, submersed and emergent macrophytes, shrubs and trees, Macrobrachium sp. and Paracheirodon axelrodi collected in three streams that drain a large interfluvial region in the middle Rio Negro, Amazonas State, Brazil. Samples were collected during different hydrological periods over 12 months in lower stream reaches and their headwaters; the latter being characterized by shallow, open-canopy swamps. Additionally, δ(15) N values and mercury concentrations of Paracheirodon simulans and Cichla spp. from the middle Rio Negro were analysed to demonstrate THg biomagnification in the food web. The highest mercury levels of P. axelrodi were found in small individuals, which were collected principally in the low water period. The log10 THg-δ(15) N relationship of vascular plants and algae, Macrobrachium sp., Paracheirodon spp. and Cichla spp. showed significant mercury biomagnification among trophic levels, with regression slopes of 0·15 and 0·25 for the entire food web and heterotrophs-only food web, respectively. The mean ± s.d. THg concentrations for Macrobrachium sp., P. axelrodi, P. simulans and Cichla spp. were 63·6 ± 23·7, 104·5 ± 40·0, 112·3 ± 31·4 and 418·5 ± 188·1 ng g(-1) wet mass, respectively. Elevated levels of mercury found in Paracheirodon spp. and top predators such as Cichla spp. in a remote area far from anthropogenic inputs provide evidence that high mercury concentrations occur naturally in Rio Negro aquatic food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B G Marshall
- Departamento de Ciências Pesqueiras nos Trópicos (CIPET), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias (FCA), Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Av. Gen. Rodrigo Otávio 3000, Japiim, Manaus, AM, 69077-000, Brazil
| | - B R Forsberg
- Coordenação de Pesquisas em Dinâmica Ambiental (CDAM), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Caixa Postal 478, Manaus, AM, 69011-970, Brazil
| | - M Thomé-Souza
- Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca e Aquicultura, Centro de Ciências Agrárias Aplicadas, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Cidade Universitária Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, São Cristóvão, SE, 49100-000, Brazil
| | - R Peleja
- Laboratório de Biologia Ambiental, Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas (ICTA), Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará (UFOPA), Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n, Bairro:Caranazal, Santarém, PA, 68040-070, Brazil
| | - M Z Moreira
- Centre for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA), University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
| | - C E C Freitas
- Departamento de Ciências Pesqueiras nos Trópicos (CIPET), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias (FCA), Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Av. Gen. Rodrigo Otávio 3000, Japiim, Manaus, AM, 69077-000, Brazil
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Rocha ARM, Di Beneditto APM, Pestana IA, Souza CMMD. Isotopic profile and mercury concentration in fish of the lower portion of the rio Paraíba do Sul watershed, southeastern Brazil. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20150047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the isotopic profile and mercury (Hg) concentrations in fish (carnivores, omnivores and detritivores) in the lower portion of the rio Paraíba do Sul watershed, southeastern Brazil. Carbon (δ13C) isotopic analyses revealed that pelagic and benthonic sources are part of the feeding of the fish from the different guilds (-14.0 to -24.8 ‰). The benthic sources are usually enriched in δ13C (-16.9‰, from watershed runoff) compared to pelagic sources because the phytoplankton, important primary producer that supports several pelagic chains, has δ13C signature lighter (-23.9‰). The nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic signatures indicated that most guilds were at the same trophic position (10.0 to 15.5 ‰), except for pelagic omnivorous fish, which had a lower trophic position. Niche overlap was observed among pelagic and demersal carnivorous fish, demersal omnivorous fish, and demersal detritivorous fish. The lower isotopic niche breadth of pelagic carnivorous fish reveals the specialized resource use by this guild. Hg concentrations (ng g-1 dry weight) differed significantly between demersal carnivorous fish (185.3 dry weight; 27.8 wet weight) and demersal omnivorous fish (277.9 dry weight; 41.7 wet weight) and between pelagic omnivorous fish (197.2 dry weight; 29.6 wet weight) and demersal omnivorous fish due to (1) differences in food sources: guilds that fed on bottom resources were more affected by contamination because the sediment is an important Hg accumulator in the study area, and (2) because of its trophic positions. Considering that the fish consumed prey of similar trophic positions, the guilds did not show a well-defined food hierarchy. Therefore, in this study, there was no clear relationship between Hg and δ15N.
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Li J, Zhou Q, Yuan G, He X, Xie P. Mercury bioaccumulation in the food web of Three Gorges Reservoir (China): Tempo-spatial patterns and effect of reservoir management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 527-528:203-210. [PMID: 25958367 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Tempo-spatial patterns of mercury bioaccumulation and tropho-dynamics, and the potential for a reservoir effect were evaluated in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR, China) from 2011 to 2012, using total mercury concentrations (THg) and stable isotopes (δ(13)C and δ(15)N) of food web components (seston, aquatic invertebrates and fish). Hg concentrations in aquatic invertebrates and fish indicated a significant temporal trend associated with regular seasonal water-level manipulation. This includes water level lowering to allow for storage of water during the wet season (summer); a decrease of water levels from September to June providing a setting for flood storage. Hg concentrations in organisms were the highest after flooding. Higher Hg concentrations in fish were observed at the location farthest from the dam. Hg concentrations in water and sediment were correlated. Compared with the reservoirs of United States and Canada, TGR had lower trophic magnification factors (0.046-0.066), that are explained primarily by organic carbon concentrations in sediment, and the effect of "growth dilution". Based on comparison before and after the impoundment of TGR, THg concentration in biota did not display an obvious long-term reservoir effect due to (i) short time since inundation, (ii) regular water discharge associated with water-level regulation, and/or (iii) low organic matter content in the sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Gailing Yuan
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xugang He
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China; Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ping Xie
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China; Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology of China, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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Visha A, Gandhi N, Bhavsar SP, Arhonditsis GB. A Bayesian assessment of the mercury and PCB temporal trends in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and walleye (Sander vitreus) from lake Ontario, Ontario, Canada. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 117:174-186. [PMID: 25900434 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and total mercury (THg) are two of the most prevalent contaminants, resulting in restrictive advisories on consuming fish from the Laurentian Great Lakes. The goal of this study is to examine the temporal trends of the two contaminants in walleye (Sander vitreus) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) for Lake Ontario. We employed Bayesian inference techniques to parameterize three different strategies of time series analysis: dynamic linear, exponential decay, and mixed-order modeling. Our analysis sheds light on the role of different covariates (length, lipid content) that can potentially hamper the detection of the actual temporal patterns of fish contaminants. Both PCBs and mercury demonstrate decreasing temporal trends in lake trout males and females. Decreasing PCB trends are evident in walleye, but the mean annual mercury levels are characterized by a "wax and wane" pattern, suggesting that specific fish species may not act as bio-indicators for all contaminants. This finding may be attributed to the shifts in energy trophodynamics along with the food web alterations induced from the introduction of non-native species, the intricate nature of the prey-predator interactions, the periodicities of climate factors, and the year-to-year variability of the potentially significant fluxes from atmosphere or sediments. Finally, a meaningful risk assessment exercise will be to elucidate the role of within-lake fish contaminant variability and evaluate the potential bias introduced when drawing inference from pooled datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariola Visha
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Nilima Gandhi
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Satyendra P Bhavsar
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4; Ontario Ministry of Environment, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9P 3V6
| | - George B Arhonditsis
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4.
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Cheng Z, Mo WY, Man YB, Lam CL, Choi WM, Nie XP, Liu YH, Wong MH. Environmental mercury concentrations in cultured low-trophic-level fish using food waste-based diets. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:495-507. [PMID: 25087497 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3333-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, different types of food wastes were used as the major source of protein to replace the fish meal in fish feeds to produce quality fish (polyculture of different freshwater fish). During October 2011-April 2012, the concentrations of Hg in water, suspended particulate matter, and sediment of the three experimental fish ponds located in Sha Tau Kok Organic Farm were monitored, and the results were similar to or lower than those detected in commercial fish ponds around the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region (by comparing data of previous and present studies). Health risk assessments indicated that human consumption of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), a herbivore which fed food waste feed pellets would be safer than other fish species: mud carp (Cirrhina molitorella), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), and largemouth bass (Lepomis macrochirus). Due to the lower species diversity and substantially shorter food chains of the polyculture system consisting of only three fish species, the extent of Hg biomagnification was significantly lower than other polyculture ponds around PRD. Furthermore, the use of food waste instead of fish meal (mainly consisted of contaminated trash fish) further reduced the mercury accumulation in the cultured fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
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Cardoso PG, Pereira E, Duarte AC, Azeiteiro UM. Temporal characterization of mercury accumulation at different trophic levels and implications for metal biomagnification along a coastal food web. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 87:39-47. [PMID: 25172612 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The main goal of this study was to assess temporal mercury variations along an estuarine food web to evaluate the mercury contamination level of the system and the risks that humans are exposed to, due to mercury biomagnification. The highest mercury concentrations in the sediments and primary producers (macrophytes) were observed during winter sampling. Instead, the highest mercury concentrations in the water, suspended particulate matter as well as in the zooplanktonic and suprabenthic communities were observed during summer sampling. Evidences of mercury biomagnification along the food web were corroborated by the positive biomagnification factors, particularly for omnivorous macrobenthic species. Comparing the mercury levels at distinct components with several environmental quality criteria it suggests that sediments, water and edible species (e.g., bivalve Scrobicularia plana and the crustacean Carcinus maenas) presented higher mercury levels than the values accepted by legislation which represent a matter of concern for the environment and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Cardoso
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - E Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A C Duarte
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - U M Azeiteiro
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, PO Box 3046, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal; Universidade Aberta, Department of Sciences and Technology, P-4200-055 Oporto, Portugal
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Verburg P, Hickey CW, Phillips N. Mercury biomagnification in three geothermally-influenced lakes differing in chemistry and algal biomass. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 493:342-354. [PMID: 24951892 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of Hg in aquatic organisms is influenced not only by the contaminant load but also by various environmental variables. We compared biomagnification of Hg in aquatic organisms, i.e., the rate at which Hg accumulates with increasing trophic position, in three lakes differing in trophic state. Total Hg (THg) concentrations in food webs were compared in an oligotrophic, a mesotrophic and a eutrophic lake with naturally elevated levels of Hg associated with geothermal water inputs. We explored relationships of physico-chemistry attributes of lakes with Hg concentrations in fish and biomagnification in the food web. Trophic positions of biota and food chain length were distinguished by stable isotope (15)N. As expected, THg in phytoplankton decreased with increasing eutrophication, suggesting the effect of biomass dilution. In contrast, THg biomagnification and THg concentrations in trout were controlled by environmental physico-chemistry and were highest in the eutrophic lake. In the more eutrophic lake frequent anoxia occurred, resulting in favorable conditions for Hg transfer into and up the food chain. The average concentration of THg in the top predator (rainbow trout) exceeded the maximum recommended level for consumption by up to 440%. While there were differences between lakes in food chain length between plankton and trout, THg concentration in trout did not increase with food chain length, suggesting other factors were more important. Differences between the lakes in biomagnification and THg concentration in trout correlated as expected from previous studies with eight physicochemical variables, resulting in enhanced biomagnification of THg in the eutrophic lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piet Verburg
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, PO Box 11115, Hamilton 3251, New Zealand.
| | - Christopher W Hickey
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, PO Box 11115, Hamilton 3251, New Zealand
| | - Ngaire Phillips
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, PO Box 11115, Hamilton 3251, New Zealand
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Temporal variation in fish mercury concentrations within lakes from the western Aleutian Archipelago, Alaska. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102244. [PMID: 25029042 PMCID: PMC4100886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed temporal variation in mercury (Hg) concentrations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from Agattu Island, Aleutian Archipelago, Alaska. Total Hg concentrations in whole-bodied stickleback were measured at two-week intervals from two sites in each of two lakes from June 1 to August 10, 2011 during the time period when lakes were ice-free. Across all sites and sampling events, stickleback Hg concentrations ranged from 0.37–1.07 µg/g dry weight (dw), with a mean (± SE) of 0.55±0.01 µg/g dw. Mean fish Hg concentrations declined by 9% during the study period, from 0.57±0.01 µg/g dw in early June to 0.52±0.01 µg/g dw in mid-August. Mean fish Hg concentrations were 6% higher in Loon Lake (0.56±0.01 µg/g dw) than in Lake 696 (0.53±0.01 µg/g dw), and 4% higher in males (0.56±0.01 µg/g dw) than in females (0.54±0.01 µg/g dw). Loon Lake was distinguished from Lake 696 by the presence of piscivorous waterbirds during the breeding season. Mercury concentrations in stickleback from Agattu Island were higher than would be expected for an area without known point sources of Hg pollution, and high enough to be of concern to the health of piscivorous wildlife.
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Razavi NR, Qu M, Jin B, Ren W, Wang Y, Campbell LM. Mercury biomagnification in subtropical reservoir fishes of eastern China. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2014; 23:133-146. [PMID: 24337794 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-013-1158-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about mercury (Hg) biomagnification in the subtropics, aquatic systems with high species diversity resulting in complex food webs. High atmospheric Hg emissions and ubiquitous reservoir fisheries may lead to elevated Hg bioaccumulation in Chinese freshwater fishes. However, stocking practices using fast-growing species can result in low fish total Hg (THg) concentrations. Here, we describe Hg transfer within the fish food web of a large subtropical reservoir, Qiandao Hu (Xin'anjiang reservoir) situated in eastern China. We measured food web Hg biomagnification and THg concentrations in 33 species of stocked and wild fishes. Mercury concentrations in most fishes were low, though we also found high Hg concentrations in wild top predators. The food web structure, assessed using stable isotopes of carbon (δ(13)C) and nitrogen (δ(15)N), demonstrated a high degree of omnivory and a long food chain. THg concentrations were highly correlated with fish δ(15)N values. The regression of log10THg against δ(15)N revealed the overall Hg biomagnification rate was low. This study shows that where long food chains exist in subtropical reservoirs, elevated Hg accumulation in top predators can occur despite a low Hg biomagnification rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Roxanna Razavi
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada,
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Day RD, Becker PR, Donard OFX, Pugh RS, Wise SA. Environmental specimen banks as a resource for mercury and mercury isotope research in marine ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2014; 16:10-27. [PMID: 24166047 DOI: 10.1039/c3em00261f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Environmental specimen banks (ESBs) have been a fundamental tool for many nations to monitor contaminant temporal and spatial trends, study fate and transport, and assess the severity and risks of pollution. The specimens archived in ESBs are among the longest time-series, most geographically robust, and highest integrity samples available for performing environmental research. Mercury (Hg) remains one of the world's most ubiquitous environmental contaminants, and ESBs have played a prominent role in Hg research. Historically this has involved measuring concentrations of Hg species in various environmental matrices, but the emerging field of Hg stable isotope research provides a new analytical approach that can augment these traditional techniques. Signatures of Hg isotope fractionation have been effectively used for source apportionment and for elucidating Hg biogeochemical cycling. As the research surrounding Hg stable isotopes continues to mature, ESBs can play a useful role in analytical quality control, provide a robust and economical sample archive to expand and diversify the inventory of Hg isotope measurements, and be used to develop and test hypotheses to evaluate whether broadly prevailing paradigms are supported. Samples archived in ESBs are available for request by external collaborators in order to perform high impact research, and should be utilized more effectively to address emerging global environmental concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusty D Day
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Chemical Sciences Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412, USA.
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Kraemer LD, Evans D, Dillon PJ. Temporal and spatial variation in Hg accumulation in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha): possible influences of DOC and diet. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2013; 91:71-78. [PMID: 23433835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are filter feeders located near the base of the foodweb and these animals are able to utilize a variety of carbon sources that may also vary seasonally. We conducted both a spatial and a temporal study in order to test the hypotheses: (1) dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations influence Hg accumulation in zebra mussels sampled from a series of lakes and (2) seasonal variations in diet influence Hg accumulation. In the spatial study, we found a significant negative relationship between Hg concentrations and DOC concentrations, suggesting an influence of DOC on Hg bioaccumulation. In the temporal study, we used stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ(15)N) and carbon (δ(13)C) as ecological tools to provide a temporally integrated description of the feeding ecology of zebra mussels. Both δ(15)N and δ(13)C varied seasonally in a similar manner: more depleted values occurred in the summer and more enriched values occurred in the fall. Mercury concentrations also varied significantly over the year, with highest concentrations occurring in the summer, followed by a progressive decrease in concentrations into the fall. The C/N ratio of zebra mussels also varied significantly over the year with the lowest values occurring mid-summer and then values increased in the fall and winter, suggesting that there was significant variation in lipid stores. These results indicate that in addition to any effect of seasonal dietary changes, seasonal variation in energy stores also appeared to be related to Hg levels in the zebra mussels. Collectively results from this study suggest that DOC concentrations, seasonal variation in diet and seasonal depletion of energy stores are all important variables to consider when understanding Hg accumulation in zebra mussels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Kraemer
- Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 7B8.
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Hong YS, Hull P, Rifkin E, Bouwer EJ. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury and selenium in the Sarasota Bay ecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:1143-1152. [PMID: 23400925 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Revised: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation and biomagnification of Hg and Se were investigated in Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA, to characterize the Hg exposure risks to wild bottlenose dolphins in the bay. Concentrations of total mercury (THg), monomethylmercury (MMHg), and total selenium (TSe) were monitored in the bay, the latter of which might reduce Hg toxicity. The food web structure and dolphins' trophic level-specific consumption rates were evaluated using stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ(13) C) and nitrogen (δ(15) N). Regressions developed for Hg biomagnification in the food chain were log10 CTHg (nanograms per gram) =0.27 × δ(15) N (‰) - 0.42, R(2) =0.87, for THg and log10 CMMHg =0.33 × δ(15) N (‰) - 1.0, R(2) =0.93, for MMHg. Unlike Hg, nearly constant TSe concentrations were observed at 248 ± 179 ng g(-1) in the food web, and the TSe-to-THg molar ratio was predicted by log10 (CTSe /CTHg ) = -0.10 × δ(15) N (‰) +2.8, R(2) =0.60. The THg-uptake rates of Sarasota bottlenose dolphins are estimated to vary between 2.1 and 4.9 µg kg(-1) d(-1) ; however, the estimated TSe-uptake rates (15.1 µg kg(-1) d(-1) ) were higher than those for THg, and the Hg-exposure risks of the Sarasota Bay resident bottlenose dolphins are considered to be low. Approaches employed in the present study can be extended to other environments to characterize Hg contamination in aquatic systems and Hg exposure risks in top predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Seok Hong
- Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Greenfield BK, Melwani AR, Allen RM, Slotton DG, Ayers SM, Harrold KH, Ridolfi K, Jahn A, Grenier JL, Sandheinrich MB. Seasonal and annual trends in forage fish mercury concentrations, San Francisco Bay. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 444:591-601. [PMID: 23314313 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2012] [Revised: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
San Francisco Bay is contaminated by mercury (Hg) due to historic and ongoing sources, and has elevated Hg concentrations throughout the aquatic food web. We monitored Hg in forage fish to indicate seasonal and interannual variations and trends. Interannual variation and long-term trends were determined by monitoring Hg bioaccumulation during September-November, for topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) and Mississippi silverside (Menidia audens) at six sites, over six years (2005 to 2010). Seasonal variation was characterized for arrow goby (Clevelandia ios) at one site, topsmelt at six sites, and Mississippi silverside at nine sites. Arrow goby exhibited a consistent seasonal pattern from 2008 to 2010, with lowest concentrations observed in late spring, and highest concentrations in late summer or early fall. In contrast, topsmelt concentrations tended to peak in late winter or early spring and silverside seasonal fluctuations varied among sites. The seasonal patterns may relate to seasonal shifts in net MeHg production in the contrasting habitats of the species. Topsmelt exhibited an increase in Alviso Slough from 2005 to 2010, possibly related to recent hypoxia in that site. Otherwise, directional trends for Hg in forage fish were not observed. For topsmelt and silverside, the variability explained by year was relatively low compared to sampling station, suggesting that interannual variation is not a strong influence on Hg concentrations. Although fish Hg has shown long-term declines in some ecosystems around the world, San Francisco Bay forage fish did not decline over the six-year monitoring period examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben K Greenfield
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, 4911 Central Ave., Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
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Rose NL, Munthe J, McCartney A. Winter peaks of methylmercury in deposition to a remote Scottish mountain lake. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 90:805-811. [PMID: 23123118 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.09.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Revised: 09/20/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Depositional records of methylmercury (MeHg) are rare, especially for remote and mountainous areas. Our data from Lochnagar, a mountain lake in Scotland, covering a 7-year period from 2001-2008, show an unusual seasonal pattern in that elevated MeHg concentrations occur each winter while concentrations each summer fall below the limit of detection. To our knowledge this is the first time this seasonal pattern has been reported. Peak concentrations at the site in October 2006 (1.2 ng L(-1)) are amongst the highest reported depositional values in the literature. As the soils and lakes in the region are frozen or snow covered for much of each winter, we consider possible sources of this winter deposited MeHg to be either aqueous phase methylation in the atmosphere or marine evasion. However, the factor driving this seasonal pattern is likely to be scavenging by snow, as elevated concentrations in deposition coincide with periods of snowfall at the site. If this mechanism is correct, then predicted impacts of climate change, which will reduce annual snowfall at the site by between 50% and 100% by 2080, will effectively eliminate this input source. However, other climate-influenced inputs of mercury, such as remobilisation from catchment soils, are likely to increase and negate any benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil L Rose
- Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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