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Cyr AP, Drew KA, Corsetti S, Seitz AC, Sutton TM, López JA, Wooller MJ, O'Hara T. Ecotoxicology of mercury concentrations in arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116955. [PMID: 37643685 PMCID: PMC10838160 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116955] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) is an important dietary resource for rural and indigenous communities in parts of Alaska, with some commercial use. As with many fish species harvested for human consumption, there are concerns regarding mercury concentrations ([Hg]) in Arctic lamprey that may impact human health. To date, information regarding the life cycle and diet of Arctic lamprey is scarce, with no published studies examining [Hg] in Arctic lamprey tissues. Our goals were to investigate the feeding ecology of Arctic lamprey from the Bering Sea, determine how diet and potential dietary shifts might influence [Hg] in muscle, and determine if current [Hg] may pose a human health risk. The mean total [Hg] in Arctic lamprey muscle (n = 98) was 19 ng/g wet-weight. Log transformed total [Hg] were not associated with any measured biological variables including length, mass, δ13C values, or δ15N values. A stable isotope mixing model estimated that capelin (Mallotus villosus) accounted for 40.0 ± 4.0% of the Arctic lamprey diet, while Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) accounted for 37.8 ± 3.1% and 22.2 ± 3.5% respectively. Finally, diet percentage compositions shifted based on size class (i.e., medium versus large). These results indicated that feeding location, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification are not important drivers of [Hg] in Arctic lamprey and current [Hg] do not pose a human health risk. Taken together, this research further expands our knowledge of Arctic lamprey trophic ecology in the eastern Bering Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Cyr
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 901 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7750, USA.
| | - Katie A Drew
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA
| | - Sierra Corsetti
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, PO Box 756100, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6100, USA
| | - Andrew C Seitz
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA
| | - Trent M Sutton
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA
| | - J Andrés López
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA; University of Alaska Museum of the North, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960, USA
| | - Matthew J Wooller
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA; Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, 306 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910, USA; Alaska Stable Isotope Facility, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910, USA
| | - Todd O'Hara
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, 306 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910, USA; Bilingual Laboratory of Toxicology, Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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2
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Fraley KM, Hamman CR, Sutton TM, Robards MD, Jones T, Whiting A. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Mercury in Arctic Alaska Coastal Fish of Subsistence Importance. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:2329-2335. [PMID: 37477488 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5717] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and mercury (Hg) are harmful compounds that are widely present in the environment, partly due to spills and atmospheric pollution. The presence of PFAS and Hg in the tissues of animals that are harvested by rural and Indigenous Alaskans is of great concern, yet fish in Arctic Alaska have not previously been assessed for concentrations of PFAS. Fish species of subsistence and recreational importance were collected from nearshore Beaufort and Chukchi Sea, Alaska habitats and assessed for PFAS and total mercury concentrations [THg]. We found multiple PFAS compounds present at low levels (<3 μg/kg) in the muscle tissue of inconnu, broad whitefish, Dolly Varden char, Arctic flounder, saffron cod, humpback whitefish, and least cisco. In addition, [THg] levels in these fish were well below levels triggering local fish consumption guidelines (<170 μg/kg). These initial results indicate no evidence of the Alaska Arctic nearshore fish species examined as an avenue of PFAS or Hg exposure to people who harvest them. However, sources and trends of these contaminants in the Arctic require further investigation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2329-2335. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolyn R Hamman
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Trent M Sutton
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | | | - Tahzay Jones
- U.S. National Park Service, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Alex Whiting
- Environmental Program, Native Village of Kotzebue, Kotzebue, Alaska, USA
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Cyr A, Murillo-Cisneros DA, López JA, Furin C, O'Hara T. Comparison of Two Total Mercury Screening and Assessment Methods in Fishes: Biopsy Punch and Dried Muscle Samples. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 85:119-128. [PMID: 37573269 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and effective quantification of total mercury concentrations ([THg]) in fish muscle is an important part of ongoing monitoring to provide reliable and near real-time public health guidance. Methods for quantifying THg in fish muscle frequently require the use of large sample mass and numerous preparation steps. Wet (aka fresh weight) biopsy punch samples of fish muscle have been used to quantify THg directly, without drying and homogenization. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. We compare the use of fresh weight biopsy punches for quantifying THg to using larger, dried homogenized samples. The [THg] determination for the two sampling methods was EPA method 7473. Three separate biopsy punch samples and a large muscle sample were taken from each fish and analyzed on a Direct Mercury Analyzer. There were no statistical differences between mean log transformed wet weight [THg] from biopsy punches and homogenized muscle across all samples or within individual species. Similarly, across the range of [THg] (7.5-612.7 ng/g ww), linear regression of [THg] from biopsy punch and homogenized muscle samples was not different from a 1:1 linear relationship. Linear regression statistics of [THg] with fish fork length produced similar results for both biopsy punch and homogenized muscle samples. However, the coefficient of variation among biopsy punch replicates for individual fish was frequently above the acceptable threshold of 15%. We recommend biopsy punches be used as an effective tool for broad-scale rapid monitoring of fish resources for Hg, while homogenized muscle samples be used for fine-scale ecological and health questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Cyr
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2141 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7750, USA.
| | - Daniella A Murillo-Cisneros
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental Y Conservación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - J Andrés López
- University of Alaska Museum of the North, University of Alaska, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-6960, USA
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 905 N Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7220, USA
| | - Christoff Furin
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, 5251 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Anchorage, AK, 99507, USA
| | - Todd O'Hara
- Bilingual Laboratory of Toxicology, Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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Ivanova E, Eltsova L, Komov V, Borisov M, Tropin N, Borboshova S, Rumiantseva O, Petrova V, Udodenko Y. Assessment of the consumptive safety of mercury in fish from the surface waters of the Vologda region in northwestern Russia. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:863-879. [PMID: 35334022 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01254-4] [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: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
It is known that the consumption of fish is the main source of mercury intake in human beings. In this study, the concentration of mercury in the muscle tissue of fish from different reservoirs of northwestern Russia was found to be 0.01-1.68 μg/g wet weight. The features of mercury accumulation in the muscle tissue of fish, depending on their type, trophic specialization, body weight, length, and the type of water body, were also revealed. Of the fish studied, 7% had mercury concentrations above the regulatory levels of the Russian Federation. The proportion of examined fish, the consumption of which will lead to an excess of the permissible weekly intake of mercury in the individual, is 44% for preschool children (2-5 years old), 34% for children of primary school age (6-10 years old), and 17% for adults. Special attention is drawn to the fact that the mercury content in fish that does not exceed the sanitary and hygienic standards (normative levels) of the Russian Federation may still be unsafe for the health of the population, especially children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ivanova
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
| | - Liubov Eltsova
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia.
| | - Victor Komov
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, 152742, Russia
| | - Mikhail Borisov
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
- Vologda Branch of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography», Vologda, 160000, Russia
| | - Nikolay Tropin
- Vologda Branch of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography», Vologda, 160000, Russia
| | - Samanta Borboshova
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
| | - Olga Rumiantseva
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
| | - Victoria Petrova
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
| | - Yuri Udodenko
- Cherepovets State University, Lunacharsky Prospect, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, 152742, Russia
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Houde M, Krümmel EM, Mustonen T, Brammer J, Brown TM, Chételat J, Dahl PE, Dietz R, Evans M, Gamberg M, Gauthier MJ, Gérin-Lajoie J, Hauptmann AL, Heath JP, Henri DA, Kirk J, Laird B, Lemire M, Lennert AE, Letcher RJ, Lord S, Loseto L, MacMillan GA, Mikaelsson S, Mutter EA, O'Hara T, Ostertag S, Robards M, Shadrin V, Smith M, Stimmelmayr R, Sudlovenick E, Swanson H, Thomas PJ, Walker VK, Whiting A. Contributions and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples to the study of mercury in the Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156566. [PMID: 35697218 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Arctic Indigenous Peoples are among the most exposed humans when it comes to foodborne mercury (Hg). In response, Hg monitoring and research have been on-going in the circumpolar Arctic since about 1991; this work has been mainly possible through the involvement of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. The present overview was initially conducted in the context of a broader assessment of Hg research organized by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. This article provides examples of Indigenous Peoples' contributions to Hg monitoring and research in the Arctic, and discusses approaches that could be used, and improved upon, when carrying out future activities. Over 40 mercury projects conducted with/by Indigenous Peoples are identified for different circumpolar regions including the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Sweden, Finland, and Russia as well as instances where Indigenous Knowledge contributed to the understanding of Hg contamination in the Arctic. Perspectives and visions of future Hg research as well as recommendations are presented. The establishment of collaborative processes and partnership/co-production approaches with scientists and Indigenous Peoples, using good communication practices and transparency in research activities, are key to the success of research and monitoring activities in the Arctic. Sustainable funding for community-driven monitoring and research programs in Arctic countries would be beneficial and assist in developing more research/monitoring capacity and would promote a more holistic approach to understanding Hg in the Arctic. These activities should be well connected to circumpolar/international initiatives to ensure broader availability of the information and uptake in policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Eva M Krümmel
- Inuit Circumpolar Council - Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tero Mustonen
- Snowchange Cooperative, Selkie, North Karelia, Finland
| | - Jeremy Brammer
- Vuntut Gwitchin Government, Old Crow, YT, Canada; Environment and Climate Chance Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tanya M Brown
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, West Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Chance Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marlene Evans
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Joel P Heath
- The Arctic Eider Society, Sanikiluaq, NU, Canada
| | | | - Jane Kirk
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Laird
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Sarah Lord
- Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, Inuvik, NWT, Canada
| | - Lisa Loseto
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | | | - Edda A Mutter
- Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council, Anchorage, AK, United States
| | - Todd O'Hara
- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | | | - Martin Robards
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Fairbanks, AK, United States
| | | | - Merran Smith
- Council of Yukon First Nations, Whitehorse, YT, Canada
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6
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Barst BD, Chételat J, Basu N. Toxicological risk of mercury for fish and invertebrate prey in the Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155702. [PMID: 35523325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the risks of mercury (Hg) to Arctic marine and freshwater fish by compiling published muscle Hg concentrations and information on tissue concentrations associated with adverse effects. The assessment included 333 groups of fish representing 35 genera and 14,002 individuals sampled from sites across the circumpolar Arctic. Mean or median Hg concentrations in fish muscle varied widely from 0.005 μg/g ww to a maximum of 2.2 μg/g ww. Results indicate that most (n = 139 of 333 or ~ 42%) Arctic fish are not at risk for Hg toxicity, based on the large number of fish mean or median muscle Hg concentrations below 0.1 μg/g ww. A smaller number of the identified groups (n = 76 of 333 or ~ 23%) of Arctic fish had mean or median Hg concentrations consistent with moderate (0.3-0.5 μg/g ww), high (0.5-2 μg/g ww), and severe risk (≥2 μg/g ww). Most of the fish with Hg concentrations in these risk categories were long-lived predators (e.g., non-anadromous Arctic char, northern pike, lake trout, Greenland halibut, Greenland shark). We also, for the first time, conducted a risk assessment of Arctic marine and freshwater invertebrates to evaluate the potential for Hg effects at lower trophic levels and to support risk assessment for Arctic fish. The vast majority (90%) of site-specific Hg or methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in taxa of marine and freshwater invertebrates (n = 321) were < 0.5 μg/g dw, which is well below critical body residues of Hg in aquatic invertebrates associated with acute and sublethal effects determined in laboratory dosing studies. As the screening-level approach we carried out in the present study is not indicative of actual effects, more studies which directly evaluate the effects of Hg exposure in Arctic fish species are needed. The information here will be of use to Article 22 (Effectiveness Evaluation) of the Minamata Convention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Barst
- Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA.
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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Walther EJ, Arthur DE, Cyr A, Fraley KM, Cubbage T, Hinkle E, McMahon J, Westley PAH. Ecotoxicology of mercury in burbot (Lota lota) from interior Alaska and insights towards human health. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 298:134279. [PMID: 35283142 PMCID: PMC9081214 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Fish consumption has many health benefits, but exposure to contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), in fish tissue can be detrimental to human health. The Tanana River drainage, Alaska, USA supports the largest recreational harvest of burbot (Lota lota) in the state, yet information to evaluate the potential risks of consumption by humans is lacking. To narrow this knowledge gap, we sought to (i) quantify the concentrations of total Hg ([THg]) in burbot muscle and liver tissue and the ratio between the two tissues, (ii) assess the effect of age, length, and sex on [THg] in muscle and liver tissue, (iii) evaluate if [THg] in muscle tissue varied based on trophic information, and (iv) compare observed [THg] to consumption guidelines and statewide baseline data. The mean [THg] was 268.2 ng/g ww for muscle tissue and 62.3 ng/g ww for liver tissue. Both muscle [THg] and liver [THg] values were positively associated with fish length. Trophic information (δ15N and δ13C) was not significantly related to measured [THg] in burbot muscle, which is inconsistent with typical patterns of biomagnification observed in other fishes. All burbot sampled were within the established categories for consumption recommendations determined by the State of Alaska for women of childbearing age and children. Our results provide the necessary first step towards informed risk assessment of burbot consumption in the Tanana drainage and offer parallels to fisheries and consumers throughout the subarctic and Arctic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Walther
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
| | - Donald E Arthur
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
| | - Andrew Cyr
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA; Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Kevin M Fraley
- Arctic Beringia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA
| | - Taylor Cubbage
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hinkle
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Julia McMahon
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Peter A H Westley
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
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Murillo-Cisneros DA, McHuron EA, Zenteno-Savín T, Castellini JM, Field CL, O'Hara TM. Fetal mercury concentrations in central California Pacific harbor seals: Associated drivers and outcomes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153246. [PMID: 35065116 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153246] [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: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a well-known toxicant in wildlife and humans. High total Hg concentrations ([THg]) have been reported in central California harbor seals Phoca vitulina richardii. We evaluated the effects of presence/absence of early natal coat (lanugo), year (2012 to 2017), sex, stranding location, and trophic ecology (ẟ13C and ẟ15N values) on hair [THg] along coastal central California. Also examined were [THg] effects on growth rates of pups in rehabilitation and probability of release (e.g., successful rehabilitation). The [THg] ranged from 0.46-81.98 mg kg-1 dw, and ẟ15N and ẟ13C ranged from 13.6-21.5‰, and -17.2 to -13.0‰, respectively. Stranding location, year, and presence of lanugo coat were important factors explaining variation in [THg]. Seals from Sonoma and San Mateo County had higher [THg] than other locations. Seals with full or partial lanugo coat had lower [THg]. Seals from 2016 and 2017 had higher [THg] than those from 2015. Hair [THg] exceeded lower and upper toxicological thresholds (>20 mg kg-1 by year (5.88% to 23.53%); >30 mg kg-1 (0% to 12.31%)) with a pronounced increase from 2015 to 2016. Pups in 2017 had significantly higher odds ratio of [THg] above 20 mg kg-1 than pups of 2015, and pups in 2016 had significantly higher odds ratio than those from 2013 and 2015 (similar when using 30 mg kg-1). Pups in Sonoma County had the highest odds ratio for [THg] in lanugo above 20 mg kg-1. ẟ15N values were higher in 2015-2017, particularly relative to 2014, probably associated with the El Niño event. The [THg] was not a good predictor for probability of release and mass-specific growth rates in captivity. Further investigation of temporal trends of [THg] in harbor seals is warranted given the relatively high percentage of samples exceeding threshold values, particularly in the most recent sampling years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A Murillo-Cisneros
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur C.P. 23096, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth A McHuron
- Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies, University of Washington, 3737 Brooklyn Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98195-5672, USA
| | - Tania Zenteno-Savín
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur C.P. 23096, Mexico.
| | - J Margaret Castellini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2141 Koyokuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7750, USA
| | - Cara L Field
- The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA
| | - Todd M O'Hara
- Bilingual Laboratory of Toxicology, Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Correlation of Mercury Occurrence with Age, Elemental Composition, and Life History in Sea-Run Food Fish from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago's Lower Northwest Passage. Foods 2021; 10:foods10112621. [PMID: 34828902 PMCID: PMC8618063 DOI: 10.3390/foods10112621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
As mercury emissions continue and climate-mediated permafrost thaw increases the burden of this contaminant in northern waters, Inuit from a Northwest passage community in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago pressed for an assessment of their subsistence catches. Sea-run salmonids (n = 537) comprising Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), lake trout (S. namaycush), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), and cisco (C. autumnalis, C. sardinella) were analyzed for muscle mercury. Methylmercury is a neurotoxin and bioaccumulated with fish age, but other factors including selenium and other elements, diet and trophic level as assessed by stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C), as well as growth rate, condition, and geographic origin, also contributed depending on the species, even though all the fish shared a similar anadromous or sea-run life history. Although mean mercury concentrations for most of the species were ~0.09 µg·g-1 wet weight (ww), below the levels described in several jurisdictions for subsistence fisheries (0.2 µg·g-1 ww), 70% of lake trout were above this guideline (0.35 µg·g-1 ww), and 19% exceeded the 2.5-fold higher levels for commercial sale. We thus urge the development of consumption advisories for lake trout for the protection of pregnant women and young children and that additionally, periodic community-based monitoring be initiated.
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10
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Murillo-Cisneros DA, Zenteno-Savín T, Harley J, Cyr A, Hernández-Almaraz P, Gaxiola-Robles R, Galván-Magaña F, O'Hara TM. Mercury concentrations in Baja California Sur fish: Dietary exposure assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 267:129233. [PMID: 33359982 PMCID: PMC7851631 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury concentrations ([THg]) in muscle were determined in commercial finfish and elasmobranchs from Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico to evaluate dietary Hg exposure for BCS communities, including the relationship of trophic ecology, length and mass with [THg] that might drive future consumption advice (e.g., recommend limited consumption of large fish for some species). The [THg] ranged from 0.06 to 528.02 μg kg-1 ww in finfish and 17.68-848.26 μg kg-1 ww in elasmobranchs. Relative to the consumption threshold set for predatory fish in Mexico, all species had a concentration below 1000 μg kg-1 ww. As expected, 16 (4.02%) and 75 (18.84%) individual fish were above advisory thresholds of 500 and 200 μg kg-1 ww, respectively. The hazard quotients (HQs) in most species were significantly <1.0, only banded guitarfish showed a significant median HQ > 1.0. Thus, the relative level of risk of high Hg exposure is low for most species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A Murillo-Cisneros
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico
| | - Tania Zenteno-Savín
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico.
| | - John Harley
- Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center, University of Alaska Southeast, 11175 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK, 99801, USA
| | - Andrew Cyr
- Biomedical Learning and Student Training, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2141 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Pablo Hernández-Almaraz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico
| | - Ramón Gaxiola-Robles
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Del Noroeste, S.C. Planeación Ambiental y Conservación. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23096, Mexico; Hospital General de Zona No.1. Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social. 5 de Febrero y Héroes de La Independencia, Centro, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23000, Mexico
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Av. I.P.N. S/n, Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apartado Postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23000, Mexico
| | - Todd M O'Hara
- Bilingual Laboratory of Toxicology, Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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