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Li S, Li Z, Wu M, Zhou Y, Tang W, Zhong H. Mercury transformations in algae, plants, and animals: The occurrence, mechanisms, and gaps. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 911:168690. [PMID: 38000748 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168690] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant showing potent toxicity to living organisms. The transformations of Hg are critical to global Hg cycling and Hg exposure risks, considering Hg mobilities and toxicities vary depending on Hg speciation. Though currently well understood in ambient environments, Hg transformations are inadequately explored in non-microbial organisms. The primary drivers of in vivo Hg transformations are far from clear, and the impacts of these processes on global Hg cycling and Hg associated health risks are not well understood. This hinders a comprehensive understanding of global Hg cycling and the effective mitigation of Hg exposure risks. Here, we focused on Hg transformations in non-microbial organisms, particularly algae, plants, and animals. The process of Hg oxidation/reduction and methylation/demethylation in organisms were reviewed since these processes are the key transformations between the dominant Hg species, i.e., elemental Hg (Hg0), divalent inorganic Hg (IHgII), and methylmercury (MeHg). By summarizing the current knowledge of Hg transformations in organisms, we proposed the potential yet overlooked drivers of these processes, along with potential challenges that hinder a full understanding of in vivo Hg transformations. Knowledge summarized in this review would help achieve a comprehensive understanding of the fate and toxicity of Hg in organisms, providing a basis for predicting Hg cycles and mitigating human exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouying Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhuoran Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
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James AK, Popescu BF, Weng M, Myers GJ, O'Donoghue JL, Watson GE, Pickering IJ, George GN. Synchrotron X-ray methods in the study of mercury neurotoxicology. Neurotoxicology 2023; 99:129-138. [PMID: 37802190 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
In situ methods are valuable in all fields of research. In toxicology, the importance of dose is well known, elevating the need for in situ techniques to measure levels of toxicants and their byproducts in precise anatomically identifiable locations. More recently, additional emphasis has been placed on the value of techniques which can detect chemical form or speciation, which is equally important in the toxicology of a chemical compound. Many important but conventional methods risk losing valuable information due to extractions, digestions, or the general reliance on mobile phases. Few analytical tools possess the power and diversity of X-ray methods as in-situ methods. Here we present an overview, intended for toxicologists and pathologists, of a variety of synchrotron X-ray methods for determining in situ chemical form and distribution of heavier elements. The versatility and range of these synchrotron techniques, which are both established and emerging, is demonstrated in the context of the study of neurotoxicology of mercury, a global pollutant with the ability to harm both human health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K James
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon City Hospital, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada; Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada.
| | - Bogdan F Popescu
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon City Hospital, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0M7, Canada
| | - Monica Weng
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Gary J Myers
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - John L O'Donoghue
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Gene E Watson
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Eastman Institute for Oral Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Ingrid J Pickering
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada
| | - Graham N George
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada.
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Manivannan N, Subirana MA, Boada R, Marini C, Llugany M, Valiente M, Simonelli L. Mercury speciation in selenium enriched wheat plants hydroponically exposed to mercury pollution. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21132. [PMID: 38036518 PMCID: PMC10689832 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46056-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution in agricultural soils and its potential pathway to the human food chain can pose a serious health concern. Understanding the pathway of Hg in plants and how the speciation may change upon interaction with other elements used for biofortification can be critical to assess the real implications for the final plant-based product. In that respect, selenium (Se) biofortification of crops grown in Se-poor soil regions is becoming a common practice to overcome Se deficient diets. Therefore, it is important to assess the interplay between these two elements since Se may form complexes with Hg reducing its bioavailability and toxicity. In this work, the speciation of Hg in wheat plants grown hydroponically under the presence of Hg (HgCl2) and biofortified with Se (selenite, selenate, or a 1:1 mixture of both) has been investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Hg L3-edge. The main Hg species found in wheat grains was the highly toxic methylmercury. It was found that the Se-biofortification of wheat did not prevent, in general, the Hg translocation to grains. Only the 1:1 mixture treatment seemed to have an effect in reducing the levels of Hg and the presence of methylmercury in grains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithyapriya Manivannan
- ALBA Synchrotron, Carrer de la llum 2-26, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08290, Barcelona, Spain
- GTS-UAB Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Maria Angels Subirana
- GTS-UAB Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Roberto Boada
- ALBA Synchrotron, Carrer de la llum 2-26, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08290, Barcelona, Spain
- GTS-UAB Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Carlo Marini
- ALBA Synchrotron, Carrer de la llum 2-26, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08290, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Llugany
- Plant Physiology Group (BABVE), Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Manuel Valiente
- GTS-UAB Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laura Simonelli
- ALBA Synchrotron, Carrer de la llum 2-26, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08290, Barcelona, Spain.
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Zhan W, Su Y, Chen X, Xiong H, Wei X, Huang X, Xiong Y. Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogen-Encapsulated Fluorescent Hydrogels Enable Rapid and Sensitive Quantitative Detection of Mercury Ions. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13040421. [PMID: 37185496 PMCID: PMC10135736 DOI: 10.3390/bios13040421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Hg2+ contamination in sewage can accumulate in the human body through the food chains and cause health problems. Herein, a novel aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen)-encapsulated hydrogel probe for ultrasensitive detection of Hg2+ was developed by integrating hydrophobic AIEgens into hydrophilic hydrogels. The working mechanism of the multi-fluorophore AIEgens (TPE-RB) is based on the dark through-bond energy transfer strategy, by which the energy of the dark tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivative is completely transferred to the rhodamine-B derivative (RB), thus resulting in intense photoluminescent intensity. The spatial networks of the supporting hydrogels further provide fixing sites for the hydrophobic AIEgens to enlarge accessible reaction surface for hydrosoluble Hg2+, as well create a confined reaction space to facilitate the interaction between the AIEgens and the Hg2+. In addition, the abundant hydrogen bonds of hydrogels further promote the Hg2+ adsorption, which significantly improves the sensitivity. The integrated TPE-RB-encapsulated hydrogels (TR hydrogels) present excellent specificity, accuracy and precision in Hg2+ detection in real-world water samples, with a 4-fold higher sensitivity compared to that of pure AIEgen probes. The as-developed TR hydrogel-based chemosensor holds promising potential as a robust, fast and effective bifunctional platform for the sensitive detection of Hg2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Yu Su
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Xirui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Hanpeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Xiaxia Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Xiaolin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- Jiangxi-OAI Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Yonghua Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
- Jiangxi-OAI Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
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Minet A, Metian M, Taylor A, Gentès S, Azemard S, Oberhänsli F, Swarzenski P, Bustamante P, Lacoue-Labarthe T. Bioaccumulation of inorganic and organic mercury in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis: Influence of ocean acidification and food type. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114201. [PMID: 36057331 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114201] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg) in marine organisms through various pathways has not yet been fully explored, particularly in cephalopods. This study utilises radiotracer techniques using the isotope 203Hg to investigate the toxicokinetics and the organotropism of waterborne inorganic Hg (iHg) and dietary inorganic and organic Hg (methylHg, MeHg) in juvenile common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. The effect of two contrasting CO2 partial pressures in seawater (400 and 1600 μatm, equivalent to pH 8.08 and 7.54, respectively) and two types of prey (fish and shrimp) were tested as potential driving factors of Hg bioaccumulation. After 14 days of waterborne exposure, juvenile cuttlefish showed a stable concentration factor of 709 ± 54 and 893 ± 117 at pH 8.08 and 7.54, respectively. The accumulated dissolved i203Hg was depurated relatively rapidly with a radiotracer biological half-life (Tb1/2) of 44 ± 12 and 55 ± 16 days at pH 8.08 and 7.54, respectively. During the whole exposure period, approximately half of the i203Hg was found in the gills, but i203Hg also increased in the digestive gland. When fed with 203Hg-radiolabelled prey, cuttlefish assimilated almost all the Hg provided (>95%) independently of the prey type. Nevertheless, the prey type played a major role on the depuration kinetics with Hg Tb1/2 approaching infinity in fish fed cuttlefish vs. 25 days in shrimp fed cuttlefish. Such a difference is explained by the different proportion of Hg species in the prey, with fish prey containing more than 80% of MeHg vs. only 30% in shrimp. Four days after ingestion of radiolabelled food, iHg was primarily found in the digestive organs while MeHg was transferred towards the muscular tissues. No significant effect of pH/pCO2 variation was observed during both the waterborne and dietary exposures on the bioaccumulation kinetics and tissue distribution of i203Hg and Me203Hg. Dietary exposure is the predominant pathway of Hg bioaccumulation in juvenile cuttlefish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Minet
- Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - Marc Metian
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine Ier, 98000, Principality of Monaco, France
| | - Angus Taylor
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine Ier, 98000, Principality of Monaco, France
| | - Sophie Gentès
- Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Sabine Azemard
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine Ier, 98000, Principality of Monaco, France
| | - François Oberhänsli
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine Ier, 98000, Principality of Monaco, France
| | - Peter Swarzenski
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine Ier, 98000, Principality of Monaco, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes 75005, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe
- Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
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García Barcia L, Pinzone M, Lepoint G, Pau C, Das K, Kiszka JJ. Factors affecting mercury concentrations in two oceanic cephalopods of commercial interest from the southern Caribbean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 168:112408. [PMID: 33965692 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112408] [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: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) concentrations have significantly increased in oceans during the last century. This element accumulates in marine fauna and can reach toxic levels. Seafood consumption is the main pathway of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity in humans. Here, we analyzed total Hg (T-Hg) concentrations in two oceanic squid species (Ommastrephes bartramii and Thysanoteuthis rhombus) of an increasing commercial interest off Martinique, French West Indies. Stable isotope ratios reveal a negative linear relationship between δ15N or δ13C in diamondback squid samples. No significant trend was observed between δ34S values and T-Hg concentrations, contrasting with the sulfate availability and sulfide abundance hypotheses. This adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting Hg methylation via sulfate-reducing bacteria is not the main mechanism driving Hg bioavailability in mesopelagic organisms. All squid samples present T-Hg levels below the maximum safe consumption limit (0.5 ppm), deeming the establishment of a commercial squid fishery in the region safe for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura García Barcia
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st, North Miami, FL 33181, USA.
| | - Marianna Pinzone
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research (FOCUS), Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liège B6c, 11 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Gilles Lepoint
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research (FOCUS), Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liège B6c, 11 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Cédric Pau
- Comité Régional des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins, Martinique, French West Indies, France
| | - Krishna Das
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research (FOCUS), Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liège B6c, 11 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Jeremy J Kiszka
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
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