1
|
Zhou Z, Tang Z, Wang H, Liu K, Wang Y, Xiao X, Yin Y, Liu G, Cai Y, Li Y. Spatial and temporal variations in the pollution status and sources of mercury in the Jiaozhou bay. Environ Pollut 2024; 346:123554. [PMID: 38395130 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
In the past few decades, mercury (Hg) discharged into the coastal bays of China has significantly increased; however, long-term trends regarding the pollution status and sources of Hg in these bays have yet to be clear. Focusing on this issue, surface sediments and core sediments were collected in the Jiaozhou Bay (JZB), a typical bay highly affected by human activities in China, to analyze the concentrations and stable isotopic composition of Hg. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in surface sediment varied from 7 to 163 ng/g, with higher levels located in the eastern JZB, possibly attributed to intensive industrial and population density. THg in sediment cores 14 and 20 displayed fluctuating increasing trends from 1936 to 2019, reflecting the deterioration of Hg pollution. In contrast, THg in sediment core 28 near the river mouth exhibited a declining trend, possibly due to the river dam construction. Using a stable isotope mixing model, contributions of various sources (atmospheric, riverine, and industrial emissions) to Hg in the JZB were estimated. The results showed that industrial emissions were the main source (over 50%) of mercury in the JZB in 2019. Sediment cores recorded an increase in industrial Hg due to early industrialization and Reform and Opening-up before 2000. In addition, sediment core 20 demonstrated a rise in the percentage of riverine Hg due to land reclamation at the bay's mouth during 2000-2007.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwen Zhou
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Zhekai Tang
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Yingjun Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiaotong Xiao
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Guangliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Yong Cai
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Yanbin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bradford MA, Mallory ML, O'Driscoll NJ. Ecology and environmental characteristics influence methylmercury bioaccumulation in coastal invertebrates. Chemosphere 2024; 346:140502. [PMID: 37866498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying mercury (Hg) concentrations in invertebrates is fundamental to determining risk for bioaccumulation in higher trophic level organisms in coastal food webs. Bioaccumulation is influenced by local mercury concentrations, site geochemistry, individual feeding ecologies, and trophic position. We sampled seven species of invertebrates from five coastal sites in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, and determined body concentrations of methylmercury (MeHg), total mercury (THg), and stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C). To evaluate the effects of environmental chemistry on Hg production and bioaccumulation, bulk sediments from all sites were analysed for THg, %Loss on ignition (LOI) (carbon), and sulfur isotopes (δ34S), and concentrations of MeHg, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), sulfate, and sulfide were measured in porewaters. The mean concentration of MeHg in tissues for all invertebrates sampled was 10.03 ± 7.04 ng g-1). MeHg in porewater (mean = 0.22-1.59 ng L-1) was the strongest predictor of invertebrate MeHg, but sediment δ34S (-0.80-14.1‰) was also a relatively strong predictor. δ34S in tissues (measured in three species; Corophium volutator, Ilyanassa obsoleta, and Littorina littorea) were positively related to MeHg in invertebrates (r = 0.55, 0.22, and 0.71 respectively), and when used in combination with δ15N and δ13C values improved predictions of Hg concentrations in biota. Hg concentrations in the amphipod Corophium volutator (mean MeHg = 10.60 ± 1.90 ng g-1) were particularly well predicted using porewater and sediment chemistry, highlighting this species as a useful bioindicator of Hg contamination in sediments of the Bay of Fundy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly A Bradford
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Biology Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Nelson J O'Driscoll
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhu C, Lv S, Zhao Q, Liu X, Wang Z, Zheng X, Zhou L, Wang Y. Seasonal variation in mercury and methylmercury production in vegetated sediment in the Dongtan wetlands of the Yangtze River Estuary, China. Mar Environ Res 2023; 188:105999. [PMID: 37182325 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The seasonal cycling of mercury (Hg) in vegetated sediments in the Dongtan wetlands of the Yangtze River Estuary were determined, and microcosm incubation experiments were conducted to evaluate methylmercury (MeHg) production after Hg input. The results showed that the seasonal variations of total Hg and MeHg were very different. The enhanced activity of methylating bacteria could have been the main contributor to the elevated MeHg in the upper surface layer (0-12 cm), which was supported by the higher copy numbers of the hgcA gene in the surface sediment and the MeHg increase during sediment incubation following litterfall addition. Moreover, the incubation results showed that Hg addition greatly increased net MeHg production and that this increase remained under suboxic conditions, suggesting that the potential health risk of Hg in estuarine wetlands could exist for a long time under changing redox conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changle Zhu
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Shaoyang Lv
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Qing Zhao
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Xia Liu
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China; Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Xiangmin Zheng
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China; Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Limin Zhou
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China; Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China; Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China; Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sola MCR, de Jesus RM, Nascimento MM, da Rocha GO, de Andrade JB. Occurrence of mercury in polychaete species (Annelida) and their associated sediments from an important Southern Atlantic Ocean Bay. Sci Total Environ 2022; 851:157965. [PMID: 35952874 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the Hg levels in freshly collected polychaete species and their associated sediments were evaluated from Todos os Santos Bay, Northeastern Brazil. Additionally, it was also measured the Hg distribution along the annelids' body parts (anterior region, abdomen, and posterior region). Total Hg concentration was as follows: 13.6-144 μg kg-1 (Scolelepis chilensis, deposit feeder), 8.2-122 μg kg-1 (Laeonereis acuta, deposit feeder), 95-612 μg kg-1 (Armandia agilis, deposit feeder); 96.6-206 μg kg-1 (Lumbrineris sp., carnivorous), 75.3-112 μg kg-1 (Goniada echinulate, carnivorous), and 115-198 μg kg-1 (Branchiomma sp., suspension feeder). In turn, Hg levels in sediments ranged from 2.77 ± 0.24 to 6.38 ± 0.15 μg kg-1. Hg concentrations found in polychaete soft tissues were higher than those found in the sediments. Specific habits, feeding behavior, trophic level, and stressful environmental conditions are the main factors affecting the Hg levels in the species studied. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), contamination factor (CF), and ecological risk assessment (Er) were calculated. The BAF values were higher than 1 for all studied species, indicating Hg bioaccumulation in the annelids, but the low levels of CF e Er showed those Hg levels present low to no significant ecological risk for the biota and benthonic organisms living in the sediments. Finally, no statistically significant difference was observed for Hg concentration levels along the polychaete body parts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Claudia R Sola
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Robson M de Jesus
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Madson M Nascimento
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Gisele O da Rocha
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil; Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Jailson B de Andrade
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar de Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Universitário SENAI-CIMATEC, Av. Orlando Gomes, 1845 - Piatã, 41650-010 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang J, Dai J, Chen G, Jiang F. Role of sulfur biogeochemical cycle in mercury methylation in estuarine sediments: A review. J Hazard Mater 2022; 423:126964. [PMID: 34523493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Estuaries are sinks for mercury, in which the most toxic mercury form, neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg), is produced by mercury methylators and accumulates in estuarine sediments. In the same area, the microbial sulfur cycle is triggered by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which is considered as the main mercury methylator. In this review, we analyzed the sulfur and mercury speciation in sediments from 70 estuaries globally. Abundant mercury and sulfur species were found in the global estuarine sediments. Up to 727 μg THg/g dw and 880 ng MeHg/g dw were found in estuarine sediments, showing the serious risk of mercury to aquatic ecological systems. Significant correlations between sulfur and MeHg concentrations were discovered. Especially, the porewater sulfate concentration positively correlated to MeHg production. The sulfur cycle affects MeHg formation via activating mercury methylator activities and limiting mercury bioavailability, leading to promote or inhibit MeHg formation at different sulfur speciation concentrations. These results suggest that sulfur biogeochemical cycle plays an important role in mercury methylation in estuarine sediments, and the effect of the sulfur cycle on mercury methylation deserves to be further explored in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Lab, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ji Dai
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Lab, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Guanghao Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Lab, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mao L, Liu X, Wang Z, Wang B, Lin C, Xin M, Zhang BT, Wu T, He M, Ouyang W. Trophic transfer and dietary exposure risk of mercury in aquatic organisms from urbanized coastal ecosystems. Chemosphere 2021; 281:130836. [PMID: 33991905 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 26 surface seawater samples, 26 surface sediment samples and 114 organisms were collected to study the trophic transfer and dietary exposure risk of mercury (Hg) in organisms from the Jiaozhou Bay, which is a typical semi-enclosed urbanized bay. The total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations did not exceed the threshold limits and performed as: fish > crustaceans > mollusks. The trophic level values (TLs) were less than 3 in all the groups, indicating simple structure of food chain. With the increasing δ15N value, THg and MeHg were significantly biomagnified in the mollusks and fish but not in the crustaceans. In addition, the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg were higher than inorganic mercury (IHg) in the aquatic food chain. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) indicated that Hg exposure via consumption of seafood from the Jiaozhou Bay did not pose significant health risks for general population. Consuming fish will face the higher health risk than crustaceans and mollusks, especially in urban regions. Moreover, the risk of MeHg caused by intaking seafood deserved more attention. Trophic transfer function (TTF) explicated the transfer of Hg in the ecosystem and higher trophic transfer efficiency of MeHg than IHg. TTF interpreted the terrestrial input of Hg should be controlled to ensure the safety of consuming seafood from the Jiaozhou Bay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xitao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Zongxing Wang
- The First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Baodong Wang
- The First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Chunye Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Ming Xin
- The First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Bo-Tao Zhang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Mengchang He
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wei Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Novo JP, Martins B, Raposo RS, Pereira FC, Oriá RB, Malva JO, Fontes-Ribeiro C. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Methylmercury Neurotoxicity and Neuroinflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063101. [PMID: 33803585 PMCID: PMC8003103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity is a major environmental concern. In the aquatic reservoir, MeHg bioaccumulates along the food chain until it is consumed by riverine populations. There has been much interest in the neurotoxicity of MeHg due to recent environmental disasters. Studies have also addressed the implications of long-term MeHg exposure for humans. The central nervous system is particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of MeHg, as evidenced by clinical symptoms and histopathological changes in poisoned humans. In vitro and in vivo studies have been crucial in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. A collection of cellular and molecular alterations including cytokine release, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, Ca2+ and glutamate dyshomeostasis, and cell death mechanisms are important consequences of brain cells exposure to MeHg. The purpose of this review is to organize an overview of the mercury cycle and MeHg poisoning events and to summarize data from cellular, animal, and human studies focusing on MeHg effects in neurons and glial cells. This review proposes an up-to-date compendium that will serve as a starting point for further studies and a consultation reference of published studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João P. Novo
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
| | - Ramon S. Raposo
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
- Experimental Biology Core, University of Fortaleza, Health Sciences, Fortaleza 60110-001, Brazil
| | - Frederico C. Pereira
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
| | - Reinaldo B. Oriá
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-270, Brazil;
| | - João O. Malva
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
- Correspondence: (J.O.M.); (C.F.-R.)
| | - Carlos Fontes-Ribeiro
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
- Correspondence: (J.O.M.); (C.F.-R.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xu X, Han J, Abeysinghe KS, Atapattu AJ, De Silva PMCS, Xu Z, Long S, Qiu G. Dietary exposure assessment of total mercury and methylmercury in commercial rice in Sri Lanka. Chemosphere 2020; 239:124749. [PMID: 31505443 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) in rice has attracted growing health concern over the past decade, due to the accumulation of high MeHg levels, which may pose potential health risk to humans. Rice is the staple food in Sri Lanka; nevertheless, the presence of micro pollutants, such as MeHg has been not investigated. Therefore, commercial rice samples from the Sri Lankan market (n = 163) were measured to reveal the total mercury (THg) and MeHg levels. THg (mean: 1.73 ± 0.89 ng/g, range: 0.21-6.13 ng/g) and MeHg concentrations (mean: 0.51 ± 0.37 ng/g; range: 0.03-3.81 ng/g) were low. Compared to the fish MeHg exposure, the rice MeHg exposure was generally lower in different consumption groups, suggesting that rice plays a less role than fish in MeHg exposure in Sri Lanka. Babies (infants and toddlers) at one year old may face fish MeHg exposure (0.17 μg/kg bw/day) higher than the reference dose for MeHg (RfD)-0.1 μg/kg bw/day, which was more than 5 times that of rice MeHg exposure (0.031 μg/kg bw/day). Future studies in Sri Lanka should focus on health impacts under long-term overexposure of MeHg, especially in vulnerable populations. Some diet changes should be made to mitigate MeHg exposure levels in Sri Lankans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jialiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kasun S Abeysinghe
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Anjana J Atapattu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China; Agronomy Division, Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, 61150, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | | | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cao L, Liu J, Dou S, Huang W. Biomagnification of methylmercury in a marine food web in Laizhou Bay (North China) and associated potential risks to public health. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 150:110762. [PMID: 31784261 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were assessed in water, sediment and biota (54 species) samples from the coast of Laizhou Bay, to evaluate MeHg biomagnification in Laizhou Bay food web. The trophic web structure was determined with stable isotope ratios. The MeHg concentrations were highly variable among species ranged from 4.8 ng g-1 in primary producers to 411.2 ng g-1 in spotted sea bass. Weight and ecotype were the principal parameters related to the mercury concentrations for most species. The trophic magnification factors (TMFs) for MeHg and THg were 2.09 and 1.69, respectively, indicating that mercury biomagnification is occurring in this marine food web. The estimated weekly intake (EWI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) values demonstrated that consuming predatory fishes from the bay could cause potential health risks to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jinhu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Shuozeng Dou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|