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Whitehead DA, Gayford JH, Pancaldi F, Gobbato J, Boldrin G, Tringali M, Ketchum JT, Magaña FG, Seveso D, Montano S. Heavy metal and trace element concentrations in the blood of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) from La Paz Bay, México. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 201:116155. [PMID: 38401387 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116155] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Sharks are particularly susceptible to bioaccumulation due to their life history characteristics and trophic position within marine ecosystems. Despite this, studies of bioaccumulation cover only a small proportion of extant species. In this study we report concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals in blood samples of Sphyrna lewini for the first time. We report high concentrations of several trace elements and heavy metals, with concentrations of some elements exceeding the limit determined safe for human consumption. High elemental concentrations may reflect biochemical differences between blood plasma and other tissues; however, they may also be symptomatic of high levels of exposure triggered by anthropogenic activities. We also provide evidence of elemental accumulation through ontogeny, the nature of which differs from that previously reported. Ultimately, this baseline study increases our understanding of interspecific and intraspecific variation in bioaccumulation and ecotoxicology in elasmobranchs which may prove important in ensuring adequate management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren A Whitehead
- Investigación Tiburones Mexico A.C, Mexico; Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, 23096 La Paz, Mexico.
| | - Joel H Gayford
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Shark Measurements, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Pancaldi
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, 23096 La Paz, Mexico
| | - Jacopo Gobbato
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll 12030, Maldives
| | - Giulia Boldrin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Tringali
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - James T Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., 23060 La Paz, Mexico; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico; MigraMar, Bodega Bay, CA, United States of America
| | - Felipe Galvan Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, 23096 La Paz, Mexico
| | - Davide Seveso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll 12030, Maldives
| | - Simone Montano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll 12030, Maldives
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