Volume 57
Bioaccumulation of Mercury in Pelagic Fishes from the NW Gulf of Mexico and its Relationship with Length, Location, Collection Year, and Trophic Level
Authors
Cai, Y.; Rooker, J.R.; Gill, G. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2004
Pages: 317-326
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Seventh Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Country: USA
Abstract
Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in the tissues of 11 species of pelagic fishes, with a special emphasis on apex predators (large vertebrates). Highest mercury concentrations were observed in blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), Carcharhinid sharks (genus Carcharhinus)and little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), ranging from 1.0 to 10.6 ppm. Moderate to low concentration (< 1.0 ppm) were observed in greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus), cobia (Rachycentron canadum), king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and dolphinfish (Coryphaen hippurus). For the majority of species examined, contaminant loads of mercury did not vary significantly between two consecutive years (2002 and 2003) and between two adjacent locations (Texas and Louisiana). The relationship between Hg concentration and fish size was also explored in certain species. Several species showed a positive relationship between mercury level and body size. Natural dietary tracer, stable isotopes of nitrogen also showed that Hg levels in fish tissues were positively associated with trophic position. Our findings in this study not only added to the information on mercury contamination in pelagic fish, but also furthered our understanding on mercury accumulation in these fish.