Investigation of Methylmercury and Total Mercury Contamination in Mollusk Samples Collected from Coastal Sites along the Chinese Bohai Sea

Environmental context. In the development of fish consumption advisories, fisheries biologists routinely sacrifice fish and analyse muscle fillets in order to determine the extent of mercury contamination. Such lethal techniques may not be suitable for endangered species or limited fish populations from smaller-sized water bodies. We compared the measured total mercury concentrations in tail fin clips to that of muscle fillets and illustrated that tail fin clips may be used as an accurate tool for predicting mercury in muscle tissue. This is the first study on the use of tail fin clips to predict mercury levels in the muscle tissue of largemouth bass with minimal impact on the fish. Abstract. The statistical relationship between total mercury (Hg) concentration in clips from the caudal fin and muscle tissue of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from 26 freshwater sites in Rhode Island, USA was developed and evaluated to determine the utility of fin clip analysis as a non-lethal and convenient method for predicting mercury concentrations in tissues. The relationship of total Hg concentrations in fin clips and muscle tissue showed an r2 of 0.85 and may be compared with an r2 of 0.89 for Hg concentrations between scales and muscle tissue that was determined in a previous study on largemouth bass. The Hg concentration in fin clip samples (mean = 0.261 μg g–1 (dry)) was more than a factor of twenty greater than in the scale samples (mean = 0.012 μg g–1 (dry)). Therefore, fin clips may be a more responsive non-lethal predictor of muscle-Hg concentrations than scale in fish species which may have reduced Hg concentrations.

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A Comparison of Mercury Contamination in Mussel and Ammocoete Filter Feeders

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management ◽

10.3996/112009-jfwm-019 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 142-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jamie B. Bettaso ◽

Damon H. Goodman

Keyword(s):

Methyl Mercury ◽

Total Mercury ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Teleost Fishes ◽

Trinity River ◽

Longitudinal Gradients ◽

History Of ◽

Filter Feeders ◽

The Trinity ◽

Mercury Mining

Abstract The Trinity River, California, has an extensive history of gold and mercury mining, and recent studies demonstrated uptake of legacy mercury contamination by teleost fishes. We investigated mercury concentrations of larval lampreys (ammocoetes; Entosphenus spp.) and western pearlshell mussels (Margaritifera falcata) in the Trinity River to determine whether these two long-lived and sedentary filter feeders show site-specific differences in uptake of this contaminant. We analyzed ammocoetes from four sites in the Trinity River and one reference site in the Mad River for total mercury and mussels from three of the Trinity River sites for total and methyl mercury. We identified longitudinal gradients in ammocoete total mercury levels and methyl mercury in mussels. We found a 70% increase in total mercury in ammocoetes between two of the sample sites, suggesting a potential point source of contamination. Ammocoetes contained levels of mercury 12 to 25 times those of mussels from the same site. Our data indicate that ammocoetes may be a preferred organism to sample for mercury contamination and ecological effects compared with mussels in the Trinity River.

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Leachate seepage from landfill: a source of groundwater mercury contamination in South Africa

Water SA ◽

10.4314/wsa.v45i2.09 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (2 April) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V Nevondo ◽

T Malehase ◽

AP Daso ◽

OJ Okonkwo

Keyword(s):

Solid Waste ◽

Total Mercury ◽

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽

Dental Amalgam ◽

Consumer Products ◽

Limpopo Province ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Fluorescent Light ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Landfill Sites

Mercury has been used for many centuries in the production of consumer products such as thermometers, electrical switches, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, biocides and pesticides, cosmetics and dental amalgam filling, among others. After use, these mercury-containing consumer products form part of the municipal solid waste (MSW). As a result of an unseparated solid waste collection system, mercury-containing wastes tend to end up in landfills where mercury and other pollutants can leach out of products into landfill leachates. The present study, therefore, was conducted with the aim of determining the total mercury (THg) concentrations in leachate and sediment samples collected from 4 selected landfill sites (3 sites in Gauteng Province – Soshanguve, Hatherly, Onderstepoort and 1 site in Limpopo Province – Thohoyandou). Groundwater samples were collected from the monitoring boreholes at the four selected landfill sites in the summer and winter periods. An acid digestion method was employed for sample preparation and this was followed by analysis using cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry (CVAAS). The concentration range of total mercury in the Thohoyandou leachate, sediment and groundwater samples was 0.12–2.07 μg/L, 0.03–0.48 μg/g and 0.09–2.12 μg/L, respectively. In Soshanguve, the concentration range of total mercury in leachate, sediment and groundwater samples was 0.10–1.20 μg/L, 0.04–0.62 μg/g and nd –1.66 μg/L respectively, Hatherly concentration range was 0.42–1.31 μg/L and 0.06–0.78 μg/g in leachate and sediment, respectively and in Onderstepoort the concentration range was 0.12–2.41 μg/L, 0.03–0.50 μg/g and 0.05–2.44 μg/L, in leachate, sediment and groundwater, respectively. The findings from this study suggest that there is a likelihood of groundwater pollution by mercury from landfill leachate seepage, particularly for landfills that are not lined with a geomembrane.

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Ocena zawartości rtęci w poziomach powierzchniowych i podpowierzchniowych intensywnie użytkowanych rolniczo gleb aluwialnych / Assessment of total mercury content in the surface and subsurface horizons in intensively used agricultural alluvial soils

Soil Annual Science ◽

10.2478/ssa-2013-0009 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 49-53

Author(s):

Agata Bartkowiak ◽

Hanna Jaworska ◽

Szymon Różański

Keyword(s):

Total Mercury ◽

Clay Fraction ◽

Background Level ◽

Mercury Content ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Alluvial Soils ◽

Geochemical Background ◽

Dominant Component ◽

Soil Components ◽

Major Factors

Abstract One of the major factors determining hazard for humans, animals and plants is the increased content of trace elements in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of mercury in surface and subsurface horizons of alluvial soils intensively used for agriculture in aspect of relationship between soil components and Hg amount bound by the soil. The results showed that there was no mercury contamination and dominant component binding this element in analyzed soils was clay fraction. The determined concentrations of mercury were close to the geochemical background level.

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Assessment of mercury contamination of the Svitava and Svratka rivers and muscle of chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) in the urban agglomeration of Brno in the Czech Republic

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb201180020227 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 80 (2) ◽

pp. 227-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kamila Kružíková ◽

Renáta Kenšová ◽

Jana Blahová ◽

Zdeňka Svobodová

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Total Mercury ◽

River Sediments ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Acid Digestion ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Leuciscus Cephalus

This study focused on the total mercury and methylmercury content in the muscle of chub (Leuciscus cephalusL.), the total mercury in the river sediments and the evaluation of health risks associated with fish contamination. Chub were caught at seven localities on the Svratka and Svitava rivers in the agglomeration of Brno in 2008. The results were compared to those obtained from the same sites in 2007. Total mercury was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using an AMA 245 analyzer, and methylmercury was determined by gas chromatography (using an electron-capture detector) after acid digestion and toluene extraction in chub muscle. The highest concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury (0.12 ± 0.14 and 0.07 ± 0.02 mg·kg-1fresh weight, respectively) were found in Svratka before junction (south of Brno), whereas the lowest concentration of mercury and methylmercury in chub (0.06 ± 0.01 and 0.04 ± 0.01 mg·kg-1) was detected in Svitava before junction with the Svratka River. Total mercury in sediments ranged from 0.01 to 1.05 mg·kg-1dry weight, the highest value was detected in the sediment from Rajhradice. The lowest content (0.01 mg·kg-1) was at Kníničky. Hazard indices calculated for the selected localities showed no health risk for either a standard consumer or a fishing family. Fish from the Svitava and Svratka rivers show very low mercury concentration and hazard index and their consumption poses no health risk from total mercury and methylmercury contamination.

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Total mercury in rice plant (Oryza sativa) collected from Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia and associated health risks

Food Research ◽

10.26656/fr.2017.5(s1).018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (S1) ◽

pp. 132-136

Author(s):

A.C. Soong ◽

N.M. Isa ◽

A.Z. Aris ◽

H. Haris ◽

L.J. Looi

Keyword(s):

Oryza Sativa ◽

Rice Plant ◽

Total Mercury ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Potential Health ◽

Plant Parts ◽

Food Regulation ◽

Direct Mercury Analyzer ◽

Mercury Analyzer ◽

The Mean

Consumption of mercury-contaminated rice could pose a potential health risk to humans. In this study, total mercury (THg) concentrations in various parts (roots, stems, leaves, and grains) of rice plant (Oryza sativa) collected from Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia were analysed for risk assessment. The THg concentrations in collected samples were analysed by Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80). The mean concentrations found in plant parts were as follows: root, 47.01±0.42 µg/kg; stem, 6.43±1.77 µg/kg; leaf, 26.25±4.71 µg/kg; grain, 2.64±0.42 µg/kg. THg distribution in rice plants was roots > leaves > stems and grains. The mean THg concentration in grain (2.64±0.42 µg/kg) was below the maximum permitted proportion stipulated by Malaysian Food Regulation 1985 (50.0 µg/ kg). The estimated weekly intake (EWI) of THg through rice was 0.07±0.01 µg/kg bw/ week for 60 kg adult, below the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI) as suggested by JECFA indicating unlikely to cause impairment of public health due to consumption of rice planted in this region. However, periodical monitoring of mercury pollution in Selangor area is crucial because mercury contamination in crops could jeopardize food safety and security

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Bioaccumulation of mercury in clams (Meretrix lyrata) cultured atthe Bach Dang estuary: a recommendation for safe daily dosage consumption of clams in Vietnam

Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology ◽

10.15625/2525-2518/58/4/14473 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (4) ◽

pp. 493

Author(s):

Le Xuan Sinh ◽

Mai Huong

Keyword(s):

Total Mercury ◽

Bioaccumulation Factor ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Intertidal Area ◽

Allowable Limit ◽

Four Seasons ◽

One Year

This study assessed the level of mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in seawater and clams (Meretrix lyrata) during all four seasons (July 2010 to May 2011) at the Dong Bai intertidal area in the Bach Dang estuary. The results showed that total mercury and methyl mercuryconcentrations of the water were under the allowable limit. Total mercury and methylmercury concentration for clams ranged from 12.5-87.9 ng/g dw and 1.1-24.6 ng/g dw, respectively. The highest bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of Meretrix lyrata was 303.2 for mercury and 165,000 for methylmercury. The recommended safe dosage for daily clam consumption depends on the season. Over a one-year period, mercury contamination in clams harvested in the Bach Dang estuary ranged from 1.4 to 38.1 g/kg bw. It is not recommended to consume too many clams in March or April.

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Bio-affecting mercury detection using mercury resistance gene module fused with bioluminescence reporter genes

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2002.0746 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 46 (11-12) ◽

pp. 253-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

T. Yamagata ◽

M. Ishii ◽

M. Narita ◽

G.-C. Huang ◽

G. Endo

Keyword(s):

Total Mercury ◽

Vibrio Fischeri ◽

Dna Recombination ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Mercury Resistance ◽

Mercury Chloride ◽

Sensor Systems ◽

Bacterial Bioluminescence ◽

Escherichia Coli Cells ◽

Lux Operon

Bioluminescence sensor systems were developed for monitoring environmental mercury contamination. The biological mercury measurement sensor systems were constructed by DNA recombination technique. A bacterial mercury-resistant operon (mer operon) from Pseudomonas sp. K-6y4 and a bacterial bioluminescence operon (lux operon) from an ocean bacterium Vibrio fischeri were fused in a vector plasmid. The resulting recombinant plasmids were cloned in Escherichia coli cells. The bioluminescence sensor systems responded to mercury chloride of 0.1 nM to 100 nM. The mercury bioluminescence sensor developed in this study can be used for monitoring of the bio-affecting mercury instead of total mercury that is measured by conventional analytical equipment. The fundamental feature of the bioluminescence sensor system is attractive for use as a monitoring system for bio-affecting environmental mercury contamination.

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Mercury distribution in muscles and internal organs of the juvenile and adult Baltic cod (Gadus morrhua callarias Linnaeus, 1758)

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies ◽

10.2478/s13545-012-0018-y ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Justyna Kwaśniak ◽

Lucyna Falkowska

Keyword(s):

Mercury Concentration ◽

Total Mercury ◽

Mercury Contamination ◽

Toxic Exposure ◽

The Baltic Sea ◽

Internal Organs ◽

Fish Muscles ◽

The Baltic ◽

The Brain ◽

Baltic Cod

AbstractCod (Gadus marrhua L), a fish caught in the Baltic Sea, is very popular with consumers. Research on the distribution of mercury in cod tissues and organs was conducted on a group of adult (27) and juvenile (49) individuals in the years 2006–09. Total mercury concentration values in mature cod were always, on average, 1.7 times higher than those in juveniles. The highest HgT concentrations were found in the heart, while the lowest ones were found in the gills and gonads. The essential age-specific differences manifest in a relationship between the mercury concentration in fish muscles and brain. Mature individuals, i.e. of length >80 cm, accumulated Hg in muscles, most likely in an attempt to protect the nervous system from toxic exposure. In young individuals, more mercury was concentrated in the brain than in the muscles.. The distribution of HgT in organs as well as the low value of the [HgT]liver/[HgT]muscle ratio testify to relatively low-level mercury contamination in southern Baltic waters.

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