Mercury and Selenium Bioaccumulation in the Smooth Hammerhead Shark, Sphyrna zygaena Linnaeus, from the Mexican Pacific Ocean

We analyzed total mercury and selenium bioaccumulation in muscle tissue and cartilage fibers (fins) from smooth hammerhead shark, Sphyrna zygaena, caught off Baja California Sur, Mexico. In muscle tissue, the mercury concentration ranged from 0.005 to 1.93 μg g⁻¹ ww (wet weight), which falls within the safety limits for food set by international agencies (Hg > 1.0 μg g⁻¹ ww). Only one specimen showed a mercury value that exceeded this limit. In fins, the mercury bioaccumulation was lower (<0.05). Selenium in muscle ranged from 0.11 to 1.63 μg g⁻¹ ww, while in fins it ranged from 0.13 to 0.56 μg g⁻¹ ww.     

Metal Concentrations in Two Bioindicator Fish Species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Merlangius merlangus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mullus Barbatus</Emphasis>, Captured from the West Black Sea Coasts (Bartin) of Turkey

The Black Sea is very vulnerable to originating from land based human activities and its health is equally dependent on the coastal and non-coastal states of its basin. Total concentrations of cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, aluminum, iron, manganese, boron and chromium concentrations were determined in Merlangius merlangus (whiting) and Mullus barbatus found in Amasra in the West Coast of the Black Sea (Turkey). The metal contents that were measured in head and muscle was expressed in μg g⁻¹ wet weight. On average, while the highest Fe (344.25 μg g⁻¹), Mn (10.35 μg g⁻¹), Cr (0.96 μg g⁻¹) and Al (76.77 μg g⁻¹) concentrations were measured in the heads of M. merlangus and the highest Zn (77.99 μg g⁻¹), Cu(8.53 μg g⁻¹), B (44.83 μg g⁻¹), Ni (1.96 μg g⁻¹), Cd (0.40 μg g⁻¹) and Pb (6.80 μg g⁻¹) concentrations were detected in the muscles of M. merlangus. There were significant differences between metal levels of muscles in these two species. In terms of permissible levels reported by WHO FAO and TSE, there is not any risk for human consumption for both M. merlangus and M. barbatus, for Pb.     

Comparative Study of Mercury Accumulation in Two Fish Species, (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis>) from Anzali and Gomishan Wetlands in the Southern Coast of the Caspian Sea

Anzali and Gomishan wetlands are considered as two of the most important wetlands in southern coast of Caspian Sea. To investigate mercury accumulation in these ecosystems, total mercury concentrations were measured in the muscle tissue of two fish species. Higher mercury concentrations were detected in C. carpio, an omnivorous benthic/pelagic species (Anzali wetland: 0.2 μg g⁻¹ wet weight; Gomishan wetland: 0.2 μg g⁻¹ wet weight), than in S. lucioperca, a carnivorous pelagic species (Anzali: 0.06 μg g⁻¹ wet weight; Gomishan: 0.15 μg g⁻¹ wet weight).     

Determination of Metal Levels in Thirteen Fish Species from Lakshadweep Sea

A bio-monitoring study was performed to investigate the concentration of certain metals (cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc) in gill, skin and muscle of thirteen demersal fish species of Agatti Coast of Lakshadweep Sea. All the metal concentrations in gill are higher than skin and muscle. Concentrations of toxic metals such as Cd (0.61 ± 0.67 μg g⁻¹ in Gerres longirostris), Mn (0.83 ± 1.21 μg g⁻¹ in Lutjanus fulvus) and Ni (0.56 ± 0.83 μg g⁻¹ in L. bengalensis) were well above the permissible limits suggested by World Health Organization and Food and Agricultural Organizations.     

Trace Elements Contamination in Coral Reef Skeleton,Gulf of Mannar,India

Coral samples were collected from Kurusadi, Shingle and Appa islands of Gulf of Mannar for analyzing the trace elements. The mean concentrations in the coral reef skeleton ranges from 0.19 to 0.62  μg g⁻¹ for Fe, from 6.71 to 15.6 μg g⁻¹ for As, from 0.28 to 1.31 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, from 0.56 to 5.29 μg g⁻¹ for Co, from 7.25 to 22.34 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, from 0.63 to 5.08 μg g⁻¹ for Cu, from 98.38 to 138 μg g⁻¹ for Mn, from 0.18 to 2.53 μg g⁻¹ for Ni, from 0.18 to 4.56 μg g⁻¹ for Pb and from 44 to 135.25 μg g⁻¹ for Zn. The factor analysis revealed the source of trace elements accumulation in the coral skeleton particularly Mn from detrital inputs and Cd from anthropogenic sources. This paper also highlights the nature of trace elements available in coral skeleton.     

Comparative Experimental Study of Cadmium and Methylmercury Trophic Transfers Between the Asiatic Clam Corbicula fluminea and the Crayfish Astacus astacus

Cadmium (Cd) and methylmercury (MeHg) trophic transfers were analyzed between the Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea and the crayfish Astacus astacus. Metal bioaccumulation in crayfish was quantified after 5, 10, and 15 days of exposure via daily ingestion of soft bodies of C. fluminea, previously exposed during 7 days to Cd (20 μg · L⁻¹) and MeHg (4 μg · L⁻¹). Bioaccumulation kinetics in the predator were investigated at organ and tissue levels: hemolymph, tail muscle, hepatopancreas, gills, stomach/mesenteron, intestine, green gland, carapace. Trophic transfer rates were estimated at the whole organism level. Results showed marked differences (1) in assimilation efficiencies, mean transfer rates being 5% for Cd and 16% for MeHg; and (2) in the metal distribution within the different tissue compartments of the crayfish: for Cd, the trophic uptake leads to high concentrations in the hepatopancreas and small accumulation in the muscle tissue; for MeHg, the highest levels of bioaccumulation occur in the green gland and in the tail muscle. From an ecotoxicological point of view, these experimental data suggest a small risk of Cd transfer between the crayfish and predators, humans included; on the other hand, Hg distribution in the muscle and accumulation trends in this tissue represent an obvious risk of transfer. Received: 7 April 1999/Accepted: 9 September 1999     

Mixture Toxicity Assessment of Nickel and Chlorpyrifos in the Sea Bass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis>

The present research work was designed to study Dicentrarchus labrax biotransformation and detoxification responses to acute exposure to nickel (Ni) and chlorpyrifos (CHP). Sexually immature sea bass were treated by intraperitoneal injection of nickel chloride (500 μg kg⁻¹), chlorpyrifos (10 mg kg⁻¹), and their binary mixture for 1, 3, and 7 days. Ni and CHP accumulation was quantified in liver after the exposure periods. The following biological responses were measured: (1) NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (NCR) activity, as phase I biotransformation parameter; (2) gluthathione S-transferase (GST) activity as a phase II conjugation enzyme, acetylcholinesterase activity, and metallothionein (MT) content. Ni bioaccumulation in the liver resulted in an increasing uptake up to 15.48 μg g⁻¹ wet weight (Ni-treated animals) and 16.73 μg g⁻¹ wet weight (mixture-treated animals) after 7 days of exposure. CHP accumulation showed a distinct pattern in animals exposed to the mixture of chemicals in comparison with CHP-treated animals. NCR activity exhibited a marked activation in CHP and mixture-treated animals. GST activity was significantly increased starting from 1 day exposure in CHP-treated animals and after 3 days in Ni-treated animals. MT accumulation increased in all conditions, with a marked synergetic effect after 7 days of exposure. These data should be carefully considered in view of the biological effects of mixture pollutants, particularly in fish farming conditions.     

Temporal Variation of Metals in Water,Sediment and Tissues of the European Chup (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Squalius cephalus</Emphasis> L.)

The aim of this study was to analyze seasonal variation of levels of Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in water, sediment and tissues of Squalius cephalus (L., 1758) taken from five different stations chosen at Yamula Dam Lake (Kayseri, Turkey). Concentrations of metals were generally sorted as water<tissue<sediment. The highest concentration of metals in water was observed in the samples taken in the summer (Mn, 1.04 ± 0.15 mg L⁻¹; Ni, 0.42 ± 0.12 mg L⁻¹; Cu, 1.25 ± 0.88 mg L⁻¹; Zn, 3.61 ± 1.53 mg L⁻¹; Pb, 0.58 ± 0.09 mg L⁻¹). While the highest Zn (24.85 ± 21.82 μg g⁻¹) and Pb (10.89 ± 4.2 μg g⁻¹) concentrations in sediment were observed in the winter samples, the highest Mn concentration (167.2 ± 99.37 μg g⁻¹) was observed in the summer. Cd pollution was determined in sediment according to international criteria. The highest metal concentration in tissues was generally observed in the liver and the other tissues; following liver were gills and muscles. In liver tissues, while the highest accumulation of Zn (110.34 ± 13.1) and Mn (22.5 ± 14.85 μg g⁻¹), which are essential for the body, were observed in the winter, Pb (22.58 ± 7.83 μg g⁻¹) and Cd (11.77 ± 7.83 μg g⁻¹), which are toxic, were found to be higher in the summer. Also, concentrations of Mn, Cd and Pb in muscle tissues were found to be above the limits permitted.     

Determination of Trace Elements Level of Pikeperch Collected from the Caspian Sea

Toxic and essential elements levels (chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, cadmium, and zinc) have been determined in the brain, heart, liver, gill, gonads, spleen, bile and muscle of S. lucioperca, collected from the Caspian Sea by employing Flame- Atomic absorption spectrometry. Results indicated that nearly all of the toxic metals concentrations (nickel, lead and cadmium) in tissues were higher than limits for fish suggested by Food and Agricultural Organization, World Health Organization and European Union. Lead was higher in spleen than other tissues. Levels of essential metals (iron, copper, zinc and manganese) were below the limits suggested by European Union and Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization and Turkish Food Codex for fish. Iron distribution pattern in tissues was in the following order: heart (88.67 ± 2.74 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) > spleen (70.96 ± 2.05 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) > bile (29.35 ± 0.94 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) > brain (14.29 ± 0.51 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) > liver (8.57 ± 0.29 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) > gill (3.20 ± 0.14 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) > red (2.79 ± 0.11 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) and white muscles (2.79 ± 0.09 μg g⁻¹ wet wt) > gonads (2.57 ± 0.07 μg g⁻¹ wet wt).     

Concentrations of Mercury and Other Toxic Elements in Orange Roughy, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hoplostethus atlanticus</Emphasis>, from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Concentrations of the elements mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead were measured in the muscle tissue of Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) obtained from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the Mar-Eco expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean in 2004. The age of the fish varied from 1 to 139 years. To the best of our knowledge, the concentration of the heavy metals presented here is for one of the oldest fish in the literature, in addition to the fact that very little information on arsenic in Orange roughy has been previously published. The concentration of mercury in the fillet of the fish varied between 0.06 and 1.1 μg g⁻¹ w.w. Mercury was the only element that was positively correlated to the age. The concentrations of mercury were found to be below the maximum limits for Orange roughy set by EU at 1.0 μg g⁻¹ w.w, except for a 134 year fish sample with a concentration of 1.1 μg g⁻¹ w.w.     

Mercury and Arsenic in Muscle and Liver of the Golden Cownose Ray, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhinoptera steindachneri</Emphasis>, Evermann and Jenkins, 1891, from the Upper Gulf of California,México

Mercury and arsenic levels in muscle and liver of Rhinoptera steindachneri were determined in organisms collected in 2006. Element concentrations in both tissues were directly related to size. Maxima mean concentrations of Hg and As (0.41 and 59.9 μg g⁻¹ dry wt, respectively) were found in adults muscle. Mercury concentrations were significantly different between juveniles and adults in muscle and liver. For As concentrations, differences between juveniles and adults were found only in muscle. Mercury concentrations were higher in muscle of juveniles and adults. Arsenic concentrations were higher in liver of juveniles, and in muscle of adults. Maximum Hg concentration in muscle (0.65 μg g⁻¹ dry wt) was below the safe limit established by Mexican regulations for seafood.     

Distribution patterns of metals contamination in sediments based on type regional development on the intertidal coastal zones of the Persian Gulf, Iran

This study was performed to determine the variation of metals concentrations (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in surface sediments based on type region development from ten sites on the intertidal coastal zone of the Persian Gulf, Iran. The metals concentrations in surface sediments varied from 0.86 to 180.78 μg g⁻¹ for Pb, 0.61 to 6.48 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, 5.99 to 44.42 μg g⁻¹ for Zn, and 3.01 to 43.33 μg g⁻¹ for Cu. The quality of the sediments was evaluated based on sediment quality guidelines (effects range-low (ERL) and effects range-medium (ERM) indexes. Biological effects criteria suggest that metals concentrations in sediments were lower than ERM for all sites, but for some sites metals concentrations in sediments were higher than ERL. The present results support the concept that human activities in each region could be a major source of metals pollution input in the aquatic environment.     

Total and organic mercury in ten fish species for human consumption from the Mexican Pacific

Total mercury and organic mercury were measured in ten fish species from the Mexican Pacific ocean to have a general view on the ratio of total mercury-organic mercury and potential implications on human health. Highest concentration of total mercury was recorded in muscle tissue of Carcharhinus leucas (0.62 μg g⁻¹ wet weight). Organic mercury was more concentrated in Haemulon sexfasciatum (0.4 μg g⁻¹ wet weight). Percentages of organic mercury ranged from 33 to 100%. Hazard indices associated to organic mercury and average fish consumption in Mexico ranged from 0.25 in Lutjanus colorado to 1.65 in Haemulon sexfasciatum.     

Content of Lead and Cadmium in Barred Hogfish, Bodianusscrofa, Island Grouper, Mycteroperca fusca, and Portuguese Dogfish, Centroscymnus coelolepis, from Canary Islands, Spain

Concentration of lead and cadmium has been analyzed in Bodianus scrofa and Mycteroperca fusca captured in the Canary Islands coast. Concentration of Pb ranged from 2.53 to 306.40 and 4.97 to 792.00 μg kg⁻¹ respectively, while that of Cd ranged from 1.75 to 1854.50 and 6.78 to 656.00 μg kg⁻¹. The same metals have been analyzed in muscles, liver and skin of Centroscymnus coelolepis from Canary Islands, with contents of Pb and Cd ranged between 24.18–96.12 μg kg⁻¹ and 32.00–3266.58 μg kg⁻¹ respectively, and in the Azores Archipelago, with concentrations of Pb and Cd ranged as follow: 18.41–38.99 μg kg⁻¹ and 5.23–4179.87 μg kg⁻¹ respectively. Percentage of contribution of both metals to the PTWIs, has also been calculated for both fishes.     

Fate of Benfuracarb Insecticide in Mollisols and Brinjal Crop

The fate of benfuracarb was studied under field conditions in brinjal fruits and soil following foliar spray application at 0.25 and 0.50 μg g⁻¹ by HPLC. At 0.25 μg g⁻¹, benfuracarb persisted up to 7 days both in soil and brinjal but at 0.50 μg g⁻¹, benfuracarb residues persisted up to 10 and 12 days in soil and brinjal fruits, respectively. The persistence of benfuracarb residues, both in soil and brinjal, followed first-order kinetics. The half-life values of benfuracarb in soil and brinjal fruit were found to be 3.54 and 3.90 days at 0.25 μg g⁻¹ and 3.75 and 4.73 days at 0.50 μg g⁻¹, respectively.     

Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trend in Concentration of Carbofuran,Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos Ethyl Residues in Sediment and Water in Lake Naivasha,Kenya

Chlorpyrifos ethyl was found to be widely distributed in water and sediment in Lake Naivasha. Higher levels were reported in sediment (11.2–30.0 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) in wet season than in dry season (4.7–17.4 ng g⁻¹ dw). The mean concentration of chlorpyrifos ethyl in water in wet season ranged between 8.8 and 26.6 μg L⁻¹ and decreased to between below detection limit to 14.0 μg L⁻¹ in dry season. On average, higher concentrations of chlorpyrifos ethyl were observed in sediment than water samples. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in concentration between the seasons, and a significant interaction between seasons and mean concentrations at p ≤ 0.05. However, levels of diazinon and carbofuran were below the detection limit in all the samples analyzed. Notably, levels of chlorpyrifos ethyl were higher than the maximum allowable limits (0.1 μg L⁻¹) recommended by European Union for drinking water and general water quality criterion for protection of freshwater water organisms (0.083 μg L⁻¹).     

Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Two Fish Species Collected from the Roter Main River,Bayreuth, Germany

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are widely distributed in the environment. In this study the accumulation potential of PFOA and PFOS in two fish species with different feeding strategies, i.e. chub (Leuciscus cephalus) and river goby (Gobio gobio) inhabiting a river receiving treated waste waters from a municipal waste water treatment plant, were estimated. PFOS was detected in chub (7–250 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) and river goby (70–400 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) with bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of 4600 (liver) and 11,000 (organs). PFOA concentrations in both fish were low and in chub mostly below detection limit.     

Potential Health Risk of Total Arsenic from Consumption of Farm Rice (Oryza sativa) from the Southern Caspian Sea Littoral and from Imported Rice in Iran

In this study, Arsenic (As) was measured in several varieties of imported and local cultivated rice. Soil samples collected from rice farms situated in south Caspian Sea (Iran) were also studied. The mean concentration of As in imported rice, local farmed rice and soil, were determined as 0.28, 0.39 and 3.80 μg g⁻¹ dry weight, respectively. Estimated daily intake of As through human consumption of imported and local produced rice was 0.77 and 1.074 μg day⁻¹ kg⁻¹ B.W., respectively. These values are much lower than the tolerable daily intakes estimated by JECFA. The As concentration in the soil (3.80 μg g⁻¹ dry) was below acceptable limit for agricultural soil of 20.0 mg kg⁻¹ as recommended by the European Community (EC). No correlation between the As concentrations in rice and soil samples was found (p > 0.05).     

Dissipation of Flubendiamide in/on Okra [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abelmoschus esculenta</Emphasis> (L.) Moench] Fruits

A field experiment was undertaken at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during kharif (rainy season) in the year 2010 to evaluate the residue persistence of flubendiamide in/on okra fruits following foliar application of Belt 39.35% SC formulation at 24 (standard dose) and 48 (double dose) g a.i. ha⁻¹. After HPLC analysis study revealed that residues of flubendiamide in/on okra persisted till 5th and 7th day after the last spray at standard and double dose, respectively. The residues of flubendiamide were reported as parent compound, and des-iodo flubendiamide, a metabolite (photo product) of flubendiamide, was not detected in/on okra at any time during the study period. The initial deposits of 0.28 and 0.53 μg g⁻¹ in/on okra fruits reached below determination level of 0.01 μg g⁻¹ on the 7th and 10th day at standard and double dose, respectively. The half life of flubendiamide in/on okra fruits ranged from 4.7 to 5.1 days at standard and double dose, respectively. Soil sample collected from the treated field on the 15th day after the last spray revealed residues of flubendiamide or its metabolite below determination level (0.01 μg g⁻¹) at single and double dose.     

Mercury and Selenium Content in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otolithes ruber</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psettodes erumei</Emphasis> from Khuzestan Shore,Iran

In this paper the level of selenium and mercury is analyzed in edible part and liver of Psettodes erumei and Otolithes ruber two commercial fish in Persian Gulf. The average concentration of Hg and Se in edible parts of P. erumei was 0.077 ± 0.062 and 0.044 ± 0.018 (μg g⁻¹ww), and in liver was 0.127 ± 0.122 and 0.132 ± 0.610 (μg g⁻¹ww) respectively. In O. ruber, the average concentration of Hg and Se in edible parts was 0.348–0.27 and 0.06 ± 0.021 (μg g⁻¹ww) and in liver was 0.176 ± 0.174 and 0.093 ± 0.022 (μg g⁻¹ww), respectively. P. erumei has higher mean molar ratio Se/Hg (1.98) compared to O. ruber (0.88).