Bioaccumulation of mercury in starfish from contaminated mussels

In the course of our works on mercury metabolism in marine organisms, we investigated in laboratory the technical feasibility and the scientific relevance of the simple benthic food chain ‘particles-mussel-starfish’. Mature starfish, Leptasterias polaris, fed over 45 days with contaminated mussels (Mytilus edulis), bioaccumulated organic mercury in all their tissues. The absorption rate of mercury in the first weeks of the experiment was respectively 0.238, 0.094, and 0.015 μg.g⁻¹ d⁻¹ (wet wt) in pyloric caeca, stomachs and body walls. Starfish retained about 50% of the organic mercury ingested mostly in pyloric caeca and calcerous skeleton (96–98%). After four weeks of regular accumulation, an auto-depuration process took place and mercury concentration in digestive organs was reduced even if the contaminated food was still provided. Coelomic fluid seems to be a barrier to the rapid dispersion of methylmercury into the whole animal and may play a role in the depuration process. These results provide evidence for the strong interest in the mussel-starfish food chain for fundamental studies of metal biotransfer in invertebrate marine organisms.     

Fumarole compositions and mercury emissions from the Tatun Volcanic Field,Taiwan: Results from multi-component gas analyser,portable mercury spectrometer and direct sampling techniques

Gas emissions from Tatun volcanic group, northern Taiwan, were studied for the first time using a multi-component gas analyser system (Multi-GAS) in combination with Giggenbach flask methods at fumaroles and mud pools at Da-you-keng (DYK) and Geng-tze-ping (GZP). CO₂/S molar ratios observed at DYK ranged from 3–17, similar ratios were observed using a Multi-GAS sensor box of 8–16. SO₂ at GZP was low, higher concentrations were observed at DYK where SO₂/H₂S ratios were close to 1 for both methods. A lower CO₂/H₂S ratio was measured via Giggenbach flask sampling (7.2) than was found in the plume using the gas sensor at GZP (9.2). This may reflect rapid oxidation of H₂S as it mixes with background air. Gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) levels were observed in the fumarole gases using a portable mercury spectrometer. These are the first such measurements of mercury at Tatun. Mean GEM concentrations in the fumarole plumes were ∼ 20 ng m^− 3, with much higher concentrations observed close to the ground (mean [GEM] 130 and 290 ng m^− 3 at DYK and GZP, respectively). The GEM in the fumarole plume was elevated above concentrations in industrial/urban air in northern Taiwan and the increase in GEM observed when the instrument was lowered suggests high levels of mercury are present in the surrounding ground surface. The GEM/CO₂ (10^− 8) and GEM/S (10^− 6) ratios observed in the fumarole gases were comparable to those observed at other low-temperature fumaroles. Combining the Hg/CO₂ ratio with a previous CO₂ flux value for the area, the annual GEM flux from the Tatun field is estimated as 5–50 kg/year.     

Total mercury content in some marine fish from the Indian Ocean

Total mercury was estimated in liver, gonads and muscle of some of the marine fishes from the Indian Ocean. The highest mercury concentration was observed in the muscle of sharks while the total mercury concentration was practically non-detectable in the liver and gonads. The range of all the values was 0.09–0.21 ppm (wet weight basis) and is quite low to reflect any possible mercury contamination.     

Chronology of mercury enrichment factors in reef corals from western Venezuela

Mining and deforestation in the early 20th century, the development of petrochemical industries during the 1950s, and the constant weathering of natural deposits of cinabrium (HgS) have made Golfo Triste, Venezuela, a region impacted by mercury (Hg). We studied the chronology of Hg in coral skeletons of Siderastrea siderea (1 colony, 1900-1996) and Montastraea faveolata (2 colonies, 1930-1999) from Parque Nacional San Esteban. Maximum values of Hg/Ca ratios and standard deviations of Hg enrichment factors occurred in the 1940s, 1960s, and 1980s, and matched maxima of decadal rainfall. Values from the 1950s and 1970s matched periods of abundant but constantly decreasing rainfall and hence were best explained by the combination of runoff and the sudden bioavailability of Hg in the region. This sudden availability likely was associated with activities of the chlorine-caustic soda and fertilizer plants of Morón petrochemical complex, industries that started producing large amounts of Hg in 1958.     

Methyl mercury, total mercury, and selenium in snapper from two areas of the New South Wales coast, Australia

The muscle tissue of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus: Sparidae) from two areas of the New South Wales coast was analysed for methyl mercury, total mercury and selenium concentrations (134 samples from the Sydney area and 186 samples from the Nowra area, about 120 km to the south of Sydney).

The Sydney snapper ranged from 0.08 to 1.66 mg kg⁻¹ total mercury (mean 0.32 mg kg⁻¹), while the Nowra snapper ranged from 0.01 to 0.78 mg kg⁻¹ total Hg (mean 0.11 mg kg⁻¹). These latter results appear anomalously low relative to other studies in Australia and New Zealand.

Methyl mercury averaged 94.7% of the total mercury content of the Sydney snapper, and 91.3% for the Nowra snapper.

The concentrations of selenium in the muscle tissues of snapper from both areas were similar and did not increase with increasing mercury concentrations. The highest selenium concentration was 0.85 mg kg⁻¹.     

Contamination level of mercury in red meat products from cetaceans available from South Korea markets

Levels of total mercury (T-Hg) were surveyed in red meat (n=73) and liver (n=3) from toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises (odontocetes) sold for human consumption in the coastal cities of South Korea. High concentrations of T-Hg were found in the liver products of finless porpoises (18.7 and 156 microg/wet g) and common dolphins (13.2 microg/wet g). The T-Hg concentrations in red meat products were highest in the false killer whale (9.66+/-12.3 microg/wet g, n=9), bottlenose dolphin (10.6+/-12.6 microg/wet g, n=3) and killer whale (13.3 microg/wet g, n=1), and lowest in Cuvier's beaked whale and the harbour porpoise (0.4-0.5 microg/wet g). Thus, most of the products that originated from odontocetes exceeded the safety limit of 0.5 microg/wet g for T-Hg set by the South Korean health authorities for the fishery industry. Pregnant women and other vulnerable sectors of the population living in South Korea should therefore limit their consumption of odontocete products.     

Total mercury,methyl mercury and sulphide in river carron sediments

Total mercury, methyl mercury and sulphide contents of River Carron sediments (Lothian, Scotland) have been determined. Total mercury concentrations are comparable to other mercury polluted estuaries in the UK, but the methyl mercury values for low-sulphide Carron sediments are generally higher. It has been found that methyl mercury levels are initially in direct proportion to the sulphide concentrations of the sediments but beyond sulphide concentrations of 1.8 mg g^?1 the methyl mercury levels decline sharply.     

Difference of mercury bioaccumulation in red mullets from the north-western Mediterranean and Black seas

The relationships between total mercury (Hg) concentration and stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) were evaluated in Mullus barbatus barbatus and M. surmuletus from the Mediterranean Sea and M. barbatus ponticus from the Black Sea. Mercury concentration in fish muscle was six times higher in the two Mediterranean species than in the Black Sea one for similar sized animals. A positive correlation between Hg concentration and δ¹⁵N occurred in all species. Increase in Hg concentration with δ¹⁵N was high and similar in the two Mediterranean fishes and much lower in the Black Sea species. Since this was neither related to trophic level difference between species nor to methylmercury (MeHg) concentration differences between the north-western Mediterranean and the Black Sea waters, we suggested that the higher primary production of the Black Sea induced a dilution of MeHg concentration at the base of the food webs.     

Distribution and speciation of mercury in surficial sediments from main mangrove wetlands in China

The purpose of this study was to establish the distribution, speciation and bioavailability of mercury in mangrove sediments. A systemic survey of surficial sediments from 13 mangrove wetlands of China was carried out. Hg concentrations ranged from 2.3–903.6 ng g⁻¹, with an average value of 189.4 ng g⁻¹. Of the 13 areas surveyed, the Hg content in sediments was similar to background levels in 6 areas but was much higher in the other seven areas. Hg levels were affected by natural and anthropogenic factors, including terrestrial pollutants, geomorphic properties, and indirectly by economic status. Hg levels were positively correlated with organic matter, pH, and silt and clay fractions, but Hg was negatively correlated with sand fraction. In most mangrove wetlands, Hg existed primarily in the form of volatile Hg. Hg is easily bioaccumulated in mangrove wetlands and may be the natural source of Hg emissions to the atmosphere.     

马村站自512井水汞异常分析

2006年7月4日河北省文安县发生了ML5．5级地震,震前震中西南200km的石家庄马村站自512井水汞3月15日～5月15日出现了短期高值异常,6月3日出现了高值突跳异常。本文分析研究了文安地震前水汞的异常变化,以及1999年水汞观测以来的异常变化特征。分析认为,震前小马村水汞的异常变化幅度较大,异常特征明显,前兆意义显著。     

Characteristics and distributions of atmospheric mercury emitted from anthropogenic sources in Guiyang,southwestern China

Continuous measurements of speciated atmospheric mercury(Hg), including gaseous elemental mercury(GEM), particulate mercury(PHg), and reactive gaseous mercury(RGM) were conducted in Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Guiyang Power Plant(GPP),Guiyang Wujiang Cement Plant, Guizhou Aluminum Plant(GAP), and Guiyang Forest Park(GFP) in Guiyang were selected as study sites. Automatic Atmospheric Mercury Speciation Analyzers(Tekran 2537A) were used for GEM analysis. PHg and RGM were simultaneously collected by a manual sampling system, including elutriator, coupler/impactor, KCl-coated annular denuder, and a ?lter holder.Results show that different emission sources dominate different species of Hg. The highest average GEM value was 22.2 ± 28.3 ngám~(-3)and the lowest 6.1 ± 3.9 ngám~(-3),from samples collected at GPP and GAP, respectively. The maximum average PHg was 1984.9 pgám~(-3)and the minimum average 55.9 pgám~(-3), also from GPP and GAP,respectively. Similarly, the highest average RGM of 68.8pgám~(-3)was measured at GPP, and the lowest level of20.5 pgám~(-3)was found at GAP. We conclude that coal combustion sources are still playing a key role in GEM;traf?c contributes signi?cantly to PHg; and domestic pollution dominates RGM.     

High mercury levels in hair samples from residents of Taiji, a Japanese whaling town

We investigated the mercury concentrations in red meat from pilot whales consumed by some residents of the Japanese whaling town, Taiji, and in hair samples from 50 residents for their maker of mercury burden. The methyl mercury (M-Hg) level in the red meat was 5.9 μg/wet g, markedly higher than the US FDA action level and Cordex Alimentarius guideline level for predatory fish (1.0 μg/wet g). The average level of total mercury (T-Hg) in the hair from residents who ate whale meat more than once a month was 24.6 μg/g, whereas the average from the residents who did not consume any whale meat was 4.3 μg/g. The T-Hg concentrations in the hair from three donors exceeded 50 μg/g, the level for NOAEL set by WHO. The T-Hg level found in the Taiji whale meat consumers was markedly higher than that observed in the Japanese population overall (about 2 μg/g).     

Geothermal exploration using surface mercury geochemistry

Shallow, soil-mercury surveys can be used effectively in exploration for geothermal resources. Soil-mercury data from six areas in Nevada, California and New Mexico are analyzed using contour maps, histogram and probability graphs. Plotting on probability graphs allows background and anomalous populations to be resolved even when considerable overlap between populations is present. As is shown in several examples, separate soil-mercury populations can be plausibly interpreted. Mercury data can significantly enhance the structural understanding of a prospect and can yield important information about the geothermal resource.     

Total mercury in sediments and in Brazilian Ariidae catfish from two estuaries under different anthropogenic influence

Santos-São Vicente estuary, located in São Paulo State, Brazil, has a history of contamination by inorganic chemicals such as mercury (Hg). In the 1980s the Cubatão was considered one of the most polluted sites in the world as a consequence of the intense industrial activities located in the city close to the estuary. To provide data and evaluate the local biota, total mercury (THg) contents were determined in sediments and in fish, Cathorops spixii, from different areas of the Santos-São Vicente estuary. For comparison, samples were also collected in a non-polluted system with similar hydrochemistry characteristics, the Cananeia estuary. The water characteristics and THg levels in sediment and fish samples confirmed a high human influence in the Santos-São Vicente estuary. The lowest THg values, observed in Cananeia, were evidence of low anthropogenic influence. High values observed in Santos-São Vicente show the necessity for a monitoring program.