Factors affecting mercury concentrations in two oceanic cephalopods of commercial interest from the southern Caribbean
Garcia Barcia, L.; Pinzone, M.; Lepoint, G.; Pau, C.; Das, K.; Kiszka, J.J. (2021). Factors affecting mercury concentrations in two oceanic cephalopods of commercial interest from the southern Caribbean. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 168: 112408. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112408 In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more |  |
| Keywords | Ommastrephes bartramii (Lesueur, 1821) [WoRMS]; Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Neon-flying squid; Diamondback squid; Heavy metals; Stable isotopes; Sulfur |
| Authors | | Top | - Garcia Barcia, L.
- Pinzone, M., more
- Lepoint, G., more
| - Pau, C.
- Das, K., more
- Kiszka, J.J.
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| Abstract | Mercury (Hg) concentrations have significantly increased in oceans during the last century. This element accumulates in marine fauna and can reach toxic levels. Seafood consumption is the main pathway of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity in humans. Here, we analyzed total Hg (T-Hg) concentrations in two oceanic squid species (Ommastrephes bartramii and Thysanoteuthis rhombus) of an increasing commercial interest off Martinique, French West Indies. Stable isotope ratios reveal a negative linear relationship between δ15N or δ13C in diamondback squid samples. No significant trend was observed between δ34S values and T-Hg concentrations, contrasting with the sulfate availability and sulfide abundance hypotheses. This adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting Hg methylation via sulfate-reducing bacteria is not the main mechanism driving Hg bioavailability in mesopelagic organisms. All squid samples present T-Hg levels below the maximum safe consumption limit (0.5 ppm), deeming the establishment of a commercial squid fishery in the region safe for human consumption. |
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