I'm wondering if someone is aware of studies investigating the integration time of mercury in fish tissues, mostly muscle. In other words, when a Hg concentration is measured in muscle, is it the result of previous contamination during weeks? months ? years ? I found some papers investigating Hg dynamics in mammals or birds, but I can't find similar studies in fish. This information would be crucial when trying to infer trophic patterns from several biomarkers (eg stable isotopes, fatty acids or contaminants) with different integration time.
Very important issue: The kidneys and liver play important role in storage, redistribution, detoxification, and transformation of Hg in fish. Thus Hg concentrations in these tissues may mainly result from short term contamination. In contrast, contamination in the muscle could be the result from both days and years since this tissue has no detoxification role.
Merci à vous deux pour ces réponses !
Yves, I was aware Patrick was working on Hg issues but I didn't know exactly what was the topic. It will be a pleasure to have discussions with him.
Cheers
Large fish, living several years, accumulate Hg all there life in their muscles. If you check several species of Thunnidae, you will observe a great diversity of Hg concentration. In the Pacific, far away from any industrial pollution by Hg, I measured high concentration of Hg in Xiphias and Istiophorus spp. and in Gymnosarda unicolor (0.58 ppm in the muscles and 4.2 ppm in the liver !). Of course, the concentration of Hg is correlate to the size of the animal.
Bertrand Richer de Forges
Dear Pierre,
take a look to the literature in experimental works using inorganic or methylated 203-Hg exposure in fish. you will have a good insight on the biokinetic processes.I can send you some refs by email if you want. Best, Marc
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