Associations between total mercury, trace minerals, and blood health markers in Northwest Atlantic white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias).
Mar Pollut Bull
; 195: 115533, 2023 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37734227
ABSTRACT
The ecology and life-histories of white sharks make this species susceptible to mercury bioaccumulation; however, the health consequences of mercury exposure are understudied. We measured muscle and plasma total mercury (THg), health markers, and trace minerals in Northwest Atlantic white sharks. THg in muscle tissue averaged 10.0 mg/kg dry weight, while THg in blood plasma averaged 533 µg/L. THg levels in plasma and muscle were positively correlated with shark precaudal length (153-419 cm), and THg was bioaccumulated proportionally in muscle and plasma. Nine sharks had seleniummercury molar ratios in blood plasma >1.0, indicating that for certain individuals the potential protective effects of the trace mineral were diminished, whereas excess selenium may have protected other individuals. No relationships between plasma THg and any trace minerals or health markers were identified. Thus, we found no evidence of negative effects of Hg bioaccumulation, even in sharks with very high THg.
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Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Selênio
/
Tubarões
/
Oligoelementos
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Poluentes Químicos da Água
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Mercúrio
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article