Mercury Biomagnification Through a Coral Reef Ecosystem.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol
; 75(1): 121-133, 2018 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29675668
ABSTRACT
Total mercury (Hg) and stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon were determined in the muscle tissue of 50 species of fishes and invertebrates collected at two sites along the Florida reef tract from April 2012 to December 2013. The objective was to test the hypothesis that high biodiversity in coral reefs leading to complex food webs with increased lateral links reduces biomagnification. However, Hg levels ranged as high 6.84 mg/kg. Interestingly, it was not highest in great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), considered the top predatory fish, but instead in small porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus), possibly due to their role as a cleaner fish. Trophic magnification slopes (TMS; from regression of log Hg on δ15N) as a measure of biomagnification did not differ between sites, ranging from 0.155 ± 0.04 (± 95% CI) to 0.201 ± 0.07. These TMS also were within the ranges of slopes reported for food webs in other ecosystems; thus, biomagnification of Hg in muscle tissue was not reduced in the system.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Químicos da Água
/
Cadeia Alimentar
/
Recifes de Corais
/
Mercúrio
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos