Methylmercury in marine fish from Malaysian waters and its relationship to total mercury content.
The study evaluated methylmercury concentrations, the methylmercury to total mercury ratio (%MeHg) and their correlations in ten fish species from different trophic levels. Methylmercury levels in fish studied were in the range of 0.007 to 0.914 µg g−1 wet wt. Muscle tissue of predatory fish contain...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis
2010
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15622/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15622/1/Methylmercury%20in%20marine%20fish%20from%20Malaysian%20waters%20and%20its%20relationship%20to%20total%20mercury%20content.pdf |
| Summary: | The study evaluated methylmercury concentrations, the methylmercury to total mercury ratio (%MeHg) and their correlations in ten fish species from different trophic levels. Methylmercury levels in fish studied were in the range of 0.007 to 0.914 µg g−1 wet wt. Muscle tissue of predatory fish contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher content of methylmercury than non-predatory fish. The methylmercury to total mercury ratio ranged from 49.1% to 87.5%, with the highest ratio in predatory fish. This ratio was always higher in muscle tissue compared to the liver tissues, indicating tissue-specific binding and accumulation of methylmercury in the muscle. All the fish species showed strong positive correlation between methylmercury and total mercury levels (R 2> 0.86). Except for long tail tuna and short-bodied mackerel, all fish species showed lower methylmercury levels and estimated weekly intake as compared to the maximum values established by US FDA (of 0.5 µg g−1) and by FAO/WHO (1.5 µg kg−1 bodyweight), respectively. This study showed that the percentage of methylmercury is rather high in fish and fish represents the major source of this toxic mercury form to the local population. |
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