Total mercury concentrations in Tasman Sea mesopelagic fish: Exploring biotic and abiotic drivers

作者：Bowen Zhang, Heidi Pethybridge, Caroline Sutton, Patti Virtue, Yunkai Li · 发表于：Marine Pollution Bulletin · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116676 · 被引用次数：8 · 研究领域：Mercury impact and mitigation studies、Marine animal studies overview、Isotope Analysis in Ecology

Understanding mercury (Hg) concentrations in mesopelagic and mid-trophic fishes is important for assessing Hg accumulation in oceanic ecosystems and higher-order predators. This study measured total Hg (THg) concentrations in the whole body of 16 abundant mesopelagic fish species sampled in two distinct sites within the Tasman Sea. Across all species, total Hg concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.48 μg g−1 dry weight (0.01 to 0.15 μg g−1 wet weight). Total Hg concentrations varied with vertical migration patterns, with shallower migrators exhibiting higher THg. Females typically had statistically higher THg concentrations than males. Positive correlations between THg concentration and standard length were observed for some but not all species. At the community level, THg concentrations correlated positively with estimated trophic position and foraging habitat, as inferred by stable isotope values. These findings contribute to our understanding of Hg cycling in oceanic ecosystems and the potential for biomagnification in oceanic top-order predators.