Mercury and selenium concentrations in Scyphozoan jellyfishes and pyrosomes from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perrault, Justin R.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 138(2019)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Contaminants -- Gelatinous zooplankton -- Pacific Ocean -- Scyphozoa -- Thaliacea -- Trace elements; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Gelatinous zooplankton including jellyfishes, pyrosomes, and salps serve as important prey items for a number of marine species; however, relatively few studies have examined contaminant concentrations in these animals. Scyphozoans ( Aurelia sp., Chrysaora colorata, C. fuscescens, and Phacellophora camtschatica ) and Thaliaceans ( Pyrosoma sp.) were collected from 2009 to 2011 from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and analyzed for total mercury and selenium concentrations. In general, mercury (0.0001–0.0016 μg/g wet weight) and selenium (0.009–0.304 μg/g wet weight) concentrations of the sampled organisms were low; however, the two Pyrosoma sp. had total mercury and selenium concentrations that were one order of magnitude higher than the Scyphozoans. There was a significant positive relationship between mercury and selenium concentrations in jellyfishes and pyrosomes, suggesting a potential detoxification mechanism in these lower trophic level organisms. This study provides evidence that trophic transfer of mercury and selenium likely occurs through ingestion of gelatinous prey. Highlights: Mercury and selenium concentrations were documented in jellyfishes and pyrosomes. Mercury and selenium concentrations were highest in pyrosomes. Mercury and selenium correlated in jellyfishes and pyrosomes.