Mercury accumulation in fish species along the Portuguese coast: Are there potential risks to human health?. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa, Filipe; Coelho, João P.; Baptista, Joana; Martinho, Filipe; Pereira, Maria E.; Pardal, Miguel A.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 150(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Mercury -- Food safety -- Human health -- Marine fish; 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.2019.110740
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: This paper aimed at evaluating the total mercury content in five common fish species from the western European Atlantic coastal waters, and the associated risk of consumption. Mercury concentrations in muscle of Atlantic mackerel ( Scomber scombrus ), Atlantic chub mackerel ( Scomber colias ), European anchovy ( Engraulis encrasicolus ), Atlantic horse mackerel ( Trachurus trachurus ) and European pilchard ( Sardina pilchardus ) ranged from 0.003 to 0.20 mg kg −1 wet weight, and no significant differences were observed between the average concentration in each species. A significant increasing trend in mercury content with fish size was observed for all species (except for European anchovy), suggesting mercury bioaccumulation throughout their life cycle. Still, the mercury content was far below the European Food Safety Authority and World Health Organization food safety thresholds in all species, highlighting the low risk to human health due to the ingestion of these species and the importance of consumer options for risk reduction. Highlights: Hg content was investigated in muscle tissue of five common fish species No differences between the average concentration of the five species were found Hg accumulated throughout their life cycle (except for Engraulis encrasicolus ). Low levels of Hg contamination highlight the low risk associated through the consumption of these species. Consumer options, such as the choice of species and fish size, have a significant impact on consumption risk.