Element concentrations, histology and serum biochemistry of arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) in northwest Greenland

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 208; p. 112742
• Main Authors: Nørregaard, Rasmus Dyrmose, Bach, Lis, Geertz-Hansen, Ole, Nabe-Nielsen, Jacob, Nowak, Barbara, Jantawongsri, Khattapan, Dang, Mai, Søndergaard, Jens, Leifsson, Pall S., Jenssen, Bjørn M., Ciesielski, Tomasz M., Arukwe, Augustine, Sonne, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 15.05.2022
• Subjects: Animals; Arctic char; Biochemistry; Elements; Environmental Monitoring; Greenland; Histology; Mining; Perciformes; Serum; Shorthorn sculpin; Trout; Greenland; Serum; Histology; Biochemistry; Shorthorn sculpin; Elements; Arctic char; Greenland
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112742

The increasing exploratory efforts in the Greenland mineral industry, and in particular, the proposed rare earth element (REE) mining projects, requires an urgent need to generate data on baseline REE concentrations and their potential environmental impacts. Herein, we have investigated REE concentrations in anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) from uncontaminated sites in Northwest Greenland, along with the relationships between the element concentrations in gills and liver, and gill histology and serum biochemical parameters. Concentrations of arsenic, silver, cadmium, cerium, chromium, copper, dysprosium, mercury, lanthanum, neodymium, lead, selenium, yttrium, and zinc in gills, liver and muscle are presented. No significant statistical correlations were observed between element concentrations in different organs and gill histology or serum biochemical parameters. However, we observed positive relationships between age and histopathology, emphasizing the importance of including age as a co-variable in histological studies of fish. Despite no element-induced effects were observed, this study is considered an important baseline study, which can be used as a reference for the assessment of impacts of potential future REE mine sites in Greenland. •We analyzed elements with focus on REE, histology and serum biochemistry in 2 Arctic fish species.•Arctic chars had higher concentrations of REEs than what was found in shorthorn sculpins.•A positive relationship was found between age and histopathology.•Gill histology and serum biochemical parameters indicate no evidence of toxicological effects from element concentrations. This study provides baseline data for REE concentrations and histopathology and serum biochemistry in Arctic fish species.