Assessment of the causes of Hg bioaccumulation in the fish of a Mediterranean lagoon subject to environmental management interventions

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 162; p. 111907
• Main Authors: Lenzi, M., Franchi, E., Leporatti-Persiano, M., D'Agostino, A., Gennaro, P., Marsili, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animals; basins; Bioaccumulation; Commercial fishing; Commercial species; Concentration gradient; Conservation of Natural Resources; Contaminants; Contamination; DGT; direct contact; energy; Energy storage; Environmental management; Environmental Monitoring; Eutrophication; Fish; Fish contamination; Geologic Sediments; Heavy metal; Humans; Lagoon; Lagoons; macroalgae; marine pollution; Mercury; Mercury - analysis; Organic loading; Organic matter; Resuspension; Seaweeds; Sedentary species; Sediment; Sediment load; Sediments; Social behaviour; Thin films; Water circulation; Water column; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; wind; DGT; Lagoon; Fish contamination; Mercury; Heavy metal; Eutrophication
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111907

In a Mediterranean lagoon characterized by high levels of Hg in the sediment, Hg content in commercial fish species was determined, and, in order to establish Hg concentration in the water column, Diffusive Gradient in Thin films technique (DGT) was used. The results allowed to state (1) the disturbance of the surface sediment and its resuspension in the water column did not cause detectable increase in Hg releases, (2) the East basin acted more than the West one in contamination of fish species, (3) the small-sized sea-breams (<400 g) were more contaminated than larger sizes ones (>400 g). We concluded: (1) fish contamination may also depend on direct contact with releases of the contaminant and small, gregarious and less sedentary subjects are more likely to incur releases of Hg; (2) Hg releases can be greater in areas with a relatively low sedimentary organic matter load compared to areas subjected to high density macroalgal mat, regardless of the amount of Hg present in the sediments; (3) wind transport of plant masses in low energy storage areas, may constitute an increase factor of Hg in the sediment. A critical review of the results was made in comparison with the available literature reports and some hypotheses were proposed regarding the possible dynamics and availability of the contaminant. •Top-layer sediment resuspension did not cause Hg increase in the water column.•Small-sized sea breams (<400g) were more contaminated than larger sizes ones (>400g).•Regardless the sediment Hg level, MMeHg can be greater in low OM load than in high.•Fish contamination could depend on MMeHg direct contact released from the sediment.•Small sized and not sedentary fish are more likely to experience MMeHg releases.