Mercury bioaccumulation and isotopic relation between Trichiurus lepturus (Teleostei) and its preferred prey in coastal waters of southeastern Brazil

• Published in: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências Vol. 88; no. 2; pp. 801 - 807
• Main Authors: Bittar, Vanessa T, Rezende, Carlos E, Kehrig, Helena A, Beneditto, Ana Paula M DI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Academia Brasileira de Ciências 31.05.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Brazil; Carbon Isotopes - pharmacokinetics; Fishes - metabolism; Food Chain; isótopos estáveis; Mercury - pharmacokinetics; mercúrio; MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES; Nitrogen Isotopes - pharmacokinetics; sistema predador-presa; su deste do Brasil; Water Pollutants, Chemical - pharmacokinetics; isótopos estáveis; stable isotopes; mercúrio; sistema predador-presa; su deste do Brasil; mercury; southeastern Brazil; predator-prey system
• ISSN: 0001-3765; 1678-2690; 1678-2690
• DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201620150142

The trophic transfer of total mercury (THg) and its bioaccumulation from prey species to the predator fish Trichiurus lepturus was analysed in coastal waters of southeastern Brazil to evaluate the trace element dynamic in this predator-prey system. The isotopic (δ13C and δ15N) relation between this predator and its prey allowed inferences on prey assimilation and predator feeding habits. The THg increment varied from 4.5 to 19.5 times between prey and predator, with a biomagnification power of 0.59. The prey species could be divided into three groups regarding δ15N values: i) 13.6 to 13.2‰ (juvenile conspecifics, Pellona harroweri, and Peprilus paru); ii) 12.5 to 11.8‰ (Chirocentrodon bleekerianus, Lycengraulis grossidens, and Dorytheuthis plei); and iii) 10.5‰ (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri). Based on δ13C values, the prey groups were: i) -15.3‰ (X. kroyeri); ii) -17.6 to -16.8‰ (C. bleekerianus, D. plei, P. harroweri, P. paru, and juvenile conspecifics); and iii) -18.7‰ (L. grossidens). The values of THg and δ15N highlighted juvenile conspecifics as the main via of this trace element and the most assimilated prey. The isotopic relation between predator and its prey species showed a feeding activity preferably coastal and pelagic.