Laboratory of Ichthyology, Institute of Oceanography, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália Km 8, Carreiros, 96, 201-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
Published: February 2017
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Our study incorporated a comprehensive suite of parameters (i.e., body size, age, diet and trophic position) to investigate mercury concentration in dusky groupers Epinephelus marginatus. This study was carried out in rocky bottoms in littoral and neritic habitats along the Southern Brazilian coast. We also determined spatial variation in mercury concentrations in individuals inhabiting both zones, which may provide insights into how dietary differences or potential pollution sources affect bioaccumulation. A total of 244 dusky groupers was analyzed to determine total mercury concentrations. Our study revealed that when considering similar body sizes, individuals inhabiting littoral rocky habitats had higher concentrations of mercury probably due to proximity to pollution sources associated with human activities in the estuary and its drainage basin. Furthermore, large individuals (>650mm and >8years old) showed mercury contamination levels that are potentially harmful for this endangered fish species and above the acceptable limits for human consumption.
Exposure to metals may potentially impact cognitive health in the elderly; however, the evidence remains ambiguous. The specific role of serum folate in this relationship is also unclear. We aimed to evaluate the individual and joint impact of metals on cognition in the elderly from the United States and explore the potential mediating effect of serum folate.
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Land Quality Geological Survey, Southeast Sichuan Geological Group, Chongqing Bureau of Geology and Minerals Exploration, Chongqing 400038, China.
Heavy metals （HMs） pollution in agricultural soil-rice systems has attracted worldwide attention as it directly threatens regional ecological security and human health. To understand the heavy metal pollution of agriculture soil and rice in the high geological background areas, a total of 200 paddy soil and rice samples were collected in southeast Chongqing. The concentrations of arsenic （As）, cadmium （Cd）, chromium （Cr）, copper （Cu）, mercury （Hg）, nickel （Ni）, lead （Pb）, and zinc （Zn） in paddy soil and rice were analyzed.
Mercury has caused severe harm to the environment and human health. A novel biological screen method was developed and identified a Hg chelator BDTH2. Both biological and chemical methods demonstrated BDTH2 displayed a high specificity and strong binding capacity for Hg.
Eight years after the tailings dam collapse in Mariana, MG, Brazil, several aspects of this massive disaster are yet to be elucidated. Our goal was to investigate the impact of the mud flow on 16 fish species collected across 15 points from the Doce River, addressing 12 metal concentrations, tissue oxidative status (antioxidant enzymes and stress biomarkers), and histopathological analyses. The species Trachelyopterus striatulus, Prochilodus vimboides, Loricariichthys castaneus, Lophiosilurus alexandri, Hypostomus affinis, Hoplias intermedius were shown to be the most affected regarding the gills tissue integrity; Hypostomus affinis, Oligosarcus acutirostris, Lophiosilurus alexandri, Pygocentrus nattereri, Hoplosternum littorale, and Loricariichthys castaneus showed the highest levels of liver health.
Cocoa-growing areas in Ghana have experienced a rise in mining activities affecting cocoa cultivation and increased concentrations of potentially toxic metals in the soil, which can accumulate in cocoa beans. This study evaluated potential toxic metal contamination in cocoa beans and soils from cocoa farms in mining and non-mining areas in Ghana. We used X-ray fluorescence and an ICP-MS to determine metal concentrations, and a Zeeman mercury analyzer to determine mercury.
