Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in Svalbard

The shorthorn sculpin (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) is considered a suitable sentinel species for marine pollution in the Arctic due to its ecology and stationary habits. To evaluate its role as a bioindicator for potential natural and anthropic impacts on the marine ecosystem of the K...

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Main Authors: Francisco Ardini, Federico Moggia, Davide Di Blasi, Paola Rivaro, Marco Grotti, Laura Ghigliotti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/12/2245
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author Francisco Ardini
Federico Moggia
Davide Di Blasi
Paola Rivaro
Marco Grotti
Laura Ghigliotti
author_facet Francisco Ardini
Federico Moggia
Davide Di Blasi
Paola Rivaro
Marco Grotti
Laura Ghigliotti
author_sort Francisco Ardini
collection DOAJ
description The shorthorn sculpin (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) is considered a suitable sentinel species for marine pollution in the Arctic due to its ecology and stationary habits. To evaluate its role as a bioindicator for potential natural and anthropic impacts on the marine ecosystem of the Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic), 33 female and male specimens of shorthorn sculpins were collected in July 2018 in proximity of the Ny-Ålesund international research facility and analyzed for the content of 25 major and trace elements and methylmercury (MeHg) in the muscle, liver, gonads, and gills by using spectroscopic techniques. Most elements had their maximum average concentrations in the gills (Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sr, and V), while the livers featured higher contents of some toxic and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Mo, and Zn). The muscle was characterized by high contents of Ca, K, and Mg, while Ba, Co, and P were mostly concentrated in the gonads. The gonads presented higher concentrations of Cr, K, Mg, Ni, P, and V for the males and Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Se for the females. Both the total Hg and MeHg concentrations in the muscle correlated with the fish size, indicating bioaccumulation, although high Se/Hg molar ratios (11.0 ± 2.2) suggested a low toxic potential of mercury.
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spelling doaj-art-0ab94e2d9a3f465c8fc7e15ff781527a2025-08-20T02:57:02ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122024-12-011212224510.3390/jmse12122245Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in SvalbardFrancisco Ardini0Federico Moggia1Davide Di Blasi2Paola Rivaro3Marco Grotti4Laura Ghigliotti5Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, ItalyNational Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Institute of Marine Engineering (INM), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, ItalyNational Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Institute for the Study of the Anthropic Impacts and the Sustainability of the Marine Environment (IAS), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genoa, ItalyThe shorthorn sculpin (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) is considered a suitable sentinel species for marine pollution in the Arctic due to its ecology and stationary habits. To evaluate its role as a bioindicator for potential natural and anthropic impacts on the marine ecosystem of the Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic), 33 female and male specimens of shorthorn sculpins were collected in July 2018 in proximity of the Ny-Ålesund international research facility and analyzed for the content of 25 major and trace elements and methylmercury (MeHg) in the muscle, liver, gonads, and gills by using spectroscopic techniques. Most elements had their maximum average concentrations in the gills (Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sr, and V), while the livers featured higher contents of some toxic and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Mo, and Zn). The muscle was characterized by high contents of Ca, K, and Mg, while Ba, Co, and P were mostly concentrated in the gonads. The gonads presented higher concentrations of Cr, K, Mg, Ni, P, and V for the males and Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Se for the females. Both the total Hg and MeHg concentrations in the muscle correlated with the fish size, indicating bioaccumulation, although high Se/Hg molar ratios (11.0 ± 2.2) suggested a low toxic potential of mercury.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/12/2245fishbiomonitoringArcticheavy metalsNy-Ålesundionomics
spellingShingle Francisco Ardini
Federico Moggia
Davide Di Blasi
Paola Rivaro
Marco Grotti
Laura Ghigliotti
Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in Svalbard
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
fish
biomonitoring
Arctic
heavy metals
Ny-Ålesund
ionomics
title Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in Svalbard
title_full Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in Svalbard
title_fullStr Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in Svalbard
title_full_unstemmed Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in Svalbard
title_short Elemental Distribution in Tissues of Shorthorn Sculpins (<i>Myoxocephalus scorpius</i>) from Kongsfjorden in Svalbard
title_sort elemental distribution in tissues of shorthorn sculpins i myoxocephalus scorpius i from kongsfjorden in svalbard
topic fish
biomonitoring
Arctic
heavy metals
Ny-Ålesund
ionomics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/12/2245
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