Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a Model
Research on the trophic transfer of trace elements in food chains, particularly toxic elements like mercury (Hg) and essential elements like selenium (Se), is crucial for understanding their impact on human health. In this work, we assessed the transfer of Hg and Se in the blue shark (<i>Prion...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Maria Emilia Rechimont Felipe Amezcua Jorge Ricardo Ruelas-Inzunza Roberto Cruz-Garcìa Juan Roberto Felipe Vallarta-Zárate Felipe Amezcua-Linares |
| author_facet | Maria Emilia Rechimont Felipe Amezcua Jorge Ricardo Ruelas-Inzunza Roberto Cruz-Garcìa Juan Roberto Felipe Vallarta-Zárate Felipe Amezcua-Linares |
| author_sort | Maria Emilia Rechimont |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research on the trophic transfer of trace elements in food chains, particularly toxic elements like mercury (Hg) and essential elements like selenium (Se), is crucial for understanding their impact on human health. In this work, we assessed the transfer of Hg and Se in the blue shark (<i>Prionace glauca</i>), a top predator with economic importance. Muscle samples from sharks, as well as their main prey (squid, red shrimp, sardine, and mackerel), were analyzed for Hg and Se concentrations. The Hg levels of sharks were below the recommended legal limit for seafood consumption in Mexico (1 µg·g<sup>−1</sup> ww), while Se levels were significantly lower than previously reported for the species. Biomagnification was evaluated in this species by calculating biomagnification factors (BMF) for Hg and Se based on predator-prey element concentrations. Hg showed a BMF of 2.8, indicating biomagnification, while Se had a BMF of 0.2, suggesting biodilution. Trophic transfer factor models supported these findings, showing a positive correlation of Hg concentration with trophic level and a negative correlation with Se. However, while a hazard quotient under one does not pose a risk for consumption, a Se:Hg molar ratio under one estimated in the muscle tissue indicates that Hg levels along this food web should be approached with caution. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5b521e47679d4be7bd51ee34eba030e9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2410-3888 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fishes |
| spelling | doaj-art-5b521e47679d4be7bd51ee34eba030e92025-08-20T02:20:57ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882025-06-0110627510.3390/fishes10060275Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a ModelMaria Emilia Rechimont0Felipe Amezcua1Jorge Ricardo Ruelas-Inzunza2Roberto Cruz-Garcìa3Juan Roberto Felipe Vallarta-Zárate4Felipe Amezcua-Linares5Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, MexicoUnidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán 82040, MexicoInstituto Tecnológico de Mazatlán, Mazatlán 82070, MexicoUnidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán 82040, MexicoPosgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, MexicoUnidad Académica Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, MexicoResearch on the trophic transfer of trace elements in food chains, particularly toxic elements like mercury (Hg) and essential elements like selenium (Se), is crucial for understanding their impact on human health. In this work, we assessed the transfer of Hg and Se in the blue shark (<i>Prionace glauca</i>), a top predator with economic importance. Muscle samples from sharks, as well as their main prey (squid, red shrimp, sardine, and mackerel), were analyzed for Hg and Se concentrations. The Hg levels of sharks were below the recommended legal limit for seafood consumption in Mexico (1 µg·g<sup>−1</sup> ww), while Se levels were significantly lower than previously reported for the species. Biomagnification was evaluated in this species by calculating biomagnification factors (BMF) for Hg and Se based on predator-prey element concentrations. Hg showed a BMF of 2.8, indicating biomagnification, while Se had a BMF of 0.2, suggesting biodilution. Trophic transfer factor models supported these findings, showing a positive correlation of Hg concentration with trophic level and a negative correlation with Se. However, while a hazard quotient under one does not pose a risk for consumption, a Se:Hg molar ratio under one estimated in the muscle tissue indicates that Hg levels along this food web should be approached with caution.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/6/275elasmobranch fisheriesbiomagnificationbiodilutionMexican Pacifictrophic transfer models |
| spellingShingle | Maria Emilia Rechimont Felipe Amezcua Jorge Ricardo Ruelas-Inzunza Roberto Cruz-Garcìa Juan Roberto Felipe Vallarta-Zárate Felipe Amezcua-Linares Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a Model Fishes elasmobranch fisheries biomagnification biodilution Mexican Pacific trophic transfer models |
| title | Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a Model |
| title_full | Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a Model |
| title_fullStr | Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a Model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a Model |
| title_short | Mercury and Selenium Trophic Transfer in the Mexican California Current Ecosystem Using a Top Predator as a Model |
| title_sort | mercury and selenium trophic transfer in the mexican california current ecosystem using a top predator as a model |
| topic | elasmobranch fisheries biomagnification biodilution Mexican Pacific trophic transfer models |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/6/275 |
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