The influence of mariculture on mercury distribution in sediments and fish around Hong Kong and adjacent mainland China waters

Peng Liang, Ding Ding Shao, Sheng Chun Wu, Jian Bo Shi, Xiao lin Sun, Fu Yong Wu, S. C.L. Lo, Wen Xiong Wang, Ming H. Wong*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

72 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To study the influence of mariculture on mercury (Hg) speciation and distribution in sediments and cultured fish around Hong Kong and adjacent mainland China waters, sediment samples were collected from six mariculture sites and the corresponding reference sites, 200-300m away from the mariculture sites. Mariculture activities increased total mercury, organic matter, carbon, nitrogen and sulfur concentrations in the surface sediments underneath mariculture sites, possibly due to the accumulation of unconsumed fish feed and fish excretion. However, methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations and the ratio of MeHg to THg (% MeHg) in sediments underneath mariculture sites were lower than the corresponding reference sites. The % MeHg in sediments was negatively correlated (r=-0.579, p<0.05) with organic matter (OM) content among all sites, indicating that OM may have inhibited Hg methylation in surface sediments. Three mariculture fish species were collected from each mariculture site, including red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) and snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii). The average MeHg concentration in fish muscle was 75μgkg-1 (wet weight), and the dietary intake of MeHg through fish consumption for Hong Kong residents was 0.37μgkg-1week-1, which was lower than the corresponding WHO limits (500μgkg-1 and 1.6μgkg-1week-1).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1038-1043
Number of pages6
JournalChemosphere
Volume82
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2011

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

User-Defined Keywords

  • Cultured fish
  • Fish feed
  • Mariculture
  • Methylmercury
  • Sediment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The influence of mariculture on mercury distribution in sediments and fish around Hong Kong and adjacent mainland China waters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this