Contaminants in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) from the Salton Sea, California, in relation to human health, piscivorous birds and fish meal production

Abstract

A summary of all existing information collected since 1980 on contaminants in tilapia from the Salton Sea is presented and risks to humans and fish-eating birds assessed. Of the 17 trace elements, 42 organic pesticides and 48 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) analyzed in tilapia whole body and fillet samples, only selenium (Se), arsenic (As) and possibly dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDE) were found at levels high enough to be of concern for fish, birds or humans. Average current concentration of arsenic (As) was 0.7 lg g -1 wet weight (ww) in whole body samples and 1.2 lg g -1 ww in fillet samples, or 2.8 and 5.7 lg g -1 dry weight (dw), respectively. Inorganic As averaged 0.006 lg g -1 ww (0.03 lg g -1 dw) in fillet samples, which represented 0.3% of total As.

Population dynamics, distribution, and growth rate of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in the Salton Sea, California, with notes on bairdiella (Bairdiella icistia) and orangemouth corvina (Cynoscion xanthulus)

“…It has been a major element of the sportfishery, there being no legal catch limit for it as there is for other species, and was being considered for a possible future fishmeal fishery (Gonzalez et al, 1998;Moreau et al, 2007). Despite its abundance, or perhaps in part as a consequence of it, dieoffs of millions of fish have occurred in recent years .…”

“…This phenomenon may enhance the tilapia sport fishery and access of fish-eating birds to this resource by creating higher densities of fish in shallow water, nearshore areas. The migration could also facilitate large scale commercial fishing operations if harvesting fish for phosphorus removal from the system (Gonzalez et al, 1998;Moreau et al, 2007) were initiated. Catch per unit effort would increase during the warmer months, and fishing operations would need to cover only a small portion of the Sea's total area.…”

Assessment of Heavy Metal in Self-caught Saltwater Fish from Port Dickson Coastal Water, Malaysia

“…The safe dietary intake results indicated allowable fish consumption rate of the studied fishes. These safe dietary intake values were multiplied by seven to obtain a safe weekly intake and converted to maximum safe number of monthly fish meals using (3) applied by Moreau et al (2007).…”

Regional patterns of heavy metal exposure and contamination in the fish fauna of the Kharaa River basin (Mongolia)

“…Certain elements can also potentially accumulate and magnify along the food chain amassing hazardous concentrations in higher trophic level species such as fish. If these fish are then regularly consumed by people, potential serious health implications can occur including neurochemical and cardiovascular damage, cancers, restrictive lung disease, renal and gastrointestinal problems and prenatal abnormalities or death (Weil et al 2005;Morea et al 2007). The risk is amplified if people are simultaneously exposed to elevated levels of heavy metals in drinking water, other foods and/or their domestic or occupational environments (Järup 2003;Tchounwou et al 2012).…”