Increasing mercury bioaccumulation and biomagnification rates of Nile perch (Lates niloticus L.) in Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya

Drouillard, Ken G.; Campbell, Linda; Otieno, Dennis; Achiya, James; Getabu, Albert; Mwamburi, Job; Sitoki, Lewis; Omondi, Reuben; Shitandi, Anakalo; Owuor, Bethwell; Njiru, James; Bullerjahn, George; Mckay, R. Michael; Otiso, Kefa M.; Tebbs, Emma; Barker, Katelyn; Beal, Max; Brown, Katelyn; Byrne, Aidan; Kiteresi, Linet I.; Lomeo, Davide; Mohney, Samantha; Natwora, Kaela; Owino, Omondi A.; Stoll, Jordyn; Swaleh, Mariam N.; Varga, Emily; Wagner, Ryan; Zepernick, Brittany

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170059

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Studies documenting Hg concentrations in fish from lakes contaminated through atmospheric deposition (vs. releases of Hg into the water from ASGM activities) reveal relatively low concentrations for fish communities as illustrated in the Okavengo Delta in Botswana (Black et al 2011 ), Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania (Campbell et al 2008 ), Aiba Reservoir in Nigeria (Atobatele and Olutona 2015 ), and in rift valley lakes (Campbell et al 2003a ) including Lake Tana (Habiba et al 2017 ), Lake Victoria (Campbell et al 2003b ; Drouillard et al 2024 ), and Lake Malawi (Kidd et al 2003 ); although only 4% of inland water bodies have been sampled for Hg concentrations in fish (Hanna et al 2015 ). Importantly, Hg concentrations in Nile perch ( Lates niloticus ) and tilapia (representing multiple genera), the two most important commercial species, tend to be <0.5 µg/g, ww (Hanna et al 2016 ; Drouillard et al 2024 ). Conversely, snakeheads (Channidae) and African pike (Hepsetidae) are generally elevated and may be important for Hg biomonitoring for human health purposes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework

Evers,

Ackerman,

Åkerblom

et al. 2024

Ecotoxicology

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An important provision of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures and its implementation. Here, we describe for the first time currently available biotic mercury (Hg) data on a global scale to improve the understanding of global efforts to reduce the impact of Hg pollution on people and the environment. Data from the peer-reviewed literature were compiled in the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database (>550,000 data points). These data provide a foundation for establishing a biomonitoring framework needed to track Hg concentrations in biota globally. We describe Hg exposure in the taxa identified by the Minamata Convention: fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. Based on the GBMS database, Hg concentrations are presented at relevant geographic scales for continents and oceanic basins. We identify some effective regional templates for monitoring methylmercury (MeHg) availability in the environment, but overall illustrate that there is a general lack of regional biomonitoring initiatives around the world, especially in Africa, Australia, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Temporal trend data for Hg in biota are generally limited. Ecologically sensitive sites (where biota have above average MeHg tissue concentrations) have been identified throughout the world. Efforts to model and quantify ecosystem sensitivity locally, regionally, and globally could help establish effective and efficient biomonitoring programs. We present a framework for a global Hg biomonitoring network that includes a three-step continental and oceanic approach to integrate existing biomonitoring efforts and prioritize filling regional data gaps linked with key Hg sources. We describe a standardized approach that builds on an evidence-based evaluation to assess the Minamata Convention’s progress to reduce the impact of global Hg pollution on people and the environment.

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