Investigating the dynamics of methylmercury bioaccumulation in the Beaufort Sea shelf food web: a modeling perspective

Abstract

We used a modeling approach to explore how toxicokinetics and food-web trophodynamics affect MeHg bioaccumulation in the Beaufort Sea shelf.

Toward a Global Model of Methylmercury Biomagnification in Marine Food Webs: Trophic Dynamics and Implications for Human Exposure

“…Zooplankton and benthic production fuel initially the MMHg transfer to the upper TLs through diet (Figures a and S4). , Globally, large zooplankton and benthic production supply 4633 and 589 kmol yr –1 of MMHg to pelagic fish and demersal fish, respectively. Whether zooplankton or benthic taxa contribute more varies geographically depending on their MMHg concentrations. , After entering the fish food webs, the medium-sized fish (e.g., the largest epipelagic and mesopelagic fish) are the most critical intermediaries in transferring MMHg to higher TLs (Figure a).…”

“… , Globally, large zooplankton and benthic production supply 4633 and 589 kmol yr –1 of MMHg to pelagic fish and demersal fish, respectively. Whether zooplankton or benthic taxa contribute more varies geographically depending on their MMHg concentrations. , After entering the fish food webs, the medium-sized fish (e.g., the largest epipelagic and mesopelagic fish) are the most critical intermediaries in transferring MMHg to higher TLs (Figure a). They digest 5586 kmol yr –1 of MMHg from their prey, accounting for 71% of the total MMHg intake by fish from food (Figure b), and transfer 2397 kmol yr –1 of MMHg to the higher TLs, representing 84% of the total MMHg transferred by fish to their predators (Figure a), higher than their biomass in proportion to the total one (∼50%).…”

“…Zooplankton and benthic production fuel initially the MMHg transfer to the upper TLs through diet (Figures 4a and S4). 9,13 Globally, large zooplankton and benthic production supply 4633 and 589 kmol yr −1 of MMHg to pelagic fish and demersal fish, respectively. Whether zooplankton or benthic taxa contribute more varies geographically depending on their MMHg concentrations.…”

“…Methylmercury (CH 3 Hg + or MMHg) is a neurotoxicant linked to neurocognitive defects in fetuses and cardiovascular diseases in adults. − The global health impacts resulting from MMHg exposure are estimated to cost 117 billion U.S. dollars per year . Seafood consumption is the main route of human exposure to MMHg, − of which the MMHg content is influenced by ocean MMHg levels and their trophic dynamics. − Seafood is a good source of high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, or polyunsaturated fatty acids . Therefore, reducing the MMHg content in fish rather than seafood consumption is a preferred policy position.…”

An approach to assessing subsea pipeline-associated mercury release into the North Sea and its potential environmental and human health impact

“…Only publications were considered where the species’ trophic level was discernible, muscle samples were analysed, it was evident whether the concentration was provided as wet or dry weight fraction, only fresh samples with an uninterrupted freezing were assessed and the work was published in English. To validate the modelled values, the model/observed ( M / O ) ratio was derived as follows [ 68 ]:…”