The relationship between mercury and selenium in Baltic herring - a retrospective study

• Hg is known to affect productivity, reproduction and survival of coastal and marine animals and when deposited in aquatic ecosystems the metal can be bioaccumulated in the food web. Se is a naturally occurring essential nonmetal that is present in all cells. It has many important functions in the cell and it also stimulates the immune system. The relationship between Hg and Se has been subject to numerous studies and the majority point to a negative relationship between the two elements, showing mitigating effects of Se on Hg toxicity. However, some studies have shown no relationship between Hg and Se concentrations and others demonstrate a positive relationship between the two. Generally a large excess of Se in relation to Hg has been observed in fish. The tissue concentrations of and the relationship between Hg and Se are suggested to be dependent on a number of factors, such as the relative concentrations of the elements and their bioavailabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal trends and the relationship between Hg and Se concentrations in herring muscle at three different locations along the Swedish east coast. Further, the aim was to give recommendations to whether Se concentrations in fish in Swedish waters should be included in the SCMPMB.Concentrations of Hg in herring muscle were generally higher than concentrations of Se. The highest Hg concentrations were found in herring muscle from Ängskärsklubb, while Landsort had the highest Se concentrations. Se concentrations in herring muscle were decreasing at Utlängan and Ängskärsklubb.The results from this study indicate a complex relationship between Hg and Se concentrations in herring muscle, depending on the magnitude of the Hg concentration. At Hg concentrations below 40 ng/g, a negative correlation between Hg and Se was seen, while at concentrations of Hg above 40 ng/g w.w the correlation to Se was positive. The conclusion of this study is that concentrations of Se in herring from Swedish waters should be included in the SCMPMB. 

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Nationellt finansierad miljöövervakning

National

Kust och hav

Coast and sea

Metaller och organiska miljögifter i biologiskt material

Metaller och organiska miljögifter i biologiskt material

Hav i balans samt levande kust och skärgård

A Balanced Marine Environ­ment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos

A Non-Toxic Environment

Giftfri miljö

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rap (subject category)