What are the toxicological effects of mercury in Arctic biota?

This review critically evaluates the available mercury (Hg) data in Arctic marine biota and the Inuit population against toxicity threshold values. In particular marine top predators exhibit concentrations of mercury in their tissues and organs that are believed to exceed thresholds for biological e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science of The Total Environment
Main Authors: Dietz, Rune, Sonne, Christian, Basu, Niladri, Braune, Birgit, O'Hara, Todd, Letcher, Robert J, Scheuhammer, Tony, Andersen, Magnus, Andreasen, Claus, Andriashek, Dennis, Asmund, Gert, Aubail, Aurore, Baagøe, Hans J., Born, Erik W, Chan, Hing M, Derocher, Andrew E, Grandjean, Philippe, Knott, Katrina, Kirkegaard, Maja, Krey, Anke, Lunn, Nick, Messier, Francoise, Obbard, Marty, Olsen, Morten T, Ostertag, Sonja, Peacock, Elizabeth, Renzoni, Aristeo, Rigét, Frank F, Skaare, Janneche Utne, Stern, Gary, Stirling, Ian, Taylor, Mitch, Wiig, Oystein, Wilson, Simon, Aars, Jon
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
Arctic
Canada
Greenland
arctic marine biota
Beluga
Beluga whale
Beluga*
Cystophora cristata
Delphinapterus leucas
hooded seal
inuit
Salvelinus alpinus
toothed whales
Ursus maritimus
Online Access:https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/what-are-the-toxicological-effects-of-mercury-in-arctic-biota(f04285d7-be31-4d54-845c-defa3f31cd16).html
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.11.046
Description
Summary:This review critically evaluates the available mercury (Hg) data in Arctic marine biota and the Inuit population against toxicity threshold values. In particular marine top predators exhibit concentrations of mercury in their tissues and organs that are believed to exceed thresholds for biological effects. Species whose concentrations exceed threshold values include the polar bears (Ursus maritimus), beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), pilot whale (Globicephala melas), hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), a few seabird species, and landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Toothed whales appear to be one of the most vulnerable groups, with high concentrations of mercury recorded in brain tissue with associated signs of neurochemical effects. Evidence of increasing concentrations in mercury in some biota in Arctic Canada and Greenland is therefore a concern with respect to ecosystem health.

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