MERCURY AND SELENIUM IN MARINE‐ AND FRESHWATER FISH

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Mercury, methylmercury and selenium concentrations were determined in fillets and livers of various marine‐ and freshwater fish species. About 90% of the mercury in the fillets was found to be present as methylmercury. The concentration of mercury in some freshwater fish samples exceeded the FDA guideline of 1.0 mg/kg, whilst the mercury concentration in marine fish was below this level. In nearly all marine fish samples the stoichiometric Hg:Se ratio was smaller than one. Accumulation of mercury in freshwater fish took place in such a way that the stoichiometric Hg:Se ratio was larger than one. A linear relationship was observed between the methylmercury and selenium concentration in the livers of eight perch samples.