Effect of body length, trophic position and habitat use on mercury concentrations of sharks from contrasted ecosystems in the southwestern Indian Ocean
Le Bourg, Baptiste; Kiszka, Jeremy; Bustamante, Pacoet al.
Hg; Elasmobranchs; Stable isotopes; Trophic Ecology; Foraging habitat; Body size
Abstract :
[en] The non-essential metal mercury (Hg) can have deleterious effects on health of organisms, and tends to bioaccumulate with age in long-lived organisms and to biomagnify along food webs. Because elasmobranchs are fished for human consumption and their Hg levels are frequently above the maximum Hg concentration recommended for fish consumption, understanding the drivers of Hg concentration is of considerable interest. Total Hg concentrations were analysed in muscle tissues of 14 shark and 2 batoid species (n = 339 individuals) sampled across multiple habitats (coastal, open ocean and bathyal) in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were analysed to assess whether relative trophic position and foraging habitats affected Hg concentrations. Hg concentrations increased with δ15N and body length, high- lighting the mechanisms of bioaccumulation and biomagnification in relation with the trophic position and size of the individuals. Habitats where elasmobranchs were collected also affected their Hg concentrations. Bathyal sharks had high Hg concentrations that were almost similar to those of oceanic species, despite their lower relative trophic position. Higher bioavailability of Hg due to its enhanced methylation in deeper waters was considered as the most likely explanation for this result. These results highlight that multiple factors contribute to mercury accumulation in elasmobranchs.
Le Bourg, Baptiste ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanographie biologique
Kiszka, Jeremy; Florida International University > Department of Biological Sciences > Marine Science Program
Bustamante, Paco; Université de La Rochelle > Littoral Environnement et Société
Heithaus, Michael; Florida International University > Department of Biological Sciences > Marine Science Program
Jaquemet, Sébastien; Université de La Réunion > UMR Entropie
Humber, Frances; Blue Ventures
Language :
English
Title :
Effect of body length, trophic position and habitat use on mercury concentrations of sharks from contrasted ecosystems in the southwestern Indian Ocean
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