Importance of fish gender as a factor in environmental monitoring of mercury

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 May;21(9):6239-42. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-2459-2. Epub 2013 Dec 29.

Abstract

Total mercury concentrations were determined in the gonadal tissues of 15 female and 10 male European perch (Perca fluviatilis) from one location of the stream "Jevanský potok" located about 30 km from Prague (Czech Republic). Tissue samples were frozen at -26 °C in polypropylene containers until further processing, which was carried out using an Advance Mercury Analyser (single purpose atomic absorption spectrometer). Mercury concentrations were present in all analysed gonad samples, and ranged from 2.3 to 12.7 μg/kg wet weight. However, we determined a mean Hg concentration (9.45 μg/kg) in male gonads that was 2.4 times greater than that of female gonads (3.9 μg/kg). This is an important finding when taking into account fish sex in environmental pollution monitoring (especially for mercury contamination).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Czech Republic
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Female
  • Fishes / physiology*
  • Gonads / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mercury / metabolism*
  • Mercury / toxicity
  • Rivers / chemistry
  • Sex Factors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Mercury