Mercury (Hg) and its bioaccumulation are important in evaluating the health risk through fish consumption. In the Marano and Grado Lagoon a historical contamination originating from both mining and industrial sources is present. In this study the Hg levels in the grass goby and the protective effect of selenium (Se) were determined as a function of size, sex, sampling sites and season. Mercury often exceeded the limit for commercialisation, whereas Se was mostly constant being homeostatically regulated. The mean Se/Hg molar ratio showed about 40% of data >1.0 and the HBVSe index was on average equal to 0.0. Thus, grass goby of this area is not a Se source food indicated for pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, but its occasional consumption would appear to have no contraindications if integrated with other Se rich foods: the ingestion of about 10 fish fillets per week can be safely consumed by adults.
Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Fish; Health benefit value; Marano and Grado Lagoon; Mercury; Selenium.
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