Integrating Mercury Concentrations in American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) with Hunter Consumption Surveys to Estimate Exposure Risk

Kojima, Laura V.; Tuberville, Tracey D.; Parrott, Benjamin B.

doi:10.1002/etc.5524

Integrating Mercury Concentrations in American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) with Hunter Consumption Surveys to Estimate Exposure Risk

Journal Article · Fri Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5524· OSTI ID:1958116

Kojima, Laura V. ^[1]; Tuberville, Tracey D. ^[2]; Parrott, Benjamin B. ^[2]

Univ. of Georgia, Aiken, SC (United States); Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States); Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia
Univ. of Georgia, Aiken, SC (United States); Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)

Mercury is a naturally occurring element but is also considered a widespread contaminant due to global anthropogenic activity. Even in moderate amounts, mercury (Hg) is an established neurotoxin and is associated with a range of adverse outcomes both in humans and wildlife. Humans in the United States are most commonly exposed to Hg through contaminated food or drinking water, and the consumption of game species, particularly those occupying higher trophic levels, has the potential to expose hunters to high concentrations of Hg. In the present study, we determined Hg concentrations in tail muscle and blood from American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabiting a region (Savannah River Site, SC, USA) with known Hg contamination. We then integrated these data with alligator harvest records and previously published surveys of alligator meat consumption patterns to estimate potential exposure risk. We found that the average Hg concentrations in tail muscle (1.34 mg/kg, wet wt) from sampled alligators exceeded the recommended threshold for Hg exposure based on the World Health Organization's guidelines (0.5mg/kg, wet wt). In addition, based on regional consumption patterns reported for both adults and children, we estimated Hg exposures (x¯_Adult = 0.419 μg/kg/day, x¯_Child = 2.24 μg/kg/day) occurring well above the US Environmental Protection Agency methylmercury reference dose of 0.1 μg/kg/day. Although the two reservoirs sampled in the present study are not currently open to alligator hunting, they are connected to waters that are publicly accessible, and the extent of alligator mobility across these sites is not known. Together, the findings reported in the present study further demonstrate the need for active monitoring of Hg concentrations in game species, which can convey substantial exposure risks to the public.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), Aiken, SC (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: EM0005228

OSTI ID:: 1958116

Journal Information:: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 42; ISSN 0730-7268

Publisher:: SETACCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Risk assessment
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Integrating Mercury Concentrations in American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) with Hunter Consumption Surveys to Estimate Exposure Risk

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