Analysis of biokinetic parameters reveals patterns in mercury accumulation across aquatic species

Stevenson, Louise M.; Matson, Paul G.; Pilla, Rachel M.; Pouil, Simon; Geeza, Tom J.; Hills, Amber; Ellis, Zapporah; Smith, Sydney; Mathews, Teresa J.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178129

Analysis of biokinetic parameters reveals patterns in mercury accumulation across aquatic species

Journal Article · Fri Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 2024 · Science of the Total Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178129· OSTI ID:2491456

Stevenson, Louise M. ^[1]; Matson, Paul G. ^[1]; Pilla, Rachel M. ^[1]; Pouil, Simon ^[2]; Geeza, Tom J. ^[1]; Hills, Amber ^[1]; Ellis, Zapporah ^[1]; Smith, Sydney ^[1]; Mathews, Teresa J. ^[1]

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas (France); French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Jouy-en-Josas (France); AgroParisTech, Jouy-en-Josas (France)

Mercury (Hg) is a potent neurotoxicant and poses a risk to human health through the ingestion of Hg-contaminated fish. Mercury, especially in its organic form methylmercury (MeHg), biomagnifies up food chains such that even small aqueous concentrations of Hg can result in significant concentrations of total Hg in fish. Understanding the ecological and human health risks associated with Hg and MeHg exposure requires an understanding of the factors that affect its bioaccumulation in aquatic species. We compiled estimates of three biokinetic parameters: uptake rate (k_u), assimilation efficiency (AE), and efflux rate (k_e). These parameters describe contaminant uptake from aqueous (k_u) and dietary (AE) exposure and the rate of excretion (k_e). We found parameter values for 38 and 34 different species of fish and aquatic invertebrates, respectively, and collected 502 parameter values in total. Here, we used a machine learning technique to establish the relationships between experimental and physiological variables and these parameter values. We found differences in which variables were associated with biokinetic parameter values for fish and aquatic invertebrates. The form of Hg was the most impactful variable, influencing values of all parameters except k_u for invertebrates, for which aqueous exposure time was the only significant predicator variable. The parameter k_e were the only values significantly influenced by more than one variable, with water type (freshwater, brackish, or marine), organism weight, and form of Hg significantly impacting parameter values for fish and/or invertebrates. To our knowledge, this study represents the most extensive review of biokinetic parameters of Hg and MeHg accumulation in aquatic organisms. Environmental parameters found to significantly impact Hg and MeHg bioaccumulation in past studies were not identified as important in our analyses across aquatic ecosystems and species. Our dataset and analysis reveal novel patterns that may help us better understand and manage Hg bioaccumulation.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2491456

Journal Information:: Science of the Total Environment, Journal Name: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 959; ISSN 0048-9697

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
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Mercury
Methylmercury
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Analysis of biokinetic parameters reveals patterns in mercury accumulation across aquatic species

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