Unexpectedly high mercury level in pelleted commercial fish feed
- Nalco Chemical Co., Naperville, IL (United States)
- Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States). Dept. of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology
An unexpectedly high mercury (Hg) level was found in a pelleted commercial fish feed used to feed fish in laboratory and fish farm settings. Mean total Hg (T-Hg) concentration in the commercial fish pellets was 66 ppb. Mean total selenium (T-Se) concentration in the pellets was 1,120 ppb (ranging from 790 to 1,360 ppb). Total Hg and Se in the whole blood of Sacramento blackfish and in the fish feed were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). During a 10-week sampling period T-Hg in blood fluctuated between 35 and 56 ppb. A highly significant, positive correlation was found between T-Hg in the fish blood and in the fish feed through the sampling period. On the other hand, no correlation was found between T-Se in the fish feed and T-Hg or T-Se blood level. Researchers working with fish in Hg studies need to know that fish pellets may contain Hg and to consider the influence of these pellets in their results.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 290158
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 17, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Modulation of metallothionein and metal partitioning in liver and kidney of Solea senegalensis after long-term acclimation to two environmental temperatures
Bioavailability of methylmercury to Sacramento blackfish (Orthodon microlepidotus): Dissolved organic carbon effects