title: Relations between mercury, methyl-mercury and selenium in tissues of Octopus vulgaris from the Portuguese coast.
abstract: Mercury, methyl-mercury (MeHg) and selenium were determined in digestive gland and mantle of Octopus vulgaris, from three areas of the Portuguese coast. To our knowledge these are the first data on MeHg in cephalopods. Concentrations were higher in the digestive gland and percentage of MeHg in mantle. Enhanced Hg and MeHg levels were obtained in digestive gland of specimens from Olhão (3.1-7.4 and 2.0-5.0 microg g(-1), respectively). Differences between areas may be partially related to Hg availability. Relationships between concentrations in mantle and digestive gland pointed to proportional increases of Hg and MeHg in tissues of specimens from Matosinhos and Cascais, but relatively constant values in mantle of individuals from Olhão (higher contamination). Se:Hg molar ratio in digestive gland was 32 and 30 in octopus from Matosinhos and Cascais, respectively, and 5.4 from Olhão. The proximity to the unit suggests demethylation as response to elevated MeHg levels in digestive gland.
authors.affiliation: IPIMAR-National Institute of Biological Resources, Av. Brasília, 1449-006 Lisbon, Portugal. jraimundo@ipimar.pt
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raimundo
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vale
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Canário
authors.forename: Vasco
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Branco
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D049831:Octopodiformes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011174:Portugal; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium