title: Mercury in fishes from Augusta Bay (southern Italy): risk assessment and health implication.
abstract: Our study reports on the total mercury (HgT) concentrations measured in the muscles and livers of several benthic, demersal and pelagic fish species caught inside and outside of Augusta Bay (southern Italy), a semi-enclosed marine area, highly contaminated by the uncontrolled (since the 1950s to 1978s) discharge of the largest European petrochemical plant. Mercury levels in fish tissues are discussed with regard to specific habitat, size and/or age of the specimens and HgT distribution in the bottom sediments. Results suggest a still active Hg release mechanism from the polluted sediments to the marine environment. Also, the high HgT concentrations measured in fishes caught in the external area of the bay imply a potential role of Augusta Bay as a pollutant source for the Mediterranean ecosystem. Finally, values of hazard target quotient (THQ) and estimated weekly intake (EWI) demonstrate that consumption of fishes caught inside the bay represents a serious risk for human health. Also, data indicate that intake of fishes caught from the external area of the bay, especially for that concern demersal and benthic species, could be represent a significant component of risk for the local population.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR, Via del Mare, 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonsignore
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salvagio Manta
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oliveri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sprovieri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Basilone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Falco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Traina
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061006:Bays; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury