title: A multitracer approach to assess the spatial contamination pattern of hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the French Mediterranean.
abstract: Chemical contamination levels and stable isotope ratios provide integrated information about contaminant exposure, trophic position and also biological and environmental influences on marine organisms. By combining these approaches with otolith shape analyses, the aim of the present study was to document the spatial variability of Hg and PCB contamination of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the French Mediterranean, hypothesizing that local contaminant sources, environmental conditions and biological specificities lead to site-specific contamination patterns. High Hg concentrations discriminated Corsica (average: 1.36 ± 0.80 μg g(-1) dm) from the Gulf of Lions (average values<0.5 μg g(-1) dm), where Rhône River input caused high PCB burdens. CB 153 average concentrations ranged between 4.00 ± 0.64 and 18.39 ± 12.38 ng g(-1) dm in the Gulf of Lions, whatever the sex of the individuals, whereas the highest values in Corsica were 6.75 ± 4.22 ng g(-1) dm. Otolith shape discriminated juveniles and adults, due to their different habitats. The use of combined ecotracers was revealed as a powerful tool to discriminate between fish populations at large and small spatial scale, and to enable understanding of the environmental and biological influences on contamination patterns.
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, RHMN, Centre Manche - Mer du Nord, BP 669, F-62 321 Boulogne sur Mer, France; Ifremer, LER/PAC, Centre de Méditerranée, CS 20330, F-83 507 La Seyne sur Mer, France. Electronic address: pierre.cresson@ifremer.fr.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cresson
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, LER/PAC, Centre de Méditerranée, CS 20330, F-83 507 La Seyne sur Mer, France.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouchoucha
authors.affiliation: IRSTEA, 3275 Route Cézanne, CS 40061, F-13 182 Aix en Provence Cedex 5, France.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morat
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, LER/PAC, Centre de Méditerranée, CS 20330, F-83 507 La Seyne sur Mer, France.
authors.forename: Francoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miralles
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, LER/PAC, Centre de Méditerranée, CS 20330, F-83 507 La Seyne sur Mer, France.
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chavanon
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, LBCO, Centre Atlantique, BP 70, F-29 280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loizeau
authors.affiliation: ISTerre, Université Joseph Fourier, BP 53, F-38 041 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cossa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005602:France; D048388:Gadiformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Hg; Mediterranean; Merluccius merluccius; Multiple ecotracers; PCB