title: Decadal Declines of Mercury in Adult Bluefish (1972-2011) from the Mid-Atlantic Coast of the U.S.A.
abstract: Concentrations of total mercury were measured in muscle of adult bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) collected in 2011 off North Carolina and compared with similar measurements made in 1972. Concentrations of mercury decreased by 43% in the fish between the two time periods, with an average rate of decline of about 10% per decade. This reduction is similar to estimated reductions of mercury observed in atmospheric deposition, riverine input, seawater, freshwater lakes, and freshwater fish across northern North America. Eight other studies between 1973 and 2007 confirm the decrease in mercury levels in bluefish captured in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. These findings imply that (1) reductions in the release of mercury across northern North America were reflected rather quickly (decades) in the decline of mercury in adult bluefish; (2) marine predatory fish may have been contaminated by anthropogenic sources of mercury for over 100 years; and (3) if bluefish are surrogates for other predators in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, then a reduction in the intake of mercury by the fish-consuming public has occurred. Finally, with global emissions of mercury continuing to increase, especially from Asia, it is important that long-term monitoring programs be conducted for mercury in marine fish of economic importance.
authors.affiliation: †NOAA, National Ocean Service, Center for Fisheries and Habitat Research, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516, United States.
authors.forename: Ford A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.affiliation: †NOAA, National Ocean Service, Center for Fisheries and Habitat Research, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516, United States.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: §Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516, United States.
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry; D001835:Body Weight; D002170:Canada; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D005843:Geography; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D010473:Perciformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014481:United States; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury