title: Species-specific accumulation of methyl and total mercury in sharks from offshore and coastal waters of Korea.
abstract: Limited information is available on mercury (Hg) levels in various shark species consumed in Korea. The methyl-Hg (Me-Hg) and total Hg concentrations in all shark species ranged from 0.08 to 4.5 (mean: 1.2) mg/kg wet weight and from 0.1 to 7.0 (mean: 1.4) mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Inter-species differences in Hg accumulation were found among the species; however, Hg accumulation was homogenous between dorsal and pectoral fins within species. The highest Hg levels were found in aggressive carnivore shark species. Trophic position was important in determining Hg accumulation for aggressive carnivore sharks. Approximately 80% of shark species exceeded the safety limits for Me-Hg established by domestic and international authorities. The mean estimated daily intake of Me-Hg (1.3 μg/kg body weight/day) for Korean populations consuming various sharks was higher than the guidelines proposed by international regulatory authorities, suggesting that excessive shark fin consumption may pose potential health risks for Koreans.
authors.affiliation: National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (FiQ), Busan 606-705, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Jo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 426-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 426-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Abimbola C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Badejo
authors.affiliation: Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Chan
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 426-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hbmoon@hanyang.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hyo-Bang
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D020387:Food Chain; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis; D012754:Sharks / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Feeding habit; Mercury; Methyl mercury; Safety limit; Shark; Trophic position