Tracking organic mercury bioaccumulation by the brown mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) in subtropical bays: Environmental exposure and seasonal effects
Galvao, P.; Longo, R.L.; Lino, A.S.; Michel, L.N.; Aguiar, V.M.C.; Araújo, D.F.; Torres, J.P.M.; Malm, O.; Ribeiro, H.M.; Dorneles, P.R.; Das, K. (2026). Tracking organic mercury bioaccumulation by the brown mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) in subtropical bays: Environmental exposure and seasonal effects. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 228: 119510. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119510
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
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| Keywords |
Coastal water
Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Monomethylmercury; Sentinel species; Biomonitoring; Shellfish safety |
| Authors | | Top |
- Galvao, P.
- Longo, R.L.
- Lino, A.S.
- Michel, L.N., more
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- Aguiar, V.M.C.
- Araújo, D.F.
- Torres, J.P.M.
- Malm, O.
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- Ribeiro, H.M.
- Dorneles, P.R., more
- Das, K., more
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| Abstract |
The brown mussel (Perna perna) is a key aquaculture species and sentinel for coastal pollution. We investigated the bioaccumulation of total mercury (THg), total organic mercury (TotOrgHg), and monomethylmercury (MMHg) in P. perna from aquaculture farms in three subtropical Brazilian bays with contrasting anthropogenic pressures. Over eight months, mercury species were quantified in mussel tissue, sediments, and suspended solids. Environmental parameters (sediment organic matter) and mussel physiological traits (lipid content, condition index) were assessed. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N) were analysed to evaluate trophic influences. Median THg in mussels (41.9 μg·kg−1) was approximately half that in sediments (96.3 μg·kg−1) and suspended solids (73.8 μg·kg−1), showing lower THg_Muss medians than Sed and SS. Lipid content and condition index negatively correlated with TotOrgHg and THg, indicating a biodilution effect. A moderate correlation was found between TotOrgHg and MMHg, highlighting limitations of TotOrgHg as a proxy for MMHg. δ15N correlated with %MMHg only in the least impacted bay, suggesting trophic modulation of methylation under lower contamination. The human health risk assessment showed that a 60 kg adult could exceed the tolerable weekly intake for MMHg by consuming fewer than five mussels weekly. These findings confirm P. perna as an effective biomonitor and provide new insights into the drivers of mercury speciation in tropical coastal aquaculture. |
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