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Mercury concentrations in invertebrates from Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vent fields

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 December 2001

I. Martins ,
V. Costa ,
F. Porteiro ,
A. Cravo  and
R.S. Santos
I. Martins
Affiliation:
IMAR, DOP-Department of Oceanography and Fishery of University of Azores, 9901-862 Horta, Azores, Portugal
V. Costa
Affiliation:
IMAR, DOP-Department of Oceanography and Fishery of University of Azores, 9901-862 Horta, Azores, Portugal
F. Porteiro
Affiliation:
IMAR, DOP-Department of Oceanography and Fishery of University of Azores, 9901-862 Horta, Azores, Portugal
A. Cravo
Affiliation:
IMAR, DOP-Department of Oceanography and Fishery of University of Azores, 9901-862 Horta, Azores, Portugal FCMA, UAlg-University of Algarve, 8000 Faro, Portugal
R.S. Santos
Affiliation:
IMAR, DOP-Department of Oceanography and Fishery of University of Azores, 9901-862 Horta, Azores, Portugal
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Abstract

Mercury determinations were carried out in mussels (Bathymodiolus azoricus) from three Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vents (Lucky Strike, Menez Gwen and Rainbow) and shrimps (Rimicaris exoculata and Mirocaris fortunata) from Rainbow. Among the three hydrothermal vents, mussels of Menez Gwen show the highest levels of total Hg and comparing mussels and shrimps from Rainbow the former show more Hg than shrimps. Mussels from different hydrothermal vents are exposed to different kinds of environment which may result in distinct bioaccumulation processes. Detoxification processes in shrimps are related to the low concentrations found. When compared with coastal species from unpolluted sites, mussels show higher concentrations of total Hg and shrimps lower levels. The methyl-mercury concentrations found were very low, not exceeding the detection limit of the technique.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 81 , Issue 6 , December 2001 , pp. 913 - 915
Copyright
© 2001 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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