Baseline activity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb was determined for 25 resident and 22 migratory fish species collected in a so-called wedge bank region in the extreme south of India. A nuclear power station is now under construction at Kudankulam near the target region and the data provide background information on the radionuclide activity concentration in the region. Three-way ANOVA revealed no significant variation in the concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb between species based on feeding habit, habitat and migratory pattern except the effect of feeding habit on ²¹⁰Po concentration (p<0.05). The annual dose due to radionuclide ingestion through the fishes was calculated based on the survey results of fish consumption rates for the local population. The dose due to ¹³⁷Cs was negligibly small while those due to ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb varied from 1.2 to 36.9 and 0.2 to 2.9μSvyr⁻¹, respectively.

Trace element levels in fish are of particular interest, owing the potential risk to human health. In accordance, juveniles of Dicentrarchus labrax and of Liza aurata were sampled and arsenic, cadmium, chromium, selenium and zinc were determined in the muscle. The levels of trace elements in muscle demonstrated to be similar for both species and sites, with the exception of selenium levels at reference, which seemed to be higher in D. labrax. Moreover, apart from arsenic levels in muscle, all elements were in conformity with the existent regulatory guidelines for fish consumption. The dietary intake of each element was also calculated, with arsenic and selenium showing intakes above the recommended dietary allowances. Nevertheless, no arsenic speciation was carried out and thus no accurate risk evaluation could be established. Additionally, selenium levels never exceeded the dietary allowances more than five times, which are considered safe.

PURPOSE: Due to the fast development of industry and the overuse of agrichemicals in past decades, Lake Taihu, an important source of aquatic products for Eastern China, has simultaneously suffered mercury (Hg) contamination and eutrophication. The objectives of this study are to understand Hg transfer in the food web in this eutrophic, shallow lake and to evaluate the exposure risk of Hg through fish consumption. METHODS: Biota samples including macrophytes, sestons, benthic animals, and fish were collected from Lake Taihu in the fall of 2009. The total mercury (THg), methyl mercury (MeHg), δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in the samples were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The signature for δ¹⁵N increased with the trophic levels. Along with a diet composed of fish, the significant relationship between the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N indicated that a pelagic foraging habitat is the dominant pathway for energy transfer in Lake Taihu. The concentrations of THg and MeHg in the organisms varied dramatically by ∼3 orders of magnitude from primary producers (macrophytes and sestons) to piscivorous fish. The highest concentrations of both THg (100 ng g⁻¹) and MeHg (66 ng g⁻¹), however, were lower than the guideline of 200 ng g⁻¹ of MeHg for vulnerable populations that is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The daily intake of THg and MeHg of 92 and 56 ng day⁻¹ kg⁻¹ body weight, respectively, was generally lower than the tolerable intake of 230 ng day⁻¹ kg⁻¹ body weight for children recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Significant relationships between the δ¹⁵N and the logarithm of THg and MeHg showed an obvious biomagnification of Hg along the food web. The logarithmic bioaccumulation factor of MeHg in the fish (up to 5.7) from Lake Taihu, however, was relatively low compared to that of other aquatic ecosystems. CONCLUSION: Health risk of exposure to Hg by consumption of fish for local residents is relatively low in the Lake Taihu area. Dilution of Hg levels in the phytoplankton induced by eutrophication is a possible factor inhibiting accumulation of MeHg in fish in eutrophic Lake Taihu.