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Bioaccumulation of mercury in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from Ecuador and other worldwide regions: A comparative study

Abstract:

Metals have been recognized as one of the main causes of pollution due to their persistence, toxicity and continuous accumulation in the environment. Metals can be incorporated into the trophic web and be bioaccumulated by organisms causing deleterious effects. Studies of metal accumulation in fish have had a significant increase, due to the risk of contaminated fish consumption by humans. Mercury (Hg) is one of the potentially toxic metals known to beaccumulated via the intake of contaminated fish found at the top of the trophic web. The present chapter aims at comparing reported Hg levels in yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares collected or marketed in different regions of the Pacific Ocean and among other regions of the world. The collected information indicates that the highest levels of Hg found in individuals from the Eastern Pacific Ocean landed in Manta City, Ecuador. This can mean that Hg levels in yellowfin tuna vary depending on fish size, and the Pacific region where it is collected, given that specimens collected in this area are larger in size. Despite registering the highest levels of Hg in muscle tissue for this area, the yellowfin tuna from this region can be consumed with moderation.