The Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) is one of the most mercury-polluted areas in the Mediterranean and in the world due to the past mining activity in the Idrija region (western Slovenia). The link between microbial production of toxic methylmercury (MeHg), and its bioaccumulation and biomagnification in marine food webs of the gulf is at present rather poorly characterized but is critical to understanding the links between sources and higher trophic levels, such as fish, that are ultimately vectors of human and wildlife exposure. This overview explores three major topics: (i)the microbial biogeochemical cycling of Hg in the area, (ii) the trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of MeHg in pelagic and benthic marine food webs, and (iii) human exposure to Hg through marine fish and shellfish consumption. These are important goals since the Gulf of Trieste is an area of great economical importance.

Methylmercury in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea): From Microbial Sources to Seafood Consumers

COVELLI, STEFANO
2014-01-01

Abstract

The Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) is one of the most mercury-polluted areas in the Mediterranean and in the world due to the past mining activity in the Idrija region (western Slovenia). The link between microbial production of toxic methylmercury (MeHg), and its bioaccumulation and biomagnification in marine food webs of the gulf is at present rather poorly characterized but is critical to understanding the links between sources and higher trophic levels, such as fish, that are ultimately vectors of human and wildlife exposure. This overview explores three major topics: (i)the microbial biogeochemical cycling of Hg in the area, (ii) the trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of MeHg in pelagic and benthic marine food webs, and (iii) human exposure to Hg through marine fish and shellfish consumption. These are important goals since the Gulf of Trieste is an area of great economical importance.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11368/2784927
 Avviso

Registrazione in corso di verifica.
La registrazione di questo prodotto non è ancora stata validata in ArTS.

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 12
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 12
social impact