Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR, Via del Mare, 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Jun;56:184-94. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.02.025. Epub 2013 Feb 24.
Our study reports on the total mercury (HgT) concentrations measured in the muscles and livers of several benthic, demersal and pelagic fish species caught inside and outside of Augusta Bay (southern Italy), a semi-enclosed marine area, highly contaminated by the uncontrolled (since the 1950s to 1978s) discharge of the largest European petrochemical plant. Mercury levels in fish tissues are discussed with regard to specific habitat, size and/or age of the specimens and HgT distribution in the bottom sediments. Results suggest a still active Hg release mechanism from the polluted sediments to the marine environment. Also, the high HgT concentrations measured in fishes caught in the external area of the bay imply a potential role of Augusta Bay as a pollutant source for the Mediterranean ecosystem. Finally, values of hazard target quotient (THQ) and estimated weekly intake (EWI) demonstrate that consumption of fishes caught inside the bay represents a serious risk for human health. Also, data indicate that intake of fishes caught from the external area of the bay, especially for that concern demersal and benthic species, could be represent a significant component of risk for the local population.
我们的研究报告了在意大利南部奥古斯塔湾（半封闭海域）内和外捕获的几种底栖、近底栖和洄游鱼类肌肉和肝脏中的总汞（HgT）浓度。该海域受到欧洲最大石化厂自 20 世纪 50 年代至 70 年代末不受控制的排放物的高度污染。本文讨论了鱼类组织中的汞水平与特定栖息地、标本的大小和/或年龄以及底泥中的 HgT 分布之间的关系。研究结果表明，受污染沉积物向海洋环境释放汞的机制仍然活跃。此外，在海湾外部区域捕获的鱼类中测量到的高 HgT 浓度表明奥古斯塔湾可能是地中海生态系统的污染源。最后，危害目标系数（THQ）和估计每周摄入量（EWI）的值表明，食用海湾内捕获的鱼类对人类健康构成严重威胁。此外，数据表明，从海湾外部区域捕获的鱼类的摄入量，特别是对于底栖和近底栖物种，可能是当地居民面临的重大风险因素。
