Investigation of mercury concentration and its interaction with zinc and selenium at the muscle and liver tissues of Whitecheek Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) from Persian Gulf

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Abstract

Mercury, zinc and selenium concentrations were analyzed in the muscle and liver of 25 Whitecheek
Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) from the coast of Bandar Abbas. The level of Hg accumulation and
its interaction with Zn and Se in Whitecheek Shark were studied. Hg, Zn and Se concentrations were
determined by an Advanced Mercury Analyzer (LECO, AMA 254), Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
(ASS,PU 9400) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer 3030)
respectively. The mean (±SD) of Hg, Zn and Se concentrations were 0.05±0.02, 0.92±0.25 and
0.13±0.05μg/g wet wt in the muscle and 1.07±0.86, 1.57±0.43 and 0.46±0.19μg/g wet wt in the liver
tissues, respectively. The mean of Hg, Zn and Se in liver tissue was significantly higher than muscle
tissue. Also, 64% of liver samples showed levels above the acceptable limit established by WHO and
FAO. A positive correlation was found between Hg and Se concentrations in the muscle and liver
tissues with weight and length variables were statistically significant. In this study, the accumulation
of Se in the muscle and liver of Whitecheek shark showed a positive correlation with Hg
concentration. The mean molar ratio of Se to Hg found in the muscle and liver were 6.36±1.77 and
2.74±3.61, respectively. Positive correlations between Hg and Se showed efficient detoxifying
mechanism and as a result, the possibility of reduction in

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Iranian Scientific Fisheries Journal
Volume 21, Issue 2 - Serial Number 79
March and April 2013
Pages 11-22

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