부산대학교 도서관

The White and Striped mullets (Mugil curemaandM. cephalus)are highly abundant and commercially important estuarine fish in northwest (NW) Mexico. Because of their feeding habits and habitat, they are likely to accumulate mercury (Hg) in their muscle and liver. The objectives of this study were to determine total Hg distribution in the tissues of interest, to correlate Hg levels between tissues and with length and weight of fish, to estimate the percentage weekly intake (PWI) of total Hg and methyl Hg (MeHg) through consumption of both mullet species, and to compare total Hg levels with mullets from other areas. The highest total Hg concentration (1.031 µg g−1dry weight) was measured in liver of White mullet. In both species, the order of averaged Hg concentrations (M. curemaliver 0.272, muscle 0.184;M. cephalusliver 0.211, muscle 0.129 µg g−1dry weight) were liver>muscle. Correlations of Hg in muscle and liver with total weight ofM. curemawere significant. InM. cephalus, Hg levels in liver were significantly correlated with total length and weight. The PWI of THg (<4%) and MeHg (<10%) were not elevated for both species. Concentration of Hg in the studied mullets was comparable to levels in similar species from Mexican waters but lower than results in mugilids from other coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]