Mercury Concentrations in the Patagonian Toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides Smitt 1898, Among Three Distinct Stocks

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2008

Department

Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Abstract

Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides, collections (n = 186) from three distinct stocks ( two subant-arctic stocks and the stock within the Chilean ZEE) were analyzed for Hg concentration by DMA and comparisons were made by gender, total length (TL), wet weight (WW), and population. There was no difference between TL-WW relationships or Hg concentration by gender within any population across the range examined. The Chilean and Prince Edward Island fish had higher TL-adjusted total Hg concentration than those from the South Georgia and may suggest a possible human health risk. Explanation of these population differences in total Hg may be the actual sample areas and associated hydrogeographic and oceanographic conditions. For example, sampling sites for the Chilean fish lie well outside the Antarctic Convergence whereas the Prince Edward sites straddle the Convergence. The samples obtained from South Georgia lie well within the Antarctic convergence, suggesting that the Polar Front may provide some type of hydrographic barrier as has been shown for this species in terms of larval dispersal and feeding.

Publication Title

Polar Biology

Volume

31

Issue

3

First Page

269

Last Page

274

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