Abstract
Heavy metals may adversely affect health in marine organisms. As top predators, sharks may be especially vulnerable to exposure over long lifespans. Here we evaluate plasma levels of 14 heavy metals and 12 trace elements in white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, in South Africa to determine whether they are related to sex, body size, and/or body condition and other health parameters. High levels of mercury and arsenic were found in shark blood at levels considered toxic in other vertebrates. Heavy metal concentrations were not related to body size or sex. Metal concentrations were not related to body condition with exception of copper, which was positively correlated. Protective effects of elements such as selenium, zinc, and iron were not detected. No negative effects on health parameters, such as total leukocytes or granulocyte to lymphocyte ratios were observed. Results suggest that sharks may have protective mechanisms that mitigate harmful effects of heavy metal exposure, providing new opportunities for future studies.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 85-92 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
| Volume | 142 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Arsenic
- Carcharodon carcharias
- Heavy metals
- Mercury
- Trace elements
- White sharks
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oceanography
- Aquatic Science
- Pollution
Cite this
Blood plasma levels of heavy metals and trace elements in white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and potential health consequences. / Merly, Liza; Lange, Lucia; Meÿer, Michael; Hewitt, Adrian Michael; Koen, Pieter; Fischer, Chris; Muller, Johann; Schilack, Volker; Wentzel, Mauritz; Hammerschlag, Neil.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 142, 01.05.2019, p. 85-92.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Blood plasma levels of heavy metals and trace elements in white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and potential health consequences
AU - Merly, Liza
AU - Lange, Lucia
AU - Meÿer, Michael
AU - Hewitt, Adrian Michael
AU - Koen, Pieter
AU - Fischer, Chris
AU - Muller, Johann
AU - Schilack, Volker
AU - Wentzel, Mauritz
AU - Hammerschlag, Neil
PY - 2019/5/1
Y1 - 2019/5/1
N2 - Heavy metals may adversely affect health in marine organisms. As top predators, sharks may be especially vulnerable to exposure over long lifespans. Here we evaluate plasma levels of 14 heavy metals and 12 trace elements in white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, in South Africa to determine whether they are related to sex, body size, and/or body condition and other health parameters. High levels of mercury and arsenic were found in shark blood at levels considered toxic in other vertebrates. Heavy metal concentrations were not related to body size or sex. Metal concentrations were not related to body condition with exception of copper, which was positively correlated. Protective effects of elements such as selenium, zinc, and iron were not detected. No negative effects on health parameters, such as total leukocytes or granulocyte to lymphocyte ratios were observed. Results suggest that sharks may have protective mechanisms that mitigate harmful effects of heavy metal exposure, providing new opportunities for future studies.
AB - Heavy metals may adversely affect health in marine organisms. As top predators, sharks may be especially vulnerable to exposure over long lifespans. Here we evaluate plasma levels of 14 heavy metals and 12 trace elements in white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, in South Africa to determine whether they are related to sex, body size, and/or body condition and other health parameters. High levels of mercury and arsenic were found in shark blood at levels considered toxic in other vertebrates. Heavy metal concentrations were not related to body size or sex. Metal concentrations were not related to body condition with exception of copper, which was positively correlated. Protective effects of elements such as selenium, zinc, and iron were not detected. No negative effects on health parameters, such as total leukocytes or granulocyte to lymphocyte ratios were observed. Results suggest that sharks may have protective mechanisms that mitigate harmful effects of heavy metal exposure, providing new opportunities for future studies.
KW - Arsenic
KW - Carcharodon carcharias
KW - Heavy metals
KW - Mercury
KW - Trace elements
KW - White sharks
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063035560&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85063035560&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.018
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.018
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85063035560
VL - 142
SP - 85
EP - 92
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
SN - 0025-326X
ER -