COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON TRACE-METAL LEVELS IN MARINE BIOTA .1. MERCURY IN MARINE ORGANISMS FROM WESTERN ITALIAN COAST, THE STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR AND THE NORTH-SEA

The mercury level has been determined in the edible part of 36 marine species (867 specimens) caught from 1975 to 1976 mainly close to the Western Italian coast, the Strait of Gibraltar and in some selected regions of the North Sea. Sample pretreatment was performed after careful preparation by nitric acid pressure decomposition of frozen stored subsamples using up to 2.5 g fresh weight (FW). The analytical method was automated cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry after preconcentration on silver wool. Accuracy and precision of the method was checked by interlaboratory intercomparisons and intralaboratory test measurements of repeatability and also the use of Standard Reference Materials. The total mercury (HgT) values obtained ranged from 20 μg/kg FW to ≥2,000 μg/kg Fresh weight for the Mediterranean Sea and for some pelagic species showed significantly elevated mercury values compared with organisms from the Atlantic and North Sea. For benthic organisms, however, probably due to dominating local influences, a similar behaviour has not been observed. Evaluation of body weight/mercury concentration ratios showed significant correlations for several species differing between distinct locations. © 1979.