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Retention of mercury by salmon

Progressive Fish-Culturist
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https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8640(1970)32[192:ROMBS]2.0.CO;2

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Abstract

Consuming fish that have been exposed repeatedly to mercury derivatives is a potential public health hazard because fish can accumulate and retain mercury in their tissues (Rucker, 1968). Concern has been expressed in the United States because mercurials have been used extensively in industry and as prophylactic and therapeutic agents in fish hatcheries. Rucker and Amend (1969) showed that yearling rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) exposed to mercurials accumulated excessive amounts of mercury in many tissues. Further, Rucker and Amend (1969) concluded that wild fish that ate mercury-contaminated fish also could contain high mercury levels. Although mercury was eliminated from most tissues within several months, substantial levels remained in the kidney for more than 33 weeks after the last exposure. Since high levels of mercury can be retained in the kidney for an undetermined time, it is possible that returning adult salmon exposed to mercurials as juveniles could constitute a potential hazard to public health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such fish contained high residual levels of mercury.

Suggested Citation

Amend, D.F., 1970, Retention of mercury by salmon: Progressive Fish-Culturist, v. 32, no. 4, p. 192-194, https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8640(1970)32[192:ROMBS]2.0.CO;2.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Retention of mercury by salmon
Series title Progressive Fish-Culturist
DOI 10.1577/1548-8640(1970)32[192:ROMBS]2.0.CO;2
Volume 32
Issue 4
Year Published 1970
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 3 p.
First page 192
Last page 194
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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