Mercury and selenium concentrations in Scyphozoan jellyfishes and pyrosomes from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Gelatinous zooplankton including jellyfishes, pyrosomes, and salps serve as important prey items for a number of marine species; however, relatively few studies have examined contaminant concentrations in these animals. Scyphozoans (Aurelia sp., Chrysaora colorata, C. fuscescens, and Phacellophora c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2019-01, Vol.138, p.7-10
Main Author: Perrault, Justin R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bays
Conservation of Water Resources
Contaminants
Detoxification
Fish
Gelatinous zooplankton
Ingestion
Marine invertebrates
Mercury
Mercury (metal)
Mercury - analysis
Nature conservation
Pacific Ocean
Prey
Pyrosoma
Sanctuaries
Scyphozoa
Scyphozoa - chemistry
Selenium
Selenium - analysis
Thaliacea
Trace elements
Trophic levels
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Weight
Wet weight
Wildlife sanctuaries
Zooplankton
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Summary:Gelatinous zooplankton including jellyfishes, pyrosomes, and salps serve as important prey items for a number of marine species; however, relatively few studies have examined contaminant concentrations in these animals. Scyphozoans (Aurelia sp., Chrysaora colorata, C. fuscescens, and Phacellophora camtschatica) and Thaliaceans (Pyrosoma sp.) were collected from 2009 to 2011 from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and analyzed for total mercury and selenium concentrations. In general, mercury (0.0001–0.0016 μg/g wet weight) and selenium (0.009–0.304 μg/g wet weight) concentrations of the sampled organisms were low; however, the two Pyrosoma sp. had total mercury and selenium concentrations that were one order of magnitude higher than the Scyphozoans. There was a significant positive relationship between mercury and selenium concentrations in jellyfishes and pyrosomes, suggesting a potential detoxification mechanism in these lower trophic level organisms. This study provides evidence that trophic transfer of mercury and selenium likely occurs through ingestion of gelatinous prey. •Mercury and selenium concentrations were documented in jellyfishes and pyrosomes.•Mercury and selenium concentrations were highest in pyrosomes.•Mercury and selenium correlated in jellyfishes and pyrosomes.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.028