Human Impacts on Mercury Levels in the Aquatic Environment and Coastal Seafood of Cote D’Ivoire
Artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) is a major source of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) to the environment globally, and to West Africa, and these inputs have led to environmental contamination and human exposure. While studies have documented the effects of Hg inputs in West Africa, there has been little study of the extensive estuarine waters of Cote d’Ivoire, besides studies around Abidjan. To fill this gap, and to examine the potential human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), we measured the concentrations of total Hg and MeHg and ancillary parameters in water, sediment and fish to determine the extent of environmental insult, and the potential of MeHg exposure. Levels of Hg and MeHg were elevated in the vicinity of the urban environment and lowest in the more remote environments. There was little correlation between water column levels of MeHg and those of the sediment suggesting that sediments are not an important source for the MeHg accumulating in fish. Additionally, while sediment total Hg correlated with organic content, this was not true for MeHg. Measurements of Hg in tuna and other pelagic coastal species indicated that levels were comparable to other regions of the North Atlantic Ocean. However, levels of Hg in fish, even smaller estuarine species, were such that the local and urban populations are likely being exposed to MeHg above levels considered safe. This is primarily due to the high fish consumption in the country rather than a result of highly elevated levels of Hg in the fish typically consumed. Our results reinforce the findings of other studies that suggest that the people of Cote d’Ivoire are exposed to MeHg at levels of concern and that the source for this Hg contamination is likely a result of the transport of Hg used in interior ASGM activities to these coastal waters
Year of publication: |
[2021]
|
---|---|
Authors: | Mason, R. P. ; Coulibaly, Mariame ; Hansen, Gunnar ; Inman, Hannah ; Myer, Patricia ; Yao, Koffi Marcellin |
Publisher: |
[S.l.] : SSRN |
Subject: | Küstenregion | Coastal area | EU-Staaten | EU countries | Gewässerbelastung | Water pollution | Fischereiprodukt | Fishery product | Umweltschutz | Environmental protection | Umweltbelastung | Pollution |
Saved in:
freely available
Extent: | 1 Online-Ressource (38 p) |
---|---|
Series: | |
Type of publication: | Book / Working Paper |
Language: | English |
Notes: | Nach Informationen von SSRN wurde die ursprüngliche Fassung des Dokuments 2021 erstellt |
Other identifiers: | 10.2139/ssrn.3924358 [DOI] |
Source: | ECONIS - Online Catalogue of the ZBW |
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10013212651
Saved in favorites
Similar items by subject
-
(2020)
-
Kuhfuss, Laure, (2018)
-
Pollution in some British estuaries and coastal waters
Ashby, Eric, (1972)
- More ...
Similar items by person