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Mercury bioaccumulation and the population dynamics of Mesopodopsis slabberi (Crustacea: Mysidacea) along a mercury contamination gradient

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Abstract

The mercury bioaccumulation and population dynamics of the mysid Mesopodopsis slabberi was assessed along a mercury gradient in Ria de Aveiro (Portugal). M. slabberi is one of the most important mysid species in European temperate coastal shallow waters playing a key ecological role. Nevertheless, no references were found concerning the possible consequences of the Hg on the trophodynamics of these coastal ecosystems. M. slabberi showed a clear bioaccumulation along the Hg gradient and through life, with mature females reaching the highest concentrations. In terms of population structure, higher densities and biomasses of M. slabberi were assessed in the most contaminated areas contrarily to the least polluted areas. Despite the mercury accumulation in its tissues no strong negative effects on the structure and population dynamics of the species were observed. However, mysids might be important in the transfer of metals from the sediments and zooplankton to higher trophic levels such as fishes, most of them with commercial interest.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) through a project n. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-010598 (MERCOAST, Refª. FCT PTDC/MAR/101906/2008) and by POPH and QREN—Promotion of scientific job funded by European social fund and national funds of MEC. The authors are indebted to all the colleagues that assisted in the field and lab work.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Research (IMAR), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal

    M. D’Ambrosio & P. G. Cardoso

  2. Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, PO Box 3046, 3001-401, Coimbra, Portugal

    S. C. Marques & M. A. Pardal

  3. Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Sciences and Technology, Universidade Aberta, 4200-055, Oporto, Portugal

    U. M. Azeiteiro

  4. Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    E. Pereira & A. C. Duarte

Authors
  1. M. D’Ambrosio
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  2. S. C. Marques
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  3. U. M. Azeiteiro
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  4. M. A. Pardal
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  5. E. Pereira
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  6. A. C. Duarte
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  7. P. G. Cardoso
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Correspondence to P. G. Cardoso.

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D’Ambrosio, M., Marques, S.C., Azeiteiro, U.M. et al. Mercury bioaccumulation and the population dynamics of Mesopodopsis slabberi (Crustacea: Mysidacea) along a mercury contamination gradient. Ecotoxicology 22, 1278–1288 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-013-1115-4

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