Abstract
Adult sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon longurio) with a mean total length of 110.93 ± 5.30 cm were obtained from a local fishery in Mazatlán (Southeast Gulf of California, Mexico). The total mercury content in muscle was analyzed by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The minimum and maximum total mercury content were 0.77 ± 0.23 and 2.33 ± 0.57 µg/g (dry weight), respectively. Only 6.6 % of the organisms did show mercury content higher than the permissible limit. No significant relationship was observed between weight and total mercury content in edible muscle of the sharks (r = 0.364, p > 0.05). The Hazard Quotient values for total mercury (0.005–0.015) and methyl mercury (0.022–0.065) indicated no risk by edible muscle consumption of the shark Rhizoprionodon longurio.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the program Cátedras CONACYT through project Number 2137. Karla Sánchez and Yovani Montaño helped with technical work, and Diana Fischer with editorial services in English. This study was supported by projects Programa de Fomento y Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación UAS 2012/059, Programa para el Desarrollo Profesional Docente CANE (year 3) and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología INFRA 2012-01-188029.
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Frías-Espericueta, M.G., Ruelas-Inzunza, J., Benítez-Lizárraga, R. et al. Risk assessment of mercury in sharks (Rhizoprionodon longurio) caught in the coastal zone of Northwest Mexico. J Consum Prot Food Saf 14, 349–354 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-019-01232-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-019-01232-6