Empirical models to identify mechanisms driving reductions in tissue mercury concentration during culture of farmed southern bluefin tuna Thunnnus maccoyii

Balshaw, Sita, Edwards, John W, Ross, Kirstin, Ellis , David, Padula , David J and Daughtry, Ben (2008) Empirical models to identify mechanisms driving reductions in tissue mercury concentration during culture of farmed southern bluefin tuna Thunnnus maccoyii. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 56 (12). pp. 2009-2017. ISSN 0025-326X 1879-3363

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Abstract

Two empirical models are presented to elucidate the mechanisms driving reductions in the mercury concentration of southern bluefin tuna (SBT) during culture. Model 1 predicts temporal fluctuations in mercury concentration in response to growth dilution. Model 2 predicts the combined effects of growth dilution and linear mercury accumulation. Model 2 was found to be the more accurate model. Over a typical farming period of 136 days, growth dilution resulted in a reduction in mean mercury concentration of SBT edible tissues from 0.51 mg/kg down to 0.33 mg/kg. Extended culture beyond 136 days resulted in an increase in mercury concentration due to the combined effects of mercury accumulation and seasonal lipid depletion. Results indicate that under current industry practice, cultured SBT can be consumed twice as frequently as that of wild caught SBT while maintaining total dietary mercury intake below national recommendations.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=yv4JPVwI&eid=2-s2.0-56949101895&md5=4b22a40ba796644e8af778760d7a3dfb
Keywords: Aquaculture; Mercury accumulation; Growth dilution; Southern bluefin tuna; Thunnus maccoyii; Australia
Field of Research (2008): 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111705 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 0704 Fisheries Sciences > 070401 Aquaculture
Subjects: S Agriculture > SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
Date Deposited: 06 Aug 2009 03:01
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2011 03:22
URI: https://eprints.batchelor.edu.au/id/eprint/42

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