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Selenium:mercury molar ratios in fish from the Savannah River: implications for risk management

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  • Joanna Burger

Abstract

The risk to humans from contaminants in fish is dealt with by issuing consumption advisories, which are devised from consumption patterns, contaminant levels, and toxicity of those contaminants. The primary contaminant of concern in fish is mercury, and recently it has been suggested that the protective effects of selenium on mercury toxicity should be considered in risk management. The relationships between mercury, fish species and fish size, and selenium:mercury (Se:Hg) molar ratios were examined for freshwater fish from the Savannah River. The data indicated: (1) significant variation in Se:Hg molar ratios among and within species, (2) mean selenium molar ratios for the 11 species were negatively correlated with mean mercury levels and mean fish length, (3) greater variation in individual variances within species than the variation in mean ratios among species, (4) some species with high mean ratios had individuals with ratios below 1, and (5) even the species with the highest mean ratios had some individuals close to a molar ratio of one. These data suggest that the great variability of the Se:Hg molar ratios within a species results in the ratios being unpredictable. That is, knowing the mean Se:Hg molar ratio for a given species does not predict the ratios of individuals, or thus the protectiveness of selenium on mercury toxicity.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Burger, 2012. "Selenium:mercury molar ratios in fish from the Savannah River: implications for risk management," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(6), pages 627-644, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jriskr:v:15:y:2012:i:6:p:627-644
    DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2011.649298
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joanna Burger & Karen F. Gaines & Michael Gochfeld, 2001. "Ethnic Differences in Risk from Mercury among Savannah River Fishermen," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(3), pages 533-544, June.
    2. J. Burger & B. B. Johnson & S. Shukla & M. Gochfeld, 2003. "Perceptions of Recreational Fishing Boat Captains: Knowledge and Effects of Fish Consumption Advisories," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(2), pages 369-378, April.
    3. Joanna Burger & Warren L. Stephens & C. Shane Boring & Michelle Kuklinski & J. Whitfield Gibbons & Michael Gochfeld, 1999. "Factors in Exposure Assessment: Ethnic and Socioeconomic Differences in Fishing and Consumption of Fish Caught along the Savannah River," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), pages 427-438, June.
    4. Shimshack, Jay P. & Ward, Michael B. & Beatty, Timothy K.M., 2007. "Mercury advisories: Information, education, and fish consumption," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 158-179, March.
    5. Kenny S. Grump & Tord Kjellström & Annette M. Shipp & Abraham Silvers & Alistair Stewart, 1998. "Influence of Prenatal Mercury Exposure Upon Scholastic and Psychologica Test Performance: Benchmark Analysis of a New Zealand Cohort," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(6), pages 701-713, December.
    6. Joanna Burger & Kym Rouse Campbell, 2008. "Fishing and consumption patterns of anglers adjacent to the Oak Ridge Reservation, Tennessee: higher income anglers ate more fish and are more at risk," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 335-350, April.
    7. Jay Shimshack, 2004. "Are Mercury Advisories Effective? Inofrmation, Education, and Fish Consumption," Discussion Papers Series, Department of Economics, Tufts University 0423, Department of Economics, Tufts University.
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