Marine Mercury Bioaccumulation

Marine Mercury Bioaccumulation presents state-of-the-art research on mercury bioaccumulation in marine life. As global populations increasingly rely on fisheries resources for food, it is critical to understand how mercury is introduced into the marine environment and how it travels through marine food webs. Improving our monitoring tools and encouraging sound legislation regarding mercury exposure will help to protect marine populations and minimize human health risks associated with mercury contamination in seafood. Written by leading experts in the field of marine toxicology, this book delivers the latest information on monitoring and modeling mercury biomagnification in key marine taxa. Early chapters introduce the basic biology and ecology of how mercury travels through marine organisms and accumulates within marine food webs. Central chapters discuss the current status and exposure risks of key taxa, including marine vegetation, invertebrates, fishes, mammals, and birds. The book concludes with an assessment of human exposure to mercury through seafood products and novel modeling tools to assess environmental exposure risks and bioaccumulation. Marine Mercury Bioaccumulation provides a global assessment of mercury contamination in the ocean and its biological resources, monitoring and modeling tools at our disposal, existing research gaps, and suggestions for how to improve our monitoring and policy tools for improved safety of marine life and human consumption. It is an indispensable tool for researchers, resource managers, fisheries stakeholders, and students alike.

• Summarizes state-of-the-art research on mercury accumulation in marine biota
• Provides a worldwide database on mercury concentrations and distribution in key marine taxa
• Features insights from global experts on current practices for mercury monitoring and pollution assessment