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

摘要

The mercury bioaccumulation and populationdynamics 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 foundconcerning the possible consequences of the Hg on the trophodynamics of these coastal ecosystems. M. slabberi showed a clear bioaccumulation along the Hg gradient andthrough life, with mature females reaching the highestconcentrations. 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 thesediments and zooplankton to higher trophic levels such as fishes, most of them with commercial interest.