Publications

Mercury (Hg) is a non-essential and toxic element that is ubiquitous in the marine environment and biomagnifies through food webs. This study provides the first examination of total mercury (THg) concentrations in muscle tissue of four common demersal elasmobranchs (Mustelus henlei, Raja velezi, Torpedo peruana and Zapteryx xyster) from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. All four species showed a positive relationship between THg concentration and body size, although trophic position did not. Torpedo peruana showed the highest THg concentration (mean ± SD: 0.52 ± 0.25 mg/kg wet weight) but Z. xyster had the highest slope for the THg-size relationship. The THg concentrations found in this study were lower than those reported for similar elasmobranch species in other regions, and only one sample exceeded the concentration limit suggested for human consumption. Our results suggest Hg contamination in the Pacific coast of Central America is minimal.