MSGID: 1:317/3 64a6438a   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Fish mercury peaks in winter and near spawning, and reduces after   
   growing season, study suggests    
      
     Date:   
         July 5, 2023   
     Source:   
         University of Helsinki   
     Summary:   
         Fish consumption has long been associated with numerous health   
         benefits.   
      
         However, it is also the main dietary source of toxic mercury in   
         humans. A year-round study from a boreal lake shows that mercury   
         concentration in some fishes is significantly higher in winter   
         and near spring spawning and lowest in autumn.   
      
      
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   Fish consumption has long been associated with numerous health benefits.   
      
   However, it is also the main dietary source of toxic mercury in   
   humans. A year- round study from a Finnish boreal lake shows that mercury   
   concentration in some fishes is significantly higher in winter and near   
   spring spawning and lowest in autumn after the growing season.   
      
   The pronounced seasonal changes of warm open-water and cold ice-covered   
   seasons dominate natural cycles in Finnish lakes.   
      
   "Summer is the growing season of fish followed by weight loss during   
   winter and spring spawning time" says research team leader, Professor   
   Kimmo Kahilainen from the Lammi Biological Station, University of   
   Helsinki.   
      
   Significant changes in temperature and other environmental factors during   
   colder months result in lowered metabolism in fish. Additionally, less   
   food is available for fish during this harsh timeframe. Under these   
   conditions, eventually the energy required to grow is not met by the   
   amount of energy taken in, resulting in weight loss and starvation.   
      
   This seasonal cycle means that fish mercury in winter and spring can be up   
   to 30-40% higher compared to summer and autumn. Differences are pronounced   
   in fish feeding on other fish, such as perch and pikeperch, which are   
   important species for both recreational and commercial fishing in the   
   boreal region and continue to be staples in regional dishes. Despite the   
   higher mercury found during these seasons, all fish species in studied   
   southern Finnish lake were below the fish consumption health limit   
   (0.5 mg/kg) for mercury.   
      
   Winter is an immensely important driver of natural cycles, but how,   
   and to what extent these colder months influence lake ecosystems is not   
   well understood or just assumed, as minimal field research is conducted   
   during this time of the year compared to warmer months. The nature   
   of the work is demanding, requiring physically intensive and extended   
   periods of time in freezing conditions on potentially unstable surfaces   
   in low light. Such conditions present numerous logical challenges for   
   researchers to contend with and manage effectively and responsibly.   
      
   Lead author doctoral researcher Alex Piro from the Lammi Biological   
   Station, University of Helsinki, suggests that "considering our findings   
   in perch and pikeperch, more frequent boreal mercury monitoring in   
   wild fish during winter should be considered due to their higher   
   concentration. When considering the human nutrition and fisheries   
   management perspectives, the sustainable solution would be to consider   
   limiting the fishing near the spawning time."  This study conducted at   
   the University of Helsinki Lammi Biological Station provides valuable   
   insights into the seasonal dynamics of mercury in fish, contributing to   
   ongoing efforts to accurately monitor and understand mercury levels in   
   fish and support informed decision-making.   
      
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   Source: Materials provided by University_of_Helsinki. Note: Content may   
   be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. A.J. Piro, S.J. Taipale, H.M. Laiho, E.S. Eerola,   
      K.K. Kahilainen. Fish   
         muscle mercury concentration and bioaccumulation fluctuate   
         year-round - Insights from cyprinid and percid fishes in a humic   
         boreal lake.   
      
         Environmental Research, 2023; 231: 116187 DOI: 10.1016/   
         j.envres.2023.116187   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230705105811.htm   
      
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