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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Mercury and methylmercury in seafood from Maluku, Eastern Indonesia and New South Wales, Australia -considering food risk and trophic levels
Regional studies in marine science, Vol.93, pp.1-10
01/2026
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Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a known toxicant, and human exposure—primarily through fish consumption—is a significant health concern. While regulations aim to reduce risk, activities like artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) can increase local contamination. This study analysed seafood from fish markets in areas with no known Hg sources (New South Wales, Australia – 20 species) and those near ASGM activities (Ambon – 14 species and Namlea – 12 species, Maluku Province, Indonesia). We measured total Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) in muscle and skin tissue. Species at higher trophic levels generally showed higher Hg concentrations, although no consistent correlation between trophic level and Hg or MeHg was found. In Australia, blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus, 1377ng/g ww) and silver gemfish (Rexea solandri, 809ng/g ww) exceeded seafood Maximum Levels (MLs). In Namlea, barred queenfish (Scomberoides tala, 982ng/g ww) and grunters (Terapon theraps, 601ng/g ww) also exceeded MLs. High individual variation was noted within species. Grunters, mid-trophic species, showed particularly high Hg in Namlea, suggesting a local contamination source. Generally, skin samples had lower or similar Hg levels than muscle, except in Namlea grunters, where skin Hg was much higher (1877 ng/g ww). MeHg made up between 20% (e.g., mackerel tuna from Namlea) and 100% (e.g., blue swimmer crab from Ambon) of total Hg, depending on species. These findings raise food safety concerns for certain species and provide baseline data for future monitoring in both Australia and Indonesia.
Details
- Title
- Mercury and methylmercury in seafood from Maluku, Eastern Indonesia and New South Wales, Australia -considering food risk and trophic levels
- Creators
- Amanda Reichelt-Brushett - Southern Cross UniversityYusthinus Male - University of PattimuraTess Hoinville - Southern Cross UniversityAlberth Nanholy - University of Pattimura
- Publication Details
- Regional studies in marine science, Vol.93, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Grant note
- Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2019 New Colombo Plan (NCP) project titled: Protecting Globally Valuable Natural Resources, Indonesia
The authors thank scholarship awardees of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2019 New Colombo Plan (NCP) project titled: Protecting Globally Valuable Natural Resources, Indonesia: Leigha Aitken, Donna Barsby, Chris Bell, Renee Borrow, Tamesha Bush-Carroll, Mia Donnelly, Matthew Fletcher, Demara Gates, Tess Hoinville, Coner Ryan-McGinn, Gabrielle Simmons, Madeleine Tresselt. On behalf of the NCP initiative we thank staff at the University of Pattimura Hellen Nanholy, Yolanda M.T.N. Apituley and Juliana Mamesah and their students for project support and friendships.
- Identifiers
- 991013329955902368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Authors.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article