Abstract:

Mercury in the marine environment poses ecological and health concerns and is exacerbated by the production of methylmercury (CH3Hg+; MeHg) by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in aquatic ecosystems. The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that the oil spill led to additional MeHg production in the Gulf of Mexico that was picked up by fish.

Suggested Citation:

Jeff Chanton. 2015. Mercury and Trophic Levels in Coastal and Deep Water Fish, Gulf of Mexico, 2011-2014.. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N77W695S

Purpose:

Examine trophic structure and mercury content in a number of deep and coastal fish including pin fish, amberjack and deep sea eels.

Data Parameters and Units:

ID_Data_sample (sample ID), ID_Species (species common name), delta-15N Nitrogen stable isotope ratio 15N/14N (‰, 'per mil', or parts per thousand), delta-13C Lipid Extracted Carbon stable isotope ratio (‰, 'per mil', or parts per thousand), delta-13C Carbon isotope ratio 13C/12C (‰, 'per mil', or parts per thousand), delta-34S Sulfur isotope ratio 34S/32S (‰, 'per mil', or parts per thousand), %N Nitrogen percent molar mass composition (%), %C Carbon percent molar mass composition (%), C:N Carbon to Nitrogen mass ratio (%), MeHg Methylmercury (ppb), iHg inorganic Mercury (ppb), THg Total Mercury (ppb), Latitude (decimal degrees), Longitude (decimal degrees), two sets of d199 (0/00) thru d204 (0/00) and Standard Deviations. Common Name of Species [Amberjack, Pinfish, King Snake Eel, Moray Eel, Cutthroat Eel, Rock Sea bass, Vermillion Snapper, Snowy Grouper, Gag Grouper, Red Snapper, Red Porgy, Cubbyu, Almaco jack, Longspine Porgy, Warsaw Grouper, Yellow-Edge Grouper, Scamp, Grey Triggerfish, Whitebone Porgy, Grey Snapper, Inshore Lizard Fish, Hermit Crab, Bank Sea Bass, Tomtate, Black Sea Bass, Shrimp]

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