Version 1
: Received: 24 August 2023 / Approved: 28 August 2023 / Online: 29 August 2023 (09:01:55 CEST)
How to cite:
Omach, Z.; Odhiambo, B.; Owoko, W. Health Impacts of Mercury Toxicity on Fish in an Aquatic System. Preprints2023, 2023081908. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.1908.v1
Omach, Z.; Odhiambo, B.; Owoko, W. Health Impacts of Mercury Toxicity on Fish in an Aquatic System. Preprints 2023, 2023081908. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.1908.v1
Omach, Z.; Odhiambo, B.; Owoko, W. Health Impacts of Mercury Toxicity on Fish in an Aquatic System. Preprints2023, 2023081908. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.1908.v1
APA Style
Omach, Z., Odhiambo, B., & Owoko, W. (2023). Health Impacts of Mercury Toxicity on Fish in an Aquatic System. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.1908.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Omach, Z., Bruno Odhiambo and Winnie Owoko. 2023 "Health Impacts of Mercury Toxicity on Fish in an Aquatic System" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.1908.v1
Abstract
Mercury toxicity significantly threatens aquatic ecosystems, particularly impacting fish populations and human well-being. This article exposes the effects of mercury contamination on aquatic life and their habitats. Mercury primarily originates from natural degassing and anthropogenic activities and accumulates in aquatic organisms, most notably in predatory fish, through bio-accumulation and bio-magnification. This bio-accumulation, driven by microbial transformation to methyl-mercury, leads to elevated concentrations in top-level predators. The consequences of mercury exposure on fish physiology are stunted growth, reproductive impairments, and compromised immunity, with potential ramifications for population dynamics and ecosystem resilience. This study delves into specific impacts of mercury on fish, ranging from bone deformities to liver damage, developmental anomalies, neurotoxic effects, and disruptions in reproductive systems. The interplay between ecological, physiological, and human health effects underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of mercury's underlying mechanisms. Monitoring mercury levels in aquatic systems emerges as a crucial strategy for ensuring fish populations' health and ecosystems' sustainability. Urgent collaborative efforts are imperative to address this global concern, promote harmonious coexistence between human activities and aquatic environments, and secure the availability of safe and nutritious fish for future generations. In conclusion, this article highlights the urgent necessity for targeted interventions and informed decision-making to mitigate the influence of mercury contamination on aquatic ecosystems.
Keywords
Bio-magnification; Bio-accumulation; degassing; methyl-mercury; fish physiology
Subject
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Pollution
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
