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Development and evaluation of a dynamic model that projects population biomarkers of methylmercury exposure from local fish consumption
Author(s) -
Chan Caroline,
Heinbokel John F,
Myers John A,
Jacobs Robert R.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
integrated environmental assessment and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1551-3793
pISSN - 1551-3777
DOI - 10.1002/ieam.214
Subject(s) - methylmercury , fish <actinopterygii> , fish consumption , environmental science , percentile , biomarker , population , population dynamics of fisheries , environmental health , environmental chemistry , biology , fishery , ecology , chemistry , medicine , statistics , bioaccumulation , mathematics , biochemistry
Abstract A dynamic model was developed to project Hg concentrations in common biomarkers of exposure in response to changes in Hg concentrations in predatory fish from local waters. The model predicts biomarkers in susceptible populations for intake rates representing the mean, 90th, 95th, and 99th percentiles of populations of interest. The biomarkers the model calculates are blood methylmercury, total hair Hg, and fetal blood methylmercury. Decision makers can use the model to determine the degree of reduction in fish tissue Hg levels necessary to protect the health of susceptible populations. Biomarker output was calibrated with literature sources. Output was then compared to additional literature sources to evaluate model function. Projected biomarkers were not different from literature sources. The model can be used as a tool to understand the impact of local fish consumption on susceptible populations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2011;7:624–635. © 2011 SETAC