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Total and methylmercury concentrations were assessed in muscle and liver of 141 fish samples from the northern part of the Persian Gulf. All fish samples belonged to five different species: grunt, flathead, greasy grouper, tiger-tooth croaker, and silver pomfret. In addition, Hg and methylmercury were analyzed in scalp hair of 19 fishermen living in the same coastal stations of the Persian Gulf and consuming several fish meals a week. Total mercury concentrations in fish muscle and liver ranged from 0.01 to 1.35 μg g w.w. and from 0.02 to 1.30 μg g w.w., respectively. In fish muscle, 3% of the Hg concentrations were higher than 0.5 μg g w.w., which corresponds to the maximum acceptable WHO level, while 9% were in the range of polluted fish (between 0.3 and 0.5 μg g w.w.). The highest mercury concentrations in fish muscle were observed in flathead fish at Abadan (average of 0.68 μ g g w.w.). Methylmercury fractions in fish muscle and liver amount to 34–99% (median 64%) and 24–70% (median 43%), respectively. The mean total Hg concentration in the fishermen’s scalp hair amounted to 2.9 ± 2.2 μ g g, with 68% in the form of methylmercury. Ninety-five percent of the Hg levels in the fishermen’s hair were below 10 μ g g, which is the WHO warning limit. In addition, relationships between the mercury levels in hair, on the one hand, and exposure-related factors such as Hg levels in specific fish species, regional differences, and number of fish meals, on the other hand, are discussed. It appears that a significant correlation for example exists between Hg levels human hair and fish muscle or human hair and age and that mean mercury levels in fish muscle and human hair decreased from western (Abadan) to eastern (Abbas port) coastal sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of total mercury (Hg) and methyl mercury (MMHg) were determined in 78 marine sediments in the Iranian coastal waters of the Persian Gulf along nine transects perpendicular to the coastline. Total Hg ranged from 10 to 56 ng g − 1d.w. and MMHg from 0.1 to 0.4 ng g − 1 d.w. The fraction of methyl mercury accounted from 0.3% to 1.1% of the total mercury amount. The organic carbon (OC) content ranged from 0.4% to 1.8%. The present study indicates that the levels of Hg in the sediments of the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf were all in the concentration range of unpolluted areas regarding Hg (<100 ng g − 1). The concentrations of total Hg, methyl mercury and organic carbon were generally higher in the deeper stations. Total Hg and MMHg were significantly correlated, but no significant correlations could be found between the Hg and OC levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the bioaccumulation of mercury in fish in the Iranian coastal waters of the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, different fish species were sampled from both regions in January 2002. Mullet fishes were sampled from the Caspian Sea and six other species from the Persian Gulf: Largetooth flounder, Spotfin flathead, Japanese threadfin bream, Greater lizardfish, Elongate sole and Giant seacatfish. In the Persian Gulf, total Hg concentrations in fish ranged from 0.0123 to 0.0867 mg kg−1 w.w. (0.0614 to 0.433 mg kg−1 d.w.). Methylmercury accounts for 64–100% of the total mercury. Highest mercury concentrations were observed in the predatory fish: Giant seacatfish, Threadfin bream and the larger Greater lizardfish caught near Mogham Port. In these species the methylmercury fraction is always higher than 90%. A low methylmercury fraction was only observed in the smallest specimen of flounder and Elongate sole. In the Caspian Sea Hg concentrations in Mullet ranged from 0.0102 to 0.108 mg kg−1 w.w. The observed concentrations are comparable to those found in other areas of the Persian Gulf as well as in other marine environments and are much lower then the WHO guideline of 0.5 mg kg−1 w.w. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]