Enhanced bioaccumulation of mercury in deep-sea fauna from the Bay of Biscay (north- east Atlantic) in relation to trophic positions identified by analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes

The Bay of Biscay (northeast Atlantic) is an open marine ecosystem of particular concern in current European environmental policies. Indeed, it supports both a high biological diversity and numerous anthropogenic activities such as important fisheries. For the first time, stable isotope analyses (SIA) of carbon and nitrogen and analysis of total mercury (T-Hg) concentrations in the muscle (edible flesh) were performed on adult stages of a wide range of species (i.e., 120 species) from various taxa and various habitats of this ecosystem. Concentrations of this non-essential metal, toxic to all living organisms, ranged from 39 to 5074 ng.g-1 dry weight. Calculations of species' trophic positions (TPs) through SIA revealed a limited effect of TP in explaining Hg bioaccumulation by high trophic level consumers in particular. On the contrary, our results suggest an important role of habitat and/or feeding zone, which strongly influence muscle Hg bioaccumulation. Deep-sea fish species effectively presented the highest Hg concentrations. Possible interactions between biological factors (e.g., age of deep-sea organisms) and bioavailability of the metal in the deep-sea environment are discussed to explain such enhanced bioaccumulation of Hg by deep-sea fauna in the Bay of Biscay. This study also highlights a potential risk for human health when deep-sea fish are consumed frequently. Highlights:-One hundred and twenty marine species were analysed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes and muscular mercury concentrations.-Trophic position poorly influenced muscle Hg bioaccumulation compared to the feeding zone or habitat.-Deep-sea organisms presented the highest Hg concentrations.