Journal Article
Total and Methyl Mercury Concentrations of Deep-Sea Fish in the East Sea, Korea: A Human Health Risk Assessment
Minchul Yoon; Woo Seok Choi; Mi Ra Jo; Jeong-Ho Park; Jae-Hyeong Yang; Kwang Soo Ha; Jong Soo Mok; Ka Jeong Lee
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering · Vol. 14, Issue 5 · pp. 500 · 2026
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) contamination in deep-sea ecosystems is of increasing concern due to its strong bioaccumulation potential and implications for seafood safety. However, depth-resolved information on Hg speciation and tissue-specific accumulation in deep-sea fish remains limited, particularly in semi-enclosed marginal seas such as the East Sea of Korea. In this study, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were quantified in multiple tissues (muscle, liver, gill, bone, and skin) of deep-sea fish collected across a pronounced depth gradient (100–1300 m). Hg concentrations increased significantly with sampling depth (p