Total mercury content as a function of length in fish from the southern Baltic
Bulletin of the Sea Fisheries Institute 1 (146) 1999, pp. 109-114

Lucyna Polak-Juszczak1 and Anna Sobolewska2
1 Sea Fisheries Institute, Kołłątaja 1, 81-332 Gdynia, Poland
2 University of Gdańsk, Sobieskiego 18, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland

Key words: mercury, Baltic fish, mercury accumulation.

Abstract.
The mercury content in the muscle tissue of Baltic herring, sprat, cod and flounder was determined. Fish of various lengths were tested. The results obtained reveal that the mercury content in the muscle tissue of the tested fish increased with their length. It was observed that the mercury content in cod tissue systematically increased until the fish reached a length of 88 cm. For specimens over 88 cm in length the mercury concentration remained at the same level. In the tissues of herring, sprat, cod and flounder mercury content is low and is harmless for the health of humans who consume it.