Mercury, cadmium, and lead content in demersal sharks from the Macaronesian islands
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Enrique Lozano-Bilbao1,2, Gonzalo Lozano3,4, Ángel J Gutiérrez4,5
1Departamento de Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología (Unidad Departamental de Ciencias Marinas), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), La Laguna, 38206, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. lozaenr@gmail.com.
Abstract:
The overexploitation of shark and ray fishing as well as anthropogenic pollution in the sea has led to a large decline in their population, and because sharks occupy a high trophic position in the ecosystem, they could have high concentrations of heavy metals such as Hg, Pb, and Cd. This study is based on seven species of demersal sharks which were caught in the Macaronesian archipelagos (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and the Azores Archipelago). Hg and Pb concentrations were found in the present study to be below those reported in other comparative studies, with the highest reported values of Hg and Pb being 281,738 μg/kg for Pb in Deania profundorum (Smith & Radcliffe, 1912) and 264,30 μg/kg for Hg in Centrophorus uyato, Rafinesque, 1810. As for Cd, the values found here are higher than those in the literature, the highest reported concentration being 120.36 μg/kg in Centrophorus squamosus (Bonnaterre, 1788).
Related Concept Videos
Stereotype Content Model
Phase-lead and Phase-lag Controllers
Measurement of Air Content in Concrete
The pressure method,...
Distribution of Cytoplasmic Content
Distribution of cytoplasmic determinants
The cytoplasm contains various organelles, as well as salts, proteins, and water. The distribution of...
Moisture Content and Bulking of Aggregate
When aggregates are exposed to rain or sit in stockpiles, they absorb moisture, which must be...
Time and frequency -Domain Interpretation of Phase-lead Control
The design of phase-lead control involves the strategic placement of poles and zeros to balance steady-state error and system...

