Mercury, selenium, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the striped marlin Kajikia audax and blue marlin Makaira nigricans food web from the Gulf of California

Mercury (Hg) concentrations based on dietary sources have shown to predict differences in fish; however, they are usually applied at an individual scale and are rarely directed at a known trophic transfer. We combined gut content analysis and stable isotope analysis (delta N-15 and delta C-13) to provide a quantitative estimate of Hg and selenium (Se) biomagnification in the striped marlin (Kajikia audax) and blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) food web from the southwestern Gulf of California. Hg and Se concentrations (mean +/- SD; mu g g(-1), dw) were different among K. audax (Hg = 3.6 +/- 2.1, Se = 5.5 +/- 5.4) and M. nigricans (Hg = 19.0 +/- 29.6, Se = 8.8 +/- 10.5). Such variations of element concentrations could be linked to predation with different Hg and Se contents. Diet data presented as prey weight (%W) indicated a higher proportion of large prey fish for the blue marlin than the striped marlin. delta N-15 and delta C-13 indicated pelagic food sources with epipelagic preferences for the blue marlin and mesopelagic for the striped marlin. The relationship between Hg concentrations and delta N-15 was positive along the food web of both marlin species, indicating biomagnification of Hg. However, Se biomagnification was not clearly evidenced, and Se:Hg ratios decreased with delta N-15, attributed to increasing Hg concentrations with increased trophic level.

Automated summary

Mercury concentrations vary among different marlin species, possibly due to predation behaviors, as indicated by gut content and stable isotope analyses. While mercury biomagnification is evident in both marlin species, selenium biomagnification is not clearly demonstrated, with Se:Hg ratios decreasing with trophic level increase.