March 03, 2025
The MERFISH project is thrilled to announce the release of our fourth newsletter, packed with groundbreaking research, inspiring achievements, and updates on our mission to understand mercury (Hg) dynamics and the protective role of selenium (Se) in marine ecosystems and human health.
This issue shines a spotlight on our Early Career Researchers (ECRs), with Adna Alilović taking center stage after winning the Student Presentation Competition at the 16th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP) in Cape Town, July 2024. Her award-winning work on mercury exposure and selenium interactions showcases the innovative spirit driving MERFISH forward.
Dive into our latest research publications, which explore:
- Mercury and Selenium Interactions in Fish: A study on rainbow trout reveals how selenium-enriched diets reduce mercury accumulation, paving the way for safer, sustainable aquaculture.
- Detoxification in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: New findings uncover a two-step process mitigating methylmercury toxicity, highlighting selenium’s critical role.
- Heavy Metals in Brown Crab and Fjord Sediments: Research from Norway’s Jøssingfjord traces contamination from mine tailings, using brown crab as an eco-indicator.
- Selenium Isotopes in Seabirds: A pioneering study on giant petrels offers fresh insights into selenium’s journey through marine food webs.
Beyond research, Newsletter #04 celebrates collaboration, with secondments at the University of Chester and the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) fostering knowledge exchange on mercury and selenium dynamics. We also recap a powerful webinar on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention, featuring MERFISH’s Dr. Michael S. Bank, and spotlight a special issue of Environmental Pollution on climate change and mercury, guest-edited by our coordinator, Dr. Zoyne Pedrero-Zayas, and partners.
