Mercury concentration in the muscle of seven fish species from Chagan Lake, Northeast China
Chagan Lake is located downstream of the Second Songhua River basin in Northeast China. It is one of the top ten inland freshwater lakes, and an important aquatic farm in China. The lake has been receiving large amounts (currently at 1.5 × 108 m3/a) of water from the river since 1984. This would pose a threat to the aquatic system of the lake because the river was seriously polluted with mercury in 1970s–1980s. The current study is the first to report the total mercury concentrations in fish found in the lake. Mercury concentrations in seven fish species collected from the lake in January 2009 were determined. The related human health risk from fish consumption was also assessed. The average concentration of mercury in the fish was 18.8 μg/kg of wet weight, ranging from 4.5 to 37.6 μg/kg of wet weight. A large difference in the mercury concentrations among the fish species was found. The mercury concentration was found to be higher in carnivorous species and lower in omnivorous and herbivorous species. This demonstrates greater mercury bioaccumulation in fish species at higher trophic levels. Mercury concentrations in fish showed significant positive correlations with age, length, and weight. No significant relationship was found between mercury concentrations in fish and the habitat preferences. Mercury concentrations in fish from the lake were within the limits of the international and national standards of China established for mercury. According to the reference doses established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the maximum safe consuming quantity considering all the fish was 297.3 g/day/person, which was more than five times as much as the current quantity (50 g/day/person) consumed by the local residents. This investigation indicates that the historical pollution of the Second Songhua River has not caused mercury bioaccumulation in fish muscle tissue of Chagan Lake. The present consumption of fish from the lake in the local area does not pose a threat to human health.
Determination of Mercury in Some Freshwater Fish Species from Chahrmahal va Bakhtyari Province, Iran and Potential Limits for Human Consumption
Concentrations of mercury in four freshwater fish species from Gandoman and Sooleghan Lagoons and Beheshtabad River were determined by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Concentrations of mercury in muscle of 90 fish ranged from 21 to 31 μg kg−1 (mean = 26 μg kg−1). Statistical analysis showed no statistical relationship between mean mercury concentration and fish species, although concentration of mercury in different seasons and habitats was statistically different (p < 0.05). The results indicated that fish from Gandoman and Sooleghan Lagoons and Beheshtabad River have concentrations well below the maximum permissible levels of mercury according to international standards with no health risk for consumers.
Simulating the Illuminance and Efficiency of the LEDs Used in General Household Lighting
Abstract The advantage of the LEDs illumination in general household lighting was proposed. High efficiency white LED as the light source was provided the energy saving illumination of the general household lightings. Different spaces in general household with different standards of average illuminance were designed and simulated by LightTools and DIALux software. The power consumptions and efficiency of traditional illuminated light sources and LED light source in lighting the household environment were analyzed and compared with each other at the same standard of average illuminance. Finally, it provided the advantage of using white LEDs in different spaces of the general household lighting.