Next Article in Journal
Impact of Hydrogel-to-Oleogel Ratio and Presence of Carob Fruit Extracts on Formulated Bigels: Rheological, Thermal, Physicochemical and Microstructural Properties
Previous Article in Journal
Enhancement of Pea–Oat Composite Protein Gel Properties Through Ultrasound Treatment Affects Structural and Functional Characteristics
Previous Article in Special Issue
Natural Occurrence of Main Mycotoxins in Herbs and Spices Commercialized in Italy
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Foods
Volume 14
Issue 21
10.3390/foods14213752
foods-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Systematic Review

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury Along the Seafood Chain in Europe: A Systematic Review

by
Riccardo Fioravanti
1,
Luca Muzzioli
1,
Eleonora Maurel
2,
Giuseppe Palma
3,
Giorgio Calabrese
4,5,
Alberto Angioni
5,6,
Cinzia La Rocca
5,7,
Alberto Mantovani
5,8,
Andrea Pezzana
5,9 and
Lorenzo Maria Donini
1,5,*
1
Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
2
Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy
3
Assoittica Italia, 00161 Rome, Italy
4
School of Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
5
Italian National Food Safety Committee, Ministry of Health, 00153 Rome, Italy
6
Department of Life and Environmental Science, University of Cagliari, Campus of Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
7
Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
8
Study Centre KOS-Science Art Society, 00144 Rome, Italy
9
SC Nutrizione Clinica, ASL Città di Torino, 10128 Turin, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Foods 2025, 14(21), 3752; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14213752
Submission received: 24 September 2025 / Revised: 25 October 2025 / Accepted: 29 October 2025 / Published: 31 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rapid Detection of Chemical Hazards in Food: Monitoring, Risk Assessment and Risk Mitigation Measures)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive environmental contaminant with high bioavailability and toxicity, accumulating in aquatic food chains and posing significant risks to human health through seafood consumption. This systematic review aims to collect evidence on Hg bioaccumulation in seafood across Europe, assessing species that exceed legal limits. A total of 74 studies were identified on bioaccumulation among marine fish and seafood from European and adjacent seas, published between 2000 and 2024. Findings highlight that methylmercury (MeHg) constitutes the majority of total Hg in fish species, with concentrations often exceeding EU regulatory limits, especially in the Adriatic and Iberian areas. In general, teleosts exhibit higher tissue concentrations of both MeHg and total Hg compared to either selachians or mollusks. Species likely to exceed their legal limits are larger, apex predators, e.g., tuna, swordfish, and sharks, as well as benthic species, e.g., monkfish and mullet. In recent years, there has been a decrease in mercury contamination, probably due to agreed international regulations. However, significant regional variations still persist in Europe. To mitigate Hg contamination in seafood and ensure food safety, this study highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and management strategies, the interplay of environmental factors, food web dynamics, and species-specific biological characteristics.
Keywords: Hg contamination; methylmercury; bioaccumulation; environment; seafoods Hg contamination; methylmercury; bioaccumulation; environment; seafoods

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Fioravanti, R.; Muzzioli, L.; Maurel, E.; Palma, G.; Calabrese, G.; Angioni, A.; La Rocca, C.; Mantovani, A.; Pezzana, A.; Donini, L.M. Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury Along the Seafood Chain in Europe: A Systematic Review. Foods 2025, 14, 3752. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14213752

AMA Style

Fioravanti R, Muzzioli L, Maurel E, Palma G, Calabrese G, Angioni A, La Rocca C, Mantovani A, Pezzana A, Donini LM. Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury Along the Seafood Chain in Europe: A Systematic Review. Foods. 2025; 14(21):3752. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14213752

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fioravanti, Riccardo, Luca Muzzioli, Eleonora Maurel, Giuseppe Palma, Giorgio Calabrese, Alberto Angioni, Cinzia La Rocca, Alberto Mantovani, Andrea Pezzana, and Lorenzo Maria Donini. 2025. "Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury Along the Seafood Chain in Europe: A Systematic Review" Foods 14, no. 21: 3752. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14213752

APA Style

Fioravanti, R., Muzzioli, L., Maurel, E., Palma, G., Calabrese, G., Angioni, A., La Rocca, C., Mantovani, A., Pezzana, A., & Donini, L. M. (2025). Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Mercury Along the Seafood Chain in Europe: A Systematic Review. Foods, 14(21), 3752. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14213752

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop