How does the mercury accumulation in sardines compare to larger predators like tuna?
Answer
Sardines generally accumulate significantly less mercury
Sardines are positioned low on the marine food chain, which significantly impacts their contaminant profile. Larger, longer-lived predatory fish, such as tuna, consume many smaller organisms, leading to bioaccumulation of heavy metals like mercury over their lifespan. Because sardines are smaller and occupy a lower trophic level, they generally exhibit significantly lower levels of accumulated mercury compared to these larger fish, making them a reassuring choice for individuals concerned about frequent heavy metal intake.
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