From screens to seas: Tech contaminants in tiger sharks

Abstract

The potential negative impacts of Technology-Critical Elements (TCEs) on the environment and wildlife, despite increasingly recognized, remain largely overlooked. In this sense, this study aimed to investigate the concentrations of several TCEs, including rubidium (Rb), titanium (Ti) and various Rare Earth Elements (REEs), in different tissues of tiger sharks. Sharks incidentally caught by artisanal fleets in southern Brazil were opportunistically sampled and liver, gills, kidneys, heart, muscle, eyes, brain, skin, and teeth were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Significant Rb concentration variations were observed across different tissues, with higher levels detected in kidneys and lower levels in the liver. Titanium concentrations also exhibited significant differences, with higher levels detected in teeth and lower levels in liver. Although no statistical differences were observed for the analyzed REEs, a trend of higher accumulation in the liver, gills, and skin was noted. Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) were found predominantly in all organs, with neodymium, lanthanum, and cerium as the most significant REEs detected. Several statistically significant correlations were identified between Rb and REEs, as well as between Ti and REEs, indicating systemic transport of these elements across different tissues. These findings indicate that the growing extraction and disposal of metallic elements, driven by technological advancements, may lead to their assimilation by marine fauna, particularly at higher trophic levels. The potential harmful effects on these organisms remain unknown and require urgent investigation. Additionally, as mining activities intensify globally, precise legislative measures are essential to address environmental concerns, species conservation, and human health considerations.