GESAMP: Arsenic, Mercury and Selenium in the Marine Environment - UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 92. GESAMP Reports and Studies No. 28

This report examines the occurrence, chemical behaviour, bioaccumulation and health implications of mercury, selenium and arsenic in marine environments and seafood. It reviews sources, including natural degassing and anthropogenic inputs, and describes speciation, transformation processes and distribution in sea water, sediments and biota. The document evaluates analytical methodologies, intercalibration exercises and quality assurance challenges affecting data reliability. It summarises concentration ranges in fish and shellfish, factors influencing accumulation such as age and trophic level, and patterns of human dietary exposure. Toxicokinetics, including absorption, distribution, methylation and excretion, are outlined alongside evidence on neurological and systemic effects, thereby assessing potential risks associated with long-term consumption of contaminated marine products.