New Caledonia study released in May 2025 showed that 14 metals (e.g., nickel, mercury) and 22 persistent organic pollutants (e.g., pesticide residues) are prevalent in coral reef fish. The larger the fish, the higher the concentration of contaminants, and monthly rainfall and reef area influenced the distribution of organic contaminants and metals, respectively. For example, nickel concentrations in fish near mining areas reached 11.5 μg/g, 23 times the safety threshold.
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