Bioaccessibility of Hg in Cichla spp., originating from Amazon

• Grant number: 11/11697-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Jorge Eduardo de Souza Sarkis
• Grantee: Mariana Ayumi Sibuya Nakatsubo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The state of Pará is a major consumer and producer of fish in the country. However, the fish in this region have shown a high concentration of mercury (Hg) in the tissues due of the chronict exposure, of this metal. The source of the mercury in the region is attributed to anthropogenic activities, as, mining camps, in search of gold, and agricultural activities. Furthermore, studies show that the region's rivers release mercury into its tributaries in a natural way through the soil leaching that occurs due to seasonal floods common in this part of the country. The present characteristics of Hg bioaccumulation in fish muscle tissue which, when consumed by humans, can become highly detrimental to health. This work aims to evaluate the potential effects of bioaccessibility Hg present in tissues of the species Cichla spp. (Tucunaré) from the Amazon region, assessing the potential extent of metal transfer to the human body. (AU)