Dynamics of (total and methyl) mercury in sediment, fish, and crocodiles in an Amazonian Lake and risk assessment of fish consumption to the local population

Autor(es)

Gomes, Diego Ferreira ^[1] ; Moreira, Raquel Aparecida ^[2] ; Sanches, Nathalie Aparecida Oliveira ^[3] ; do Vale, Cristiano Andrey ^[4] ; Daam, Michiel Adriaan ^[5] ; Gorni, Guilherme Rossi ^[3] ; Bastos, Wanderley Rodrigues ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ecol & Evolutionary Biol, Rod Washington Luis Km 235 SP-310, BR-13565905 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, NEEA CRHEA SHS, Sao Carlos Engn Sch, Ave Trabalhador Sao Carlense 400, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos - Brazil

^[3] Univ Araraquara, Postgrad Program Terr Dev & Environm, BR-14801340 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[4] Chico Mendes Inst Biodivers Conservat, Ave Lauro Sodre 6500, BR-76803260 Porto Velho, RO - Brazil

^[5] Univ Nova Lisboa, CENSE, Dept Environm Sci & Engn, Fac Sci & Technol, P-2829516 Quinta Da Torre, Caparica - Portugal

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT; v. 192, n. 2 FEB 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Increasing concerns have been raised about the toxicity of mercury (Hg) to humans, especially for those that consume a great amount of fish. High Hg concentrations have previously been measured in Amazonian waterbodies, both resulting from natural and anthropogenic sources. However, few studies have been conducted so far in Amazonian lakes that are fished by local populations. In addition, few of those studies included methylmercury (MeHg), the most toxic and bioaccumulative Hg form, and evaluated the influence of physico-chemical conditions and season on Hg dynamics. In the present study, total Hg (THg) and MeHg concentrations were measured in bottom sediment as well as in two fish and two crocodile species of the Amazonian Cunia Lake. Bottom sediment MeHg concentrations were higher in the dry season than in the wet season, which is related to differences in physico-chemical (pH and electrical conductivity) conditions. Diet appeared to be related with animal tissue MeHg concentrations, with the herbivorous fish having lower MeHg levels than the predatory fish and crocodiles. Based on the measured tissue concentrations and published data on local person weight and fish consumption, MeHg risk to Cunia Lake populations was estimated. Although the MeHg fish tissue concentrations did not exceed national and international standards, a significant risk to the local population is anticipated due to their high fish consumption rates. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/24126-4 - Efeitos dos pesticidas fipronil e 2,4-d isoladamente e em mistura, sobre espécies nativas da biota aquática neotropical
• Beneficiário: Raquel Aparecida Moreira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado