Assessment of mercury levels in soils, waters, bottom sediments and fishes of Acre state in Brazilian Amazon

Mercury in the aquatic biota and geologic materials in areas without anthropogenic sources has been stimulating the discussion about the possibility of natural Hg occurrence in the Amazon region. In this study the dispersion of Hg in different geologic materials as well as its relationship with high...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 2003-07, Vol.147 (1-4), p.61-77
Main Authors: BRABO, E. S, ANGELICA, R. S, SILVA, A. P, FAIAL, K. R. F, MASCARENHAS, A. F. S, SANTOS, E. C. O, JESUS, I. M, LOUREIRO, E. C. B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Anthropogenic factors
Applied ecology
Applied sciences
Aquatic animals
Assessments
Bioaccumulation
Biological and medical sciences
Biota
Bottom sediments
Continental surface waters
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Fish
Fossils
Fresh water environment
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Geology
Horizon
Mercury
Natural water pollution
Pisces
Pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Rivers
Sediments
Soils
Suspended sediments
Water analysis
Water sampling
Water treatment and pollution
X-ray diffraction
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Summary:Mercury in the aquatic biota and geologic materials in areas without anthropogenic sources has been stimulating the discussion about the possibility of natural Hg occurrence in the Amazon region. In this study the dispersion of Hg in different geologic materials as well as its relationship with high Hg levels, detected in some species of carnivorous fish consumed in the Rio Branco city, is evaluated. Bottom and suspended sediments, river water and fishes were sampled in the Acre and Purus Rivers and in some of their tributaries. Total mercury as well as physical and chemical characterization of the waters were done. Hg on top soil and upper horizons samples were also determined to evaluate the potential Hg accumulation in these materials. In addition the dominant minerals were determined by X-ray Diffraction analysis. Furthermore, ten samples of fossilized material were analyzed. The Hg analysis were carried out by CVAAS. The Hg mean levels in the bottom and suspensed sediments were 0.042 and 0.060 μg g^sup -1^, respectively. In the river water samples, the Hg levels were below the detection limit. The Hg mean values in the different soil samples were as follow: soil samples (0.077 μ g^sup -1^), lower (50-60 cm depth) horizons samples (0.117 μ g^sup -1^), ferruginous nodules within the clayey matrix (0.190 μ g^sup -1^) and fossilized material (0.379 μ g^sup -1^). In the fishes the Hg levels are high with mean of the 1.287 μ g^sup -1^ in the carnivorous species. These levels indicate a possible bioaccumulation of Hg mostly in the carnivorous fishes. Although low concentrations of Hg were found in the river waters, it is assumed here that the bioavailable Hg can is original large from the ferruginousnodules and fossilized materials.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0049-6979
1573-2932
DOI:10.1023/A:1024510312250