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Gomes PR, Pestana IA, de Almeida MG, de Rezende CE. The Paraíba do Sul River Basin and its coastal area as a study model of the mercury cycle: A meta-analytical review of three decades of research. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132442. [PMID: 37683351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The Paraíba do Sul River (PSR) Basin is a crucial drainage basin in Southeast Brazil, being the most industrialized and densely populated region in the country. Over the last three decades, the basin has been the subject of numerous studies due to its long history of mercury (Hg) contamination. This makes the PSR Basin an excellent model to evaluate Hg cycling, which is a priority for signatory countries of the Minamata Convention, which includes Brazil. This review compiled data on Hg from five environmental compartments (animals, plants, sediment, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and water), three different sectors (upper, middle, and lower) and five different ecosystems (reservoir, mangrove, fluvial, estuarine, and coastal) from 60 published studies, aiming to understand the Hg cycling through meta-analyses. The highest concentrations of Hg were observed in the upper and middle sectors of the basin, which are areas with high industrialization and urbanization levels. Among the evaluated ecosystems, hydropower reservoirs showed the highest medians and were also frequent in the upper and middle portions of the PSR basin. Over the years, all environmental compartments showed a decline in Hg concentrations due to the implementation of federal and state environmental policies. The main source of Hg for the basin was Hg-rich soils from past activities (such as artisanal small-scale gold mining and the use of organomercurial fungicides in sugarcane plantations). These results can assist decision-makers in the management of the basin's ecosystems and can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the Minamata Convention in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipe Ribeiro Gomes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia - CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Inácio Abreu Pestana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia - CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gomes de Almeida
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia - CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo de Rezende
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia - CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Tovar LR, Sus B, Azevedo A, Lailson-Brito J, Bisi TL. Mercury toxicology in Epinephelidae fishes: A multiple tissue approach in two groupers species from southwestern Atlantic (SE-Brazil). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114967. [PMID: 37121186 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Epinephelidae fishes are important to reef ecosystems, as well as for commercial fishing and cultural heritage. Additionally, most of these species are at some risk of extinction, as Epinephelus marginatus and Hyporthodus nigritus. This study aimed to determine total mercury (THg) concentrations and burden on eight tissues of E. marginatus and H. nigritus. A Cold Vapor/Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was used for the THg determination. THg concentrations and burden varied significantly between tissues in both species. The highest concentrations were determined in the liver, and the greatest burden was in muscle. The gonad concentrations were higher than the toxicological threshold. General trends of increase in THg concentrations and burden along growth were observed. Mercury is a threat for both species evaluated, raising this concern for other Epinephelidae species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Rodrigues Tovar
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores, Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil.
| | - Bruna Sus
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores, Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Azevedo
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores, Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
| | - José Lailson-Brito
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores, Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Lemos Bisi
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores, Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
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Gomes PR, Pestana IA, de Almeida MG, de Oliveira BCV, de Rezende CE. Effects of illegal gold mining on Hg concentrations in water, Pistia stratiotes, suspended particulate matter, and bottom sediments of two impacted rivers (Paraíba do Sul River and Muriaé River), Southeastern, Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:797. [PMID: 36114919 PMCID: PMC9483332 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10477-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent reports of illegal small-scale alluvial gold mining activities (locally called garimpo) by miners working on rafts in the Paraíba do Sul River (PSR) and in one of its tributaries (Muriaé River (MR)) have raised concerns about Hg contamination. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of garimpo activities on Hg contamination in three environmental compartments. Water, sediment, and aquatic macrophytes (Pistia stratiotes) were sampled during the rainy season in PSR, forming a 106-km transect from the point where garimpo rafts were seen and/or seized by the Federal Police. They were also sampled in the MR. Total and dissolved mercury (Hg) concentrations in water and total Hg in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) sampled in the PSR increased by 1.7, 1.5, and 2.1 times at the points where the rafts were seen compared to the point immediately upstream. In the MR, Hg concentrations were higher than those in the PSR, but most values in the environmental compartments were below the safe limits (174-486 ng∙g-1, threshold and probable effect level, respectively), with the exception of Hg in the SPM of one of the MR sampling points (256 ng∙g-1) and the mining tailings (197 ng∙g-1). Sediment granulometry was exponentially associated with Hg concentrations in the sediment (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.0001) and is also essential to understand the physical impacts of garimpo on PSR. Future studies should focus on assessing the seasonal variability of Hg concentrations in the studied compartments, especially if garimpo is identified during the dry season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipe Ribeiro Gomes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia E Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil.
| | - Inácio Abreu Pestana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia E Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gomes de Almeida
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia E Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Bráulio Cherene Vaz de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia E Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo de Rezende
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia E Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências E Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
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Azevedo-Santos VM, Arcifa MS, Brito MFG, Agostinho AA, Hughes RM, Vitule JR, Simberloff D, Olden JD, Pelicice FM. Negative impacts of mining on Neotropical freshwater fishes. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Mining activities have significantly affected the Neotropical freshwater ichthyofauna, the most diverse in the world. However, no study has systematized knowledge on the subject. In this review, we assembled information on the main impacts of mining of crude oil, gold, iron, copper, and bauxite on aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing Neotropical freshwater fishes. The information obtained shows that mining activities generate several different disturbances, mainly via input of crude oil, metals and other pollutants, erosion and siltation, deforestation, and road construction. Mining has resulted in direct and indirect losses of fish diversity in several Neotropical waterbodies. The negative impacts on the ichthyofauna may change the structure of communities, compromise entire food chains, and erode ecosystem services provided by freshwater fishes. Particularly noteworthy is that mining activities (legal and illegal) are widespread in the Neotropics, and often located within or near protected areas. Actions to prevent and mitigate impacts, such as inspection, monitoring, management, and restoration plans, have been cursory or absent. In addition, there is strong political pressure to expand mining; if – or when – this happens, it will increase the potential of the activity to further diminish the diversity of Neotropical freshwater fishes.
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Custódio FB, Andrade AMGF, Guidi LR, Leal CAG, Gloria MBA. Total mercury in commercial fishes and estimation of Brazilian dietary exposure to methylmercury. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2020; 62:126641. [PMID: 32947217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury, in particular its most toxic form methylmercury, poses a risk to public health. Dietary methylmercury exposure is mainly by fish, and it can vary with fish contamination and by dietary habits of the population. This study aimed to quantify total mercury levels in different fish from Brazil and to estimate Brazilian exposure to methylmercury by fish consumption. METHODS Total mercury occurrence was investigated in 18 different fish species by atomic absorption spectrometry with thermal decomposition and gold amalgamation. Dietary exposure to methylmercury was estimated by a deterministic method for different groups considering consumption by sex, different Brazilian geographical regions and habitat (rural or urban). RESULTS Carnivorous fish showed higher levels of mercury (0.01 to 0.93 mg/kg) compared to non-strictly carnivorous fish (<0.01 to 0.30 mg/kg). Farmed fishes showed significantly lower levels compared to wild fish. Mean Brazilian fish consumption achieves FAO/WHO health recommendation of about two portions of fish per week. However, there is a large difference between fish consumption at urban and rural homes and among Brazilian geographic regions. These differences in consumption impacted estimated methylmercury intake that was higher in the Northern (1.85 μg/kg bw week) and in the Northeastern (0.72 μg/kg bw week) regions and also by rural population (1.08 μg/kg bw week). These values were compared with the toxicological reference dose for neurotoxicity of 1.6 μg/kg bw week. CONCLUSION Even though total levels of mercury in fish were lower than Brazilian and international legislations, in the Northern Brazilian region methylmercury intake overpassed the toxicological reference dose for neurotoxicity and in rural areas it achieved 68% of this reference dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Beatriz Custódio
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Toxicologia de Alimentos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil; LBqA, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Arthur Magno G F Andrade
- LBqA, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Letícia R Guidi
- LBqA, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil; Faculdade de Engenharia Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Avançado Patos de Minas, Rua Padre Pavoni 290, Patos de Minas, MG, 38701-002, Brazil
| | - Carlos A G Leal
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária e Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Beatriz A Gloria
- LBqA, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil; CEDAFAR, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
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de Almeida Rodrigues P, Ferrari RG, Dos Santos LN, Conte Junior CA. Mercury in aquatic fauna contamination: A systematic review on its dynamics and potential health risks. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 84:205-218. [PMID: 31284912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is an important pollutant, released into aquatic ecosystems both naturally and by anthropogenic action. This element is transferred to aquatic organisms in different ways, causing potential health risks. In addition, mercury can be accumulated by humans, especially through the consumption of contaminated food. This systematic review aims to present mercury pathways, the major routes through which this element reaches the aquatic environment and its transformations until becoming available to living animals, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification phenomena. The key biotic and abiotic factors affecting such processes, the impact of mercury on animal and human health and the issue of seafood consumption as a source of chronic mercury contamination are also addressed. A total of 101 articles were retrieved from a standardized search on three databases (PubMed, Emabse, and Web of Science), in addition to 28 other studies not found on these databases but considered fundamental to this review (totaling 129 articles). Both biotic and abiotic factors display fundamental importance in mediating mercurial dynamics, i.e., muscle tropism, and salinity, respectively. Consequently, mercurial contamination in aquatic environments affects animal health, especially the risk of extinction species and also on human health, with methylmercury the main mercury species responsible for acute and chronic symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma de Almeida Rodrigues
- Molecular and Analytical Laboratory Center, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Gomes Ferrari
- Molecular and Analytical Laboratory Center, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Chemistry Institute, Food Science Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciano Neves Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Ichthyology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Adam Conte Junior
- Molecular and Analytical Laboratory Center, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Chemistry Institute, Food Science Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Health Quality Control, Fundaçãeo Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Azevedo LS, Pestana IA, Rocha ARM, Meneguelli-Souza AC, Lima CAI, Almeida MG, Bastos WR, Souza CMM. Drought promotes increases in total mercury and methylmercury concentrations in fish from the lower Paraíba do Sul river, southeastern Brazil. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 202:483-490. [PMID: 29579683 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Bioaccumulation of mercury and methylmercury in fish represents a serious risk to human beings. Extreme climate events like droughts may increase the trophic transfer of contaminants and net methylation of mercury. The present study assessed the influence of the 2014 drought on total mercury and methylmercury levels in fish from the lower Paraiba do Sul river basin. Contaminant levels were compared for Pimelodus fur, Pachyurus adspersus, Pimelodella lateristriga, Oligosarcus hepsetus, and Crenicichla lacustris captured in five sites in 2013 (N = 212) and 2014 (N = 231). The results indicate that levels of contaminants were higher during the drought in most species. Rainfall was weakly and negatively correlated with total mercury levels in most of the species. The weak relationship between these two variables was due to the indirect influence of rainfall on mercury bioaccumulation. In summary, drought increased the levels of two contaminants in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Azevedo
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil.
| | - I A Pestana
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - A R M Rocha
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - A C Meneguelli-Souza
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - C A I Lima
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - M G Almeida
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
| | - W R Bastos
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, Rondônia, RO, CEP: 76815-800, Brazil
| | - C M M Souza
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 28013-602, Brazil
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