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Evers DC, Ackerman JT, Åkerblom S, Bally D, Basu N, Bishop K, Bodin N, Braaten HFV, Burton MEH, Bustamante P, Chen C, Chételat J, Christian L, Dietz R, Drevnick P, Eagles-Smith C, Fernandez LE, Hammerschlag N, Harmelin-Vivien M, Harte A, Krümmel EM, Brito JL, Medina G, Barrios Rodriguez CA, Stenhouse I, Sunderland E, Takeuchi A, Tear T, Vega C, Wilson S, Wu P. Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 33:325-396. [PMID: 38683471 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-024-02747-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
An important provision of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures and its implementation. Here, we describe for the first time currently available biotic mercury (Hg) data on a global scale to improve the understanding of global efforts to reduce the impact of Hg pollution on people and the environment. Data from the peer-reviewed literature were compiled in the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database (>550,000 data points). These data provide a foundation for establishing a biomonitoring framework needed to track Hg concentrations in biota globally. We describe Hg exposure in the taxa identified by the Minamata Convention: fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. Based on the GBMS database, Hg concentrations are presented at relevant geographic scales for continents and oceanic basins. We identify some effective regional templates for monitoring methylmercury (MeHg) availability in the environment, but overall illustrate that there is a general lack of regional biomonitoring initiatives around the world, especially in Africa, Australia, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Temporal trend data for Hg in biota are generally limited. Ecologically sensitive sites (where biota have above average MeHg tissue concentrations) have been identified throughout the world. Efforts to model and quantify ecosystem sensitivity locally, regionally, and globally could help establish effective and efficient biomonitoring programs. We present a framework for a global Hg biomonitoring network that includes a three-step continental and oceanic approach to integrate existing biomonitoring efforts and prioritize filling regional data gaps linked with key Hg sources. We describe a standardized approach that builds on an evidence-based evaluation to assess the Minamata Convention's progress to reduce the impact of global Hg pollution on people and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Evers
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | | | - Dominique Bally
- African Center for Environmental Health, BP 826 Cidex 03, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Nil Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kevin Bishop
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Upsalla, Sweden
| | - Nathalie Bodin
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development Seychelles Fishing Authority, Victoria, Seychelles
| | | | - Mark E H Burton
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Celia Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Cliamte Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Linroy Christian
- Department of Analytical Services, Dunbars, Friars Hill, St John, Antigua and Barbuda
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Department of Ecoscience, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Paul Drevnick
- Teck American Incorporated, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Collin Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Luis E Fernandez
- Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability and Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 29106, USA
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazonica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, Peru
| | - Neil Hammerschlag
- Shark Research Foundation Inc, 29 Wideview Lane, Boutiliers Point, NS, B3Z 0M9, Canada
| | - Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
- Aix-Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU/IRD, Institut Méditerranéen d'Océanologie (MIO), UM 110, Campus de Luminy, case 901, 13288, Marseille, cedex 09, France
| | - Agustin Harte
- Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Chem. des Anémones 15, 1219, Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eva M Krümmel
- Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada, Ottawa, Canada and ScienTissiME Inc, Barry's Bay, ON, Canada
| | - José Lailson Brito
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Francisco Xavier, 524, Sala 4002, CEP 20550-013, Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Medina
- Director of Basel Convention Coordinating Centre, Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean, Hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Iain Stenhouse
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Elsie Sunderland
- Harvard University, Pierce Hall 127, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Akinori Takeuchi
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Health and Environmental Risk Division, 16-2 Onogawa Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Tim Tear
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Claudia Vega
- Centro de Innovaccion Cientifica Amazonica (CINCIA), Jiron Ucayali 750, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17001, Peru
| | - Simon Wilson
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pianpian Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
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Abdelaal A, Sultan M, Abotalib AZ, Bedair M, Krishnamurthy RV, Elhebiry M. Emerging mercury and methylmercury contamination from new artisanal and small-scale gold mining along the Nile Valley, Egypt. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:52514-52534. [PMID: 36829096 PMCID: PMC10119075 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25895-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The past decade witnessed the initiation and boom of the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities in the hyper-arid southern Egypt. The ores are mined in the Eastern Desert and then transported to the densely populated farming communities in the Nile Valley, where the river provides the water resources needed for ore processing. In search for economic benefits, the poorly educated farmers with limited technical resources transformed their cultivated lands into ASGM operations, exposing themselves, their families, the residents, and the Nile ecosystems to several environmental and occupational health problems. Using integrated remote sensing, field, geochemical, and isotopic analyses, we report the first inventory of ASGM-related total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) levels in tailings, amalgamation-tailing ponds, and surface and groundwater with emphasis on the Edfu city and its surroundings. The field and remote sensing-based mapping of ASGM activities reveals clustering around the Nile waterways and suggests interaction of Hg contamination sources with their surrounding receptors. Common ASGM practices include release of contaminated water from unlined amalgamation-tailing ponds into irrigation and drainage canals, and spreading of tailings over cultivated soils. In a short period (10 years), the released Hg contaminated multiple media, including the surface water, the shallow and deep aquifers, and possibly the soil, crops, and livestock. THg levels in amalgamation-tailing ponds (1200-8470 ng/L) are fourfold higher than US EPA and eightfold the WHO thresholds. The contaminated waters released from amalgamation-tailing ponds raised THg levels in surface water (irrigation canals: 50-100 ng/L; drainage canals: THg: > 200 ng/L) and groundwater (shallow and deep aquifers: 80-500 ng/L). Our findings highlight the need to extend the adopted approach to cover the entire length of the Nile River and its valley and the importance of conducting awareness campaigns to educate residents and health care providers about potential ASGM-related environmental and health hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abdelaal
- Environmental Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said, 42526, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Sultan
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences Remote Sensing (ESRS) Facility, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA.
| | - Abotalib Z Abotalib
- Department of Geology, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, Cairo, 1564, Egypt
- Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - R V Krishnamurthy
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences Remote Sensing (ESRS) Facility, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA
| | - Mohamed Elhebiry
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences Remote Sensing (ESRS) Facility, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
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3
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Makaure J, Dube T, Stewart D, Razavi NR. Mercury Exposure in Two Fish Trophic Guilds from Protected and ASGM-Impacted Reservoirs in Zimbabwe and Possible Risks to Human Health. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 84:199-213. [PMID: 36639419 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-00977-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite a surge in mercury (Hg) pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Zimbabwe's drainage basins, little is known about Hg trophodynamics in the country's major reservoirs. We analyzed fish tissues for total mercury (THg) and stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon (δ15N and δ13C) to compare patterns of biomagnification between two trophic guilds from a protected reservoir (Chivero) and an ASGM-impacted reservoir (Mazowe) and assessed consequences for human and fish health. Mean dry weight THg concentrations were significantly higher for both piscivorous and herbivorous fishes from Mazowe reservoir compared to fishes from similar feeding guilds in Chivero. Trophic magnification slopes (TMS), inferred from linear regressions between log10[THg] and δ15N, revealed significant Hg biomagnification in Mazowe (TMS = 0.28; p < 0.05) and no evidence for Hg biomagnification in Chivero (TMS = - 0.005; p > 0.05). In Mazowe's piscivorous fishes, 32% had wet weight THg concentrations that surpassed 0.2 µg/g ww, a threshold for susceptible human populations and biochemical and gene expression alterations in fish. In addition, 17% of Mazowe's piscivorous fishes surpassed the UNEP THg toxicity threshold for human consumption (0.5 µg/g ww). To reduce exposure to Hg toxicity in humans, the maximum fish consumption for piscivorous species from Mazowe reservoir should not exceed 431 g/week for both adult male and female consumers. Our findings demonstrate the importance of creating freshwater-protected areas to prevent direct Hg contamination of aquatic ecosystems and the need for health agencies to provide fish consumption advisories to vulnerable communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Makaure
- Department of Environmental Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Trevor Dube
- Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Donald Stewart
- Department of Environmental Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - N Roxanna Razavi
- Department of Environmental Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
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Punshon T, Jackson BP, Donohue A, Hong C, Rothenberg SE. Distribution and accumulation of mercury in pot-grown African rice cultivars (Oryza glaberrima Steud. and Oryza sativa L.) determined via LA-ICP-MS. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:4077-4089. [PMID: 34981270 PMCID: PMC9376884 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01169-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is limited information concerning the distribution of mercury in rice, particularly in African rice. The objective was to compare the distribution of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) and Asian rice (O. sativa L.). It is hypothesized that increased mineral accumulation and greater stress tolerance in O. glaberrima will affect the uptake and distribution of THg and MeHg, compared to O. sativa. Rice varieties from the Republic of Mali, including O. glaberrima (n =1) and O. sativa (n = 2), were cultivated in a greenhouse, in mercury-spiked soil (50 mg/kg) (n =3 replicates/variety). THg and MeHg concentrations were analyzed in the grain (brown rice), and the THg distribution was analyzed using laser ablation inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). THg and MeHg concentrations did not differ between O. glaberrima and O. sativa grain. However, in both O. sativa varieties, THg was highly concentrated in the scutellum, which surrounds the embryo and is removed during polishing. Conversely, in O. glaberrima grain, THg was widely distributed throughout the endosperm, the edible portion of the grain. Differences in the THg distribution in O. glaberrima grain, compared to O. sativa, may elevate the risk of mercury exposure through ingestion of polished rice. The novelty of this study includes the investigation of a less-studied rice species (O. glaberrima), the use of a highly sensitive elemental imaging technique (LA-ICP-MS), and its finding of a different grain THg distribution in O. glaberrima than has been observed in O. sativa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Punshon
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, USA
| | | | - Alexis Donohue
- University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA
| | - Chuan Hong
- University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA
| | - Sarah E Rothenberg
- University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA.
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, 103 Milam Hall, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA.
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5
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Zhang Y, Sun T, Ma M, Wang X, Xie Q, Zhang C, Wang Y, Wang D. Distribution of mercury and methylmercury in river water and sediment of typical manganese mining area. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 119:11-22. [PMID: 35934456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) ores contain substantial concentrations of mercury (Hg), and mining and smelting of Mn ores can bring Hg into the surrounding aquatic environment through atmospheric deposition, leaching of electrolytic Mn residue and Mn gangue dump. However, limited is known that how these processes influence the environmental behaviors of Hg in waterbody. Therefore, the seasonal distribution and existing form of Hg in water and sediment in one Mn ore area in Xiushan County, Chongqing were investigated. Our results showed that the mean Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in water (n=35) were 5.8 ± 4.6 ng/L and 0.22 ± 0.14 ng/L, respectively. The mean Hg concentrations in retained riverbed and fluvial bank sediment (n=35) were 0.74 ± 0.26 mg/kg and 0.63 ± 0.27 mg/kg, respectively (the mean MeHg concentrations were 0.64 ± 0.40 µg/kg and 0.51 ± 0.30 µg/kg, respectively). It indicated that the mining and smelting of Mn ores were the main sources of anthropogenic Hg, and Mn may inhibit Hg methylation in rivers in Mn ore areas. Mercury in the bound to iron/ Mn (Fe/Mn) oxides of low crystallinity fraction (Hg-OX) accounted for 4.01% and 5.25% of the total Hg concentrations in the retained riverbed and fluvial bank sediment, respectively. The amount of Hg bound to Fe/Mn oxides in sediment increased significantly due to the manganese mining activities in the investigated area. Therefore, it could be hypothesized that high Hg concentrations in river sediment in Mn mining areas are closely related to high Mn concentration in sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjiang Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Environment and Quality Test, Chongqing Chemical Industry Vocational College, Chongqing 401220, China
| | - Tao Sun
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ming Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xun Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qing Xie
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yongmin Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Mason RP, Coulibaly M, Hansen G, Inman H, Myer PK, Yao KM. An examination of mercury levels in the coastal environment and fish of Cote d'Ivoire. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 300:134609. [PMID: 35430197 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), energy production and other industrial inputs are a major source of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) to the aquatic environment globally, and these inputs have led to environmental contamination and human exposure. While studies have documented the effects of Hg inputs to rivers and marine waters of the West African region, estuarine waters of Cote d'Ivoire have been understudied, besides the waters surrounding Abidjan. To fill this gap, and to examine the potential for human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), we measured the concentrations of total Hg, MeHg, and ancillary parameters in water (dissolved and particulate phases), sediment and fish to determine the extent of environmental impact and the potential for MeHg exposure for people consuming these fish. Levels of Hg and MeHg in sediment were elevated in the vicinity of the urban environment (up to 0.3 ng/g dry weight (dw) MeHg and 623 ng/g dw total Hg) and lowest in the more remote estuarine environments. Measurements of Hg in tuna and other larger pelagic coastal species indicated that levels were elevated but comparable to other North Atlantic regions. However, levels of Hg in fish, even smaller estuarine species, were such that the rural and urban populations are potentially being exposed to unsafe levels of MeHg, primarily as a result of the relatively high fish consumption in Cote d'Ivoire compared to other countries. Overall, both local point sources and the transport of Hg used in interior ASGM activities are the sources for Hg contamination to these coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Mason
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA.
| | - M Coulibaly
- Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS), Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
| | - G Hansen
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - H Inman
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - P K Myer
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, USA
| | - K M Yao
- Oceanographic Institute, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
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Udodenko YG, Robinson CT, Choijil J, Badrakh R, Munkhbat J, Ivanova ES, Komov VT. Mercury levels in sediment, fish and macroinvertebrates of the Boroo River, northern Mongolia, under the legacy of gold mining. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:312-323. [PMID: 34988727 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-021-02502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Gold mining is currently one of the main anthropogenic sources of mercury in the environment. In this study, the total mercury content was measured in bottom sediments, benthic macroinvertebrates (mayfly larvae), and fish (Siberian dace) along the Boroo River in northern Mongolia. There was a gold recovery plant in the middle reaches of the river until the mid-twentieth century; an accident there in the 1950s caused a mercury spill. We found an increased content of mercury in measured ecosystem components near the plant compared to the upper reaches of the river. The mercury content in sediments varied from trace amounts in the upper Boroo to 2200 ng/g dry weight (dw) in the vicinity of the plant ruins. The mercury content in mayfly larvae ranged from 50 to 2940 ng/g dw and had a spatial pattern as sediments, with the highest concentrations near the plant. The mercury content in sediments was lower at the mouth of the Boroo River than near the plant, reflecting the lower boundary of the mercury spill. Maximum values of mercury content in fish muscle were found at the river's mouth and were several times higher than in other rivers of northern Mongolia. Median mercury content in muscles of dace from the lower Boroo in 2016 has doubled since studies in 2010-2012, which may be the result of current mercury releases from gold mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury G Udodenko
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nekouz district, Yaroslavl oblast 152742, Borok, Russia.
- Department of human health and biology, Cherepovets State University, Lunacharskogo, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia.
| | - Christopher T Robinson
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, 8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland and Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH-Zürich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Javzan Choijil
- Institute of Geography-Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Science, Baruun Selbe 15, Ulaanbaatar, 210620, Mongolia
| | - Renchinbud Badrakh
- Institute of Geography-Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Science, Baruun Selbe 15, Ulaanbaatar, 210620, Mongolia
| | - Jansagsodnom Munkhbat
- Institute of Geography-Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Science, Baruun Selbe 15, Ulaanbaatar, 210620, Mongolia
| | - Elena S Ivanova
- Department of human health and biology, Cherepovets State University, Lunacharskogo, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
| | - Victor T Komov
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nekouz district, Yaroslavl oblast 152742, Borok, Russia
- Department of human health and biology, Cherepovets State University, Lunacharskogo, 5, Cherepovets, 162600, Russia
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Koenigsmark F, Weinhouse C, Berky AJ, Morales AM, Ortiz EJ, Pierce EM, Pan WK, Hsu-Kim H. Efficacy of Hair Total Mercury Content as a Biomarker of Methylmercury Exposure to Communities in the Area of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:13350. [PMID: 34948962 PMCID: PMC8707462 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Total mercury content (THg) in hair is an accepted biomarker for chronic dietary methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. In artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities, the validity of this biomarker is questioned because of the potential for contamination from inorganic mercury. As mining communities may have both inorganic and organic mercury exposures, the efficacy of the hair-THg biomarker needs to be evaluated, particularly as nations begin population exposure assessments under their commitments to the Minamata Convention. We sought to validate the efficacy of hair THg for public health monitoring of MeHg exposures for populations living in ASGM communities. We quantified both THg and MeHg contents in hair from a representative subset of participants (N = 287) in a large, population-level mercury exposure assessment in the ASGM region in Madre de Dios (MDD), Peru. We compared population MeHg-THg correlations and %MeHg values with demographic variables including community location, sex, occupation, and nativity. We observed that hair MeHg-THg correlations were high (r > 0.7) for all communities, regardless of location or nativity. Specifically, for individuals within ASGM communities, 81% (121 of 150 total) had hair THg predominantly in the form of MeHg (i.e., >66% of THg) and reflective of dietary exposure to mercury. Furthermore, for individuals with hair THg exceeding the U.S. EPA threshold (1.0 μg/g), 88 out of 106 (83%) had MeHg as the predominant form. As a result, had urine THg solely been used for mercury exposure monitoring, approximately 59% of the ASGM population would have been misclassified as having low mercury exposure. Our results support the use of hair THg for monitoring of MeHg exposure of populations in ASGM settings where alternative biomarkers of MeHg exposure are not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faye Koenigsmark
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
| | - Caren Weinhouse
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
| | - Axel J. Berky
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Ana Maria Morales
- Centro Nacional de Salud Intercultural, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Ministerio de Salud, Cápac Yupanqui 1400-Jesus María, Lima 15027, Peru;
| | - Ernesto J. Ortiz
- Duke Global Health Innovation Center, Duke University, 310 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC 27701, USA;
| | - Eric M. Pierce
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA;
| | - William K. Pan
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, 310 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
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Chang C, Yin R, Huang F, Wang R, Chen C, Mao K, Feng X, Zhang H. A new method of predicting the contribution of TGM to Hg in white rice: Using leaf THg and implications for Hg risk control in Wanshan Hg mine area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 288:117727. [PMID: 34329067 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rice plants accumulate Hg from the soil and ambient air, however, evaluating the contribution of Hg from these two sources remains challenging. Here, we proposed a practical method to predict the contribution of total gaseous mercury (TGM) to Hg in white rice in Wanshan Hg mine area (WMM). In this study, rice was planted in the same low-Hg soil at different sites of WMM with varying TGM levels. Comparing to the control sites at IG (Institute of Geochemistry, Guiyang), TGM is the dominant source of Hg in rice leaves and white rice at TB (Tianba) and ZJW (Zhangjiawan) sites of WMM. Subsequently, a good correlation between the Hg concentrations in rice leaves and the concentration contributions of TGM to Hg in white rice was obtained. Such a correlation enabled feasible quantification of the contribution of TGM to Hg in white rice collected from the Wanshan Hg mine. The contribution of TGM to Hg in white rice across the WMM area was also estimated, demonstrating that white rice receives 14-83% of Hg from the air. Considering the high contribution of TGM to Hg in white rice, we compared the relative health risks of Hg via inhalation and rice consumption and found that inhalation, rather than rice consumption, was the major pathway for bioaccessible Hg exposure in adults at high-TGM sites. This study provides new knowledge of Hg biogeochemistry in Hg-mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanyu Chang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Fang Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Ruirui Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chongying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Kang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Cheng M, Liu M, Li D, Luo Q, Zhang Z, Yuan L, Yu C, Xie H, Lin H, Zhang Q, Ji D, Wang X. Human Methylmercury Exposure and Potential Impacts in Central Tibet: Food and Traditional Tibetan Medicine. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 107:449-458. [PMID: 33839798 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03216-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury presents potent neurotoxicity to humans. Fish consumption is the leading source of human exposure to methylmercury worldwide. However, the exposure source in Tibet remains poorly understood because of the scarcity of observational data on most Tibetan foods, although high mercury levels were recently detected in some traditional Tibetan medicines. Here, the results of field investigations show that the joint consumption of traditional Tibetan medicines (TTMs), fish, and rice constitutes a primary exposure pathway to methylmercury in Tibetans and that the probable daily intake of methylmercury is close to that for many coastal regions. People who are young and high-income may have higher methylmercury exposure levels mainly because of economic development and cultural exchanges among regions. Our analysis indicates that a large proportion of the Tibetan population are likely to face a high methylmercury exposure risk and that mercury-susceptible populations in Tibet should be attentive to consuming TTMs with fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Cheng
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Maodian Liu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Dou Li
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qing Luo
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Liuliang Yuan
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Department of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chenghao Yu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Han Xie
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Huiming Lin
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qianru Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - De Ji
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tibet University, Tibet, 850012, China
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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11
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Zhang Z, Chen L, Cheng M, Liu M, Wang X. Biotransport of mercury and human methylmercury exposure through crabs in China - A life cycle-based analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125684. [PMID: 33765564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) has various toxic effects on humans. The evaluation of human MeHg exposure has previously focused on fish consumption. However, in this study, we found that MeHg levels in domestic crabs in China were also relatively high (range: 50-1400 ng/g, dry weight). The high MeHg levels in crabs and their high consumption do not match the risk assessment of MeHg, indicating an underestimated exposure risk, especially in MeHg-sensitive groups such as pregnant women. The annual crab MeHg content output in China was estimated to be 30 ± 27 kg. A total of 6.8% of the country's land area contributes 71% of the MeHg output. However, 66% of the output is redistributed to non-crab-producing regions via interregional food trade, posing risks to the population on a national scale. The daily intake of MeHg from crabs could easily exceed the reference dose (0.1 µg/kg of body weight per day) suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with consideration of coexposure from fish, rice, and other food sources. We suggest that future MeHg exposure analysis includes crab MeHg as a coexposure pathway to estimate the dietary MeHg limit accurately and emphasize the influence of interregional food trade on MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Menghan Cheng
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Maodian Liu
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA.
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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12
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Kinimo KC, Yao KM, Marcotte S, Kouassi NLB, Trokourey A. Trace metal(loid)s contamination in paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) from wetlands near two gold mines in Côte d'Ivoire and health risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:22779-22788. [PMID: 33423204 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12360-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in rice grains grown in wetlands associated with gold mining in central-southern of Côte d'Ivoire to evaluate potential health risks exposure via rice consumption. In total, 30 rice grains were sampled around Agbaou and Bonikro gold mines. Arsenic and cadmium concentrations were determined using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), while atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used for mercury. Results showed that As and Hg average concentrations in rice were above the permissible limits, while Cd average concentrations were below the permissible limit established by FAO/WHO in both sites. Except for Hg at Agbaou, no significant (p < 0.05) difference was found between trace metal concentrations in the two sites. The average daily intake (ADI) of As via rice consumption exceeded the USEPA reference dose (RfD) of 0.0003 μg g-1 day-1, indicating that rice ingestion is a pathway of As exposure for adults and children in the area. The average values of non-carcinogen (HQ) for As and carcinogen (CR) for As and Cd risks index suggest that potential health risks exist for both adults and children due to rice consumption at Agbaou and Bonikro. The maximum safe weekly consumption (MSWC) of rice relative to As, Cd, and Hg was estimated for the study area. Overall, this study provides strong evidence that As could threaten local population health in Côte d'Ivoire regions where gold mine extraction is occurring through rice ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kakou Charles Kinimo
- UFR Sciences Biologiques, Département de Mathématiques Physique Chimie, Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, BP 1328, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
| | - Koffi Marcellin Yao
- Centre de Recherches Océanologiques (CRO), 29, rue des pêcheurs, BP V18, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Stéphane Marcotte
- Normandie University, COBRA, UMR CNRS 6014 et FR 3038, INSA de Rouen, 1 rue Tesnière, Cedex 76821, Mont Saint-Aignan, France
| | - N'Guessan Louis Berenger Kouassi
- UFR Sciences Biologiques, Département de Mathématiques Physique Chimie, Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, BP 1328, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Albert Trokourey
- Physic Chemistry Laboratory, Félix Houphouët Boigny University, BP 522, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
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Gutiérrez-Mosquera H, Marrugo-Negrete J, Díez S, Morales-Mira G, Montoya-Jaramillo LJ, Jonathan MP. Mercury distribution in different environmental matrices in aquatic systems of abandoned gold mines, Western Colombia: Focus on human health. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 404:124080. [PMID: 33142140 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg) in water, sediments, macrophytes, fish and human health risks were analyzed and assessed from abandoned gold mining ponds (AGMPs)/ mining areas in Western Colombia to know its present environmental condition. Concentrations of THg in water (avg. 13.0 ± 13.73 ng L-1) was above the EPA threshold level (12 ng L-1), suggesting possible chronic effects. Sediment sample revealed that the ponds are methylated (%MeHg: 3.3-11). Macrophyte Eleocharis elegans presented higher THg content in the underground biomass (0.16 ± 0.13 µg g-1 dw) than in the aerial biomass (0.05 ± 0.04 µg g-1 dw) indicating accumulation of THg. MeHg was the most abundant chemical species in fish (MeHg/THg: 83.2-95.0%), signifying higher bioavailability and its risk towards human health. Fish samples (15%) indicate that THg were above WHO limit (0.5 µg g), particularly in Ctenolucius beani, Hoplias malabaricus and lowest in Sternopygus aequilabiatus and Geophagus pellegrini. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg were higher in the carnivores representing a source of exposure and potential threat to human health. Fulton's condition factor (K) for bioaccumulation indicate a decrease with increasing trophic level of fishes. Overall results suggest, mercury species found in different AGMPs compartments should be monitored in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Gutiérrez-Mosquera
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, Carrera 22 No.18B-10, Quibdó, Colombia; Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Medellín, Carrera 87 No. 30-65, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Sergi Díez
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gladis Morales-Mira
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Medellín, Carrera 87 No. 30-65, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - M P Jonathan
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de México, México.
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14
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Gutiérrez-Mosquera H, Marrugo-Negrete J, Díez S, Morales-Mira G, Montoya-Jaramillo LJ, Jonathan MP. Distribution of chemical forms of mercury in sediments from abandoned ponds created during former gold mining operations in Colombia. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 258:127319. [PMID: 32563065 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were studied in sediments from 27 abandoned gold mining ponds (AGMPs) through small-scale artisanal gold mining in the district of San Juan in Chocó region of Colombia. The AGMPs were abandoned in the last century (1997) and were grouped into three distinct groups (2-6; 7-12; 13-20 years). Overall concentration (in ng g-1) pattern of THg in sediments varied from 39.06 to 1271.32 (avg. 209.57) with 174.81 (13-20 years), 205.56 (7-12 years) and 248.33 (2-6 years) respectively. MeHg concentrations accounted for 3.3-10.9% (avg. 6.5%) of THg and were significantly correlated with THg during all periods. Correlations between organic matter (OM) vs MeHg and THg were negative in the oldest pools, signifying a "dilution effect" or "natural burial" of THg and MeHg. Results for sequential extraction indicate that the fraction of elemental Hg (Hg-e) and organo chelated Hg (Hg-o) represent the main chemical forms of Hg in the sediments, regardless of the abandonment period, whereas the bioavailable fraction was only 0.12-1.65% of THg. The significant statistical relationship between MeHg, THg and OM suggests that these parameters control the distribution, mobility, toxicity and bioavailability of Hg in the sediments of these abandoned ponds. Evaluation of THg with sediment quality guidelines indicates that the values are on the higher side for Threshold effect concentration and Upper continental crust. Comparing of MeHg with many other regions outside Colombia is a worrying factor and needs immediate attention to protect the human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Gutiérrez-Mosquera
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, Carrera 22 No.18B-10, Quibdó, Colombia; Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Medellín, Carrera 87 No. 30-65, Medellín, Colombia
| | - José Marrugo-Negrete
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Grupo de Agua, Química Aplicada y Ambiental, Universidad de Córdoba, Carrera 6 No. 76-103, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia.
| | - Sergi Díez
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gladis Morales-Mira
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Medellín, Carrera 87 No. 30-65, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - M P Jonathan
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
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15
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Gabriel FÂ, Hauser-Davis RA, Soares L, Mazzuco ACA, Rocha RCC, Saint Pierre TD, Saggioro E, Correia FV, Ferreira TO, Bernardino AF. Contamination and oxidative stress biomarkers in estuarine fish following a mine tailing disaster. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10266. [PMID: 33194429 PMCID: PMC7602685 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Rio Doce estuary, in Brazil, was impacted by the deposition of iron mine tailings, caused by the collapse of a dam in 2015. Based on published baseline datasets, the estuary has been experiencing chronic trace metal contamination effects since 2017, with potential bioaccumulation in fishes and human health risks. As metal and metalloid concentrations in aquatic ecosystems pose severe threats to the aquatic biota, we hypothesized that the trace metals in estuarine sediments nearly two years after the disaster would lead to bioaccumulation in demersal fishes and result in the biosynthesis of metal-responsive proteins. METHODS We measured As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn concentrations in sediment samples in August 2017 and compared to published baseline levels. Also, trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn) and protein (metallothionein and reduced glutathione) concentrations were quantified in the liver and muscle tissues of five fish species (Cathorops spixii, Genidens genidens, Eugerres brasilianus, Diapterus rhombeus and Mugil sp.) from the estuary, commonly used as food sources by local populations. RESULTS Our results revealed high trace metal concentrations in estuarine sediments, when compared to published baseline values for the same estuary. The demersal fish species C. spixii and G. genidens had the highest concentrations of As, Cr, Mn, Hg, and Se in both, hepatic and muscle, tissues. Trace metal bioaccumulation in fish was correlated with the biosynthesis of metallothionein and reduced glutathione in both, liver and muscle, tissues, suggesting active physiological responses to contamination sources. The trace metal concentrations determined in fish tissues were also present in the estuarine sediments at the time of this study. Some elements had concentrations above the maximum permissible limits for human consumption in fish muscles (e.g., As, Cr, Mn, Se and Zn), suggesting potential human health risks that require further studies. Our study supports the high biogeochemical mobility of toxic elements between sediments and the bottom-dwelling biota in estuarine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício Â. Gabriel
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil
| | | | - Lorena Soares
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Ana Carolina A. Mazzuco
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil
| | | | - Tatiana D. Saint Pierre
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Enrico Saggioro
- Departamento de Saneamento e Saúde Ambiental, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Fabio Verissimo Correia
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Tiago O. Ferreira
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Angelo F. Bernardino
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil
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Affandi FA, Ishak MY. Impacts of suspended sediment and metal pollution from mining activities on riverine fish population-a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:16939-16951. [PMID: 31028621 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05137-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mining activities are responsible for the elevated input levels of suspended sediment and hazardous metals into the riverine ecosystem. These have been shown to threaten the riverine fish populations and can even lead to localized population extinction. To date, research on the effects of mining activities on fish has been focused within metal contamination and bioaccumulation and its threat to human consumption, neglecting the effects of suspended sediment. This paper reviews the effects of suspended sediment and metal pollution on riverine ecosystem and fish population by examining the possibilities of genetic changes and population extinction. In addition, possible assessments and studies of the riverine fish population are discussed to cope with the risks from mining activities and fish population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Ahmad Affandi
- Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Yusoff Ishak
- Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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