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Assessment of Mercury Concentration in Turtles ( Podocnemis unifilis ) in the Xingu River Basin, Brazil

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  • Marina Teófilo Pignati

    (Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará e Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi/CZO, Av. Perimetral, n.1, B. Guamá, Belém, PA 66075-750, Brazil)

  • Juarez Carlos Brito Pezzuti

    (Universidade Federal do Pará, Núcleo de Altos Estudos Amazônicos, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, Guamá, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil)

  • Larissa Costa de Souza

    (Instituto Evandro Chagas, Seção de Meio Ambiente, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Rodovia BR 316 km 07, Levilândia, Ananindeua, PA 67010-000, Brazil)

  • Marcelo De Oliveira Lima

    (Instituto Evandro Chagas, Seção de Meio Ambiente, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Rodovia BR 316 km 07, Levilândia, Ananindeua, PA 67010-000, Brazil)

  • Wanderlei Antonio Pignati

    (Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, MT CEP 78060-900, Brazil)

  • Rosivaldo De Alcântara Mendes

    (Instituto Evandro Chagas, Seção de Meio Ambiente, Laboratório de Toxicologia, Rodovia BR 316 km 07, Levilândia, Ananindeua, PA 67010-000, Brazil)

Abstract

Many studies on mercury contamination in aquatic biota deal with the effect of consuming metal-contaminated organisms on human health. In this study, we examined the factors that cause mercury contamination in Podocnemis unifilis in the Xingu River Basin of Mato Grosso and Pará States, Brazil. We quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy with cold vapor the total mercury (THg) content in the liver and muscle samples of 50 Podocnemis unifilis specimens collected from the basin. The liver and muscle samples contained 134.20 ± 119.30 ng g −1 THg and 24.86 ± 26.36 ng g −1 THg, respectively. Each chelonian or meal has, on average, 5.34× more Hg than the highest level established as acceptable. From the results it can be inferred that, given the weekly consumption of chelonians, the riverine and indigenous communities in the Xingu River Basin are at risk of chronic consumption of Hg in amounts beyond the acceptable limit. The potential high risk to the health of this population is evident; however, the risk classification needs to be further studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Teófilo Pignati & Juarez Carlos Brito Pezzuti & Larissa Costa de Souza & Marcelo De Oliveira Lima & Wanderlei Antonio Pignati & Rosivaldo De Alcântara Mendes, 2018. "Assessment of Mercury Concentration in Turtles ( Podocnemis unifilis ) in the Xingu River Basin, Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1185-:d:150935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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