Abstract
In the Amazon Basin, naturally occurring methylmercury bioaccumulates in fish, which is a key source of protein consumed by riverine populations. The hydroelectric power-plant project at Santo Antônio Falls allows us to compare the Hg exposure of riverine populations sparsely distributed on both sides of the Madeira river before the area is to be flooded. From 2009 to 2011, we concluded a population survey of the area (N = 2,008; representing circa 80% of community residents) that estimated fish consumption and mercury exposure of riverine populations with different degrees of lifestyle related to fish consumption. Fish samples from the Madeira river (N = 1,615) and 110 species were analyzed for Hg. Hair-Hg was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in less isolated communities near to the capital of Porto Velho (median 2.32 ppm) than in subsistence communities in the Cuniã Lake, 180 km from Porto Velho city (median 6.3 ppm). Fish Hg concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 6.06 µg/g, depending on fish size and feeding behavior. Currently available fish in the Madeira river show a wide variability in Hg concentrations. Despite cultural similarities, riparians showed hair-Hg distribution patterns that reflect changes in fish-eating habits driven by subsistence characteristics.
Highlights
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a known neurotoxicant that accumulates in the food chain posing a significant risk to fish consumers, mainly women of childbearing age and young children.In the Amazon, naturally occurring MeHg bioaccumulates in fish, which is a key source of protein and essential nutrients in a cassava-based diet [1]
The aim of this study is to assess mercury exposure, fish mercury concentrations and fish consumption habits in riverine populations inhabiting both sides of the Madeira river near the
This hydroelectric power-plant is being constructed at the Santo Antônio Falls, which is the last waterfall before Porto Velho city and marks the beginning of the navigable stretch of the Madeira river until the Atlantic Ocean
Summary
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a known neurotoxicant that accumulates in the food chain posing a significant risk to fish consumers, mainly women of childbearing age and young children.In the Amazon, naturally occurring MeHg bioaccumulates in fish, which is a key source of protein and essential nutrients in a cassava-based diet [1]. In the neighboring Bolivian Amazon, fish consumption tends to be higher among the more isolated and impoverished inhabitants [5] This cross-sectional descriptive study is part of a large interdisciplinary research project to integrate social, environmental, and health assessment of all riverine inhabitants of an area likely to be impacted by the Santo Antônio hydroelectric power-plant. This hydroelectric power-plant is being constructed at the Santo Antônio Falls, which is the last waterfall before Porto Velho city (state capital of Rondonia) and marks the beginning of the navigable stretch of the Madeira river until the Atlantic Ocean. After a comprehensive explanation, including the assurance that their involvement in this study was voluntary, consent forms were signed by the participants
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