Assessment of total mercury levels in Clarias gariepinus from the Sagua la Grande River, Cuba

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2009 Jan;82(1):101-5. doi: 10.1007/s00128-008-9568-5. Epub 2008 Oct 8.

Abstract

Total mercury levels (Thg) were quantified in Clarias gariepinus captured from the Sagua la Grande River (Cuba) in the vicinity of an active chlor-alkali plant, and relationships among place of capture; fish size, weight, and sex; and THg levels were assessed. THg levels ranged from 67 to 375 ng/g ww in collected fish, never exceeding the Cuban recommended maximum limit for fish consumption of 500 ng/g ww. No significant correlation was observed between mercury levels and fish allometric characteristics (p < 0.05); however, levels were significantly higher in fish captured below the chlor-alkali facility, suggesting a connection between mercury bioaccumulation and plant discharges.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Body Weight
  • Catfishes / metabolism*
  • Cuba
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Male
  • Mercury / analysis*
  • Mercury / pharmacokinetics
  • Mercury / toxicity
  • Risk Assessment
  • Rivers / chemistry*
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / pharmacokinetics
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Mercury