Determination of Hg and diet identification in otter (Lontra longicaudis) feces.
An analytical procedure for the determination of Hg in otter (Lontra longicaudis) feces was developed, to separate fish scales for the identification of the animal diet. Samples were washed with ultra-pure water and the suspension was sampled and transferred for digestion. The solubilization was performed with nitric-perchloric acid mixture, and detection carried out by the atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). The quality of the analytical procedure was assessed by analyzing in-house standard solutions and certified reference materials. Total Hg concentrations were in the range of 7.6-156 ng g(-1) (July 2004), 25.6-277 ng g(-1) (January 2005) and 14.6-744 ng g(-1) (May 2005) that is approximately the same order of magnitude for all samples collected in two reservoirs at the Tiete River, Brazil. Although Hg concentrations varied with sampling periods and diet, high levels were correlated to the percentage of carnivorous fish scales present in the otter feces.
Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura-CENA-USP, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Centenário 303, 13400-970 Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. carlajosef@hotmail.com
Carla Ferreira
CF
Josef
Leonardo Ramos
LR
Adriano
Elvis Joacir
EJ
De França
Gabriel Gustinelli
GG
Arantes de Carvalho
José Roberto
JR
Ferreira
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005399:Fishes; D020387:Food Chain; D005506:Food Contamination; D005618:Fresh Water; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D010041:Otters / Q000378:metabolism*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury