Assessment of total mercury levels in Clarias gariepinus from the Sagua la Grande River, Cuba.
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.
Laboratorio de Análisis Ambiental, Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Ave. Salvador Allende y Luaces, Plaza, Ciudad Habana, Cuba.
D
D
De La Rosa
L
L
Lima
S
S
Olivares-Rieumont
D W
DW
Graham
I
I
Enriquez
O
O
Diaz
J M
JM
Bastías
O
O
Muñoz
D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D002397:Catfishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D003462:Cuba; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury