Abstract
Heavy metals threaten communities near biodiversity hotspots, as their protein sources come from the environment. This study assessed Hg, Cd, and Se concentrations in fish, as well as the magnitude of exposure and hematological conditions of adult citizens from Puerto Nariño (Colombian Amazon). Among fish samples, greater Hg concentrations were found in higher trophic level species, including Rhaphiodon vulpinus (880 ± 130 ng/g) and Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum (920 ± 87 ng/g). These species presented the highest hazard quotients and lowest Se:Hg molar ratios among those studied, showing their consumption represents a health risk to consumers. Moreover, some samples of Mylossoma duriventre and Prochilodus magdalenae had Cd levels greater than the regulated limit (100 ng/g). The average total Hg (T-Hg) concentrations in human hair and blood were 5.31 µg/g and 13.7 µg/L, respectively. All hair samples exceeded the 1.0 μg/g threshold set by the USEPA, whereas 93% of the volunteers had T-Hg blood levels greater than 5 μg/L, suggesting elevated exposure. The mean Cd level was 3.1 µg/L, with 21% of samples surpassing 5 µg/L, value at which mitigating actions should be taken. Eighty-four percent of participants presented Se deficiencies (<100 μg/L). There was a significant association between fish consumption and T-Hg in hair (ρ = 0.323; p = 0.032) and blood (ρ = 0.381; p = 0.011). In this last matrix, Se correlated with Cd content, whereas lymphocytes were inversely linked to Hg concentrations. The results of this study show that there is extensive exposure to Hg in fish, the consumption of which may promote detrimental impacts on hematology parameters within the community.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the citizens from Puerto Nariño, with special mention to Nolberto Ángel Pinto, as well as to the National Natural Parks of Colombia.
Funding
This project received funds from the Vice-Presidency for research of the University of Cartagena (114/2018) and the National Program for Doctoral Formation, COLCIENCIAS, Grants: 567-2012 (Karina Caballero-Gallardo) and 757-2016 (Maria Alcala-Orozco).
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The protocols for this study were approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Cartagena (Act No. 108-2018) and conducted in accordance with the Helsinki declaration for studies involving human participants.
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Participants consented to participate in this project after being informed of its procedures, risks, and benefits. Volunteers signed an informed consent form after fully comprehending the information provided by the investigators regarding the research. This study was performed with the approval of the health department of the municipality of Puerto Nariño, of the Colombian Amazon.
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Alcala-Orozco, M., Caballero-Gallardo, K. & Olivero-Verbel, J. Biomonitoring of Mercury, Cadmium and Selenium in Fish and the Population of Puerto Nariño, at the Southern Corner of the Colombian Amazon. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 79, 354–370 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00761-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00761-8