Abstract
In the last decades, mega-diverse rivers worldwide (e.g., the Amazon and their tributaries) have experienced several human-driven transformations, although impact assessments oftentimes lack baseline data or reference values to better estimate observed disturbances. Herein, we assessed THg and δ15N in fish muscle tissue to determine biomagnification processes, also including seasonal assessments, concerning Hg in fish from the Belo Monte reservoir, located on the Xingu River, prior to its impoundment. A total of 312 samples from 19 fish species belonging to distinct feeding guilds were sampled. None presented THg concentrations above the threshold levels of 0.5 μg g−1 established by the World Health Organization. However, biomagnification was observed (R = 0.8; p < 0.001), also confirmed by a trophic magnification factor of 1.76 for the entire food web. The THg content in the water was less than 0.001 mg L−1 and only Hemiodus unimaculatus presented seasonal variations for THg. Therefore, at the time of this study, the Xingu River presented low Hg contamination levels in both water and target fish.
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Acknowledgements
TG is funded by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq # 311078/2019-2) and Norte Energia S.A. (P&D-02-2020). This study was funded by Norte Energia S.A. and Fundacão de Amparo e Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa (FADESP). TG is funded by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq # 311078/2019-2) and Norte Energia S.A. (P&D-02-2020). This study was funded by Norte Energia S.A. and Fundacão de Amparo e Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa (FADESP).
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Souza-Araujo, J., Andrades, R., Hauser-Davis, R.A. et al. Before the Dam: A Fish-Mercury Contamination Baseline Survey at the Xingu River, Amazon Basin Before the Belo Monte Dam. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 108, 861–866 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03371-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03371-9