GIANT OTTER (PTERONURA-BRASILIENSIS) AT RISK - TOTAL MERCURY AND METHYLMERCURY LEVELS IN FISH AND OTTER SCATS, PERU

Citation
Ac. Gutleb et al., GIANT OTTER (PTERONURA-BRASILIENSIS) AT RISK - TOTAL MERCURY AND METHYLMERCURY LEVELS IN FISH AND OTTER SCATS, PERU, Ambio, 26(8), 1997, pp. 511-514
Citations number
36
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Journal title
AmbioACNP
ISSN journal
0044-7447
Volume
26
Issue
8
Year of publication
1997
Pages
511 - 514
Database
ISI
SICI code
0044-7447(1997)26:8<511:GO(AR->2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
Mercury and methylmercury levels in fish muscle and seats of the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of Manu National Park, Peru, and in on e gold-mining area in the vicinity of its borders were analyzed. In 68 % of fish muscles, total mercury levels exceeded the proposed maximum tolerable level of 0.1 mg kg(-1) fresh weight in fish for the European otter (Lutra lutra), and 17.6% exceeded 0.5 mg kg(-1) fresh weight, t he most common standard for human consumption. The ratio of methylmerc ury to total mercury in fish muscle was from 61.3% up to 96.9%, No met hylmercury and only traces of inorganic mercury could be detected in t he otter seats. No data for tissue concentrations of the giant otter a re available at the moment, but as a high percentage of fish levels ex ceeded the tolerable level, as given for the European otter, a possibl e risk of mercury intoxication in the giant otter can be postulated, o n the basis of mercury intoxication in free-living otters in Europe an d North America described in the past.