Mercury pollution in the upper Beni river Amazonian basin: Bolivia.

This paper reports the extent of mercury contamination of the Bolivian River system in the Amazon drainage basin. Surveys were conducted in water fish and human hair to determine the mercury contamination. It was found that high concentrations of mercury were noted in fish and human hair from consumers of carnivorous fish species. The potential health risk from fish consumption was evident in people living in areas near gold mining sites. Results revealed that the release of mercury into the ecosystem during gold extraction in Bolivia represents direct environmental and health threats. These threats affect both the ecosystem and the people living not only in the gold mining areas but also more importantly downstream at the Andean drainage basin outlet. Hence immediate attention is required for the design of appropriate public health and remedial measures for gold mining areas to prevent further mercury contamination in the Amazon drainage basin.