Mercury distribution in muscular tissues of a tropical carnivorous fish ( Hoplias malabaricus) from four lakes in the North of Rio de Janeiro State, SE Brazil

The purpose of this study is to determine the concentrations of total mercury in muscle of Hoplias malabaricus collected in lakes of the North Fluminense and bought in the Municipal Market (MM) since these lakes have suffered from the use of mercury fungicides in sugar cane plantations. The concentrations of mercury were measured by equipment ICP/AES with enhancement of cold vapor. The concentrations of Hg in the lake Campelo (525.6 μg kg -1 ) exceeded the concentrations of other lakes and fish of MM. An inverse correlation was observed between the concentrations of Hg and the standard length, weight and age in samples of fish from the Taquarucu and Campelo lakes. Direct correlation between the concentrations of Hg and biological variables were observed for Feia lake, Cima lake and samples of MM. Key words: Mercury, Lakes, Tropical fish and Biological variables.