Mercury in fish from the Madeira River and health risk to Amazonian and riverine populations

Abstract The objective of this study was to quantify total mercury in highly popular Amazonian fish pacu, curimata, jaraqui, and sardinha from the Madeira River and to estimate the exposure to methylmercury from fish consumption. The samples were obtained from two locations - Puruzinho Igarape and Santa Rosa - near Humaita, Amazonia, Brazil in two seasons of 2015 (high and low waters). The fish were identified, weighed and measured, and lipids were quantified. Total mercury was determined by gold amalgamation-atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean levels were used to calculate exposure of Amazonian and riverine populations. There was significant correlation (p