Factors controlling Hg levels in two predatory fish species in the Negro river basin, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

A number of environmental factors have been shown to influence the dynamics of Hg in aquatic ecosystems. Here we investigate the influence of fish size, pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the availability of potential methylation sites (floodplain forests and hydromorphic soils) on the concentration of total Hg in two carnivorous fishes: Cichla spp. and Hoplias malabaricus in the Negro River, Brazil. Fish and water samples for chemical analysis were collected from 33 sites in the Negro basin. The percentage of alluvial floodplains and hydromorphic soils (potential methylation sites) in the drainage basin upstream from each sampling point was estimated from radar imagery and existing soil maps with GIS. The average of Hg concentrations were 0.337 ppm (SD=0.244) in Cichla spp. and 0.350 ppm (SD=0.250) in H. malabaricus. Although the study area was geographically isolated from most major anthropogenic Hg sources, over 18% of Cichla spp. and 29% of H. malabaricus had Hg concentrations above 0.5 ppm, indicating naturally high background levels of Hg. Hg concentrations increased with size in both Cichla spp. (r(2)=0.664, p=0.000) and H. malabaricus (r(2)=0.299, p=0.000). Hg concentrations in H. malabaricus also increased with percent floodable area (p=0.006), pH (p=0.000) and DOC (0,063). In Cichla spp, Hg increased only in relation to percent floodable area (p=0.000). Hydromorphic soils did not influence fish Hg.