Mercury concentrations in fish from the Itacaiúnas-Parauapebas River system, Carajás region, Amazon

This paper reports on total Hg concentrations in muscle tissue from 12 fish species collected in the Itacaiúnas and Parauapebas Rivers in the Carajás region, South Pará. It is found that carnivorous species present Hg concentrations higher than herbivorous and omnivorous species. Also, large carnivorous species presented higher Hg concentrations than smaller carnivorous species. Significant positive relationships are found between fish weight and total Hg concentrations for at least two species studied in detailed, the carnivorous Paulicea lutkeni (jaú) and Serrasalmus nattererii (piranha).