Mercury in amazonian food fish as a basis for consumption recommendations for local populations
Synopsis
Local Amazonian populations are exposed to mercury (Hg) contamination risks due to high fish consumption, a phenomenon influenced by processes of bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification derived from natural sources or human activities. This study aimed to determine total Hg concentrations in key fish species marketed and consumed by communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon in order to propose consumption recommendations. A total of 151 fish specimens were collected from markets, collection centers, and through artisanal and sport fishers during May and June 2018, representing the minimum locally available catch. Each specimen was taxonomically identified, measured, weighed, and recorded according to collection site, and between 2 and 10 g of muscle tissue were extracted. Samples were freeze-dried and analyzed at the GET Laboratory in Toulouse, France, using direct atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Milestone® DMA-80). Twenty species belonging to eight families and three orders were identified and classified into eight trophic roles, showing diverse Hg concentration patterns according to ecological position and body size. Ninety-seven percent of catfish species (Pimelodidae), classified as carnivores and scavengers, exceeded by up to five times the maximum Hg limits recommended by the WHO and EPA-FDA for human consumption (p ≤ 0.05). Species with the lowest Hg concentrations, and therefore more suitable for consumption, were found in the upper sections of river basins, whereas greater bioaccumulation was observed in lower sections, with an inverse relationship between altitude and capture size. The study concludes that Hg contamination is present in fishery resources of the Ecuadorian Amazon, particularly in catfish species, which are under greater fishing pressure from local markets. Subsistence fishing, however, presents variable risks depending on the extraction site.
Pages
icta.e7
Published
April 3, 2026
Categories
Copyright (c) 2026 Zulay Marina Niño Ruiz, Laura Inés Salazar Cotugno (Coordinador de obra); Patricia Yissel Dávalos Cerrón, Azucena Chanatasig, Felipe Cerrera, Andrea Carolina Palacios Rosado, Mateo Patricio Sánchez Sanaguano, Liliana Paulina Lalaleo Córdova, William Calero Cáceres, Santiago Casado, Joshua Pazmiño, Jaime Martí-Herrero, Rocio Cecibel Jiménez Paute, Kevin Campaña, Elena Coyago-Cruz, Andrea Hidalgo-Dávila, Lizbeth Alpusig-Guanoluisa, Belén Apolo, Felipe Rivera-Rueda, Yerovi Sánchez-Arias, Karen Marcella García, Rubianith Suárez, Harol Smith Daza, Geovanna Tafurt, Duverney de Jesús Chaverra, Edita Valle, Evelyn Oña, Mishel Calero, Jonathan Liria, Andrés Sebastian Calderón Velasco, Roque Rivas-Párraga, Inti Llumiquinga, Ana Bravo, Julio Rea, Máximo Moreira, Oscar Vivanco, Nicole Jara, Lilibeth Carrión, Stefanía Cevallos, Paulo Herrera, Esteban Patricio Romero Valladares, Ana Paula Rosero-Jácome, Eliza Jara-Negrete, Gabriel Picón Nava, Nelly Paredes, Wilfredo Ramiro Franco, Wilmer Shiguango, Willin Álvarez, Juan Ponce, Jessica Sánchez, Christian Israel Andrade Romero, Alexandra Vargas, David Sanchez, Negover Briñez, Byron García, Dennis Tomalá, Mery Ramirez, Jenny Rodríguez, Paúl Tufiño Mateus, Enrique Laaz, Willan Revelo, Cecilia Puertas, Juan Andrés Guadamud, Karina Olalla-Tacuri , Darwin Omar Yánez Avalos, Diana Callejas, Sara Álvarez, John Mauricio Castillo Torres, Edith Pamela Tapia Pruna, Daniela Endara, Carolina Castro, Silvia Alejandra Llerena Gordillo, Kevin Stwart Tulcanaza Ruiz, Noroska G.S. Mogollón, Melany Ochoa, María Cristina Peñuela, Jimmy Yumbo, Enith Yánez, Carolina Ñacato, Samira Lluno, Henry Conteron, Pedro Cadena, Corina Campos, Oswaldo Guzman, Micaela Campos, Cindy Vera, Dayana Vera, Christian Coral, Bruce Tumbaco, María Soledad Solorzano, Bryan Valencia, José Sebastián Araujo Soria, Sandra Torres, Enzo Loor, Oscar Ayala, Darwin Rosero, Amparo Condor, Luis Cáceres, Miguel Flores, Elena Ulcuango, Nicole Pilco, David Galarza, Mishell Cabrera, Julieth Chancay, Paola Soto, David Portillo, Diana Cisneros, José Aguirre-Déleg, Pablo Maita-Zambrano, Aimee Delgado-Cruz, Myrian Larco, María Soledad Salazar, María Susana Grijalva, Viviana Stefanía Cárdenas Loor, Mónica Dazzini Langdon, Sheila Tobar Vallejo, Vinicio Velásquez Zambrano, Juan Carlos Soria Aguas (Autor de capítulo)
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How to Cite
Mercury in amazonian food fish as a basis for consumption recommendations for local populations. (2026). In III International Congress of Biotechnology and Neotropical Ecosystems (p. icta.e7). Editorial Unión Científica. https://doi.org/10.63804/CIBEN.25.icta.e7
