TY - JOUR
T1 - Mercury distribution in different environmental matrices in aquatic systems of abandoned gold mines, Western Colombia
T2 - Focus on human health
AU - Gutiérrez-Mosquera, Harry
AU - Marrugo-Negrete, José
AU - Díez, Sergi
AU - Morales-Mira, Gladis
AU - Montoya-Jaramillo, Luis Javier
AU - Jonathan, M. P.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2021/2/15
Y1 - 2021/2/15
N2 - Total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg) in water, sediments, macrophytes, fish and human health risks were analyzed and assessed from abandoned gold mining ponds (AGMPs)/ mining areas in Western Colombia to know its present environmental condition. Concentrations of THg in water (avg. 13.0 ± 13.73 ng L-1) was above the EPA threshold level (12 ng L-1), suggesting possible chronic effects. Sediment sample revealed that the ponds are methylated (%MeHg: 3.3–11). Macrophyte Eleocharis elegans presented higher THg content in the underground biomass (0.16 ± 0.13 µg g-1 dw) than in the aerial biomass (0.05 ± 0.04 µg g-1 dw) indicating accumulation of THg. MeHg was the most abundant chemical species in fish (MeHg/THg: 83.2–95.0%), signifying higher bioavailability and its risk towards human health. Fish samples (15%) indicate that THg were above WHO limit (0.5 µg g), particularly in Ctenolucius beani, Hoplias malabaricus and lowest in Sternopygus aequilabiatus and Geophagus pellegrini. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg were higher in the carnivores representing a source of exposure and potential threat to human health. Fulton's condition factor (K) for bioaccumulation indicate a decrease with increasing trophic level of fishes. Overall results suggest, mercury species found in different AGMPs compartments should be monitored in this region.
AB - Total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg) in water, sediments, macrophytes, fish and human health risks were analyzed and assessed from abandoned gold mining ponds (AGMPs)/ mining areas in Western Colombia to know its present environmental condition. Concentrations of THg in water (avg. 13.0 ± 13.73 ng L-1) was above the EPA threshold level (12 ng L-1), suggesting possible chronic effects. Sediment sample revealed that the ponds are methylated (%MeHg: 3.3–11). Macrophyte Eleocharis elegans presented higher THg content in the underground biomass (0.16 ± 0.13 µg g-1 dw) than in the aerial biomass (0.05 ± 0.04 µg g-1 dw) indicating accumulation of THg. MeHg was the most abundant chemical species in fish (MeHg/THg: 83.2–95.0%), signifying higher bioavailability and its risk towards human health. Fish samples (15%) indicate that THg were above WHO limit (0.5 µg g), particularly in Ctenolucius beani, Hoplias malabaricus and lowest in Sternopygus aequilabiatus and Geophagus pellegrini. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of MeHg were higher in the carnivores representing a source of exposure and potential threat to human health. Fulton's condition factor (K) for bioaccumulation indicate a decrease with increasing trophic level of fishes. Overall results suggest, mercury species found in different AGMPs compartments should be monitored in this region.
KW - Abandoned gold mining
KW - Colombia
KW - Human health risk
KW - Mercury
KW - Water-sediment-fish matrices
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85094845855&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124080
DO - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124080
M3 - Artículo
C2 - 33142140
AN - SCOPUS:85094845855
SN - 0304-3894
VL - 404
JO - Journal of Hazardous Materials
JF - Journal of Hazardous Materials
M1 - 124080
ER -