O mercúrio total foi quantificado em 11 espécies de peixes de água-doce, originárias de diferentes procedências comerciais. O mercúrio vem sendo utilizado na agricultura, indústria, mineração, etc., e isso tem provocado drástico aumento desse metal no meio ambiente, atingindo em conseqüência a cadeia trófica. Nesse contexto, o homem, através do consumo de alimentos, principalmente pescado, torna-se vulnerável à ação tóxica do mercúrio. Os resultados obtidos para as espécies mandi - Pimelodus maculatus, tilápia - Tilapia sp, sagüiru - Cyphocharax modestus, lambari - Astyanax sp, sardela - Triportheus sp, traíra - Hoplias sp, curimbatá - Prochilodus sp e dourado - Salminus sp, comercializadas em São Paulo - SP, e para o jaraqui - Semaprochilodus insignis, curimatã - Prochilodus nigricans e matrinchã - Brycon sp, procedentes da Amazônia brasileira, variaram de 0,01 a 0,39mgHg/Kg. Os resultados observados, sob o ponto-de-vista de Saúde Pública, estão abaixo dos limites de tolerância brasileiros, de 0,5 e 1,0mgHg/Kg, para espécies não-predadoras e predadoras, respectivamente. Nas espécies de hábito alimentar carnívoro (traíra e dourado) os teores de mercúrio foram de 0,26 a 0,39mgHg/Kg. A expectativa de ocorrência de espécies excessivamente contaminadas não se confirmou. | Total mercury was quantified in 11 fresh-water fish species from different commercial origins. Mercury has been used in agriculture, industry, mining, etc. Consequently there was an increase of mercury discharge to environment, that enters into the throphic chain. In this context, the man, through the consumption of foods, mainly fishery products, turns vulnerable to mercury. The obtained results for mandi - Pimelodus maculatus, tilápia - Tilapia sp, sagüiru - Cyphocharax modestus, lambari- Astyanax sp, sardela - Triportheus sp, traíra - Hoplias sp, curimbatá - Prochilodus sp and dourado - Salminus sp, commercialized in São Paulo-SP, and for jaraqui - Semaprochilodus insignis, curimatã - Prochilodus nigricans and matrinchã - Brycon sp, from Brazilian Amazon region, varied from 0,01 to 0,39mgHg/Kg. The present work results, from the Public Healths point of view, were lower than the Brazilian tolerance limits of 0,5 and 1,0mgHg/Kg for non-predatory and predatory species, respectively. Mercury levels in carnivorous species (traíra and dourado) varied from 0,26 to 0,39mgHg/Kg. The expectation on the possibility of high mercury levels occurrence in the studied species was not confirmed.

he objective was to characterize the water quality in a section of the Grijalva River and in some of its tributaries on the border between the States of Chiapas and Tabasco, in the rainy and dry seasons. Twenty-three physical, chemical and microbiological parameters as well as contaminants were determined. The values obtained were compared with the maximum permissible limits (MPLs) for water use and human consumption set out in O cial Mexican standard NOM-127-SSA1-1994, and with the water quality classi cation scale of the Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA). The water quality in the studied section of the Grijalva River decreases as it descends to more populated areas of the State of Tabasco. Water turbidity and E. coli coliform levels increase, both in the river channels and in sources destined for human consumption. For the other variables evaluated, there are acceptable water quality characteristics, mainly in the dry season, except for mercury, which occurs at levels higher than those recommended. Further studies on the presence of mercury in the Grijalva River basin are recommended.

he objective was to characterize the water quality in a section of the Grijalva River and in some of its tributaries on the border between the States of Chiapas and Tabasco, in the rainy and dry seasons. Twenty-three physical, chemical and microbiological parameters as well as contaminants were determined. The values obtained were compared with the maximum permissible limits (MPLs) for water use and human consumption set out in O cial Mexican standard NOM-127-SSA1-1994, and with the water quality classi cation scale of the Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA). The water quality in the studied section of the Grijalva River decreases as it descends to more populated areas of the State of Tabasco. Water turbidity and E. coli coliform levels increase, both in the river channels and in sources destined for human consumption. For the other variables evaluated, there are acceptable water quality characteristics, mainly in the dry season, except for mercury, which occurs at levels higher than those recommended. Further studies on the presence of mercury in the Grijalva River basin are recommended.

Los metales pesados (MP) pueden afectar las relaciones hídricas de la planta de muchas formas. El Hg inhibe la actividad de las acuaporinas, proteínas que forman los canales transportadores de agua, y de esta manera afecta la conductividad a nivel celular y de tejidos en zonas específicas de la raíz, así como el volumen de las células guarda modificando los movimientos estomáticos. Además, junto con otros metales pesados, el Hg produce cambios morfológicos como el acortamiento o modificación en la elasticidad de las raíces, disminuyendo el área efectiva para la toma de agua. En hojas, el cambio en el número de estomas y de tricomas causado por el Hg, altera la tasa de transpiración. En este artículo se revisa el efecto del Hg sobre el transporte de agua en la planta a nivel celular y su relación con el estatus hídrico de ésta. Además, se presentan avances recientes en el conocimiento de las acuaporinas basados en la utilización del Hg como inhibidor de su actividad.Palabras clave adicionales: acuaporinas, conductividad hidráulica, raíces, estomas. | Heavy metals could affect hydric relationships in plants in many ways. Mercury inhibits activity of aquaporins, the proteins that form the chanels-transporters of water and, thus, affects water conductivity of cells and tissues of special root zones as well as volume of guard cells modifying stomatal movements. Mercury produces morphological changes in plants, the effects typical for other heavy metals, such as shortening of root or decrease in root elasticity, thus reducing effective area for water absorption. In leaves, the changes in number of stomata and trichomes caused by the effects of Hg alter the transpiration rates. In the present article, the effects of Hg over the water transport in plants at cellular level and whole hydric status of plants are revised. Additionally, the recent studies on aquaporin functioning are discussed, with Hg used as an agent to inhibit aquaporin activity.

Avaliou-se os níveis de mercúrio total em amostras de peixes de água doce, procedentes de pesqueiros e pisciculturas de 39 regiões do estado de São Paulo. As espécies de peixes estudadas foram: pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus), piauçu (Leoporinum sp), matrinxã (Brycon cephalus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) e carpa (Cyprinus carpis). Foram avaliadas três metodologias de digestão de amostras para a determinação de mercúrio total, variando-se o volume de mistura sulfonítrica utilizada e a concentração do permanganato de potássio, sendo que o uso de 10mL de mistura sulfonítrica e solução de permanganato de potássio a 7% (m/v) na digestão da amostra foi a que forneceu as recuperações mais altas (96%), precisão de 1% e limite de quantificação de 0,3µg/kg. Após a validação do método, foram realizadas as determinações de teor de mercúrio total em 293 amostras de pescado, usando a técnica de espectrometria de emissão com fonte de plasma acoplado em gerador de hidretos. Os níveis médios de mercúrio encontrados variaram entre: tambaqui (0,0003-0,012mg/kg), carpa (0,063mg/kg), matrinxã (0,0003-0,074mg/kg), pacu (0,0003-0,078mg/kg), piauçu (0,0003-0,183mg/kg) e tilápia (0,0003-0,217mg/kg). Os resultados mostraram que nenhuma das amostras procedentes das diferentes regiões e diferentes pesque-pagues, apresentaram níveis de mercúrio total acima do permitido pela legislação brasileira, que é de 0,5mg/kg para pescado não-predador. | In this work, the levels of mercury were evaluated in samples of freshwater fish, coming from fishing-grounds and piscicultures of 39 regions of São Paulo State. The species of fish studied were: pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus), piauçu (Leoporinum sp), matrinxã (Brycon cephalus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and carpa (Cyprinus carpis). Three digestion methodologies of sample were evaluated for the mercury determination, with variation of the volume of sulphonitric mixture utilized and the potassium permanganate concentration. After the validation method the determinations of mercury level were recorded in 293 samples of fish, using the technique of emission spectrometry with plasma coupled to an hydrides generator. The medium levels of mercury found were the following: tambaqui (0,0003-0,012mg/kg), carpa (0,063mg/kg), matrinxã (0,0003-0,074mg/kg), pacu (0,0003-0,078mg/kg), piauçu (0,0003-0,183mg/kg) and tilápia (0,0003-0,217mg/kg), and this last one presented the higher contamination rate. The results showed that none of the samples obtained from the different regions and fish-and-pay establishments presented mercury levels above the permitted limits of Brazilian legislation; 0,5mg/kg for non carnivorous fish.

En los cultivos hortícolas establecidos en la Sabana de Bogotá los productores desarrollan actividades de riego utilizando las aguas del río Bogotá a través del distrito de riego La Ramada, que cubre unas 6.400 ha. Su uso ha generado una problemática de contaminación en las especies hortícolas causando deterioro de la calidad de los productos que en su mayoría son consumidos en fresco. El presente estudio se desarrolló en plantaciones de lechuga ('Coolguard'), apio ('Tall Utah'), repollo (híbrido Delus) y brócoli (híbrido Legacy) en una finca en Soacha (vereda Canoas), Cundinamarca, ubicada en la cuenca media del río Bogotá, analizando los niveles de metales pesados plomo (Pb), cadmio (Cd), arsénico (As) y mercurio (Hg) en agua, suelo y en la parte comestible de las plantas. Se encontró que las concentraciones de Cd en el agua del riego estuvieron cercanas a los límites establecidos por las normas vigentes nacionales e internacionales, mientras que los niveles en el suelo de las dos plantaciones estuvieron dentro del rango normal. La lechuga y el apio, a los 74 días después transplante, con 0,40 y 0,43 mg kg-1 peso fresco, respectivamente, presentaron contaminación con Cd superando el límite de la norma de la Unión Europea. Se discuten las posibles razones agroecológicas, fisiológicas y de muestreo para este comportamiento. En las cuatro hortalizas, la concentración de Pb superó la concentración máxima permitida en alimentos para lactantes y niños de corta edad establecida por la Unión Europea. En general, la lechuga acumuló niveles más altos de metales pesados que las otras tres especies. Palabras clave adicionales: lechuga, apio, repollo, brócoli, contaminación, cadmio, plomo, arsénico, mercurio. | In horticultural crops established in the Colombian Bogota Plateau, farmers develop activities of irrigation utilizing water of the Bogota river through the Irrigation District 'La Ramada' which is covering 6,400 ha of land. This water use generated a problem of contamination in these crops causing quality deterioration of the produce, which in mainly consumed freshly. The present study was carried out in plantations of lettuce ('Coolguard') celery ('Tall Utah'), cabbage (Delus hybrid) and broccoli (Legacy hybrid) in a farm in Soacha (Canoas vereda), Cundinamarca province. The farm is located in the middle part of the Bogota river and the heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in water, soil and edible part of plants were analyzed. It was found that concentrations of Cd in the irrigation water were near the limits established by national and international legal standards. Heavy metal levels of the soil in the two plantations were in the normal range. Lettuce and celery plants, at 74 days after transplanting, with 0.40 and 0.43 mg kg-1 fresh weight, respectively, were contaminated with Cd exceeding the limits of the European Union norms. Possible agroecological, physiological and sampling reasons for this behavior are discussed. In the four vegetables lead contents exceeded the maximum allowed concentration in foods for children still on milk-feeded and young children, established by the European Union. En general, lettuce plants accumulated higher levels of heavy metals than the other three vegetable species. Additional key words: lettuce, celery, cabbage, broccoli, contamination, heavy metals, cadmium, lead,arsenic, mercury.

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli tuottaa kansainvälisesti vertailtavaa tietoa suomalaisten viljelymaiden hivenalkuaineista. Aineistona käytettiin maanäytteitä, jotka oli kerätty kansallisen seurantaohjelman viimeisimmässä näytteiden keruussa vuonna 1998. Kyseisestä aineistosta valittiin 338 maanäytettä, jotka edustivat tasaisesti koko Suomen viljeltyä aluetta. Kukin näyte oli otettu neljänä osanäytteenä pellon muokkauskerroksesta. Näytteistä analysoitiin arseeni (As), kadmium (Cd), kromi (Cr), kupari (Cu), lyijy (Pb), elohopea (Hg), nikkeli (Ni), seleeni (Se), vanadiini (V) ja sinkki (Zn). Analyysi tehtiin kansainvälisen standardimenetelmän ISO 11466:n mukaisesti käyttäen kuningasvesiuuttoa (aqua regia). Tuloksista laskettiin tärkeimmät tilastolliset parametrit maalajiryhmittäin ja kasvinviljelyvyöhykkeittäin. Hivenalkuaineiden jakautumisesta pitoisuusluokkiin muotoiltiin graafiset esitykset ja pitoisuuksien maantieteellisestä jakaumasta teemakartat. Tutkimus oli osa vuosina 2004 2007 toteutettua, Maa- ja metsätalousministeriön rahoittamaa yhteistutkimushanketta Raskasmetallikuormitusten arviointi ja vähentäminen Suomen maatalousekosysteemeissä . Hankkeen tavoitteena oli ensinnäkin selvittää viljelymaiden raskasmetallipitoisuuksia valtakunnallisesti käyttäen kuningasvesiuuttoa. Toiseksi tutkittiin kasvinviljely- ja maidontuotantotilojen viljelymaan raskasmetallipitoisuuksia kuningasvesiuutteesta ja hapan (pH 4,65) ammoniumasetaatti-EDTA -uutteesta siten, että näytteet otettiin muokkauskerroksesta ja jankosta. Kolmanneksi hankkeessa analysoitiin raskasmetallien tilakohtaisia peltotaseita kasvinviljely- ja maidontuotantotiloilla. | This study was part of a three-year (2004-2007) project entitled Assessment and reduction of heavy metal inputs into Finnish agro-ecosystems that was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland. The aims of the project were to clarify: 1) aqua regia extractable trace elements in Finnish cultivated soils with the international standard method at a national level; 2) aqua regia and AAAc-EDTA extractable trace elements in the top- and subsoil of Finnish arable land at selected crop and dairy farms; and 3) field mass balances of trace elements on the selected crop and dairy farms at the farm level. The main aim of this study was to produce internationally comparable knowledge on the status of cultivated soils in Finland. From the soil material collected during the latest sampling process under the national monitoring programme in 1998, 338 samples were selected for this investigation. The sampling sites were situated evenly over the whole cultivated area in Finland. Samples taken as four sub-samples from the plough layer were analysed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) using aqua regia extraction according to an international standard method (ISO 11466). General statistical indicators of the analytical results of trace element concentrations are presented by soil type groups and by plant cultivation zones. Distributions of the results into the concentration classes are shown graphically and geographical distributions of the trace element concentrations are presented on the thematic maps. | v | ok | Myynti MTT, Tietopalvelut 31600 Jokioinen. Yksikön huom.: MAA, MPL | MPL | Viljelymaiden seurantaohjelma Suomessa Hivenalkuaineiden kokonaispitoisuudet peltomaissa : vuonna 1998

A participação dos metais pesados nas reações químicas do metabolismo dos peixes tornou esses elementos um dos principais focos nos estudos de contaminação. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as concentrações dos metais Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn e Hg no tecido muscular de peixes da bacia do rio Cassiporé (Estado do Amapá) e ambiente, visando avaliar os riscos de contaminação. As concentrações de Cd em Plagioscion squamosissimus (1,061 µg g-1) e Pb em Poptella compressa (4,280 µg g-1) apresentaram valores que ultrapassam os limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira. As concentrações de Cr em P. compressa (0,937 ± 0,5 µg g-1), Pimelodella cristata (0,463 ± 0,03 µg g-1) e Cyphocharax gouldingi (0,364 ± 0,12 µg g-1), bem como de Hg em P. squamosissimus (0,670 µg g-1), Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (0,630 µg g-1), Hoplias malabaricus (0,570 µg g-1 e Serrasalmus rhombeus (0,548 µg g-1) foram acima do limite legal. A coluna d'água apresentou altas concentrações de metais pesados em todos os pontos analisados, mostrando uma contaminação dessa bacia. Portanto, essas elevadas concentrações de metais pesados no ambiente e tecido muscular dos peixes indicam um elevado grau de contaminação na bacia do rio Cassiporé e risco a saúde do homem. | Heavy metals participate in chemical reactions of fish metabolism, which makes these elements a major focus on contamination studies. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn and Hg in muscle tissue of fish of Cassiporé River Basin (State of Amapá) and environment, aiming at assessing the risk of contamination. The concentrations of Cd in Plagioscion squamosissimus (1.061 µg g-1) and Pb in Poptella compressa (4.280 µg g-1) had values that exceed the boundaries established by Brazilian law. The Cr concentration in P. compressa (0.937 ± 0.5 µg g-1), Pimelodella cristata (0.463 ± 0.03 µg g-1) and Cyphocharax gouldingi (0.364 ± 0.12 µg g-1) and Hg in P. squamosissimus (0.670 µg g-1), Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (0.630 µg g-1), Hoplias malabaricus (0.570 µg g-1 e Serrasalmus rhombeus (0.548 µg g-1) were above the legal limit. The water column showed high concentrations of heavy metals in all analyzed points, showing a contamination of this river basin. Therefore, the high concentrations of heavy metals in the environment and muscle tissue of fish indicate a high degree of contamination in the Cassiporé river basin and risk to human health.

Se presenta una evaluación sobre la concentración de metales pesados en la cuenca alta del río Grijalva en microcuencas cuyos ríos abastecen de agua a comunidades de la región fronteriza México-Guatemala por sus posibles riesgos para la salud humana. Además, en virtud de las acciones actuales de prospección y del interés por el desarrollo de la minería en el futuro próximo, este estudio puede brindar valores de referencia sobre los cuales se pueda evaluar el impacto ambiental de tales actividades en la región. Se evaluó el contenido de metales (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb y Zn) en agua superficial y en sedimentos durante la época de lluvias (agosto de 2011 y junio de 2012) y en época seca (enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2012) en las cuencas de los ríos Xelajú y Bacantón, así como en las subcuencas de los ríos Allende, Buenos Aires, Molino y Carrizal. Los resultados fueron contrastados con las normativas correspondientes de México y Canadá, y también, en el caso de los sedimentos, con los niveles de fondo de referencia para los Estados Unidos de América. Las concentraciones de Hg rebasaron los límites máximos permisibles (LMP) establecidos en ambas normas y niveles de referencia revisados tanto en época de lluvias como en la seca. Los resultados sugieren que la descarga de aguas residuales de la ciudad de Motozintla de Mendoza al río Xelajú explica parcialmente el incremento de la concentración de Hg tanto en las aguas como en los sedimentos. Las concentraciones detectadas de As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb y Zn fueron mínimas y no sobrepasaron los LMP en la norma mexicana; sin embargo, en algunos casos rebasaron los LMP establecidos en la norma canadiense y en los valores de referencia de los Estados Unidos. | This work presents an evaluation of heavy metal concentrations in the upper Grijalva River basin, in micro-basins with rivers that supply water to communities on the Mexico-Guatemala border, representing a possible risk to human health. In addition, given current prospecting activities and interest in developing mining in the near future, this study can provide reference values with which to evaluate the environmental impact of these activities in the region. Metal contents (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) were evaluated in surface water and in sediments during the rainy season (August 2011 and June 2012) as well as the dry season (January 2012 and December 2012) in the Xelaju and Bacanton River basins, as well as in the sub-basins of the Allende, Buenos Aires, Molino and Carrizal Rivers. The results were compared with norms corresponding to Mexico and Canada, and in the case of sediments, also with background reference levels in the United States. Concentrations of Hg exceeded the maximum allowable limits established by both norms and the reference levels mentioned, during both the rainy and dry seasons. The results suggest that wastewater from the city of Motozintla de Mendoza discharged into the Xelaju River partially explains the increase in Hg concentrations in the water and sediments. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn detected were minimal and did not exceed maximum limits allowed by Mexican norms, although in some cases they exceeded those established by Canadian norms and the United States reference values.

In order to determine if artificially collected water fog in the mountainous located in central the region of Veracruz state is suitable for human consumption; a preliminary sampling was made, from January to March (2010), the period with more fog frequency. The objective was to analyze the physical, chemical and biological aspects concerning water quality. It was found that this water is not suitable for direct human consumption, since it contains heavy metals such as mercury, coliform organisms and high amounts of ammonia nitrogen, though it is suitable for direct use in agriculture. However, it is possible to apply a sanitation treatment for human use at a cost of 0.00341 USD L-1 not including the labor cost neither the necessary infrastructure. Various causes can lead to this water pollution are discussed and it is concluded that collected fog water is not suitable for human consumption, but it might be used for agriculture.