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Mercury Contamination in Riverine Sediments and Fish Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru

Author

Listed:
  • Gerardo Martinez

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Stephen A. McCord

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Charles T. Driscoll

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA)

  • Svetoslava Todorova

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA)

  • Steven Wu

    (BioConsortia Inc., Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Julio F. Araújo

    (Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios 17000, Peru
    Center for Energy, Environmental and Sustainability (CEES), Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA)

  • Claudia M. Vega

    (Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios 17000, Peru
    Center for Energy, Environmental and Sustainability (CEES), Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA)

  • Luis E. Fernandez

    (Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios 17000, Peru
    Center for Energy, Environmental and Sustainability (CEES), Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA)

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Madre de Dios, Peru, continues to expand rapidly, raising concerns about increases in loading of mercury (Hg) to the environment. We measured physicochemical parameters in water and sampled and analyzed sediments and fish from multiple sites along one ASGM-impacted river and two unimpacted rivers in the region to examine whether Hg concentrations were elevated and possibly related to ASGM activity. We also analyzed the 308 fish samples, representing 36 species, for stable isotopes (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) to estimate their trophic position. Trophic position was positively correlated with the log-transformed Hg concentrations in fish among all sites. There was a lack of relationship between Hg concentrations in fish and either Hg concentrations in sediments or ASGM activity among sites, suggesting that fish Hg concentrations alone is not an ideal bioindicator of site-specific Hg contamination in the region. Fish Hg concentrations were not elevated in the ASGM-impacted river relative to the other two rivers; however, sediment Hg concentrations were highest in the ASGM-impacted river. Degraded habitat conditions and commensurate shifts in fish species and ecological processes may influence Hg bioaccumulation in the ASGM-impacted river. More research is needed on food web dynamics in the region to elucidate any effects caused by ASGM, especially through feeding relationships and food sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerardo Martinez & Stephen A. McCord & Charles T. Driscoll & Svetoslava Todorova & Steven Wu & Julio F. Araújo & Claudia M. Vega & Luis E. Fernandez, 2018. "Mercury Contamination in Riverine Sediments and Fish Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1584-:d:160081
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karl M. Wantzen & Jan H. Mol, 2013. "Soil Erosion from Agriculture and Mining: A Threat to Tropical Stream Ecosystems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-24, September.
    2. Kyrre Sundseth & Jozef M. Pacyna & Elisabeth G. Pacyna & Nicola Pirrone & Rebecca J. Thorne, 2017. "Global Sources and Pathways of Mercury in the Context of Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Faye Koenigsmark & Caren Weinhouse & Axel J. Berky & Ana Maria Morales & Ernesto J. Ortiz & Eric M. Pierce & William K. Pan & Heileen Hsu-Kim, 2021. "Efficacy of Hair Total Mercury Content as a Biomarker of Methylmercury Exposure to Communities in the Area of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.

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