Assessment of total mercury content in fish muscle tissue from the middle basin of the Pastaza River, Ecuador.

One of the most toxic metals is mercury, which exhibits high toxicity during short exposure periods. This study aimed to determine the concentration of total mercury (THg) in fish muscle tissue from various species captured from two locations in the middle basin of the Pastaza River in Ecuador, which the locals use in their weekly diet. The individuals captured belong to the following families: Loricariidae, Cetopsidae, Heptapteridae, Cichlidae, Parodontidae, Characidae, Prochilodontidae, Curimatida, Siluriformes, Cichliformes, Characiformes, Erythrinidae and Curimatidae.

Mercury in aquatic ecosystems of two indigenous communities in the Piedmont Ecuadorian Amazon: evidence from fish, water, and sediments.

Mercury is a highly toxic element present in water, soil, air, and biota. Anthropogenic activities, such as burning fossil fuels, mining, and deforestation, contribute to the presence and mobilization of mercury between environmental compartments. Although current research on mercury pathways has advanced our understanding of the risks associated with human exposure, limited information exists for remote areas with high diversity of fauna, flora, and indigenous communities.