Mercury distribution in fish commercialized at the Mucuripe Market, Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil

Abstract

Average total Hg concentrations measured in fish muscle from species commercialized in the Fortaleza Market, CE, Brazil varied from 14 to 509 ng.g-1 wet weight. Lowest concentrations occurred in small omnivorous fish and the highest in large carnivorous species, in particular sharks. The largest individuals (>110 cm in length) of the piscivorous species Scomberomorus cavalla showed Hg concentrations of up to 1,737 ng.g-1, although the average concentration for this species was much lower (352 ng.g-1). With the exception of the S. cavalla largest individuals, all species presented Hg concentrations below the Brazilian legal limits for human consumption. Hazard quotients (HQ) estimated using the local fish consumption rate and the observed Hg concentrations varied from 0.015 based on small omnivorous species to 0.551 in sharks. All species average HQ was 0.148 and the average HQ based on the most consumed species only was slightly higher (0.155). Both average HQs suggest insignificant exposure risk to consumers.