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Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) at risk? Total mercury and methylmercury levels in fish and otter scats, Peru
Gutleb, AC; Schenck, C; Staib, E
Ambio [AMBIO]. Vol. 26, no. 8, pp. 511-514. Dec 1997.

Mercury and methylmercury levels in fish muscle and scats of the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of Manu National Park, Peru, and in one gold-mining area in the vicinity of its borders were analyzed. In 68% of fish muscles, total mercury levels exceeded the proposed maximum tolerable level of 0.1 mg kg super(-1) fresh weight in fish for the European otter (Lutra lutra), and 17.6% exceeded 0.5 mg kg super(-1) fresh weight, the most common standard for human consumption. The ratio of methylmercury to total mercury in fish muscle was from 61.3% up to 96.9%. No methylmercury and only traces of inorganic mercury could be detected in the otter scats. No data for tissue concentrations of the giant otter are available at the moment, but as a high percentage of fish levels exceeded the tolerable level, as given for the European otter, a possible risk of mercury intoxication in the giant otter can be postulated, on the basis of mercury intoxication in free-living otters in Europe and North America described in the past.

Descriptors: {Q1}; Mercury; methylmercury; Pteronura brasiliensis; Lutra lutra; Bioaccumulation; Pisces; Aquatic organisms; Methylmercury; Risk; Fish; Aquatic Animals; Mine Wastes; Mammals; Peru, Manu, Natl. Park; {Q2}; Pteronura brasiliensis; Lutra lutra; Pisces