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Relationship Between Localization of Gold Mining Areas and Hair Mercury Levels in People from Bolivar, North of Colombia

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An Erratum to this article was published on 17 June 2011

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that, once in the environment, is bioaccumulated and biomagnified through food chain impacting ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate total Hg (T-Hg) concentrations in individuals along Cauca and Magdalena Rivers in Colombia, where most gold mining activities take place. A total of 1,328 hair samples were collected and analyzed for T-Hg using atomic absorption spectroscopy. T-Hg concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 20.14 μg/g. Greatest levels were detected in La Raya (5.27 ± 0.32 μg/g), Achi (2.44 ± 0.22 μg/g), and Montecristo (2.20 ± 0.20 μg/g), places that are located near gold mines. Concentrations decreased with the distance from main mining areas. Only 0.75% of the individuals had T-Hg levels above 10 μg/g. Men had significantly higher T-Hg levels than women, and correlation analysis revealed moderately weak but significant relationships between T-Hg and weight (R = 0.111, P < 0.001), stature (R = 0.111, P < 0.001), and age (R = 0.073, P = 0.007). However, T-Hg concentrations did not vary according to fish consumption frequency. Subjective health survey showed no Hg-related signs or symptoms within studied sample. However, studies are necessary to detect neurological damage linked to the metal. Changing technologies to Hg-free mining, monitoring, and educational programs are necessary to protect health of people living near Colombian rivers.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the University of Cartagena (Cartagena), Colciencias (Bogotá), Colombia (grant 1107-04-16346). The authors thank to Miriam Gutierrez (Universidad Nacional de Colombia), Jorge Ropero, William Ortiz, Nivis Torres, Fredyc Young, Paola Vera, and Ruben Agresot.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia

    Jesús Olivero-Verbel & Karina Caballero-Gallardo

  2. Water, Applied and Environmental Chemistry Group, University of Córdoba, Montería, Colombia

    José Negrete-Marrugo

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  1. Jesús Olivero-Verbel
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  2. Karina Caballero-Gallardo
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Correspondence to Jesús Olivero-Verbel.

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Olivero-Verbel, J., Caballero-Gallardo, K. & Negrete-Marrugo, J. Relationship Between Localization of Gold Mining Areas and Hair Mercury Levels in People from Bolivar, North of Colombia. Biol Trace Elem Res 144, 118–132 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9046-5

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