Bioacumulación de mercurio y plomo en el pato Dendrocygna autumnalis en lasubregión de la Mojana, Colombia

Abstract

Objective. La Mojana is a biodiverse area of wetlands that is in the Caribbean region, being the habitat of numerous species. Mining, upstream, and agricultural activities have generated theaccumulation of heavy metals in these ecosystems. Mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb) concentrations in 47samples of blood and feathers of Dendrocygna autumnalis (Pisingo) were determined in two sites atthe Mojana, Colombia. Materials and methods. Concentrations of Hg and Pb in blood and featherswere quantified using Cold Vapor-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (CVAAS) and graphite furnaceatomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), respectively. Results. The highest concentrations of Hg and Pb in feathers and blood were 475.4±180.5 ng/g, 873.59±412.06 ng/g and 9.87±10.6 ng/mL, 218.5±216.6 ng/mL, respectively. 100% of the feather samples from the captured individualsexceeded the permissible limit of 40 ng/g for Hg in duck meat established by the European Union.Likewise, 47% of the blood samples and 53% of the feathers from the captured individuals exceededthe European Union permissible limits for lead in duck meat of 100 ng/g. Conclusions. Mining andagricultural activities have generated heavy metal accumulation processes in Dendrocygna autumnalis,which represents a threat to the conservation of this species and a risk to the health of the inhabitantsof the region due to its consumption