Development of Minamata Convention Initial Assessments
Other Studies on Mercury Contamination
Findings of studies on heavy metal concentrations including mercury in the
environment:
Mohammed et al. (2011): The study focused on heavy metal
concentrations in nearshore marine sediments and fish tissue from the Sea
Lots harbour, the Point Lisas harbour and offshore of the Caroni Swamp. It
was found that there was a strong positive correlation between metal
concentrations in fish tissue with sediment metals. Zinc, copper and
mercury had a bioaccumulation factor (BAF) greater than one, which
suggests a high bioaccumulation potential for these metals.
Norville (2005): The study focused on heavy metal concentrations in
sediments in the Gulf of Paria. Samples from the mouths of major rivers
that flow into the Gulf of Paria were also analyzed. It was found that
sediments at the river mouths tended to accumulate copper, lead, zinc
and mercury while sediments further from the coast tended to
accumulate iron, aluminium, manganese and chromium.
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