Mercury concentrations and awareness in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil: baseline measures for examining the efficacy of the Minamata Convention

摘要: The 2013 Minamata Convention seeks to reduce anthropogenic emissions of mercury (Hg) and enhance public awareness Hg exposure impacts. treaty also requires countries increase monitoring in the environment order human examine efficacy over time. Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, is located a watershed with history significant deposition from gold mining sugarcane farming. This study provides previously unpublished data on presence certain fish contamination among local population. We analyzed concentrations five commonly consumed species by residents found be elevated some species, vary significantly correlate trophic levels likely due biomagnification. A sample survey people that education negatively correlated knowledge negative health effects both heavy metal general. These findings have potential importance for understanding environment, underscore necessity efforts regarding (as called new Convention), provide baseline measures related this presence. can compared future studies other part Brazil.