Guiana Dolphins (Sotalia guianensis, Van Beneden 1864) as Indicators of the Bioaccumulation of Total Mercury along the Coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Southeastern Brazil

Total mercury (Hg) was determined in muscle tissue of 20 Guiana dolphins stranded along the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, with a mean of 1.07 mu g/g wet weight. Mercury concentrations were positively related to body length, possibly related to the capacity of the dolphins to bioaccumulate this element throughout life. The Hg concentrations were not significantly different between males and females, although females (1.08 mu g/g) showed slightly higher levels than males (1.04 mu g/g). Concentrations were low when compared to results of studies carried out with small cetaceans in the Northern Hemisphere, and with previous studies in the Southeastern Brazil.