From Mexico to the Beagle Channel: A Review of Metal and Metalloid Pollution Studies on Wildlife Species in Latin America

DI MARZIO A; LAMBERTUCCI, S A; GARCÍA-FERNÁNDEZ, A.J.; MARTÍNEZ-LÓPEZ, E.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019

0013-9351

Emissions of metals and metalloids (Hg; Cd; Cr; Cu; Pb; Ni; Zn; Fe; Mn; As; Se)generated by natural (e.g., geothermal activity) or anthropic causes (eg., industry ormining) represent a worldwide contamination problem, especially in developingcountries. Exposure to high concentrations of these elements is harmful to living beings,including humans. Information on this type of contamination is scarce and fragmented,limiting research which could benefit from these data. To know the state of the research,we reviewed the studies of environmental pollution by metals and metalloids carried outon animal species in Latin America. The use of animals as biomonitors ofcontamination by metals and metalloids is a continuously expanding practice that allowsfor early detection of problems. With this work, we were able to identify the moststudied areas in Latin America (Amazon, Gulf of California, coastal area between Riode Janeiro and Florianopolis and River Plate Estuary). Moreover, we provideinformation on the most studied metals (Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) and wild species, whichevidence the use of endangered species. The data reviewed should help researchers todirect their efforts towards sparsely researched areas and facilitate bibliographicconsultation of scientific information on exposure to metals and metalloids in LatinAmerica.