Mercúrio total em pescado da cadeia produtiva da Baixada Santista, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The present study evaluated the total mercury in fish samples from the productive chain of Santos coastal region, SP. Fish samples were collected at Bertioga, Guaruja, Santos, Sao Vicente, Praia Grande, Mongagua, Itanhaem, and Peruibe cities. After validating the technique, the total mercury contents were determined in 257 fish samples by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry technique (ICP OES-HG). The concentration of total mercury found in several fish species ranged from 0.166 to 0.878 mg/kg. The majority of fish samples presented total mercury concentration higher than the maximum permitted value according to Brazilian legislation, which is 0.5mg/kg for non-predatory fish species and 1.0mg/kg for predatory species.