Mercury levels in Perna viridis from the north coast of Sucre State, Venezuela

Mercury levels were determined in green mussels, Perna viridis, from two localities of Sucre State (Venezuela): Chacopata and Rio Caribe. Specimens were captured in the intertidal zone from February to December 2003. They presented anteroposterior lengths ranging from 18 to 113 mm and were classified, according to their sexual maturity, as juveniles or adults. Mercury was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the method of analysis was validated using certified standards. Seasonal variations were significant at both sites. Highest mercury concentrations in the Chacopata specimens were recorded during February (mean value of 0.432 +/- 0.472 mu g g(-1) d.w.) and in the Rio Caribe specimens during April (mean value of 1.129 +/- 0.763 mu g g(-1) d.w.). No relation between mercury levels and sexual maturity was found at Chacopata, but a relation was observed at Rio Caribe. Immature organisms showed the highest concentrations (0.471 +/- 0.679 and 0.688 +/- 0.894 mu g g(-1) d.w. for males and females, respectively).