Variations in mercury concentrations in the muscles of fish in biotopes within the water body and in different water bodies of Russia

Abstract. In recent decades, researchers from Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters Russian Academy Sciences have been studying mercury concentrations in the muscles fish water bodies situated different natural and climatic zones. Overall, more than 5000 samples 102 lakes 35 rivers Russia were analysed. absence local sources entering body, its varied wide ranges, exceeding two orders magnitude. Minimum concentration (<0.03 mg/kg wet weight) was recorded omul, rotan (Chinese sleeper), minnow, bleak (Lake Baikal, Transbaikalia European Russia). Maximum (2-3 perches northwest (Vologda Novgorod regions, Karelia). Most measurement results ranged 0.05 to 0.30 weight. Differences same species, similar size one as a rule, did not exceed ranges order sources, closely spaced could tenfold differences.