Mercury contamination in the Amazon arising from both natural sources and intensive mining activities in the region is a significant public health concern. This metal is used to separate Au from sediments. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the impact of mining on mercury contamination in the animal and human populations of the Amazon. This overall objective was pursued through a systematic review of the existing literature to assess the impact of Hg and identify gaps in geographic coverage arising from this assessment. Herein, we employed PECO and PRISMA-ScR protocols to select articles published between 2017 and 2023 based on projected points on a map within the biogeographic boundaries of the Amazon. We found that mercury concentrations increase with trophic levels, reaching high values of 3.7 µg/g in the muscles of predatory fish and 34.9 µg/g in human hair. The mean level of mercury in human hair in the whole (Amazon) region exceeds 6 µg/g, surpassing tolerance levels. Although mining regions show high concentrations of Hg, the highest incidence was observed among populations with fish-based diets. It was concluded that continuous research and monitoring of fish in the region are required in order to accurately assess the risk associated with Hg contamination, especially since fish are the main source of protein in this region.

Mercury contamination in the Amazon is a significant public health concern arising from both natural sources and intensive mining activities in the region. This metal is used to separate Au from sediments, forming an amalgam that facilitates the extraction of precious metals. Accordingly, this study aimed to address the following question: What is the impact of mining on mercury contamination in the animal and human populations of the Amazon? The overall objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature to identify gaps in geographic coverage and assess the impact of Hg contamination on human and animal populations in the Amazon region. Our hypothesis was that higher mercury concentrations in tissue samples would be found closer to the mining areas. We employed the PECO and PRISMA-ScR protocols to collect articles published between 2017 and 2023, selected based on criteria representing projected points on a map within the biogeographic boundaries of the Amazon. Mercury concentrations increase with trophic levels, reaching high values of 3.7 µg/g in the muscles of predatory fish and 34.9 µg/g in human hair. The average level of mercury in humans exceeds 6 µg/g, surpassing tolerance levels. Although mining regions show high concentrations of Hg, the highest incidence was observed among populations with fish-based diets. Research on fish is crucial for assessing the risk to human health, given that fish are the main source of protein in the region.

Suriname is the smallest South American nation with a low-lying coastal plain that is vulnerable to inundation from the Atlantic Ocean and inland rivers, as well as pluvial flooding primarily due to rainfall. Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, has the highest population density, and its demographics extend into the surrounding districts of Wanica and Commewijne. Suriname has experienced flood disasters almost annually, which has exacerbated in recent years, posing a significant socioeconomic challenge. The country must balance the need for flood disaster adaptation and climate resilience with the potential impact on its resources and well-being of settlement areas. Policymakers and other stakeholders are working to address environmental impacts on the coast, but there is still a need for a comprehensive approach to monitor and manage flood impacts. This research has three objectives. The first is to analyze flood frequency events from 2021 to 2023 using multi-temporal satellite image processing from Sentinel-1 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). The second is to generate a Coastal Flood Vulnerability Index (CFVI) for floods using a geospatial multi-criteria analysis approach based on exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity components. The third objective is to assess the mitigation strategy for floods in settlement areas based on an integrated analysis of CFVI and stakeholder perception. The research methodology uses a multi-criteria analysis regarding settlement areas and ranking each component by expert opinion in an equation derived from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report at district level. The CFVI indices rely on secondary data acquisition from national and global datasets or referenced works. Interviews were conducted to better understand the stakeholder’s perspectives that are at a strategic or governing level, and to evaluate the existence of flood early-warning and other adaptation capabilities. A flood mitigation strategy is then suggested for the most vulnerable district by CFVI score.