Mercury biomagnification and microbial adaptation in a mining-impacted Amazonian River

The use of mercury (Hg), especially in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), has led to high concentrations of this metal in the Amazon, threatening ecological integrity and public health. However, the environmental fate of Hg remains poorly characterized in remote regions such as the Caqueta River. To address this gap, we measured Hg concentration in soils, water, and fish along a river transect and assessed how Hg levels and the abundance of merA, a key Hg-reduction gene, were associated with shifts in microbial communities involved
in Hg speciation and mobility. Hg concentrations exceeded threshold values by up to 1.8 times in soil, 11.1 in water, and 5.1 in fish, particularly in carnivorous species, indicating cross-compartment transport before entering the food chain. This poses a potential health risk to Indigenous communities relying on fish as a primary protein source. Elevated Hg levels were also found in non-mining sites, suggesting downstream transport from upstream ASGM areas. Bacterial diversity varied along the river in association with Hg concentration, and the abundance of merA and tolerant taxa such as Alphaproteobacteria, Acidobacteriia, Ktedonobacteria, and Actinobacteria, increased in more contaminated samples. We isolated native Hg-resistant bacteria, including Acinetobacter spp., highlighting their potential for Hg bioremediation.