Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of trace metal contamination in the musculature of the trahira fish (Hoplias malabaricus) from two neotropical rivers in southeastern Brazil

Author(s)

Leite, Lucas Aparecido Rosa ; Pedreira Filho, Walter dos Reis ; de Azevedo, Rodney Kozlowiski ; Abdallah, Vanessa Doro

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY; v. 78, p. 8-pg., 2023-05-08.

Abstract

Background: Fish are an important source of nutrition for humans. Artisanal fishing plays a fundamental role in Brazil fish production. In Brazil, the unrestrained increase, diffusion, and little importance for environmental causes of other economic activities, such as the agricultural industry, has caused irreparable damage, leading to the contamination of water bodies. Among the countless pollutants that reach water bodies, trace metals are extremely problematic. Here, we evaluated the bioaccumulation and health risk of trace metal contamination in the musculature of the trahira fish (Hoplias malabaricus), collected from two rivers in southeastern Brazil. Methods: During the period from May 2017 to November 2019, 90 fish were collected, 45 from each river. River water samples were also taken during the same collection periods. From fish, muscle tissue samples were taken, and together with river water samples, analyzed for the recovery of trace metals (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) through the technique of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: In general, fish as well as the waters of the Jacare '-Guacu River had higher concentrations of metals. The elements Al, Cr and Cd stood out from the others analyzed metals for having a hazard index (HQ) above 1 (Al), for being up to 10 times above the concentrations allowed by Brazilian legislation (Cr) and for having a high bioconcentration factor (Cd), indicating a biomagnification process through the food chain. Conclusion: In general, trace metal concentrations in the waters and fish of the Jacare '-Guacu were higher than in the Jacare '-Pepira, which shows that the Jacare '-Guacu is the one that suffers more anthropogenic action between the two rivers. In addition, some elements such as Al, Cr and Cd, due to its high concentrations, should receive some attention as they can pose risks to the health of fish, which can jeopardize the survival of their populations, and especially to humans who use these animals as a food source. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/00566-5 - Fish parasites as bioindicators of heavy metal accumulation in the Jacaré-Pepira and Jacaré-Guaçú rivers, Tietê-Jacaré River Basin, State of São Paulo, Brazil
• Grantee: Lucas Aparecido Rosa Leite
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/21040-9 - THE METAZOAN PARASITES BIODIVERSITY OF DOMINANT FISH SPECIES FROM IBITINGA'S HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATION RESERVOIR AND ITS TWO MAIN AFFLUENTS, THE RIVERS: JACARÉ-PEPIRA AND JACARÁ-GUAÇU LOCATED IN THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL.
• Grantee: Angela Mitie Otta Kinoshita
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants