Use of Cathorops spixii as bioindicator of pollution of trace metals in the Santos Bay, Brazil

Autor(es)

Azevedo, J. S. ^[1] ; Fernandez, W. S. ^[1] ; Farias, L. A. ^[2] ; Favaro, D. T. I. ^[2] ; Braga, E. S. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Oceanog, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] IPEN CNEN SP, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ECOTOXICOLOGY; v. 18, n. 5, p. 577-586, JUL 2009.
• Citações Web of Science: 22

Resumo

In the present study Cathorops spixii, was evaluated as a bioindicator fish for trace metal pollution. Concentrations of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis in liver. Mercury (Hg) and methyl-mercury (MeHg) were analyzed by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in muscles and livers. High concentrations of Co, Fe, Se and Zn were observed in C. spixii from Santos Bay in comparison to fish collected in a non-polluted site in the same Brazilian coast. These trace metal concentrations were out of the permissible levels for human consumption. Although, Hg and MeHg levels were low, the C. spixii could still be used as an effective bioindicator to observe trace metal behaviors in the environment in function of the bioaccumulation process observed mainly by other analyzed trace metals. Thus, the use of this species is strongly recommended to monitor the effects and behavior of trace metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems in Brazil due to its bioaccumulation function. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 05/50769-2 - Materia organica na avaliacao de impacto ambiental no meio marinho: bioquimica, biogeoquimica, bioacumulacao e biotoxinas (mobio).
• Beneficiário: Elisabete de Santis Braga da Graça Saraiva
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular