Assessment of organochlorine pesticide contamination in Astyanax altiparanae from the Alagados Dam, Southern Brazil

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent pollutants previously used in agriculture, known for their ability to bioaccumulate and pose health risks. This study analyzed samples of roe, viscera, and muscle from Astyanax altiparanae fish collected from the Alagados reservoir in Paraná, Brazil. Samples were prepared through extraction and purification, then analyzed using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC/ECD), chosen for its sensitivity in detecting OCPs. The method was validated for precision, accuracy, and detection limits. Detected OCPs included Aldrin (17.1 to 50.6 ng/g in roe), α-endosulfan (3.4 to 23.5 ng/g), p, p’-DDE (4.2 to 134.7 ng/g), Dieldrin (84.7 to 183.1 ng/g), β-endosulfan (6.0 to 51.6 ng/g), and p, p’-DDT (56.6 to 286.8 ng/g). In viscera, concentrations ranged from Aldrin (19.8 to 93.3 ng/g) to p, p’-DDT (52.3 to 89.2 ng/g). Muscle samples showed similar trends. Principal component analysis indicated a link between higher OCP concentrations and increased abdominal width of the fish. While OCP levels were below FAO and WHO limits, risk quotient calculations suggest potential health risks from consuming these fish.