Levels of Organochlorines Contaminants on Fish Species from Coastal Area in the Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Dibenzo-p-Dioxins (PCDDs), Dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are highly lipophilic persistent organochlorines contaminants competent to resist degradation and with the ability to bioaccumulate through the food chain. Concentrations were determined in four species of edible fish from Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: marine catfish ( Genidens genidens ), false herring ( Harengula clupeola ), chere-chere grunt ( Haemulum steidachneri ), and barracuda ( Sphyraena sphyraena ) which were collected in July-August 2012. PCBs and PCDD/Fs and were determined by high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS) according to the US EPA 1613B, 8290A, and US EPA 1668B methods. The focal objective of the assessment was to obtain information about existing levels of pollutants, having as a consequence the possibility of providing preventive actions for public health, as well as encourage the development of mitigation measures. The concentration of total PCDDs/PCDFs ranged from 0.10105~0.2141 pg-WHO-TEQ/g ww and PCBs ranged from 0.08834~0.62304 pg-WHO-TEQ/g ww. Judging from the European Union regulation limit levels of PCDD/PCDFs and PCDD/PCDFs/PCBs were lower than the criteria in all samples, however it is important to systematize environmental monitoring.