Abstract
Sepetiba Bay has a wealth of fish species (total 148) as well as a vast area of mangroves and numerous rocky islands, which are important sites of reproduction for marine life. This peculiar environment of the Brazilian coast hosts one of the most important industrial centres of south-eastern Brazil. This site has been impacted for decades by the release of industrial emissions and effluents with high metal loads by the steel industry. The ranges of metal concentrations in fish muscle from the species Micropogonias furnieri, Genidens genidens, Cathorops spixii, Notarius grandicassis, Diapterus rhombeus, Selene vomer, Prionotus punctatus, Citharichthys spilopterus, Achirus lineatus, Trinectes paulistanus, Symphurus tessellatus and Hypanus guttatus were measured (Al: 0.02-555.9 µg g-1 d.w., As: 0.0002-20.1 µg g-1 d.w., Cd: <0.0002-0.2 µg g-1 d.w., Cu: 0.2-2.3 µg g-1 d.w., Fe: <0.02-244.9 µg g-1 d.w., Zn: 0.5-227.3 µg g-1 d.w. and Pb: <0.001-1.3 µg g-1 d.w.). The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in the As, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn contents among fish species. The monitoring of suspended particulate matter during dredging operation revealed the mean metal values for Al (6059±6268 µg g-1), Cd (0.2±0.5 µg g-1), Cu (29±29 µg g-1), Zn (332±892 µg g-1), and Pb (52±70 µg g-1). The results of bioaccumulation in fish calculated from the bioavailable sediment fractions and suspended particulate matter showed lower values than those in fish muscle. Arsenic was found at levels above the maximum limit for human consumption according to Brazilian legislation. However, the estimated probability and risk of metal intake via fish consumption showed that the consumption of all species presented low risk.
Highlights
According to the 2010 census conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE, 2010), the Sepetiba Bay drainage basin has an estimated population of 403,643 individuals, many of whom live in houses without sewage treatment
70% of individuals were represented by 4 species from 4 different families: M. furnieri (Sciaenidae), 29.2%; G. genidens (Ariidae), 15.1%; D. rhombeus (Gerreidae), 12.3%; and P. punctatus (Triglidae), 10.4%
The fish collected during the winter season showed a mean total length that ranged from 10.4±2.7 cm (D. rhombeus) to 24.0±1.8 cm (H. gutattus) and a mean total weight that ranged from 17.2±17.0 g (D. rhombeus) to 517.3±114. 0 g (H. gutattus)
Summary
Environmental degradation is led by the imbalance between the growth of the human population and industrial activity and environmental conservation. Sepetiba Bay has been impacted since the end of 1940s by the first coal terminal serving the National Steel Company and by ore processing industries since the 1960s (BARCELLOS; LACERDA 1994). Fiszman et al (1984) conducted the first study of metal contamination in the bay in the early 1980s. The increase in domestic wastewater discharged in the bay is an additional source of contamination (COPELAND et al, 2003). According to the 2010 census conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE, 2010), the Sepetiba Bay drainage basin has an estimated population of 403,643 individuals, many of whom live in houses without sewage treatment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
