Zn, Co, Cr, As, and genotoxic effects in the ichthyofauna species from polluted and non-polluted/protected estuaries of the São Paulo coast, Brazil

Elisabete S Braga,Déborah I.T Fávaro,Leonardo Kuniyoshi,Juliana S Azevedo

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201920190066

Abstract

Abstract: The human impact on estuarine regions results in an increasing concentration of trace elements in the environment, exposing aquatic organisms. In this study, Zn, Co, Cr, and As were determined in the muscle tissue of some fish species from Santos-Sao Vicente (SSV), a recognized polluted region, and in the Cananeia estuary (CAN). Genotoxicity was also determined for the evaluation of the chronic effect on ichthyofauna, to enlarge the bank of environmental data regarding the effects of pollution, and to suggest other fish bioindicator species that may contribute to monitoring programs. The obtained data showed a similar profile of an accumulation of Co and Zn in Micropogonias furnieri and Chaetodipterus faber, where: Santos Bay > CAN > inner area of SSV. A low frequency of micronucleus was observed. However, in general, fish from the inner area of the SSV estuary presented more nuclear abnormalities than fish from Santos Bay and CAN. In the inner area of SSV, Centropomus paralelus and Diapterus rhomneus showed more changes than other fish species. It was possible to consider that the habits of each species, contributed to a different profile of trace element accumulation, followed by the chemical components in the organism offering different vulnerability.

Highlights

Chemical compounds present higher concentration in coastal waters, which decrease according to the distance from the river mouth, due to dilution and flocculation, because the increase Earth SciencesAn Acad Bras Cienc (2019) 91(4)METALS IN FISH FROM BRAZILIAN COASTThe Santos/São Vicente (SSV) and Cananeia (CAN) estuaries, located in the coastal region of Brazil, have been the subject of several environmental monitoring studies, such as approaches to biological processes, mechanisms of the input of organic and inorganic pollutants, and the use of bioindicators of environmental contamination (Hortellani et al 2005, Azevedo et al 2009, 2012a)
Santos-São Vicente (SSV) has a significant population that contributes to a large amount of domestic sewage, partially eliminated by the sewage effluent that contributes to the eutrophication processes of Santos Bay (Braga et al 2000)
The inner area of the SSV receives the input of waste water from industries in Cubatão city, including domestic discharge from illegal buildings, such as stilts located on the edge of the estuary and materials from freshwater influx due to continental and riverine contributions

Summary

Introduction

The Santos/São Vicente (SSV) and Cananeia (CAN) estuaries, located in the coastal region of Brazil, have been the subject of several environmental monitoring studies, such as approaches to biological processes, mechanisms of the input of organic and inorganic pollutants, and the use of bioindicators of environmental contamination (Hortellani et al 2005, Azevedo et al 2009, 2012a). For this purpose, these aquatic systems have special peculiarities because SSV shows a long history of strong anthropogenic action by industrial discharges, domestic sewage, harbor activities, and tourism. It is important to know the tidal conditions and characterize the areas when the biological sample is taken, to understand the influence and dynamics of abiotic parameters concerning the bioavailability of trace elements

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Results

Conclusion