Assessment of anthropogenic impact in coastal fishes from Pernambuco and Bahia through analysis of trace contaminants
POPs; metals; pollution; food safety; conservation
Fishes exhibit diversity in morphology, behavior, habitat and biology. Their taxonomy and life cycle is sufficiently known, making them as good indicators for contamination and environmental quality. Some species are economically important and studies of contamination can be used for assessing ecological and human health risks as a consequence of seafood consumption. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and metals are among the most studied contaminants in the environment since they threaten biological diversity of impacted ecosystems and the human health. In this study, concentrations of POPs (polychlorinated biphenyls - PCBs - and organochlorine pesticides - OCP) and metals (As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn and Hg) were investigated in muscle and/or liver samples of the following species: Scomberomorus cavalla, Hypanus berthalutzae and Epinephelus itajara. Concentration of PCBs in liver were higher than in muscle. The most representative PCB homologous groups in the samples were hexa-, hepta and penta-CBs, respectively. Regarding OCPs, just p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDE were detected in the samples. HCHs, CHLs and mirex were not found above the limits of quantitation (LQ). Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg were the metals found in fish tissues. Despite contamination, all three species are safe for consumption of adults since they exhibit levels below the safety limits set by seafood safety regulations. It is concluded that contamination levels may differ among fish species due to environmental and/or biological factors. In the same fish population, different individuals can accumulate different levels of contaminants depending on their own life history that can be influenced by numerous variables such as sex and gonad development stage.