Determination of metals in estuarine fishes in a metropolitan region of the coastal zone of the Brazilian Amazon

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2023-01, Vol.186, p.114477, Article 114477
• Main Authors: Silva, Marcelo Henrique Lopes, Castro, Antonio Carlos Leal de, Silva, Iranaldo Santos da, Cabral, Patrícia Fernanda Pereira, Azevedo, James Werllen de Jesus, Soares, Leonardo Silva, Bandeira, Arkley Marques, Basso, Marianna Jorge, Nunes, Jorge Luíz Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amazonia; Animals; atomic absorption spectrometry; Brazil; cadmium; Cadmium - analysis; carnivores; Catfishes; chromium; coasts; Contamination; copper; Copper - analysis; Environmental Monitoring; estuaries; Fishes; herbivores; iron; Iron - analysis; Macrodon ancylodon; manganese; Manganese - analysis; marine pollution; Metals - analysis; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Monitoring; Muscle tissue; omnivores; Sciades herzbergii; species; Toxicity; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114477

The aim of the present study was to determine concentrations of cadmium, copper, chromium, manganese and iron in fishes in the São Marcos (SMB), São Jose (SJB) and Arraial (AB) Bays. Metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Mean Cd and Cr levels were above the permissible limits set by different international or national guidelines in all three bays, whereas copper levels were well below the maximum acceptable limit. High concentrations of iron were found in all species analyzed, whereas high concentrations of manganese were found, especially in specimens caught in SJB. Spatial analysis indicated significant differences among the elements investigated. Copper was correlated more with SMB and AB as well as the species Macrodon ancylodon (carnivore) and Sciades herzbergii (omnivore). Cadmium and iron were strongly associated with AB and SJB, while manganese was only associated with SJB, mainly in carnivorous and herbivorous species. •The contamination of aquatic ecosystems by metals is a global concern.•Metals accumulated in the edible tissues of fishes pose health risks to consumers.•Fishes responding to the effects by environmental changes of an anthropogenic origin•Bioaccumulation by metals occurs at all trophic levels of aquatic biota.