Bioaccumulation of chemical elements in fish from areas affected by oil on the coast of Bahia, Brazil

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Aug:205:116593. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116593. Epub 2024 Jun 14.

Abstract

In 2019, the Brazilian coast was affected by the largest oil spill in its history. We assessed the levels of chemical elements in Lutjanus synagris and Haemulon aurolienatum fish from Itacaré (least affected area), Tinharé-Boipeba (most affected area) and Madre de Deus (chronically affected area). The level of metals differed between species, tissues, life cycle phases, maturation stages and between sampled locations, indicating the influence of biological and environmental aspects on bioaccumulation. Only fish in Madre de Deus showed lead contamination, while arsenic concentrations in the three areas exceeded the maximum value acceptable by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency). It is suggested that the oil spill may have impacted species differently, also having an impact in fish from less affected areas. However, metal concentrations in fish in Madre de Deus stood out when compared to populations in other studied areas.

Keywords: Contamination; Haemulon aurolineatum; Lutjanus synagris; Metals; Oil.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bioaccumulation*
  • Brasilien
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Fishes* / metabolism
  • Metals / analysis
  • Metals / metabolism
  • Petroleum Pollution*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / metabolism

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Metals