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Biomarkers responses in fish (Atherinella brasiliensis) of paranaguá bay, southern Brazil, for assessment of pollutant effects

2013; UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO; Volume: 61; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1590/s1679-87592013000100001

1982-436X

Ciro Alberto de Oliveira Ribeiro, Alberto Katsumiti, Patrícia Pinho de França, Jocieli Maschio, Eliandra Zandoná, Marta Margarete Cestari, Taynah Vicari, Hélène Roche, Helena Cristina Silva de Assis, Francisco Filipak Neto,

Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity

Paranaguá bay is a complex estuary located in southern Brazil containing three protected areas listed by UNESCO. Historically, the estuary has been affected by urban, industrial, agricultural and harbor activities, and occasional accidents. Specifically, the explosion of the Chilean ship Vicuña in December 2004 spilled methanol and crude and fuel oils which affected both protected and non-protected areas. The present study sought to investigate the pollution threat to aquatic organisms in order to evaluate the potential effects of pollutants. One hundred and twenty adult fish Atherinella brasiliensis were collected from different sites within Paranaguá estuary, including the harbor and open ocean, during summer, autumn and winter of 2005. Among the biomarkers, the somatic index, chemical analysis of bile, biochemical, genetic and morphological parameters were considered. Chemical analysis of bile showed a continuous bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) according to proximity to the harbor site. The histopathological findings have demonstrated aconsiderable incidence of severe pathologies in the liver and gills, corroborated by biochemical disturbances and genetic damage. These findings indicate that more studies are necessary to evaluate both water quality and fish health so as to permit a better analysis of the impact of pollution in Paranaguá estuary.