Environmental & Analytical Toxicology

Evaluation of Trace Elements in Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837) (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) from the Mogi Guaçu River Infected for Acanthocephala Neoechynorhyncus Curemai Noronha, 1973 (Acanthocephala)

Abstract

Cintia Moreira Ramos dos Reis, Naira da Siva Campos, Marlene Tiduko Ueta, Júlio César José da Silva, Paulo Sérgio Ceccarelli and Silmara Marques Allegrette

The basin of the Rio Mogi Guaçu has one of the best fish faunas studied in Brazil. Their fish are an important source of food for the inhabitants of the region, but due to human impact suffering along its course, it is relevant to do an analysis of contamination by trace elements. The objectives of this study were to analyze the presence of trace elements, copper, chromium, lead and zinc, and compare the trace element concentration in muscles and fish liver and intestinal parasites. 229 specimens were collected in 2012 of Prochilodus lineatus, known as curimbatá, in Cachoeira de Emas, Pirassununga. Muscle and liver samples were collected and analyzed to obtain the concentration of trace elements as well as intestinal parasites to evaluate the investigated analytes. Atomic absorption spectrometry in flame mode (F AAS) and graphite furnace mode (GF AAS) was employed to quantify the analytes. Digestion samples were analyzed using method EPA-3050B (modified). The concentration of trace elements in parasites Neoechinorhynchus curemai was higher than in the fish tissues indicating that these organisms can be good indicators of the presence of trace elements and pollution.