Bioaccumulation factor (baf) in fish caught in a river impacted by effluents from an alumina plant in the eastern brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The rivers of the Amazon are important water resources for the planet however they are gradually suffering from anthropic impacts, especially those arising from mining and industrial activity. In this study, the bioaccumulation factor of toxic elements in tissues of fish species collected in the Murucupi River, a local impacted by effluents from an alumina factory located in BARC arena, in the Brazilian Amazon, was evaluated. Twenty samples were collected from three species of fish Cichla spp, Eigenmannia sp., and Angelfish. The element Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in fish tissue and gills using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Regarding the concentration of the elements evaluated in the tissue, only Pb was not in compliance with the legislation. The BAF for the fish tissue samples indicated Cu bioaccumulation for the species Cichla spp (1130 L.kg-1) around seven times higher than the established limit, Eigenmannia sp. (2885 L.kg-1) fourteen times larger, and Angelfish (1640 L.kg-1) eight times larger. Ni also showed bioaccumulation for the specie Cichla spp (150 L.kg-1) and Eigenmannia sp. (145 L.kg-1) around one and a half times higher than recommended for both species. Zn showed bioaccumulation for the species Cichla spp (4212 L.kg-1), Eigenmannia sp. (3538 L.kg-1) around four times higher for both species, and Angelfish (7942 L.kg-1) around eight times higher. These elements with BAF above the recommended can present risks to the biota and consumers.