Analysis of toxic metals in fish

Trace elements are continuously discharged into rivers, a fact that causes serious problems due to their toxicity, long persistence, bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain. The Tijuca-Jacarepaguá-Marapendi lagoon system receives a huge input of nutrients and pollutants due to anthropogenic impacts on its rivers. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of copper, zinc, lead and aluminum in muscle and viscera of the species Sardinella brasiliensis (sardine), which inhabits the outlet of the Sernambetiba Canal, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Among the samples, 56.8% showed values above the limit established for human consumption by Brazilian legislation for lead. The trace elements showed different accumulation trends depending on the location (muscle or viscera). The concentrations of metals in muscle were lower than in viscera. The values found should serve as a warning of contamination of the Sardinella brasiliensis population that inhabits the outlet of the Sernambetiba canal. It was concluded that the concentration of lead in the fish was above the limits permitted for human consumption, and that the region is impacted.