ABSTRACT
Human activities have changed the natural rates at which metals are moved and accumulated in both land and water environments, resulting in negative impacts on local wildlife. In this study, concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, Co, and Zn were evaluated in water and riverbed sediment samples collected from the Verde River basin (VR), as well as in tissue samples from five native Loricariidae species. Sediment samples collected from the central section of the VR riverbed indicated the presence of metal concentrations, which were primarily attributed to scattered pollution sources linked to rural activities in the surrounding areas. The bioconcentration factor in the Loricariids liver presented the highest average values for Zn (1.27-58.21), Co (0.48-14.91) and Cu (1.15-11.14). The same pattern was observed in the muscle, but in a lower proportion. Regarding the bioaccumulation factor, Co (1.54-34.84), Cu (5.85-25.22) and Zn (0.64-18.08) attained the highest average values in the liver. The co-inertia analysis examined the spatial distribution of metal concentrations in riverbed sediments and in tissues of Loricariids from the upper, middle, and lower stretches of the river, including the river mouth. The analysis revealed varying patterns, with samples from some regions showing higher bioaccumulation levels. This suggests that riverbed sediments are a primary source of metal contamination in Loricariids from these areas. The pollution has had a significant impact on the bioaccumulation of metals in the VR' Loricariids, which are good indicators of sediment-associated metal bioaccumulation. The metal concentrations recorded in both the riverbed sediments and Loricariids surpassed international and Brazilian limits set for aquatic health and safe human consumption. Given the importance of the Verde River in terms of its ecological, social, cultural, and economic roles, it is essential to implement biomonitoring and control measures to safeguard both terrestrial and aquatic resources.
