Trophic Chain Organochlorine Pesticide Contamination in a Highly Productive Upwelling Area in Southeastern Brazil.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCP) are legacy anthropogenic compounds known to persist for several years in the environment. The continuous use of some OCP, such as DDT, after restrictions in developing countries are cause of concern, due to their deleterious effects to marine life and humans. Studies assessing OCP contamination in coastal environments are still scarce in South America and there is a need to understand the impacts from trophic chain accumulation of these pollutants in marine life. In this study, we have assessed OCP levels in muscle and liver and estimated the biomagnification factor in several upwelling system trophic chain members, including fish, squid, and marine mammal from Southeastern Brazil. DDT degradation product DDE was the OCP detected in the highest concentrations in Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei), 86.4 ng·g-1 wet weight, and fish muscle and liver. In general, higher OCP levels were found in liver than in muscle, except for croaker. Biomagnification factors (BMF) of OCP in the top predator P. blainvillei and the carnivorous cutlass fish (Trichiurus lepturus) were on average between 0.2 and 1.8. Continued OCP monitoring in this region is warranted to better understand the distribution and fate of these compounds over time, with the goal to establish strategies for the conservation of local dolphin species and to assess human health risks from local coastal region populations.

Subcellular metal partitioning as a novel tool in ecotoxicological elasmobranch assessments: The case of lesser numbfish (Narcine brasiliensis) affected by the Mariana dam disaster in Southeastern Brazil.

This study comprises a novel report on subcellular metal partitioning and metallothionein (MT) metal detoxification efforts in lesser numbfish (Narcine brasiliensis) electric ray specimens, as well as the first assessment on MT contents in any ray electric organ. Individuals sampled from an area in Southeastern Brazil affected by the Mariana dam rupture disaster were assessed concerning subcellular metal partitioning and MT metal-detoxification in the liver, gonads, electric organ and muscle of both adults and embryos. Yolk was also assessed when available. Relative total and heat-stable (bioavailable) metal and metalloid comparisons between adults and embryos in different developmental stages demonstrates maternal transfer of both total and bioavailable metals and significant MT associations demonstrate the detoxification of As, Ag, Mn, Ni, Cd, Co, Cu, Se and V through this biochemical pathway. Our findings expand the lacking ecotoxicological assessments for this near-threatened species and indicates significant ecological concerns, warranting further biomonitoring efforts.

Assessment of trace elements, POPs, (210)Po and stable isotopes ((15)N and (13)C) in a rare filter-feeding shark: The megamouth.

With less than 60 records being reported worldwide, the megamouth (Megachasma pelagios) is today one of the least known shark species inhabiting our oceans. Therefore, information concerning the biology and ecology of this enigmatic organism is very scarce and limited to feeding behaviour and preferred habitat. The present work reports new data on the concentrations of trace elements, organic mercury, POPs and (210)Po in hepatic and muscular tissues of a specimen found stranded in the southeastern coast of Brazil. Additionally, we provide new evidence based on stable isotope analysis (δ(15)N and δ(13)C) confirming the preference for the pelagic habitat and the zooplanktivorous feeding behaviour of the megamouth. These results are consistent with the low concentrations of organic pollutant compounds and other elements measured in our samples.

Small cetaceans found stranded or accidentally captured in southeastern Brazil: bioindicators of essential and non-essential trace elements in the environment.

Essential (Cu, Mn, Se and Zn) and non-essential (Cd and Hg) elements were analyzed in the hepatic tissue of 22 individuals of seven different species of small cetaceans (Feresa attenuata; Orcinus orca; Pontoporia blainvillei; Sotalia guianensis; Stenella frontalis; Steno bredanensis; Tursiops truncatus) accidentally caught in fishing nets or found stranded along the northern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2001 and 2010. Atlantic spotted dolphin (S. frontalis) showed the highest levels of Cd (20.23µgg(-1), dry weight), while rough-toothed dolphin (S. bredanensis) showed the highest levels of Hg (825.9µgg(-1)dw) and Se (221.9µgg(-1)dw). Killer whale (O. orca) presented the highest levels of Cu (64.80µgg(-1)dw) and Zn (2220µgg(-1)dw), and Guiana dolphin (S. guianensis), the highest level of Mn (13.05µgg(-1)dw). Cu, Hg, Mn and Zn in the hepatic tissue of killer whale (O. orca), Cu, Hg, Mn, Se and Zn in the hepatic tissue of rough-toothed dolphin (S. bredanensis) and Cd and Zn in the hepatic tissue of Guiana dolphin (S. guianensis) were significantly higher when compared to other studies with these species around the world. No significant correlations were observed between element accumulation and sex, sexual maturity and body length. An analysis of the interelemental relationships in the Guiana dolphin specimens showed strong positive correlations between Cd and Se, Cu and Zn, and Hg and Se. Differences were observed in the bioaccumulation of elements between the analyzed species, probably related to each species feeding habit, and differences between different element concentrations in the different dolphin species were probably due to the preference for certain preys and their bioavailability in the environment. Thus, the bioavailability of the analyzed elements in the marine environment should also be taken in consideration. This study also presents the first data ever reported for pygmy killer whale (F. attenuata) regarding trace element concentrations in hepatic tissue.