Trace metal accumulation is infrapopulation-dependent in acanthocephalans parasites of the white mullet (Mugil curema) from an estuarine environment of southeastern Brazil coast.

Here, in an estuarine canal in southeast Brazil, we evaluated the potential for trace metal accumulation of the acanthocephalan parasite Floridosentis mugilis, which infects the fish host Mugil curema. The quantities of the trace metals were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), which was used to analyze samples of the fish's muscle, intestine, and liver as well as the parasites. The parasites and the host's tissues had significantly different trace metal concentrations, according to our data. Furthermore, some metals have quite high bioconcentration factors, including Al, Cr, Ni, and Cd. We also found that the trace metal concentrations in the parasites were impacted by the sizes of the parasitic infrapopulations, with smaller infrapopulations tending to accumulate more metals. This study shows this acanthocephalan species' effective ability to store metals and is the first to investigate metal accumulation using it as a model.

Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of trace metal contamination in the musculature of the trahira fish (Hoplias malabaricus) from two neotropical rivers in southeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Fish are an important source of nutrition for humans. Artisanal fishing plays a fundamental role in Brazil fish production. In Brazil, the unrestrained increase, diffusion, and little importance for environmental causes of other economic activities, such as the agricultural industry, has caused irreparable damage, leading to the contamination of water bodies. Among the countless pollutants that reach water bodies, trace metals are extremely problematic. Here, we evaluated the bioaccumulation and health risk of trace metal contamination in the musculature of the trahira fish (Hoplias malabaricus), collected from two rivers in southeastern Brazil. METHODS: During the period from May 2017 to November 2019, 90 fish were collected, 45 from each river. River water samples were also taken during the same collection periods. From fish, muscle tissue samples were taken, and together with river water samples, analyzed for the recovery of trace metals (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) through the technique of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: In general, fish as well as the waters of the Jacaré-Guaçú River had higher concentrations of metals. The elements Al, Cr and Cd stood out from the others analyzed metals for having a hazard index (HQ) above 1 (Al), for being up to 10 times above the concentrations allowed by Brazilian legislation (Cr) and for having a high bioconcentration factor (Cd), indicating a biomagnification process through the food chain. CONCLUSION: In general, trace metal concentrations in the waters and fish of the Jacaré-Guaçú were higher than in the Jacaré-Pepira, which shows that the Jacaré-Guaçú is the one that suffers more anthropogenic action between the two rivers. In addition, some elements such as Al, Cr and Cd, due to its high concentrations, should receive some attention as they can pose risks to the health of fish, which can jeopardize the survival of their populations, and especially to humans who use these animals as a food source.

Fundão tailings dam failure in Brazil: Evidence of a population exposed to high levels of Al, As, Hg, and Ni after a human biomonitoring study.

BACKGROUND: On November 5th, 2015, the Fundão mine tailings dam in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, failed, releasing more than 50 million m3 of mud, rich in toxic metals. After that, a massive environmental disaster began with the mud wave flowing more than 600 km, until the mouth of Doce River, in Espírito Santo State, and finally reaching the Atlantic Ocean. A vast area was contaminated, affecting the ecosystem and several communities. Despite the tremendous environmental disaster, little is known concerning the population's exposure to toxic elements yet. METHODS: Thus, a cross-sectional study was for the first time conducted in three communities directly affected by the disaster (Regência, Povoação, and Campo Grande) in Espírito Santo State, to evaluate the levels of 11 chemical elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in blood. Sample analysis (n = 300) was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: Our data show high levels of exposure to Al, As, Hg, and Ni. Mean values in blood were 60 µg/L (ranging from 9 to 434 µg/L), 10.9 µg/L (ranging from 5.81 to 269 µg/L), 6.4 µg/L (ranging from 0.05 to 103 µg/L) and 2.7 µg/L (ranging from 0.08 to 21 µg/L) for Al, As, Hg and Ni, respectively. Moreover, after applying a multiple regression model, we found community, drinking water, fish, seafood consumption, and smoking habits associated with metal/metalloid levels in their body. Well and tap water intake were identified as important sources of exposure to aluminum and nickel. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings represent health risks to the groups living in the areas affected by the tailings dam failure, calling for further studies to evaluate the potential health effects of high exposure to metals and remediation actions from public health Brazilian authorities.

Occupational exposure to potentially toxic elements in the foundry industry: an integrated environmental and biological monitoring.

Industrial foundry processes release metal dust and fumes into the environment. Our study evaluated the exposure to potentially toxic elements in foundry workers. The assessed samples consisted of air particulate matter (n = 42), urine (n = 194), and blood (n = 167). Six workers had high concentrations of arsenic (As) in urine and one of them had a high cadmium (Cd) content in blood, according to Biological Exposure Index from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The work task significantly influenced the concentrations of cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in air, barium (Ba) in urine, and lead (Pb) and cesium (Cs) in blood, while the employment years affected concentrations of Mn, tin (Sn), and uranium (U) in urine and iodine (I) in blood. Arsenic, Pb, Co, and Cd in particulate matter and biological matrices presented significant covariation by working activity, supporting the occupational exposure. In this study, subjects were occupationally exposed to multiple potentially toxic elements. Carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks were associated with As, Co, Ni, and Mn exposure.