Occurrence and distribution of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface and groundwaters in an urbanized and agricultural area, Southern Brazil.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are emerging contaminants detected in surface water, groundwater, drinking water, air, and food. Due to its chemical stability and high hydrophobicity, these compounds are used as surfactants, surface protectors, flame retardants, textile impregnation, fire-fighting foam, and pesticides and may be a risk for human health in the long-term exposure. Currently, a little research has been carried out for these compounds in Brazil. In this study, the concentration and distribution of 23 PFAS were analyzed in groundwater samples collected from water wells in urbanized areas and in surface water samples from Porto Alegre, one of the biggest cities in Brazil. The total concentrations of PFAS (ΣPFAS) in a groundwater sample varied between 22 and 718 ng L-1. Eleven PFAS species were detected in groundwater, including PFOA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA, PFDA, PFNA, and PFOS. Most of PFAS were quantified in samples located in the aquifer formed by medium to coarse sands intercalated with silty-sandy lenses and low organic matter content that could facilitate the percolation of these compounds. The total concentrations of PFAS (ΣPFAS) in a surface water sample varied between 11 and 17 ng L-1. Ten species were founded in surface water being PFOA, PFOS, and PFHpA the most dominant. Considering all the samples, PFOA was the predominant species in the study. In addition, tributary water bodies had higher concentrations of PFAS than the main water body (Guaiba Lake) probably due dilution process.

Utilização de índices ecológicos em assembléias de peixes como instrumento de avaliação da degradação ambiental em programas de monitoramento / Utilization of ecological indexes on assemblages of fish as instrument of assessment of the environmental degradation in monitoring programs

Este trabalho utiliza índices ecológicos em taxocenoses de peixes (constância de ocorrência, diversidade de espécies, riqueza, equitabilidade, índice de qualidade integrado (IQ)) como instrumento de avaliação da degradação ambiental. As amostragens foram padronizadas e realizadas sazonalmente durante dois anos, com rede de arrasto do tipo picaré, em onze pontos da bacia hidrográfica do lago Guaíba. Os pontos que apresentaram maior regularidade sazonal nos índices coincidem com locais de melhor qualidade ambiental indicados por outros fatores (frequência de anomalias, DBO5, temperatura, coliformes totais, oxigênio dissolvido). O cálculo do índice de qualidade integrado (IQ), entretanto, foi extremamente influenciado pela abundância e riqueza de espécies, sendo que os locais considerados de melhor qualidade por este índice correspondem aos de pior qualidade ambiental indicados por outros fatores. A análise realizada demonstrou que à medida que a qualidade da água melhora, o Índice de Margalef diminui. Isto demonstra que mesmo havendo uma melhora na qualidade da água, não houve uma melhora da estrutura da comunidade deste local.

Several ecological indexes in taxocenoses of fish (constancy, diversity, richness, evenness, and integrated quality index - IQ) are used as indicators of environmental degradation through the analysis of standardized and seasonal fish samples taken along two years in eleven localities of the Lake Guaíba drainage. Localities that showed regular diversity indexes along two years are coincident with those with better environmental quality indicated by other factors (frequency of abnormalities in fishes, DBO5, temperature, total coliforms, dissolved oxygen). The integrated quality index, however, was mostly influenced by abundance and richness, being the localities indicated as the best quality by this index coincident with those indicated as bad quality by other factors. The accomplished analysis demonstrated that when the measure of water quality gets better, the Margalef Index decreases. This demonstrates that even having an improvement in water quality, there is no improvement of structure of the fish community of this place.

Evaluation of trace metals (cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc) in tissues of a commercially important fish (Leporinus obtusidens) from Guaíba Lake, Southern Brazil

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn were determined in liver and muscle of Leporinus obtusidens. During 2003, the fishes (N = 54) were sampled from three sites along Guaíba Lake (north, central and south zones). The hypotheses tested assumed that there were differences in the location and date as to levels of contamination, association between the trace metal content in the fishes and size, and that the sex influenced metal accumulation. Possible risks of contaminated fish consumption to human health were also evaluated. The level of mean concentration (µg/g) of metals in tissues was higher in liver than muscle: [Cd] = 2.32♂; [Cr] = 0.08♀; [Cu] = 30.82♀ and [Zn] = 97.77♀. The results showed differences between the local and date sampling for all metals except Cr. Metal content was higher in the warmer than colder seasons and in the central zone than at other points. Significant sexual differences were detected for Cd and Zn and there were positive associations between the size and metal concentrations for Cu and Zn. The concentration levels of metals in muscle tissue showed that the fish samples did not offer risks to human health.

As concentrações dos metais Cd, Cr, Cu e Zn foram determinadas para os tecidos muscular e hepático de Leporinus obtusidens no sul do Brasil. Durante o ano de 2003, 54 indivíduos foram capturados em três locais ao longo do Lago Guaíba (norte, centro e sul). Neste estudo verificamos se havia diferenças entre os locais de amostragem e as épocas do ano nas concentrações de metais nos tecidos analisados, bem como relação entre a concentração do metal e tamanho e sexo dos indivíduos. O risco para o consumo humano também foi avaliado. A concentração média (µg/g) dos metais foi maior no fígado do que no músculo para todos os metais: [Cd] = 2,32♂; [Cr] = 0,08♀; [Cu] = 30,82♀ e [Zn] = 97,77♀. Os resultados apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os locais (região central do lago com as maiores concentrações) e épocas do ano (meses de primavera e verão) para todos os metais, exceto Cr. Diferenças entre os sexos também foram detectadas, para Cd e Zn, e relações com o tamanho dos indivíduos para Cu e Zn. Os níveis encontrados no tecido muscular não oferecem riscos ao consumo da espécie.