Study of the Risk Associated with Fish Ingestion in the Volta Grande of the Xingu River - Brazilian Amazon Region

Abstract

Mining activity in the Amazon region has brought, over the years, environmental impacts and impacts on the health of traditional peoples such as indigenous and riverside peoples. The implementation of large projects in the region, such as hydroelectric plants, has changed the conditions of water bodies, adding potentially toxic metals to the environment that can be harmful to flora, fauna, and human beings. The objective of this research was to study the risk associated with local populations of ingestion of fish species captured in the Volta Grande region of the Xingu River, located in the Brazilian Amazon region. Sixty specimens of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), pescada (Plagioscion spp.), piranha (Serrasalmus spp.), and tucunaré (Cichla spp.) fish were collected in two different regions of Volta Grande (middle and lower portions). For the determination of the elements Al, Mn, and Zn, an optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma was used, and for the Hg analysis, direct analysis with gold amalgamation was used. Statistical comparison tests and the use of indices were applied to assess the associated health risk, such as the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) indicators and the risk of consuming food contaminated by Potentially Toxic Metals. The results showed that the elements Al, Mn, and Zn are the most susceptible to bioconcentration in fish, with the most affected species being Piaractus mesopotamicus and Serrasalmus spp. above safety limits.