Bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Santos Bay (Brazil) and its adjacent continental shelf

This study evaluated the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Santos Bay (SB) and theadjacent Santos Continental Shelf (SCS) in Brazil. Biliary metabolites were measured in several fish species toestablish a baseline for future monitoring programs. Bile samples from different species of fish were collected monthlyfrom July to December 2005 in SB, and in August 2005 and February 2006 on SCS. Metabolite concentrationswere determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detectors. Naphthalene,phenanthrene, and benzo[a]pyrene metabolite concentrations ranged from 24 to 810 µg g-1 of bile, 1.8 to 68 µg g-1of bile, and below the limit of quantitation to 1.3 µg g-1 of bile, respectively. Despite its high concentrations, the levelsof naphthalene metabolites were in regions of low-contamination, while benzo[a]pyrene metabolite were in thesame range as those reported in moderately contaminated areas, which may indicate pyrolytic contaminationby PAHs. No significant differences in the metabolite concentrations were found between the SB and the SCSsamples or during the periods of collection. Future studies with a single biomonitoring species should be conducted,considering age, sex, and feeding condition of the individuals. The metabolite data presented in this study is animportant baseline information for this urbanized region, which hosts several sources of contaminants

PAHs bioavailability evaluation in Mugil curema from Santos and Cananeia Estuaries through the analysis of PAHs metabolites in fish bile

Os estuários são o receptáculo final de muitos contaminantes antrópicos, como os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs), que podem ser tóxicos aos organismos. A biodisponibilidade dos HPAs pode ser avaliada através de biomarcadores de exposição, como os metabólitos biliares. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a biodisponibilidade do HPAs em peixes da espécie Mugil curema do Estuário de Santos e de Cananéia, através da análise de metabólitos de HPAs em bile de peixes. As coletas no Estuário de Cananéia foram realizadas nos meses de junho e novembro de 2008 e as coletas no Estuário de Santos foram realizadas entre os meses de março e maio de 2009. Os metabólitos foram analisados através de cromatografia líquida com detector de fluorescência (HPLC/F). A concentração de metabólitos biliares totais para o Estuário de Cananéia variou entre 0,91 a 89,97 ?g g-1 de bile, e para o Estuário de Santos variou de 4,68 a 528,43 ?g g-1 de bile. Houve diferença significativa entre os locais estudados. Observou-se também que não houve diferença significativa entre as amostras de machos e de fêmeas. A biodisponibilidade de HPAs foi considerada como baixa para o Estuário de Cananéia e alta para o Estuário de Santos. Valores de referência foram propostos para analise ambiental de metabólitos biliares de HPAs, sendo estipulada uma concentração de 2,22 ?g g-1 de bile para locais não contaminados.Estuaries are the final receptacle to many anthropic contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), who can be toxic to organisms. The PAH bioavailability can be evaluated through biomarkers, such as biliary metabolites. This work had as objective evaluate the PAHs bioavailability in fishes of Mugil curema from Santos and Cananéia Estuaries, through the analysis of PAHs metabolites in fish bile. The Cananéia Estuary sampling was made in June and November from 2008 and the Santos Estuary sampling was made between the months of March and May from 2009. The metabolites were analyzed through a high performance liquid chromatograph with fluorescence detector (HPLC/F). The biliary metabolites concentrations from the Cananéia Estuary varied between 0,91 a 89,97 ?g g-1 of bile, and from Santos Estuary varied between 4,68 a 528,43 ?g g-1 of bile. There were significant differences between the sampling sites. There were no significant differences between the male and female samples. The PAHs bioavailability was considered low to Cananéia Estuary and high to Santos Estuary. Reference values were proposed to PAHs biliary metabolites environmental analysis, been stipulated a concentration of 2,22 ?g g-1 of bile to uncontaminated sites

Distribuição e fontes de hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) em sedimentos superficiais de uma Baía Tropical influenciada por atividades antropogénicas (Baía todos os Santos, BA, Brasil)

The present study aimed to evaluate the distribution and origin of 16 Priority PAHs in surficial sediment samples of Todos os Santos Bay (TSB, Brazil). Total PAHs concentrations ranged from below the method detection limit (< DL) to 533 ng g−1 (dry weight). The toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQcarc) of PAHs in the studied area ranged from 0 to 104 ng g−1 and were lower when compared to other contaminated bays in the world. Diagnostic ratios indicated that pyrogenic processes, such as pyrolysis of fossil fuel, biomass, and coal, were the main PAHs sources for sediments. Proximity of the sources, the hydrodynamics and geochemistry of the sediments were the factor influencing the distribution of PAHs along the studied area.O presente estudo visava avaliar a distribuição e origem de 16 PAHs prioritárias em amostras de sedimentos superficiais da Baía de Todos os Santos (TSB, Brasil). As concentrações totais de PAHs variavam abaixo do limite de detecção do método (< DL) a 533 ng g-1 (peso seco). As concentrações tóxicas equivalentes (TEQcarc) de PAHs na área estudada variavam entre 0 e 104 ng g-1 e eram inferiores quando comparadas com outras baías contaminadas no mundo. As razões de diagnóstico indicavam que os processos pirogénicos, tais como a pirólise de combustíveis fósseis, biomassa, e carvão, eram as principais fontes de PAHs para sedimentos. A proximidade das fontes, a hidrodinâmica e a geoquímica dos sedimentos foram o fator que influenciou a distribuição de PAHs ao longo da área estudada