Cd, Cr AND Al DETERMINATION IN FISH TISSUE FROM GELADO RIVER/APA, CARAJÁS-PA FOREST

Abstract

The fish on the Gelado River are subject to the contamination of heavy metals derived from waste one of the largest mining companies in the world, which uses the river as receptacle of water for washing ore. The study objective was to evaluate the Cd, Cr and Al presence in tissue samples of fish species: piranha (Serrasalmus spp.), branquinha (Potamorhina spp.) and tucunaré (Cichla spp.) collected in the Gelado River, a view to preserve the population health that consumes these species. The samples were dissolved using wet opening and microwave, and metals analyzed by ICPAES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy). Al, Cd and Cr were found in high concentrations in all evaluated species, representing a major risk to public health. The elements Al and Cr presented excellent correlation in piranha species. Statistical analysis revealed the influence of anthropogenic activity in the region, leading to the need for future studies to verify the dynamics of correlation with other trace elements. The analysis shows that the elements are being absorbed by fish and the concentrations of some elements can damage the health of consumers of these species.