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Concentrations of arsenic and four additional trace elements (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry in the muscular tissue of the yellow catfish (Cathorops spixii) and the urutu catfish (Genidens genidens) from Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, Brazil (PEC). The PEC can be characterized by an environment of high ecological and economic importance in which preserved areas of rainforest and mangroves coexist with urban activities as ports and industries. The average concentrations (in milligram per kilogram dry weight) of elements in the muscle tissue of C. spixii are as follows: Zn (31), As (17), Cu (1.17), Cr (0.62), and Ni (0.28). Similar concentrations could be found in G. genidens with exception of As: Zn (36), As (4.78), Cu (1.14), Cr (0.51), and Ni (0.14). Fish from the geographic northern rural region (Guaraqueçaba-Benito) display higher As concentrations in the muscle tissues than fish found in the south-western (urban) part of the PEC. An international comparison of muscle tissue concentrations of trace elements in fish was made. Except for Ni in C. spixii, a tendency of decrease in element concentration with increasing size (age) of the fish could be observed. According to the National Health Surveillance Agency of Brazil, levels of Cr and As exceeded the permissible limits for seafood. An estimation of the provisional tolerable weekly intake of As was calculated with 109 % for C. spixii and with 29 % for G. genidens.

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We determined stable‐isotope ratios for replicate muscle tissues in 13 gravid Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee (110.4–120.4 cm disc width; WD) and their embryos (7.0–42.3 cm WD) and also yolks and histrotroph, to assess the potential implications for juvenile nutrition and habitat use. Irrespective of their development in the uterus, embryos had similar δ13C values in their muscle tissue as the mothers and both had greater values than in the histotroph. During gestation, δ13C values increased across all sample types. However, while embryo muscle tissue and the histotroph were associated with increasing 15N levels during embryonic development, this was depleted in the mothers’ muscle tissue and yolk. Although speculative, the observed variation in stable‐isotope ratios might imply a dietary shift among gravid females during their early gestation. Irrespective of the underlying mechanisms, the results indicate neonates will have relatively greater δ15N values than post‐partum females, which would probably confound juvenile foraging‐ecology estimates.

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Carbonate mounds and pockmarks are geologically and ecologically important features distributed worldwide in the world's oceans. In the present study, we present a chemical characterization of deep-sea scleractinian coral skeletons collected in these geomorphological areas at the southeastern continental margin of Brazil. Coral samples were collected from ten sampling stations during cruises aboard the R/V Alpha Crucis, in 2019. Three species of scleractinian corals were studied: Enallopsammia rostrata, Solenosmilia variabilis, and Desmophyllum pertusum. Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen (δ 13 C and δ 18 O), metals, and phosphorus present in the coral carbonate skeletons were analyzed. Corals are recognized as archives of physical-chemical variations in the marine environment, and the Element/Ca ratios, δ 13 C, and δ 18 O allowed for the characterization of the studied areas. Chemical composition found in pockmark areas indicated affinity to terrigenous and particulate materials input (Ba/Ca, Fe/Ca, Mn/Ca, Li/Ca, and Mg/Ca). Greater availability of nutrients and anthropogenic materials (Pb/Ca, Cd/Ca, Zn/Ca, and P/Ca) is also likely to occur in this region, with some elemental ratios higher than those measured in other oceans. These mounds can act as barriers for metals from land flows. Also, corals benefit from a higher food supply due to stronger currents. The corals at the top of the Alpha Crucis Carbonate Ridge receive significant marine influence. Most coral samples have carbonate of aragonitic origin, except for a specimen of D. pertusum, which presented carbonate of biogenic calcite and aragonite. The results demonstrate the potential of scleractinian corals in the chemical characterization of the deep ocean and the need for further investigation of carbonate mound areas from the SW Atlantic.