Evaluation of organochlorine pesticides in samples of Astyanax Altiparanae Fish from an important reservoir in Brazil and Risk assessment

Abstract

The Alagados reservoir is located in one of the main grain-producing and exporting areas in Brazil. Additionally, it is situated beneath the Guarani Aquifer, one of the largest aquifers in the world, which is an important source of groundwater for several countries in South America. Residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were detected in roe, viscera, and muscle of Astyanax altiparanae from the Alagados reservoir (Paraná State, Brazil) by GC/ECD. The detected OCPs include Aldrin (17.1 to 50.6 µg/Kg), α-endosulfan (3.4 to 23.5 µg/Kg), p,p’-DDE (4.2 to 134.7 µg/Kg), Dieldrin (84.7 to 183.1 µg/Kg), β-endosulfan (6.0 to 51.6 µg/Kg), and p,p’-DDT (56.6 to 286.8 µg/Kg) in roe; Aldrin (19.8 to 93.3 µg/Kg), α-endosulfan (8.3 to 37 µg/Kg), p,p’-DDE (83.5 to 209.2 µg/Kg), Dieldrin (18.0 to 193.5 µg/Kg), β-endosulfan (21.0 to 95.4 µg/Kg), and p,p’-DDT (52.3 to 89.2 µg/Kg) in viscera; and Aldrin (8.28 to 26.16 µg/Kg), α-endosulfan (4.16 to 12.3 µg/Kg), p,p’-DDE (12.7 to 40.17 µg/Kg), Dieldrin (45.6 µg/Kg), β-endosulfan (8.58 to 58.54 µg/Kg), and p,p’-DDT (12.0 to 23.1 µg/Kg) in muscle. Principal component analysis showed a proportional relationship between the highest concentrations of OCPs and the width of the fish abdomen. The levels of OCPs detected in Astyanax altiparanae samples did not exceed the maximum residue limits imposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, risk quotient calculations indicated possible health risks associated with the consumption of these fish.