Fish Tissue Contamination with Organic Pollutants and Heavy Metals: Link between Land Use and Ecological Health

Under pressure from existing and emerging contaminants, lotic ecosystems are becoming increasingly susceptible to ecological deterioration. Therefore, investigations of the impacts persistent organic pollutants (POPs) heavy metals on riverine fish health, water quality, biotic integrity critical. We examined effects 52 POPs health land use, based monitoring assemblages river quality 2007 2014. Among chemical species, 35 were present in tissues, including eight metals. The concentrations these 12 species presented. Most either undetected or at negligible levels although a few polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) organochlorine pesticides (OCPs; dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes heptachlor epoxide) detected above screening values (SVs). Hg, As, Cd most samples their SVs. investigated trophic guild, metal contents order Zn < Cr Cu Pb Se, while insectivorous omnivorous carnivorous. Agricultural cover showed an association with endosulfan II (R2 = 0.50, r 0.70), followed by alachlor 0.43, 0.66). For PAHs, all substances significant relationships forest cover. Ecological assessment revealed that sites poor condition, indicating direct pollutants. In conclusion, 28 detected, 16 PAHs 3 OCPs (hexachlorobenzene, lindane, concern, such action is needed curb inflow environment. studied basin under substantial threat harmful endanger biodiversity.