Metal bioavailability and distribution in the fish community in a tropical estuary, Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sepetiba Bay has a wealth of fish species (total 148) as well vast area mangroves and numerous rocky islands, which are important sites reproduction for marine life. This peculiar environment the Brazilian coast hosts one most industrial centres south-eastern Brazil. site been impacted decades by release emissions effluents with high metal loads steel industry. The ranges concentrations in muscle from Micropogonias furnieri, Genidens genidens, Cathorops spixii, Notarius grandicassis, Diapterus rhombeus, Selene vomer, Prionotus punctatus, Citharichthys spilopterus, Achirus lineatus, Trinectes paulistanus, Symphurus tessellatus Hypanus guttatus were measured (Al: 0.02-555.9 µg g-1 d.w., As: 0.0002-20.1 Cd: <0.0002-0.2 Cu: 0.2-2.3 Fe: <0.02-244.9 Zn: 0.5-227.3 d.w. Pb: <0.001-1.3 d.w.). Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences (p<0.05) As, Cu, Fe, Pb Zn contents among species. monitoring suspended particulate matter during dredging operation mean values Al (6059±6268 g-1), Cd (0.2±0.5 Cu (29±29 (332±892 (52±70 g-1). results bioaccumulation calculated bioavailable sediment fractions showed lower than those muscle. Arsenic was found at levels above maximum limit human consumption according to legislation. However, estimated probability risk intake via that all presented low risk.