In situ monitoring of the Sinos River, southern Brazil: water quality parameters, biomarkers, and metal bioaccumulation in fish.

The Sinos River is an important water supply in Southern Brazil and receives industrial, agricultural, and domestic effluents which may affect aquatic biota. Water physicochemical and microbiological analyses, biomarker responses (scaled mass index (SMI), gill histopathology, and micronucleus and nuclear abnormality (MN and NA) frequencies), and metal bioaccumulation in muscle were assessed in the fish species Bryconamericus iheringii (Characidae) captured at three sampling sites (S1, S2, and S3) in four sampling periods. The mean values of five parameters (total phosphorus, thermotolerant coliforms, aluminum, iron, and lead) exceeded the limits established by the Brazilian legislation at the three sampling sites.

Water quality parameters, biomarkers and metal bioaccumulation in native fish captured in the Ilha River, southern Brazil.

The Ilha River is one of the main tributaries of the Sinos River, southern Brazil, and it is located in an area characterized by low population density and presence of agricultural activities. Thus, this study aimed to assess the water quality of two sites of the Ilha River (source and mouth, S1 and S2 respectively) in five sampling periods using water physicochemical and microbiological analyses, biomarkers, such as condition factor, micronucleus test, gill histopathological analysis, and metal bioaccumulation in the native fish Bryconamericus iheringii. Mean values of BOD, thermotolerant coliforms, aluminum, iron and lead exceeded the limits established by the Brazilian legislation for surface waters at both sampling sites.