Assessment of metal contamination in fish from estuaries of southern and southeastern Brazil.

Historically, the Brazilian coast has been impacted by urban, industrial, and port activities that have increased the input of chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals, to the ecosystem. The Paranaguá estuarine complex (PEC), Cananéia-Iguape estuarine-lagoon complex (CIELC), and Santos-São Vicente estuarine complex (SSVEC) (S-SE Brazil) are surrounded by urbanized cities and port areas characterized by various anthropogenic discharges comprising several potential pollutants, including heavy metals. Concerns about such contamination are paramount because these estuaries are important for traditional fishing communities and are categorized as World Heritage sites and biodiversity hotspots by UNESCO.