Liver damage in two neotropical fish species from a polluted estuarine area

Abstract

A multi-biomarker approach was used to evaluate the liver health of two Neotropical fish species (Cathorops spixii and Atherinella brasiliensis) that inhabit two different sites of the Paranaguá bay (Paraná – Brazil) and a reference site in the Garatuba bay. Fish were sampled during summer and winter, so the variation of the responses can reflect the actual conditions of sampling sites. Data showed that fish from both sites of the Paranaguá bay are affected by the presence of pollutants from different sources. Both fish species presented adverse biomarker responses mainly in the summer, probably due to the increased human population during the period. Chronic effects in the liver related with the contamination. Thus, the results demonstrated that pollution in Paranaguá bay induce liver damage in fish that inhabit this area.