Essential and Non-Essential Elements Levels in Fish Species Highly Consumed in the Middle Miranda River, Brazilian Pantanal

The present study investigated the levels of As, Ag, Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn in muscle samples of six fish species ( Pygocentrus nattereri , Serrasalmus marginatus , Mylossoma duriventre , Leporinus friderici , Pimelodus argenteus , and P. pantaneiro ) highly consumed by local riverine and non-resident people in middle Miranda River, southern Brazilian Pantanal. Significant differences were detected for Ba, Fe, Mn, and Zn levels among the analyzed species. Pairwise comparison detected significant differences in element levels between species with similar diets, which implies that other factors, instead of species’ feeding habits, could be involved in distinct levels of element bioaccumulation. Significant correlations between body size and concentrations were found for Ba in P. nattereri (moderate positive correlation), and for Mn in M. duriventre (weak positive correlation) and P. argenteus (moderate negative correlation). Levels exceeding tolerable daily intake (TDI) were found for Pb maximum concentrations in P. nattereri , M. duriventre , L. friderici , P. argenteus , and P. pantaneiro , and for Cd maximum concentration in P. argenteus . Health risk assessment indicated considerable risk only for the worst-case scenario (calculated from maximum concentrations) for all species. Adopting a Pb monitoring program in biotic and abiotic compartments in Miranda River is strongly recommended.