Journal of
Oceanography and Marine Science

  • Abbreviation: J. Oceanogr. Mar. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2294
  • DOI: 10.5897/JOMS
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 62

Full Length Research Paper

Trace metals concentration in Fregata magnificens: A case study of Coroa Grande Mangrove in Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Aldo P. Ferreira
Center for the Study of Workers Health and Human Ecology, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 18 January 2011
  •  Published: 28 February 2011

Abstract

 

Concentrations of trace metals, cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) were determined in Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) harvested in Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mean concentration levels in liver and kidney (µg.g-1 dry weight) were 8.04 and 5.57 (Cd); 66.44 and 54.64 (Zn); 45.29 and 46.89 (Cu); 44.67 and 37.35 (Pb); 2.94 and 5.02 (Cr); and 8.12 and 5.98 (Ni), respectively. Nowadays, there is growing conviction that seabird surveys provide important geographical and temporal evidence patterns of aquatic ecosystems conditions, and for this reason the present study provides new insights to use seabirds as bio-sentinel for aquatic pollutants. The results reflect higher concentrations of metals in F. magnificens. These findings are highly the importance of heavy metals accumulation in the aquatic system and portend a serious health risk to human consumption and along marine trophic chains.

 

Key words: Trace metals, concentrations, Sepetiba Bay, Fregata magnificens.