Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in fish biota of Guanabara Bay at Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Abstract

Fish is present in the Brazilian diet and represents an important participation in protein consumption. The use of highly toxic pesticides is still tolerated in Brazil despite being banned in many parts of the world. This study records traces of contamination by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at Guanabara Bay at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Our results indicate that local production and the widespread use of such chlorinated compounds in the past decades are being reflected on the edible fish tissue concentrations.