AVALIAÇÃO DA CONTAMINAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NO ESTUÁRIO DO RIO DOS CACHORROS : Bioacumulação E Percepção Do Risco Químico De Metais Em Peixes

Abstract

Coastal zones, particularly estuaries, are vulnerable environments subject to the impacts of population growth and unplanned urbanization. These transformations can compromise environmental quality, pose risks to public health, and threaten the safety of communities that depend closely on natural resources. In this context, the present study investigated the presence of potentially toxic metals in commercially important fish species captured in the estuary of the Rio dos Cachorros, located in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, integrating environmental analyses with social and perceptual aspects of the local population. A total of 24 specimens were collected — 12 Sciades herzbergii c and 12 Cynoscion acoupa with the assistance of local fishers using gillnets. Muscle tissue samples were subjected to acid digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to determine metal concentrations. The data were analyzed using statistical tests and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), in addition to calculating the Risk Quotient (RQ) to assess potential human health risks. Concurrently, a field survey was conducted with local residents to investigate the community’s environmental perception regarding heavy metal pollution. Laboratory analyses revealed the bioaccumulation of metals in fish muscle tissue, indicating a tangible risk to consumer health and food safety. The environmental perception of residents demonstrated a strong dependence on the estuary, but also highlighted gaps in access to information about pollution risks, reinforcing the need for environmental education strategies that foster collective engagement. The conservation of coastal ecosystems and the protection of traditional communities require integrated actions in environmental monitoring and the establishment of dialogue among science, public authorities, and civil society, promoting participatory and sustainable management.