Abstract

ARGUMEDO, C. Doria. Bioconcentration of heavy metals (Zn, Hg, Pb) in tissues of Ariopsis felis and Diplodus annularis in the Ranchería river, Northern Colombia. Rev. Med. Vet. Zoot. [online]. 2021, vol.68, n.2, pp.124-136.  Epub Nov 29, 2021. ISSN 0120-2952.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rfmvz.v68n2.98025.

Heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems in the area is one of the most severe problems that compromise food security at the local, regional and global levels. In this study, the specific problem of the bioconcentration of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) in 2 of the higher nutritional importance fish species (Ariopsis felis and Diplodus annularis) for the riverside inhabitants of the Ranchería river, in northern Colombia, is addressed. The organic tissue samples were subjected to acid digestion (HNO3 and HClO4 in a 3:1 ratio), and the quantification of metals was carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Additionally, the levels of metals in the sediment were measured, in order to determine environmental quality indices. This allow to determine that heavy metals do not present a risk to the aquatic organisms that inhabit this area. Different heavy metal concentration values were found: in decreasing order, Zn> Hg> Pb in sediment, and Hg> Zn> Pb in biological tissue. The results reveal that the concentrations of heavy metals present in fish tissue and sediment show a positive correlation, and a statistically significant linear regression (p = 0,001, p < 0,05). The presence of heavy metals in river sediment and bioconcentrates in fish could derive from point and diffuse sources related to agricultural, livestock, mining and wastewater activities.

Keywords : atomic absorption spectrophotometry; heavy metals; fish tissues; Ranchería river.

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