Impacto dos agrotóxicos em peixes de riachos do sul do Brasil: avaliação de biomarcadores bioquímicos e fisiológicos

Abstract

The use of pesticides has gradually increased over time, driven by the need to expand food production to meet population demand and reduce crop losses. However, the improper use of these compounds can lead to serious human health issues and cause environmental imbalances, with both acute and chronic effects on living organisms. Furthermore, many of these substances persist in the environment for long periods without undergoing significant degradation. This study was conducted at 36 sampling points across twelve streams within the Comandaí and Piratinim river basins, regions characterized by intense agricultural activity, with the objective of assessing the impact of pesticides on the health of two fish species. To achieve this, samples of Bryconamericus iheringii and Mimagoniates inequalis were collected and analyzed to investigate the effects of oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity, and the condition factor. Additionally, water samples were examined to detect the presence of pesticides. The results indicated that sites with higher agricultural activity exhibited elevated concentrations of these compounds. Pesticides such as atrazine, azoxystrobin, and malathion were detected at different sampling points, highlighting the direct influence of agriculture on water quality. Overall, increased levels of acetylcholinesterase and lipid peroxidation, along with a decrease in the condition factor, were observed in environments with higher concentrations of these contaminants.