title: Evaluation of environmental quality of two estuaries in Ilha do Maranhão, Brazil, using histological and genotoxic biomarkers in Centropomus undecimalis (Pisces, Centropomidae).
abstract: Estuaries are subjected to continual environmental impacts from activities in the catchment areas. This research assessed the quality of two estuarine habitats located in Ilha do Maranhão, Brazil, through histological and genotoxic biomarkers in Centropomus undecimalis, comparing the data obtained to metal, physical, and chemical concentrations of water samples. The gill histological alterations were analyzed by the histological alteration index and genotoxic lesions in erythrocytes were detected by the Micronucleus Test. The analysis of metals revealed that all water samples contained at least two elements with concentrations higher than that allowed by the current Brazilian law. For gill histological analysis, snook of both areas assessed exhibited moderate lesions, indicating that the local fish are affected by environmental stress. Micronucleus analysis of snook showed that the Bacanga river basin is the most affected. In addition to assessing the health of commercial fish populations, the information about the biomarkers used for the species can serve to contribute to the preparation and/or application of health assessment models and implementation of environmental recovery policies for coastal aquatic environments.
authors.affiliation: Animal Morphophysiology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. sildymartins@hotmail.com.|Programa de Pós Graduação em Recursos Aquáticos e Pesca, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. sildymartins@hotmail.com.|Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Animal, Cidade Universitária Paulo VI, s/n, Cidade Operária, São Luís, MA, 65055-000, Brazil. sildymartins@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sildiane Martins
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cantanhêde
authors.affiliation: Animal Morphophysiology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Geane
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: da Silva Castro
authors.affiliation: Animal Morphophysiology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália Jovita
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Animal Morphophysiology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jonas Silva
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: de Pinho Campos
authors.affiliation: Toxicological Genetics Laboratory, Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós Graduação em Recursos Aquáticos e Pesca, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lígia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tchaicka
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós Graduação em Recursos Aquáticos e Pesca, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raimunda Nonata Fortes Carvalho
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Neta
authors.affiliation: Centre of Agricultural Sciences and Natural, Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Ribamar
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: de Souza Torres
authors.affiliation: Animal Morphophysiology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.|Programa de Pós Graduação em Recursos Aquáticos e Pesca, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora Martins Silva
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001938:Brazil; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D063366:Estuaries; D005260:Female; D005880:Gills / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D010473:Perciformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Centropomus undecimalis; Environmental monitoring; Fish; Genotoxicity; Histopathology; Snook; Water contamination