Heavy Metal Contamination in Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) (Testudines: Chelidae) in a River Basin, São Paulo, Brazil

PIÑA, C.I.; LANCE, V.; FERRONATO, B.O.; GUARDIA, I.; MARQUES, T.S.; VERDADE, L.M.

BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY

SPRINGER

Año: 2009 vol. 83 p. 771 - 775

0007-4861

The PiracicabaRiver basin is considered the most disturbed river basin in the state of São Paulo. Considerable amounts of agricultural residues are seasonally drained; the region is also highly urbanized and industrialized with an incipient sewage treatment system. The presence of heavy metals have been previously reported for the water and riverbed in Piracicaba river basin. In this study we evaluated 13 heavy metals in the blood of 37 Geoffroy´s side-necked turtles, Phrynops geoffroanus, from PiracicabaRiver and Piracicamirim Creek, one of its tributaries. Serum level of As, Co, Cr, Se and Pb varied among sites, whereas Sn varied between males and females. However, no ontogenetic effect has been detected. Serum level of Cu (2194 ppm) and Pb (1150 ppm) found in this study are the highest ever described for any reptile; however, no clinical symptoms have been detected in the present study. There is no information about the time scale of such contamination, which could be currently subclinical and yet lead to a breakdown in the population reproductive success in a few years. Based on the present study, legal enforcement is urged in order to locate and extirpate heavy metals sources in PiracicabaRiver basin. In addition, monitoring should include humans and commercial fish consumed in local markets.