Mercury is an element with potential risk to fish and those who consume it. Thus, this study aimed to determine the levels of total mercury (THg), carry out a health risk assessment related to the consumption of the freshwater stingrays Potamotrygon motoro, and determine the physical and chemical properties of the water where stingrays occur. Stingrays of the species P. motoro were obtained from the Amazon River, and samples of the animals’ musculature were collected to determine THg levels. Risk assessment was conducted using pre-established formulas of estimated monthly intake (EMI), maximum monthly intake rate (IRmm), and hazard quotient (HQ). Three population scenarios were evaluated, considering both sexes and differences between rural and urban areas. There was no relationship between weight and THg concentration nor between total length and THg concentration. Higher EMI values were observed in rural children; for the IRmm, male children had the lowest consumption levels. For the hazard quotient, there was a similarity between the three age groups when comparing the male and female sexes. In addition, the representatives of the rural area always had lower values than the urban area. Freshwater stingrays, like other elasmobranchs, can be crucial animal species because they act as sentinels in studies that assess harmful chemicals like mercury.

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants routinely detected in aquatic ecosystems. It is, therefore, necessary to assess the link between deleterious marine biota PAH effects, especially in commercialized and consumed animals, environmental health status, and potential human health risks originating from the consumption of contaminated seafood products. Thus, this review seeks to verify the relationships of ecotoxicological studies in determining effect and safety concentrations on animals routinely consumed by humans. Methods: A total of 52 published studies between 2011 and 2021, indexed in three databases, were selected following the PICO methodology, and information on test animals, evaluated PAH, and endpoints were extracted. Results: Benzo(a)pyrene and phenanthrene were the most investigated PAHs in terms of biomarkers and test organisms, and mussels were the most evaluated bioindicator species, with an emphasis on reproductive responses. Furthermore, despite the apparent correlation between environmental PAH dynamics and effects on aquatic biota and human health, few assessments have been performed in a multidisciplinary manner to evaluate these three variables together. Conclusions: The links between human and environmental sciences must be strengthened to enable complete and realistic toxicity assessments as despite the application of seafood assessments, especially to mussels, in bioassays, the connection between toxicological animal responses and risks associated with their consumption is still understudied.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the main component of petroleum, are a concern due to their environmental persistence, long-range transport, and potential toxic effects on animal, human health, and the environment. PAHs are considered persistent compounds and can be bioaccumulated in sediments and aquatic biota. Determining PAHs in animals and environmental samples consists of three steps: extraction, clean-up or purification, and analytical determination. The matrix complexity and the diversity of environmental contaminants, such as PAHs resulted in the development of numerous analytical techniques and protocols for the extraction of these components and analysis in several samples. This systematic review article seeks to relate the extraction and preparation methods of complex samples from aquatic animals and the two main detection techniques of PAHs. For the elaboration of the research, 67 articles published between 2011 and 2021 were sought, which specifically contemplated the isolation of aquatic extracts and detection and quantification techniques of PAHs. Graphical Abstract

The increasing production of plastic products has raised concerns about environmental impacts related to microplastic formation, which harms ecosystems and human health. This systematic review aims to present the concentration of microplastics in commercially important bony fish and discuss the impacts on animal health and the possibility of these contaminants reaching the end consumer. The PICO methodology was used, and 517 articles were retrieved from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus); after selecting articles that complement the research objective, 70 articles were used to compose this review. According to the results, line-shaped microplastics, polypropylene, and polystyrene polymers were the most frequently identified in the articles. Additionally, the effects of microplastics on animal health, including false satiety and physical injuries, as well as risks to human health, such as epithelial inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell contamination, were discussed. Understanding the concentration of microplastics in commercially important bony fish is necessary for protecting human health and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. It is necessary to adopt legislative measures for proper plastic disposal.

Microplastics (MPs) are solid microscopic fragments of plastic materials and are widely distributed in water, soil, air, and biota. MPs cause damage and accumulate in animals such as aquatic organisms, including edible fish, and reach human systems through the food chain (biomagnification). MPs have been found in human blood and lungs, and food exposure requires particular priority. The comprehension of mechanisms by which MPs enter the human body is still scarce. Thus, considering the indirect exposure of food to MPs and the potential to affect human health, this chapter will present current knowledge about the main MP characteristics, levels, and the ways they affect human health through food, especially seafood consumption. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->