Avaliação de alterações nucleares em peixes das regiões do Médio e Baixo Rio Branco (Roraima - Brasil)

Abstract

The study was conducted in the regions of the Middle and Lower Rio Branco (Roraima, Brazil) and used fish as genotoxic biomarkers. The study's objectives included investigating possible environmental impacts on the genetic material of economically important fish by analyzing the occurrence of nuclear alterations and their correlation with the feeding habits of the collected individuals and the studied locations. To assess the presence of genetic damage, the micronucleus test and nuclear abnormalities analysis were conducted. A total of 33 individuals from 12 distinct species with varying sizes were collected at three locations: one non-urbanized area with little anthropogenic impact in Rorainópolis, approximately 124 km upstream from the village of Santa Maria do Boiaçu, which was the first collection point; the second collection point in the village of Santa Maria do Boiaçu, in the same municipality, which is an urbanized area but with less anthropogenic influence; and in the village of Vista Alegre, near the municipality seat of Caracaraí, a more urbanized area with greater anthropogenic influence. The results showed no statistical significance between the feeding habits of the analyzed individuals or between the regions where they were collected, despite the observed nuclear alterations highlighting a relationship between feeding habits and the organisms' vulnerability to pollutants, especially due to the anthropogenic influences of each region. The study revealed a possible impact of pollutants on the genetic material of the analyzed species, reinforcing that anthropogenic pressures directly affect the health of aquatic ecosystems. The relevance of fish as bioindicators was underscored, considering their sensitivity to pollutants and their ecological and economic importance. It concludes that genotoxicity tests, combined with the use of biomarkers, are effective tools for environmental monitoring and the conservation of Amazonian aquatic ecosystems. Future studies are recommended to expand analyses on a larger scale and employ interdisciplinary approaches to deepen the understanding of anthropogenic impacts in the region and inform public policies aimed at environmental preservation and food security for local populations.