Resumo

RODRIGUES, Valéria Guimarães Silvestre et al. Using the freshwater bivalve Anodontites tenebricosus (LEA, 1834) as a biomonitor of metals in the Ribeira de Iguape River. Quím. Nova [online]. 2012, vol.35, n.3, pp. 454-459. ISSN 0100-4042.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422012000300003.

This study investigated the contamination of the Ribeira de Iguape River - RIR by Cd, Zn, Cr and Pb, using the bivalve Anodontites tenebricosus as a biomonitor. Metal concentrations in tissue samples were measured by HR-ICPMS. Bivalve tissues exhibited mean levels of 1.00 µg/g Cd; 152.89 µg/g Zn; 14.79 µg/g Cr and 4.40 µg/g Pb. Lead concentrations were comparable to those reported for moderately contaminated sites. The results showed that Pb is bioavailable to the bivalves, exhibiting high concentrations and exceeding both natural and reference values for human consumption. The freshwater bivalve Anodontites tenebricosus is a suitable biomonitor of contamination by metals.

Palavras-chave : contamination; Ribeira de Iguape River; Anodontites tenebricosus.