Avaliação metabólitos de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos biliares e atividade da acetilcolinesterase em Centropomus parallelus de estuários paulistas

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants associated with anthropogenic activities. This study evaluated PAH exposure in Centropomus parallelus specimens collected from the Port of Santos, São Paulo State (contaminated area), and the Barra do Una Sustainable Development Reserve (reference area). PAHs were detected in sediments from the contaminated area, whereas these compounds were not detected in the reference area. Biliary metabolites equivalent to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), pyrene, and naphthalene were found at higher concentrations in fish from the contaminated area, where inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was also observed. These findings indicate greater PAH exposure in the Port of Santos and reinforce the importance of integrating environmental indicators and biological biomarkers when assessing contamination in coastal environments.