Hazardous Elements in the Edible Portion of Perna perna Mussels: Relation with the COVID-19 Pandemic Period and Assessment of the Risk to Human Health

Abstract

In this work, the concentrations of hazardous elements (As, Cd and Pb) in the edible portion of the Perna perna mussel from Southeast Brazil were analyzed to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the coastal environment and to evaluate the quality of this fishery resource. Decreases in anthropogenic chemical outputs to the environment were expected to occur during the COVID-19 pandemic, with decreases in element concentrations in mussels. The ranges of median concentrations (µg g⁻¹ dw) in the pre- and pandemic periods were 5.4–16.1 and 2.2–10.6 for As; 0.2–0.6 and 0.1–0.5 for Cd; and 1.2–3.2 and 0.7–1.8 for Pb, respectively. Temporal variations (prepandemic x pandemic) were more significant than spatial variations (five sampling sites). The relationships between the concentrations of hazardous elements and isotopic ratios (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) suggested that food sources were more diverse across the sampling sites during the pandemic period, when individuals exhibited less efficient trophic transfer. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were below the tolerable maximum limit, whereas for As, they were above the limit; however, these concentrations are not a risk to human health, as most As was present in the least toxic organic form. The intake estimates were below the tolerable intake limits, and only Pb concentrations are at risk of causing concern if the intake of mussels increases. This is the first study in Brazil that presents a spatial–temporal comparison of hazardous elements in marine fauna considering COVID-19 as a temporal landmark. The results are of interest for both public health and environmental health management in a post-COVID-19 scenario.