Ocorrência de parabenos em fluidos do caranguejo-uçá (Ucides cordatus) e seus riscos associados em estuários da margem equatorial brasileira

Abstract

Parabens, widely used as preservatives in consumer products, are classified as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), representing a growing concern for environmental health, especially in aquatic ecosystems. This work presents an innovative approach by investigating the occurrence, spatial distribution, and exposure risks of these compounds in biological fluids (urine and hemolymph) of the mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus), an essential bioindicator in estuaries of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin. The methodology involved collecting samples from four estuaries (Parnaíba River, Cocó River, Jaguaribe River, and Piranhas-Açu River) and analyzing p-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HB), methylparaben (MeP), and ethylparaben (EtP) through enzymatic hydrolysis and chromatography, complemented by non-parametric statistical analyses. The results evidenced the widespread presence of parabens in the organisms, with mean 4-HB concentrations of 87.73 ± 172.71 μg/L in urine and 42.75 ± 61.50 μg/L in hemolymph, indicating the crabs' broad exposure. Furthermore, it was observed that EtP concentrates more in urine, while MeP concentrates in hemolymph, revealing differences in metabolization and excretion processes. The analysis of the condition factor (K) demonstrated significant variations among sites, suggesting different nutritional states and environmental pressures. Although the assessment of non-carcinogenic risk to human health (HQ) indicated that estimated exposure levels through crab consumption do not pose an immediate risk, the results reinforce the use of U. cordatus as a bioindicator and highlight the integrated analysis of urine and hemolymph as a non-invasive and effective approach for biomonitoring CECs in estuarine ecosystems. The study contributes significantly to the knowledge of contamination in the BEM and establishes bases for future ecotoxicological investigations and management strategies.