Organochlorine pesticides in commercial fish species of the southeastern Gulf of California

ABSTRACT The state of Nayarit, located in the southeastern portion of the Gulf of California, ranks sixth in Mexico with regard to fishery production. However, the Nayarit coast is heavily influenced by anthropogenic effluents from the Santiago River. It is vital to assess whether marine organisms in the region bioaccumulate pollutants, particularly organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) because these compounds are persistent, ubiquitous, and highly toxic. The quantification of seventeen OCPs in the edible tissues of four fish species [Mexican Barracuda (Sphyraena ensis), Little Snook (Centropomus robalito), Sierra (Scomberomorus sierra) and Mojarra (Diapterus brevirostris)] was carried out. For this purpose, 120 specimens (30 per species) were analyzed. Pollutants were extracted with the QuEChERS method and quantified by gas chromatography with a micro-electron capture detector. Organochlorine pesticides were detected in all samples in highly variable frequencies and concentrations. All concentrations in the evaluated species fell within established international limits. However, there are currently no regulations in place in Mexico for these compounds, highlighting the need for further research to support the development of regulations with health-risk data.