Bioavailability of the insecticide fipronil in Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus

Abstract

Currently it is believed that some manmade chemicals are affecting the health of the human and the wild animals' population. This project focuses on an emerging contaminant, fipronil, classified as highly toxic to some animals, and in small quantities can lead some birds to death. Degradation occurs slowly and its metabolite, fipronil sulfone is more toxic and persistent in the environment than the parent compound. Because there are few studies about its accumulation and biotransformation in aquatic organisms, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of this environmental insecticide fipronil, evaluating its occurrence in liver tissue of penguins S. magellanicus, juveniles and adults, found dead or that died in rehabilitation centers in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo, Brazil. (AU)