Pesticides and metal contaminants in Lake Chapala, Mexico: Differences in bioaccumulation and associated health risks.

Seasonal multi-matrix assessment reveals pesticide and metal bioaccumulation peaks in Lake Chapala, Mexico, with ecological risk reaching 935.9 during the rainy season.

• Why it matters: Lake Chapala supplies drinking water for 5 million people, yet comprehensive contamination data across water, sediment, and fish is lacking, risking public health and ecosystem integrity.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed 17 pesticides and 8 heavy metals across eight stations over four hydroclimatic periods, comparing native and invasive fish species to identify bioaccumulation patterns.
• The result: Findings show rainfall influences chemical mobilization, with high ecological risk during rains and significant metal accumulation in benthic fish, highlighting the need for ongoing, multi-matrix monitoring.