Analysis of Zebrafish contamination with heavy metals using a FF-XRF imaging system based on a MPGD

Heavy metals have been extensively used by humans and are still present in many aspects of modern-day life. Such elements tend to accumulate, degrading the quality of air, soil, and water, negatively affecting the living organisms. As such, it is of paramount importance to understand the environmental risks of heavy metals, including their bioaccumulation capacity in organisms, since they are associated with several harmful health effects, such as neurological damages. The Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been shown to be an excellent animal model to understand physiological responses in mammals and consequently to perform toxicological studies due to characteristics such as the high genetic and physiological similarity with humans.