The Involvement of Glutamate Metabolism in the Resistance to Thermal, Nutritional, and Oxidative Stress in Trypanosoma cruzi

The inhibition of some glutamate metabolic pathways could lead to diminished parasite survival. In this study, the effects of L-methionine sulfoximine (MS), DL-methionine sulfone (MSO), and DL-methionine sulfoxide (MSE), three glutamate analogs, on several biological processes were evaluated. We found that these analogs inhibited the growth of epimastigotes cells and showed a synergistic effect with stress conditions such as temperature, nutritional starvation, and oxidative stress. The specific activity for the reductive amination of α-ketoglutaric acid, catalyzed by the NADP+-linked glutamate dehydrogenase, showed an increase in the NADP+ levels, when MS, MSE, and MSO were added. It suggests an eventual conversion of the compounds tested by the T. cruzi cells. The fact that trypomastigote bursting was not significantly inhibited when infected cells were treated with these compounds, remarks the existence of relevant metabolic differences among the different life-cycle stages. It must be considered when proposing a new therapeutic drug

Genotoxic evaluation of sludge from Matanza-Riachuelo basin under the influence of different uses of land

El Río Matanza-Riachuelo y sus afluentes atraviesan zonas con diferente grado de contaminación generada por lasactividades agrícola-ganaderas, urbana e industrial. Los contaminantes que llegan al agua y son depositados en los sedimentospueden ser liberados nuevamente al agua generando efectos tóxicos y/o genotóxicos sobre los organismos acuáticos. El objetivode este trabajo fue analizar la genotoxicidad de muestras de sedimentos de la cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo obtenidas dezonas con diferentes usos del suelo. Se seleccionaron cuatro sitios de muestreo. Se utilizaron 2 métodos de extracción de contaminantes(agitación y sonicación), 2 solventes orgánicos (metanol y diclorometano) y 2 solventes inorgánicos (agua y soluciónácida), obteniéndose un total de 5 extractos para cada muestra. Se realizaron mediciones de metales pesados e hidrocarburosaromáticos policíclicos (HAPs) mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica y CG/MS, respectivamente. La genotoxicidadse evaluó mediante el test de Ames con 2 cepas de Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 y TA100), con y sin fracción microsomal S9,y el test de Allium cepa. De los cuatro sitios estudiados, los sedimentos del Riachuelo mostraron mayores concentraciones demetales pesados y HAPs. Para el test de Ames, sólo los extractos obtenidos en diclorometano resultaron genotóxicos para laTA100 +S9 mix. Tanto los extractos inorgánicos como los orgánicos fueron citotóxicos y genotóxicos para A. cepa. Se observóuna correlación negativa entre algunos compuestos HAPs y la frecuencia de micronúcleos, indicando la presencia de efectosantagónicos con otros compuestos genotóxicos. Los extractos con mayor efecto tóxico y genotóxico fueron los obtenidos condiclorometano y solución ácida. Este estudio mostró que los contaminantes orgánicos e inorgánicos extraídos de muestras desedimento de la Cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo, con diferente grado de impacto, presentan un potencial riesgo tóxico y genotóxicopara el ecosistema acuático.The Matanza-Riachuelo River and its tributaries traverse areas with different degrees of contamination due to farming, urban and industrial activities. The pollutants entering the water are deposited in sediments, and can be released back into the water producing toxic and/or genotoxic effects on aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to analyze the genotoxicity of sediment samples from the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin with different land uses. Four sampling sites according to the characteristics of land use were selected. Two methods of extraction (stirring and sonication), two organic solvents (methanol and dichloromethane) and two inorganic solvents (water and acid solution) were used, yielding a total of 5 extracts for each sample. Measurements of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and GC/MS, respectively were performed. Genotoxicity was assessed using the Ames test with 2 strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 and TA100) with and without S9 microsomal fraction, and the Allium cepa test. Taking into account the four sites, sediments from Riachuelo showed higher concentrations of heavy metals and PAHs. Only the dichloromethane extracts were genotoxic to the Ames test using the TA100 strain +S9 the mix. Both organic and inorganic extracts were cytotoxic and genotoxic to A. cepa. A negative correlation between some PAHs compounds and micronucleus frequency were observed, indicating the presence of antagonistic effects with other genotoxic compounds in samples. The extracts with high toxic and genotoxic effects were obtained with dichloromethane and acid solution. This study showed that organic and inorganic contaminants extracted from sediment samples from the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin, with varying degrees of impact, have potential toxic and genotoxic risk to the aquatic ecosystem.Fil: Biruk, Lucia Nadia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Moretton, Juan Agustin. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Filippetto, Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Etcheverry, Jimena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Weigant, Cristian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Fabrizio de Iorio, Alicia Rosa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Magdaleno, Anahí. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Water quality assessment of the Burgos stream micro-basin (San Pedro, Buenos Aires Province) impacted by rural activities

En la región Pampeana (Argentina) se han producido profundos cambios en los agroecosistemas como resultado de los diversos contaminantes generados por las actividades agrícolas y ganaderas. El objetivo del pre-sente trabajo fue evaluar la calidad de las aguas de la microcuenca del arroyo Burgos (San Pedro, Provincia de Buenos Aires) a través de la aplicación de índices de calidad de aguas (ICAs), indicadores de contaminación fecal y bioensayos con algas. Se llevaron a cabo tres muestreos en el año 2015 y se seleccionaron seis sitios de muestreo, cuatro a lo largo de un arroyo tributario de orden 1, y dos en el arroyo Burgos. Se utilizaron dos índices de calidad ambiental: el ICA1, cuyas variables fueron temperatura, OD y NH4+, y el ICA2, cuyas variables fueron pH, OD, temperatura, nitratos, PRS y coliformes fecales. Según el ICA1, la calidad del agua osciló entre polución leve a muy elevada, y según el ICA2, fue de regular a pésima. La concentración de microorganismos indicadores de contami-nación fecal fue similar en todas las muestras, mientras que se observaros diferencias significativas en las concen-traciones de Salmonella spp. Según el análisis de correlación, las precipitaciones participarían en el transporte de microorganimos coliformes a las aguas superficiales a través de procesos de escorrentía superficial. Por otra parte, la inhibición del crecimiento algal no estaría relacionada con el glifosato, cuyas concentraciones fueron de entre 0,35 y 13,57 μg/L. Los resultados sugieren que la aplicación de diferentes indicadores podría ser una herramienta útil para evaluar la calidad ambiental de aguas superficiales de la llanura pampeana, en particular los índices que incluyan la concentración de microorganimos coliformes en su ecuación.The Pampas region (Argentina) have suffered profound changes in the agroecosystems as a result of many pollutants generated by agricultural and livestock activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the water quality of a microbasin belonging to the Burgos stream (San Pedro, Province of Buenos Aires) through the application of water quality indexes (ICAs), faecal contamination indica-tors and algae bioassays. Three samplings were carried out in 2015 and six sampling sites were selected, four along the tributary stream of order 1, and two in the stream. Two ICAs were used: ICA1, whose variables were temperature, OD and NH4+, and ICA2, whose variables were pH, OD, temperature, nitrates, PRS and faecal coliforms. According to the ICA1, water quality ranged from slight to very high pollution, and according to the ICA2, from regular to dreadful quality. The concentration of faecal indicators microorganisms was similar in all the samples, while significant differences were observed in the concentrations of Salmonella spp. According to the correlation analysis, precipitation would participate in the transport of coliform microorganisms to surface waters through surface runoff processes. On the other hand, the inhibition of algal growth would not be related to glyphosate, whose concentrations were between 0.35 and 13.57 μg/L. The results suggest that the application of different indicators could be a very useful tool to evaluate the environmental quality of surface waters from the Pampas plain, in particular the use of indexes including coliform microorganisms in the calculation equation.Fil: Magdaleno, Anahí. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Paz, Marta. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Mantovano, Julian Gonzalo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: de Cabo, Laura Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Bollani, Sabrina Natalia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Chagas, Celio Ignacio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Nuñez, Lidia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Tornello, Carina Sandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Moretton, Juan Agustin. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentin

Evaluación del impacto de las actividades rurales en la calidad del agua de la microcuenca del arroyo Burgos (San Pedro, Provincia de Buenos Aires)

Magdaleno, Anahí. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Paz, Marta. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Mantovano, Julián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Cabo, Laura de. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Bollani, Sabrina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Chagas, Celio Ignacio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Ingeniería Agrícola y Uso de la Tierra. Cátedra de Manejo y Conservación de Suelos. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Nuñez, Lidia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Tornello, Carina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Morettón, Juan. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Salud Pública e Higiene Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.239-250Water quality assessment of the Burgos stream micro-basin (San Pedro, Buenos Aires Province) impacted by rural activities. The Pampas region (Argentina) have suffered profound changes in the agroecosystems as a result of many pollutants generated by agricultural and livestock activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the water quality of a microbasin belonging to the Burgos stream (San Pedro, Province of Buenos Aires) through the application of water quality indexes (ICAs), faecal contamination indicators and algae bioassays. Three samplings were carried out in 2015 and six sampling sites were selected, four along the tributary stream of order 1, and two in the stream. Two ICAs were used: ICA1, whose variables were temperature, OD and NH4+, and ICA2, whose variables were pH, OD, temperature, nitrates, PRS and faecal coliforms. According to the ICA1, water quality ranged from slight to very high pollution, and according to the ICA2, from regular to dreadful quality. The concentration of faecal indicators microorganisms was similar in all the samples, while significant differences were observed in the concentrations of Salmonella spp. According to the correlation analysis, precipitation would participate in the transport of coliform microorganisms to surface waters through surface runoff processes. On the other hand, the inhibition of algal growth would not be related to glyphosate, whose concentrations were between 0.35 and 13.57 μg/L. The results suggest that the application of different indicators could be a very useful tool to evaluate the environmental quality of surface waters from the Pampas plain, in particular the use of indexes including coliform microorganisms in the calculation equation

Actions of a Proline Analogue, L-Thiazolidine-4-Carboxylic Acid (T4C), on Trypanosoma cruzi

It is well established that L-proline has several roles in the biology of trypanosomatids. In Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, this amino acid is involved in energy metabolism, differentiation processes and resistance to osmotic stress. In this study, we analyzed the effects of interfering with L-proline metabolism on the viability and on other aspects of the T. cruzi life cycle using the proline analogue L- thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (T4C). The growth of epimastigotes was evaluated using different concentrations of T4C in standard culture conditions and at high temperature or acidic pH. We also evaluated possible interactions of this analogue with stress conditions such as those produced by nutrient starvation and oxidative stress. T4C showed a dose-response effect on epimastigote growth (IC50 = 0.89±0.02 mM at 28°C), and the inhibitory effect of this analogue was synergistic (p<0.05) with temperature (0.54±0.01 mM at 37°C). T4C significantly diminished parasite survival (p<0.05) in combination with nutrient starvation and oxidative stress conditions. Pre-incubation of the parasites with L-proline resulted in a protective effect against oxidative stress, but this was not seen in the presence of the drug. Finally, the trypomastigote bursting from infected mammalian cells was evaluated and found to be inhibited by up to 56% when cells were treated with non-toxic concentrations of T4C (between 1 and 10 mM). All these data together suggest that T4C could be an interesting therapeutic drug if combined with others that affect, for example, oxidative stress. The data also support the participation of proline metabolism in the resistance to oxidative stress

Water quality of the Matanza-Riachuelo river (Buenos Aires, Argentina), using limnological studies and algal bioassays

Durante el período septiembre 1996 a noviembre 1997, se investigó la evolución de algunos parámetros bióticos y abióticos del río Matanza-Riachuelo (Pcia. de Buenos Aires). Este río atraviesa zonas con diversos usos del suelo, entre ellas, áreas urbanas muy contaminadas. Los muestreos se llevaron a cabo mensualmente en cinco estaciones diferentes. Se estudió la estructura y dinámica del fitoplancton además de las propiedades físicas y químicas del agua. El fitoplancton estuvo dominado por grupos Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae (en su mayoría Chlorococcales) y Bacillariophyceae (principalmente diatomeas céntricas), encontrándose las mayores densidades químicas más relevantes fueron los niveles extremadamente bajos de oxígeno disuelto y las elevadas cantidades de nutrientes, materia orgánica y cloruro presentes en el agua. Los metales pesados superaron los niveles guía para la protección de la vida acuática según estándares internacionales y la Ley Nacional de Residuos Peligrosos. Se realizaron bioensayos de inhibición del crecimiento algal con la especie estándar Selenastrum capricornutum Printz (Clase Chlorophyceae, Order Chlorococcales) con el fin de monitorear la calidad del agua y detectar toxicidad por metales pesados con el agregado de un quelante fuerte como el EDTA. En varias muestras, donde las concentraciones de metales fueron muy bajas, se obtuvo inhibición del crecimiento algal, mientras que en otras muestras donde las concentraciones de metales fueron muy altas, no se observó inhibición. Estos resultados indican la presencia de factores mitigantes en el agua tales como sustancias complejantes y la posibilidad de procesos de sinergismo y antagonismo entre los contaminantes presentes en las muesrtas. El único metal que mostró una correlación positiva con los porcentajes de inhibición obtenidos fue el níquel. En una segunda etapa se realizaron bioensayos con cuatro cepas de algas nativas aisladas de este río y pertenecientes a la Clase Chlorophyceae, Orden Chlorococcales. La finalidad de estos estudios fue establecer la resistencia a los metales cobre, cadmio y zinc. La especie más sensible fue Ankistrodesmus fusiformis, mientras que las más resistentes fueron Chlorella ellipsoidea, Scenedesmus acuminatus y Monoraphidium contortum.The evolution of several biotic and abiotic parameters of the Matanza-Riachuelo River (Buenos Aires) were studied from September 1996 to November 1997. This river runs through areas with diverse land uses, some of them urban and very polluted. Sampling took place monthly in five diferent sites along the main course of the river. The structure and dynamics of the total phytoplankton population and the physical and chemical porperties of the water were determined. Rhe phytoplankton was dominated by Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae (more representated by Chlorococcales) and Bacillariophyceae (more representated by centric diatoms) being the two first the highest in the most pulled areas of the river basin. Low levels of dissolved oxygen, and high concentrations of nutrients, organic matter and chloride were the most outstanding physico-chemical characteristics in the water. Heavy metals concentration levels exceeded the concentration limits stablished by international parameters and the Argentine Hazardous Waste Law Safe to protect aquatic life. Growth inhibition test using the standard alga Selenastrum capricornatum Printz (Chlorophyceae, Chlorococcales) were made to monitor the water quality and to detect toxicity by heavy metals utilizing a strong chelant agent such as EDTA. Several samples with low heavy metals concentration showed algal inhibition growth, while other samples with higher levels of metals showed no inhibition. These results indicated the presence of mitigating factors like complex substance and the possibility of synergistic and antagonistics processes among the contaminants present in the water. The only metal the showed a positive correlation with the percentages of inhibition was nickel. In a second stages, bioassays with four strains of native algae isolated from this river and belonging to the Class Chlorophyceae, Order Chlorococcale were made made to establish resistance to cooper, cadmium and zinc. The most sensitive strain was Ankistrodesmus fusiformis, while the most resistance were Chlorella ellipsoidea, Scenedesmus ocuminatus y Monoraphidium cantortum.Fil:Magdaleno, Anahí. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Assessment of heavy metal contamination and water quality in an urban river from Argentina

In aquatic ecosystems, the potential effects of toxic compounds are greatly determined by their physicochemical forms and bioavailability. The aim of this work was the assessment of metal toxicity to the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in contaminated water samples of an urban river (Matanza-Riachuelo, Argentina). A total of 30 samples were analyzed. Physicochemical parameters and total and dissolved metal (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn) concentrations were measured. Toxicity was related as a function of size fractionation and chemical speciation (using the program Mineql+) in the dissolved fraction (&lt;1.2μm). Percentage inhibition of algal growth (%Iw) was estimated as the differences between cultures with and without EDTA additions in the filtered water samples. Concentrations of Cd (1-85μg.L-1), Cr (3-164μg.L-1), and Ni (10-99μg.L-1) in river waters were always lower than the respective EC50 for P. subcapitata, whereas concentrations of Cu (5-306μg.L-1), Pb (13-546μg.L-1), and Zn (4-380μg.L-1) in dissolved fractions resulted above the EC50 values in many samples. Only 10 samples showed algal growth inhibition (between 11.21% and 42.19%), which 8 of them also showed high concentrations of free ionic forms of Pd or Zn. Free ionic concentrations of Cu were always lower than the EC50 for the algae. Two samples resulted toxic to P. subcapitata in spite of the absence of toxic metal concentrations. Besides, 13 samples no inhibited the algal growth and high concentrations of Pd and Zn were obtained, producing expected %Iw values between 10.03% and 90.51%. The absence of toxicity in most samples with toxic metal concentrations could be related to the presence of organic ligands, colloidal organic matter, and antagonism effects among other metals, which reduce their bioavailability

Assessment of heavy metal contamination and water quality in an urban river from Argentina

In aquatic ecosystems, the potential effects of toxic compounds are greatly determined by their physicochemical forms and bioavailability. The aim of this work was the assessment of metal toxicity to the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in contaminated water samples of an urban river (Matanza-Riachuelo, Argentina). A total of 30 samples were analyzed. Physicochemical parameters and total and dissolved metal (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn) concentrations were measured. Toxicity was related as a function of size fractionation and chemical speciation (using the program Mineql+) in the dissolved fraction (<1.2μm). Percentage inhibition of algal growth (%Iw) was estimated as the differences between cultures with and without EDTA additions in the filtered water samples. Concentrations of Cd (1-85μg.L-1), Cr (3-164μg.L-1), and Ni (10-99μg.L-1) in river waters were always lower than the respective EC50 for P. subcapitata, whereas concentrations of Cu (5-306μg.L-1), Pb (13-546μg.L-1), and Zn (4-380μg.L-1) in dissolved fractions resulted above the EC50 values in many samples. Only 10 samples showed algal growth inhibition (between 11.21% and 42.19%), which 8 of them also showed high concentrations of free ionic forms of Pd or Zn. Free ionic concentrations of Cu were always lower than the EC50 for the algae. Two samples resulted toxic to P. subcapitata in spite of the absence of toxic metal concentrations. Besides, 13 samples no inhibited the algal growth and high concentrations of Pd and Zn were obtained, producing expected %Iw values between 10.03% and 90.51%. The absence of toxicity in most samples with toxic metal concentrations could be related to the presence of organic ligands, colloidal organic matter, and antagonism effects among other metals, which reduce their bioavailability

MICRONUCLEUS AND CHROMOSOME ABERRATION FREQUENCIES IN ALLIUM CEPA CELLS EXPOSED TO COASTAL SEDIMENTS FROM A POLLUTED ESTUARINE SYSTEM

The genotoxicity and mutagenicity of two compartments of sediment samples (pore water and whole sediment) were evaluated using the Allium cepa assay. The samples were collected from thirteen sites on the southern coastal strip of the Rio de la Plata (Argentina). Three biological parameters were analyzed in the root cells, the mitotic index (MI), and the chromosome aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) frequencies. Most of the samples were genotoxic in the pore water compartment, probably due to the mixture of bioavailable heavy metal concentrations (Cd =0.050-0.950 mg/Kg, Cu=0.125-7.300 mg/Kg, Cr=0.019-1.850 mg/Kg, Pb=1.075-15.200 mg/Kg, and Zn=0.925-47.225 mg/Kg). However, half of the samples exerted genotoxic and mutagenic effects on the meristematic root cells when they were exposed to the whole sediment. This probably means that some contaminants in this compartment, such as heavy metals, would not be bioavailable in all of the samples. In conclusion, the A. cepa assay showed high sensitivity in detecting genotoxicity and mutagenicity in sediment samples from the southern coastal strip of the Rio de la Plata.The genotoxicity and mutagenicity of two compartments of sediment samples (pore water and whole sediment) were evaluated using the Allium cepa assay. The samples were collected from thirteen sites on the southern coastal strip of the Rio de la Plata (Argentina). Three biological parameters were analyzed in the root cells, the mitotic index (MI), and the chromosome aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) frequencies. Most of the samples were genotoxic in the pore water compartment, probably due to the mixture of bioavailable heavy metal concentrations (Cd = 0.050 to 0.950 mg/Kg, Cu= 0.125 to 7.300 mg/Kg, Cr = 0.019 to 1.850 mg/Kg, Pb = 1.075 to 15.200 mg/Kg, and Zn = 0.925 to 47.225 mg/Kg). However, half of the samples exerted genotoxic andmutagenic effects on the meristematic root cells when they were exposed to the whole sediment. This probably means that some contaminants in this compartment, such as heavy metals, would not be bioavailable in all of the samples. In conclusion, the A. cepa assay showed high sensitivity in detecting genotoxicity and mutagenicity in sediment samples from the southern coastal strip of the Rio de la Plata

Poultry Effluent Bio-treatment with Spirodela intermedia and Periphyton in Mesocosms with Water Recirculation

Abstract: Industrial production of poultry meat is associated with indirect environmental impacts such as contributing to climate change and deforestation and otherdirect impacts such as the deterioration of the quality ofsurface waters. Poultry industry effluents are rich inorganic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus; nutrients canbe removed from wastewater through the use of macrophytes and periphyton. An essay in mesocosms withpoultry industry wastewater recirculation was developed in the presence and absence of a native macrophyteSpirodela intermediaand periphyton from a lowlandstream (La Choza stream, Buenos Aires) where theeffluent is poured. The diffusion of O2,increasedbywater recirculation, had the effect of increasing theconcentration of dissolved oxygen in wastewater. Thepresence ofS. intermediaand algae periphyton significantly contributed to the removal rates (%) of solids(69.7 ± 3.9), ammonium nitrogen (84.0 ± 3.4), and totalphosphorus (38.1 ± 1.8) from residual water and favorednitrification. The dominance of Bacillariophyceae onother groups of algae of periphyton and the low representation of Euglenophyceae indicated an advancedstage of the effluent treatment process at the end of theassay.Fil: Basílico, Gabriel Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Universidad de Flores; ArgentinaFil: de Cabo, Laura Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Universidad de Flores; ArgentinaFil: Magdaleno, Anahí. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Faggi, Ana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Universidad de Flores; Argentin