Appraisal and validation of rapid, integrated chemical and biological assays of environmental quality

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/2372 on 13.20.2017 by CS (TIS)To assess the significance of pollutants released into the environment it is necessary to determine both the extent of contamination and the biological effects they give rise to. This research is based on a tiered system, which commences with conventional analytical chemistry (gas chromatography), followed by the development, evaluation and application of rapid and simple immunochemical techniques and, finally, the integration of chemical and biological markers to assess pollution. GC-ECD/FID/MS have been used to investigate the status of chemical contamination of the Black Sea by organochlorine residues, hydrocarbons and faecal sterols. Useful information is provided and problems with e.g. HCHs and sewage contamination are highlighted. Contamination by DDTs, PCBs, "total" hydrocarbons and PAHs is also reported. Next, these techniques are used to develop rapid screening methods. Four distinct applications of immunochemical techniques are presented. Initially, the BTEX RaPDD Assay® ELISA is evaluated to detect semi-volatile hydrocarbons in contaminated groundwater. Although overestimating concentrations when compared to GC-FID/PID, results are well correlated. Secondly, the effectiveness o f the BTEX and c-PAH RaPID Assay® to detect hydrocarbons in sediments is tested. Once again, good agreement with GC-FID/MS confirms the ELISA to be a useful screening protocol to focus more expensive high-resolution analytical techniques. The adaptability and applicability of an ELISA (PCB RaPID Assay®) method in measuring "total" PCB levels in mussel tissue is demonstrated. An underestimation of concentrations, despite of covariability between ELISA and cGC-ECD, is discussed. Next, ELISA (RaPID Assay®) and fluorometry were successfully applied to quantify PAH metabolites in crab urine as a measure of exposure. HPLC analyses indicated that conjugate PAH metabolites were dominant in urine of crabs exposed to pyrene. Differences could also be identified between crabs taken from clean and contaminated sites. Finally, an integration of chemical and biological techniques is used to investigate contamination and effects in mussels within a pollution gradient. Results indicate a correlation between micronucleus formation, heart rate and PCB and PAH level.Plymouth Marine Laborator

Biochemical normalization of trace metals in Arctocephalus australis

Arctocephalus australis foi usado como organismo indicador para concentrações de metal traço na costa do Rio Grande do Sul. Metais foram analisados em tecidos extraídos do coração, rins e fígado. Os baixos teores encontrados no coração inicialmente poderiam indicar que este órgão não traria resultados relevantes. Porém, mediante a aplicação de um procedimento de normalização, foram encontrados coeficientes de pré-concentração de 43.1 e de 8.6 para o coração e para os rins, respectivamente, indicando o tecido do coração como o melhor bioindicador para Hg. Para Cd, os coeficientes de pré-concentração foram 128.1, 195.3 e 5.2 para fígado, rins e coração, respectivamente, demonstrando alta capacidade acumulativa especialmente para fígado e rins. Foram encontradas altas correlações positivas entre o Fe e os metais Zn, Cu, Cd, Hg, Ag, Mn, Ni, Cr e Pb, indicando ser este elemento normalizante para definição da concentração bioquímica natural de metais na população de Arctocephalus australis no extremo sul do Brasil.Initially, the heart concentration data does not seem relevant for use as a bioindicator, mainly due to its low concentration level. After applying a normalizing procedure, the heart results were a better Hg bioindicator (preconcentration coefficient 43.1) than those of the kidney (preconcentration coefficient 8.6). Cadmium preconcentration coefficients were 128.1, 195.3 and 5.2 for liver, kidney and heart, respectively, demonstrating the high accumulative capacity especially for the liver and kidneys. Iron is proposed as a normalizing element for the definiton of the regional natural biochemical population of the metals. In general, positive correlation coefficients were found between Fe and other metals

Increasing levels of persistent organic pollutants in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following a mega-flooding episode in the Negro River basin, Argentinean Patagonia

In 2006, a severe flooding episode in the Negro River basin, Argentinean Patagonia, occurred and mainly affected the middle valley where lands are devoted to agriculture and soils known to be polluted with persistent organic pollutants. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of this event on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), endosulfans (α-, β-, sulfate), DDTs (p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues. Post-event fish showed higher contaminants levels than pre-event at expenses of all groups. DDTs presented the highest concentrations in all tissues followed by PCBs, endosulfans and PBDEs. The metabolite p,p'-DDE represented about 80% of total DDTs, while PCBs were dominated by penta- and hexa-chlorobiphenyls congeners. BDE-47 was the predominant congener among PBDEs. Endosulfan showed the maximum differences between post- and pre-flood fish (up to 43-fold) with a α-/β- ratio > 1, suggesting exposure to fresh technical mixture. Contaminant profiles observed in rainbow trout tissues from both periods (pre- and post-event) were consistent with previous results from water, suspended particle matter and soils, showing that this species is a good biomonitor of aquatic pollution of Negro River basin. The presence of the pesticides in the Negro River system resulted from past and current agricultural practices and it was modified and enhanced by the flooding. Additionally, PCBs and PBDEs occurrence in the aquatic environment deserve more attention, and monitoring programs are recommended in order to diminish their incorporation to aquatic ecosystem.Fil: Ondarza, Paola Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas. Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas. Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología; ArgentinaFil: Fillmann, Gilberto. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande; BrasilFil: Miglioranza, Karina Silvia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas. Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología; Argentin

Levels and sources of hydrocarbons in the Patos Lagoon estuary and Cassino Beach mud bank (South Atlantic, Brazil): evidence of transference between environments

This study assessed the concentrations and sources of natural and anthropogenic aliphatic (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in superficial sediments collected along the Patos Lagoon estuary and in sediment cores obtained from the Cassino Beach mud bank. Levels and distribution of n-alkanes indicate terrestrial sources, overlapping with a low amount of petrogenic hydrocarbons (heavy oils). Unresolved complex mixture (UCM) was observed in all samples. On the other hand, the distribution of PAHs in the sediments showed a predominance of pyrolytic over petrogenic sources. In general, hydrocarbons (HCs) contamination in the Patos Lagoon estuary and its adjacent coastal area can be considered low, except for sites near urban or industrial effluents, where moderate to high levels of contamination were found. Concentrations of hydrocarbons were homogeneous throughout the sediment cores, suggesting that mixing processes may have occurred along the layers or that HCs inputs to the mud banks were uniform during the studied deposition period. In addition, the levels and profile of HCs in the coastal sediments were similar to those observed in the estuary. Moreover, the frequent remobilization of sediments from the mud bank towards Cassino beach does not seem to pose any threats to the local biota or beach users since the levels of contamination were relatively low and below the threshold limits of sediment quality guideline

Organotin pollution from pleasure craft at Paraty, a tourist area of Southeastern Brazil: amelioration or interference?

Some organotin compounds, such as TBT, are endocrine disruptors and harm marine ecosystems. Even after the global ban on organotins, increasing imposex levels have been detected in Stramonita haemastoma analyzed in 2004 and 2011 in some locations at Paraty, a tourist area in southeastern Brazil. The results of this study indicate that particulate and dissolved organic carbon and xenoestrogens might be interfering in this syndrome's development, leading to underestimation of imposex evaluation. Chemical analysis of three mangrove swamp sediments in the area showed the presence of TBT (16.0 - 205.7 ng Sn g-1), DBT (10.1 - 16.4 ng Sn g-1) and MBT (10.1 - 10.2 ng Sn g-1) even at the reference sites. The concentrations of butyltins and the increased incidence of imposexat some stations indicate recent inputs of TBT in the study area due to its illegal use on small vessels.Alguns compostos organoestânicos, como o TBT, são desreguladores endócrinos e causam danos aos ecossistemas marinhos. Mesmo após a proibição global de organoestânicos, níveis crescentes de imposex foram detectados em indivíduos Stramonita haemastoma analisados em 2004 e 2011, em Paraty, área turística no sudeste do Brasil. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que partículas e carbono orgânico dissolvido e xenoestrógenos podem estar interferindo no desenvolvimento dessa síndrome, levando à subestimação de avaliação do imposex. A análise química de três sedimentos de mangue na área mostrou a presença de TBT (16,0-205,7 ng Sn g-1), DBT (10,1-16,4 ng Sn g-1) e MBT (10,1-10,2 ng Sn g-1), mesmo nos locais de referência. As concentrações de butilestânicos e o aumento da incidência de imposex em algumas estações indicam entradas recentes de TBT na área estudada devido ao uso ilegal em pequenas embarcações

Co-exposure of the organic nanomaterial fullerene C60 with benzo[a]pyrene in Danio rerio (zebrafish) hepatocytes: Evidence of toxicological interactions

Compounds from the nanotechnology industry, such as carbon-based nanomaterials, are strong candidates to contaminate aquatic environments because their production and disposal have exponentially grown in a few years. Previous evidence shows that fullerene C60, a carbon nanomaterial, can facilitate the intake of metals or PAHs both in vivo and in vitro, potentially amplifying the deleterious effects of these toxicants in organisms. The present work aimed to investigate the effects of fullerene C60 in a Danio rerio (zebrafish) hepatocyte cell lineage exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in terms of cell viability, oxidative stress parameters and BaP intracellular accumulation. Additionally, a computational docking was performed to investigate the interaction of the fullerene C60 molecule with the detoxificatory and antioxidant enzyme πGST. Fullerene C60 provoked a significant (p 0.05) alter the enzyme activity when added to GST purified extracts from the zebrafish hepatocyte cells. These results show that fullerene C60 can increase the intake of BaP into the cells, decreasing cell viability and impairing the detoxificatory response by phase II enzymes, such as GST, and this latter effect should be occurring at the transcriptional level.Fil: Ribas Ferreira, Josencler L.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Lonné, María Noelia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: França, Thiago A.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Maximilla, Naiana R.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Lugokenski, Thiago H.. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Departamento de Química; BrasilFil: Costa, Patrícia G.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Fillmann, Gilberto. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Soares, Félix A.. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Departamento de Química; BrasilFil: de la Torre, Fernando Roman. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Monserrat, José María. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil. Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Nanomateriais de Carbono; Brasi

Editorial

In 2022, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination - EEC, a scientific journal belonging to the Brazilian Society of  Ecotoxicology (ECOTOX-Brasil), originally called Journal of the Brazilian Society of Ecotoxicology (JBSE), celebrates its 17th anniversary. To continue promoting and expanding spaces for scientific dialogue, we initiated a new journal format with new sections and the opportunity to submit articles in both Portuguese and Spanish, in addition to English. The EEC editorial team greatly appreciates Dr. Charrid Resgalla’s dedication and effort as the head of the EEC in recent years. We are also grateful to the contribution of all associate editors in the editing of this volume. To remember EEC’s history, we have invited senior editor Gilberto Fillmann to inaugurate our editorial

Estudo da contaminação por resíduos sólidos na ilha do Arvoredo, reserva biológica marinha do Arvoredo SC, Brasil

A contaminação por resíduos sólidos no ambiente marinho é uma questão que deve ser tratada com cuidado, uma vez que a sua importância é crescente desde a substituição de materiais degradáveis por outros não degradáveis. A Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo (RBMA) enquadra-se na mais restritiva categoria das unidades de conservação integral.Apesar disso, a contaminação por resíduos sólidos tem sido evidente. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar e qualificar os resíduos sólidos encontrados na ilha do Arvoredo (27°17’S; 048°22’W), principal ilha da RBMA.Foram realizadas cinco coletas no período de fevereiro de 2004 a janeiro de 2005, utilizando dois métodos de amostragem: a) coletas junto ao fundo através de técnicas de busca e recuperação utilizando mergulho autônomo e, b) manualmente na costa adjacente (coletando a totalidade de resíduos sólidos, exceto madeira, nas áreas amostradas). A metodologia de fundo foi utilizada em 15 amostragens ao longo das 5 saídas no Saco do Farol e no Saco do Vidal (fora da RBMA) e se mostrou viável para transparências acima de 1m e profundidades até 15m. Já as amostragens na costa da ilha foram realizadas em duas áreas distintas, no Saco das Balas (dentro da RBMA), e nos Sacos do Farol e Vidal (fora dos limites da RBMA). Os resultados demonstraram que há uma elevada contaminação por resíduos sólidos na ilha do Arvoredo, tanto na costa quanto no fundo marinho. Os principais tipos de resíduos encontrados no fundo foram cabos, âncoras, pneus e linhas de pesca, enquanto que na costa foram isopores (que são utilizados como flutuadores de redes e em caixas térmicas para alimento e pescado) e garrafas e recipientes plásticos (utilizados para o transporte de bebidas e de óleo lubrificante e combustíveis). Os resíduos encontrados no presente estudo tiveram uma origem predominantemente marinha, oriunda provavelmente de embarcações de turismo e/ou pesqueiras que realizam suas atividades ao redor da Reserva.Marine environment contamination by debris is an issue that must be treated carefully, since its importance grows due to the substitution of biodegradable for non-degradable materials. The Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve (RBMA) is categorized as the most restrict conservation unit, according to Brazilian National Conservation Unit System (SNUC). Visitation in this kind of units is allowed for environmental education and scientific purpose only. Despite of that, the marine debris contamination is evident. Thus, this work identified and quantified all the debris found at Arvoredo Island (27°17’S; 048°22’W), the main island of RBMA. Samples were taken during 5 fieldworks (February 2004(summer), May 2004 (autumn), July 2004 (winter), October 2004 (spring) and January 2005 (summer)) using two different sampling methods: a) bottom sampling by scuba diving using search and recovery technique and, b) manual sampling at the adjacent coastal shore (collected all debris in the sampling area except wood debris). The bottom sampling was used in 15 samples at Farol Bay and Vidal Bay (both outside from RBMA). The applied technique showed to be viable for waters with at least 1m of transparence and up to 15 meters. The coastal shore of the island was sampled in the Bala Bay (within the RBMA), and the Farol Bay and Vidal Bay (outside the boundaries of RBMA). Compared to others studies around the world, Arvoredo island showed high levels of contamination at sea bottom (an average of 14.4 items/1.000m²) and coastal shore (an average of 3.33 items/m). During the sampling period, the coastal shore located inside the RBMA was always more contaminated than the one located outside the conservation unit. Cable, anchor, tire and fishing line were the most common materials found at the bottom, while styrofoam (used in floating net artifacts and coolers for food and fish), bottles and other plastic recipients(used to carry juices, soft drinks, spirits, homemade chili, engine lubricating oil and fuel) were at coastal shore. Some of the recipients were even found full of lubricant oil and fuel. The residues found in this study had a predominantly marine origin, probably deriving from touristic boats and/or carrying out fishing activities around the conservation unit area. At least the presence of fishermen in the area is evident, since they use these kind of materials for daily on board activities

Study of the contamination of litter in island Arvoredo, marine biological reserve of the Arvoredo - SC, Brasil

Submitted by Débora Due ([email protected]) on 2012-07-23T22:17:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Estudo da contaminação por resíduos sólidos na ilha do arvoredo.pdf: 575365 bytes, checksum: 8dcc9da9c9118c4f177faf4fd4af2d1f (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira([email protected]) on 2012-07-25T02:02:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Estudo da contaminação por resíduos sólidos na ilha do arvoredo.pdf: 575365 bytes, checksum: 8dcc9da9c9118c4f177faf4fd4af2d1f (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-25T02:02:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Estudo da contaminação por resíduos sólidos na ilha do arvoredo.pdf: 575365 bytes, checksum: 8dcc9da9c9118c4f177faf4fd4af2d1f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010A contaminação por resíduos sólidos no ambiente marinho é uma questão que deve ser tratada com cuidado, uma vez que a sua importância é crescente desde a substituição de materiais degradáveis por outros não degradáveis. A Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo (RBMA) enquadra-se na mais restritiva categoria das unidades de conservação integral.Apesar disso, a contaminação por resíduos sólidos tem sido evidente. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar e qualificar os resíduos sólidos encontrados na ilha do Arvoredo (27°17’S; 048°22’W), principal ilha da RBMA.Foram realizadas cinco coletas no período de fevereiro de 2004 a janeiro de 2005, utilizando dois métodos de amostragem: a) coletas junto ao fundo através de técnicas de busca e recuperação utilizando mergulho autônomo e, b) manualmente na costa adjacente (coletando a totalidade de resíduos sólidos, exceto madeira, nas áreas amostradas). A metodologia de fundo foi utilizada em 15 amostragens ao longo das 5 saídas no Saco do Farol e no Saco do Vidal (fora da RBMA) e se mostrou viável para transparências acima de 1m e profundidades até 15m. Já as amostragens na costa da ilha foram realizadas em duas áreas distintas, no Saco das Balas (dentro da RBMA), e nos Sacos do Farol e Vidal (fora dos limites da RBMA). Os resultados demonstraram que há uma elevada contaminação por resíduos sólidos na ilha do Arvoredo, tanto na costa quanto no fundo marinho. Os principais tipos de resíduos encontrados no fundo foram cabos, âncoras, pneus e linhas de pesca, enquanto que na costa foram isopores (que são utilizados como flutuadores de redes e em caixas térmicas para alimento e pescado) e garrafas e recipientes plásticos (utilizados para o transporte de bebidas e de óleo lubrificante e combustíveis). Os resíduos encontrados no presente estudo tiveram uma origem predominantemente marinha, oriunda provavelmente de embarcações de turismo e/ou pesqueiras que realizam suas atividades ao redor da Reserva.Marine environment contamination by debris is an issue that must be treated carefully, since its importance grows due to the substitution of biodegradable for non-degradable materials. The Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve (RBMA) is categorized as the most restrict conservation unit, according to Brazilian National Conservation Unit System (SNUC). Visitation in this kind of units is allowed for environmental education and scientific purpose only. Despite of that, the marine debris contamination is evident. Thus, this work identified and quantified all the debris found at Arvoredo Island (27°17’S; 048°22’W), the main island of RBMA. Samples were taken during 5 fieldworks (February 2004(summer), May 2004 (autumn), July 2004 (winter), October 2004 (spring) and January 2005 (summer)) using two different sampling methods: a) bottom sampling by scuba diving using search and recovery technique and, b) manual sampling at the adjacent coastal shore (collected all debris in the sampling area except wood debris). The bottom sampling was used in 15 samples at Farol Bay and Vidal Bay (both outside from RBMA). The applied technique showed to be viable for waters with at least 1m of transparence and up to 15 meters. The coastal shore of the island was sampled in the Bala Bay (within the RBMA), and the Farol Bay and Vidal Bay (outside the boundaries of RBMA). Compared to others studies around the world, Arvoredo island showed high levels of contamination at sea bottom (an average of 14.4 items/1.000m²) and coastal shore (an average of 3.33 items/m). During the sampling period, the coastal shore located inside the RBMA was always more contaminated than the one located outside the conservation unit. Cable, anchor, tire and fishing line were the most common materials found at the bottom, while styrofoam (used in floating net artifacts and coolers for food and fish), bottles and other plastic recipients(used to carry juices, soft drinks, spirits, homemade chili, engine lubricating oil and fuel) were at coastal shore. Some of the recipients were even found full of lubricant oil and fuel. The residues found in this study had a predominantly marine origin, probably deriving from touristic boats and/or carrying out fishing activities around the conservation unit area. At least the presence of fishermen in the area is evident, since they use these kind of materials for daily on board activities