Application of root growth endpoint in toxicity tests with lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Ecotoxicological tests are an important tool to assess the toxicity of chemical substances and even the deleterious effects of adverse environmental conditions to different species. Ecotoxicological studies with land plants and animals are relatively recent compared to those with aquatic species, with few studies reported focusing on terrestrial species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of root growth (Total Part; Radicle, Hypocotyl) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to sodium chloride (NaCl), by means of exposing the seeds to concentrations of 0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 g L-1 for five days in Petri dishes. The average effective concentration (EC50;120h) on germination was 5.73 ± 0.56 g L-1 (CI= 4.61 to 6.86 g L-1). The effects on root growth were detected starting at a concentration of 1.0 g L-1 of NaCl and the radicle (Rad) was the most sensitive and reliable structure. Root growth was a more sensitive endpoint than germination, since the effects were detected at concentrations some 10 times lower. Besides this, the use of the radicle as an endpoint, proposed in the present study, should be intensified in ecotoxicological studies, since it provides satisfactory results at low cost and in a relatively short time frame

Toward sustainable environmental quality: Identifying priority research questions for Latin America

The Global Horizon Scanning Project (GHSP) is an innovative initiative that aims to identify important global environmental quality research needs. Here we report 20 key research questionsfrom LatinAmerica (LA).Members of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) LA and other scientistsfrom LA were asked to submit research questions that would represent priority needs to address in the region. One hundred questions were received, then partitioned among categories, examined, and some rearranged during a workshop in Buenos Aires,Argentina. Twenty priority research questions were subsequently identified. These research questions included developing, improving, and harmonizing across LA countries methods for 1) identifying contaminants and degradation products in complex matrices (including biota); 2) advancing prediction of contaminant risks and effects in ecosystems, addressing lab-to-field extrapolation challenges, and understanding complexities of multiple stressors (including chemicals and climate change); and 3) improving management and regulatory tools toward achieving sustainable development. Whereas environmental contaminants frequently identified in these key questions were pesticides, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors or modulators, plastics, and nanomaterials, commonly identified environmental challenges were related to agriculture, urban effluents, solid wastes, pulp and paper mills, and natural extraction activities. Several interesting research topics included assessing and preventing pollution impacts on conservation protected areas, integrating environment and health assessments, and developing strategiesfor identification, substitution, and design of less hazardous chemicals (e.g., green chemistry). Finally, a recurrent research need included developing an understanding of differential sensitivity of regional species and ecosystems to environmental contaminants and other stressors. Addressing these critical questions will support development of long-term strategic research efforts to advance more sustainable environmental quality and protect public health and the environment in LA.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Use of the Triad Approach to Evaluate Sediment Quality from a Pulp Mill Outfall Area

Os efluentes de fábricas de celulose são conhecidos por apresentarem uma ampla gama de compostos químicos naturais e antropogênicos, que possuem potencial inibidor e estimulador à biota. Muitos destes podem se agregar ao sedimento e causar efeitos agudos ou crônicos aos organismos. Diversos estudos têm sido realizados para se avaliar a qualidade ambiental do corpo receptor adjacente às fábricas de celulose, entretanto a maioria destes são avaliados de forma isolada, o que dificulta a identificação das áreas realmente afetadas pelo efluente. A abordagem TQS (Tríade de Qualidade dos Sedimentos) integra análises químicas do sedimento, testes de toxicidade e ecologia do bentos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade dos sedimentos no entorno do emissário de uma fábrica de celulose, através da abordagem TQS. Foram feitas 4 amostragens, em julho e dezembro de 2001 e 2002. O sedimento foi coletado em 9 estações de amostragem, sendo 6 ao redor do emissário da fábrica e 3 afastadas do mesmo (referência). Foram realizadas análises químicas (metais pesados, ácidos graxos, beta sitosterol, EOX, PCBs, N, C, etc.) do sedimento, testes de toxicidade da água intersticial (MICROTOX® e ouriço Echinometra lucunter) e sedimento (anfípodo Tiburonella viscana) e análise da estrutura da comunidade do zoobentos. A análise integrada dos dados da tríade mostrou uma baixa influência do efluente da fábrica na estação de coleta mais próxima do emissário (5) e em duas estações ao sul do mesmo (3 e 7A). A Estação 5 apresentou evidências químicas e toxicológicas de degradação, enquanto que as Estações 3 e 7A apresentaram evidências químicas.Effluents from pulp mills are known to contain a large number of chemicals that have inhibitory and stimulatory effects on aquatic biota. Many contaminants may adsorb to sediment and cause acute or chronic effects to sediment-dwelling organisms. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the environmental quality of the receiving body adjacent to a pulp mill (Brazil) outfall. However, most of them were conducted separately, making it difficult to identify the real affected area. The SQT (Sediment Quality Triad) approach integrates chemical analyses of the sediment, toxicity tests and benthic ecology. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the sediment quality around the outfall of a pulp mill by use of the SQT approach. Samples were collected seasonally over two years, in July and December of 2001 and 2002. The sediment was collected at nine sampling stations, six of them around the outfall and three reference stations located far from the outfall. Several chemical analyses were made (heavy metals, fatty acids, beta sitosterol, EOX, PCBs, N, C) in the sediment, toxicity tests were done with pore water (MICROTOX® and the sea urchin Echinometra lucunter early life stage tests) and sediment (amphipod Tiburonella viscana), and analyses of the structure of the zoobenthic community were performed. The integrated analysis of the SQT data showed some influence, although low, of the effluent on the sampling station closest to the outfall (station 5) and on two stations to the south of the outfall (stations 3 and 7A). Station 5 exhibited evidence of toxicological effects, and stations 5, 3 and 7A exhibited slightly elevated concentrations of chemicals relative to the reference stations

Integrated assessment of multilevel biomarker responses and chemical analysis in Mussels from Sao Sebastiao, São Paulo, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of contaminants in the mussel Perna perna from Sao Sebastiao Channel, São Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate the effects of these contaminants on these organisms at biochemical (catalase [CAT], glutathione-S-transferase [GST], and cholinesterase [ChE]), cellular (neutral red retention time [NRRT] assay), and physiological (cardiac monitoring) levels. Two sampling surveys were performed (winter of 2001 and summer of 2002) at six stations along the channel: Cigarras, station 1; late Clube de Ilhabela, station 2; Oil Terminal, station 3; Toque Toque, station 4; Ponta da Sela, station 5 (reference station); and Taubate, station 6. Differences in CAT activity were observed between mussels from stations 3 and 5 during the winter, but no differences were detected in the summer. No differences in GST activity were found among stations during the winter, although animals from station 3 showed higher activity during the summer. The ChE activity was significantly higher in the mussels from stations I and 2 during the winter and from stations I and 3 during the summer. Organisms from stations I through 4 showed statistically lower NRRT in both seasons. Similar heart rates were observed in the mussels from all stations. Hydrocarbons were detected in organisms from all the stations in both seasons. During the winter, higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels were observed in organisms from station 3, whereas during the summer, higher levels of metals were found in organisms from stations 1, 3, and 4. The multivariate analyses showed a strong influence of PAHs on the winter biological results, but metals showed higher influence on these responses in the summer, indicating multiple contaminant sources

Development of environmental effects monitoring protocol in Brazil: a fish guide study of three river estuaries

In Brazil, there are no unified and effective environmental monitoring models for bodies of water. Thus, several methodologies are used that result in information that is often difficult to compare, especially for stakeholders involved in regional water management. Studies in some countries such as Australia, Chile, the USA, and Sweden use the monitoring model implemented in Canada that was developed in the early 1990s. This model was designed to evaluate whether the current environmental regulations are sufficiently protective for pulp and paper effluents and for metal mining effluents. In this study, the Canadian Environmental Effects Monitoring methodologies were applied to three different Brazilian river basins, with the goal of constructing a framework for monitoring environmental effects. Pilot studies were carried out in the estuarine regions of the Benevente, Jucu, and Santa Maria da Vitória river basins, which are important rivers in the state of Espírito Santo. Evaluations included fish health, bioaccumulation studies, benthic invertebrate survey, and physical-chemical analyses of water and sediment. The quality of the environments was evaluated by means of seasonal samplings and comparisons between discharge, upstream, and downstream areas. This study made it possible to identify appropriate fish species to be used in environmental effects monitoring and the environmental quality of the rivers themselves as well as knowledge and policy gaps to implement such monitoring programs in Brazil. The study raises questions about the adequacy of Brazilian environmental legislation concerning tidal rivers. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Evaluating the Potential of Effluents and Wood Feedstocks from Pulp and Paper Mills in Brazil, Canada, and New Zealand to Affect Fish Reproduction: Chemical Profiling and In Vitro Assessments

This study investigates factors affecting reproduction in fish exposed to pulp and paper mill effluents by comparing effluents from countries with varying levels of documented effects. To explore the hypothesis of wood as a common source of endocrine disrupting compounds, feedstocks from each country were analyzed. Analyses included in vitro assays for androgenic activity (binding to goldfish testis androgen receptors), estrogenic activity (yeast estrogen screen), and neurotransmitter enzyme inhibition (monoamine oxidase and glutamic acid decarboxylase). Chemical analyses included conventional extractives, known androgens, and gas chromatograph index (GCI) profiles. All effluents and wood contained androgenic activity, particularly in nonpolar fractions, although known androgens were undetected. Effluents with low suspended solids, having undergone conventional biotreatment had lower androgenic activities. Estrogenic activity was only associated with Brazilian effluents and undetected in wood. All effluents and wood inhibited neurotransmitter enzymes, predominantly in polar fractions. Kraft elemental chlorine free mills were associated with the greatest neurotransmitter inhibition. Effluent and wood GCI profiles were correlated with androgenic activity and neurotransmitter enzyme inhibition. Differences in feedstock bioactivities were not reflected in effluents, implying mill factors mitigate bioactive wood components. No differences in bioactivities could be discerned on the basis of country of origin, thus we predict effluents in regions lacking monitoring would affect fish reproduction and therefore recommend implementing such programs