RESUMO
Imposex incidence, organotin tissue levels, and sex steroid (free and esterified testosterone and estradiol) levels were assessed in Stramonita haemastoma from Babitonga Bay (Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil). The imposex levels showed a reduction when compared to a previous evaluation performed in the same area. In spite of that, the detected imposex incidence indicated the occurrence of tributyltin (TBT) inputs that were still able to produce endocrine disruption in local gastropods. In addition, a high level of organotins was observed in tissues of imposexed females. These females also showed a hormonal imbalance, especially in the total testosterone/total estradiol ratio. These findings obtained under realistic field conditions suggest that the steroid pathway could be responsible by the imposex induction after exposure to TBT. In this case, measurements of sex steroid levels can be an additional evidence for monitoring sites and impose affected gastropod populations.
Assuntos
Ecotoxicologia , Disruptores Endócrinos/toxicidade , Gastrópodes/efeitos dos fármacos , Gastrópodes/metabolismo , Hormônios Esteroides Gonadais/metabolismo , Compostos de Trialquitina/toxicidade , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Animais , Monitoramento Ambiental , Feminino , MasculinoRESUMO
The distribution of butyltins (BTs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in surface sediments to assess how relevant is Mar del Plata port (Argentina) as a source of contamination to the surrounding environments. Within the port, TBT concentrations ranged from 24.2 to 150 ng Sn g(-1) and PAHs (Σ16) from 180 to 17,094 ng g(-1). At the surrounding beaches, PAHs were detected at low concentrations and TBT concentrations reached 10.9 ng Sn g(-1). Although those low levels indicate that the Port might not be an important source of contamination to the surrounding beaches, the very low TOC content and the coarse grain size of the beaches sediments could explain the sedimentary levels. The results show a reduction in TBT levels in Mar del Plata port after national and international use restrictions of TBT-based antifouling paints.
Assuntos
Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Compostos Orgânicos de Estanho/análise , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Argentina , Carbono/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Compostos Orgânicos de Estanho/química , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Poluição da Água/análiseRESUMO
Total PBDE concentrations determined in archived blubber samples from franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) unintentionally captured in the Brazilian coastal region off Rio Grande do Sul State (FMA III) between 1994 and 2004 (n = 73) ranged from 7.9 to 65 ng g(-1) lipid weight in mature males, with an increase over the ten-year period. Total PBDE concentrations in blubber samples collected from the FAM II (n = 41) between 2002 and 2005 were higher (67.8 to 763.7 ng g(-1)lw) than those from FMA III. This is possibly due to the proximity to important industrial development sites in the state of São Paulo. Despite the differences in total concentrations, PBDE profiles were comparable and the PBDE concentrations decreased in the following order BDE 47>BDE99>BDE 100 for both FMA and for males and females as well as adults, juveniles and pups.
Assuntos
Golfinhos/metabolismo , Éteres Difenil Halogenados/metabolismo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/metabolismo , Animais , Brasil , Monitoramento Ambiental , Feminino , Geografia , MasculinoRESUMO
RAMSAR sites are determined by specific characteristics of the environment in terms of ecological productivity as well services for human development, but they are also one of the most threatened ecosystems. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the dynamic of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in different biotic and abiotic matrixes of the RAMSAR site (wetlands with international importance), Mar Chiquita Lake. Sampling was performed according to land use (agricultural, urban, and industrial) at two stations: Laguna del Plata and Campo Mare. POPs were analyzed in superficial water (Sw), suspended particulate material (SPM), bottom sediment (Bs) and fish tissues (Odontesthes bonariensis). Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed by GC-ECD. HCHs, Endosulfans, DDTs, PCBs and PBDEs were found in all matrixes at both stations. The high persistence and transport processes are responsible for the occurrence of HCHs, DDTs and PCBs in Bs, SPM and fish tissues, even many years after their prohibition. PBDEs showed lower levels according to the scarcity of punctual sources in the area. Endosulfan showed variable amounts in agreement with application periods since this pesticide was used until a few years ago in this area. Finally, PCB levels overpassed the acceptable daily intake for human consumption being a risk for human health Thus, the present report confirms the occurrence of POPs in Mar Chiquita lake, alerting on the contribution of agricultural and urban pollutants in a RAMSAR site. Current results also raise concerns on biomagnification processes through the food web.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental , Lagos/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Animais , Peixes/metabolismo , Cadeia Alimentar , Éteres Difenil Halogenados/análise , Hidrocarbonetos Clorados/análise , Praguicidas/análise , Bifenilos Policlorados/análise , Áreas AlagadasRESUMO
DDTs, endosulfans, HCHs, chlordanes, PCBs and PBDEs levels were determined in different tissues of patagonian silverside (Odontesthes hatcheri) from the Upper (UV), Middle (MV) and Lower (LV) valleys of the Negro River, Argentina. Results showed a direct relation between pollutant levels in fish and land uses along the basin. All tissues showed decreasing levels from headwaters (UV) to downstream (LV). A significant predominance of organochlorine pesticides (306-3,449 ng g(-1) lipid) followed by ΣPCBs (65-3,102 ng g(-1) lipid) and ΣPBDEs (22-870 ng g(-1) lipid) was observed in all tissues and valleys, suggesting agriculture as the main source of pollutants in this basin. Pesticides were dominated by DDTs (90% pp'-DDE) followed by endosulfan (α->ß->sulfate), γ-HCH and γ-chlordane showing the prevalence of legacy compounds. Endosulfan levels point out the current use of technical endosulfan in the surrounding areas. The highest PCBs and PBDEs concentrations observed in fish from UV were associated to hydroelectric power plants and industries established upstream. PCB fingerprint presented a prevailing contribution of hexa-CBs (66 ± 7%) and penta-CBs (27 ± 9%), with a similar composition to Aroclor 1254-1260. The predominance of BDE-47 (69 ± 17%) among PBDEs, followed by BDE-100 and BDE-99, suggests possible debromination processes. These results were similar to worldwide trends found in fishes and environmental compartments. PCBs levels in silverside muscles along the Negro River exceeded the maximum limits for safe consumption, suggesting a possible human health risk related to silverside ingest. Therefore, a continued long-term monitoring of organic contaminants in fishes is needed in order to assess the potential risk for human health.
Assuntos
Peixes/metabolismo , Éteres Difenil Halogenados/metabolismo , Hidrocarbonetos Clorados/metabolismo , Praguicidas/metabolismo , Bifenilos Policlorados/metabolismo , Rios/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/metabolismo , Animais , Argentina , Monitoramento Ambiental , Contaminação de Alimentos/estatística & dados numéricos , Éteres Difenil Halogenados/análise , Hexaclorocicloexano , Humanos , Hidrocarbonetos Clorados/análise , Praguicidas/análise , Bifenilos Policlorados/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Coastal marine environments, especially semienclosed systems such as bays, are under unrelenting stress caused by urban and industrial development. Biomonitoring plays a vital role in strategies to identify, assess, and control stressors. However, due to the magnitude of the challenge there is a demand for new and innovative approaches to provide timely and accessible information to environmental managers and policy makers. The present work aimed to assess hydrocarbon levels in sediments from petroleum-related industrial areas at Todos os Santos Bay (Brazil) and associate them to toxicity-induced responses (neutral red retention (NRR) assay) by the burrowing clam Anomalocardia brasiliana. Surface sediments collected during the dry and rainy seasons were analyzed for aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. At the control site, hydrocarbon levels were low and mainly biogenic. The aliphatic hydrocarbon ("total unresolved complex mixture," alkanes, and isoprenoids) concentrations indicated a chronic situation with very little "fresh" oil contamination at the oil-related sites. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons indicated sites moderately contaminated by chronic oil and some pyrolytic input. The effects of those contaminants were assessed by the lysosomal NRR assay applied to A. brasiliana hemocytes. Sediment toxicity at the oil-related sites was evidenced by the lowered capacity of the lysosomes to retain the neutral red dye compared to results from the control site. This research indicates that the NRR assay is a useful and efficient screening technique able to discriminate polluted from clean sites.
Assuntos
Bivalves/fisiologia , Hidrocarbonetos/análise , Petróleo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Animais , Bioensaio , Brasil , Meio Ambiente , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Indicadores e Reagentes/análise , Lisossomos/química , Vermelho Neutro/análise , Estações do AnoRESUMO
Wide ranges of organochlorine residues were determined in the blubber of franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), and long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) incidentally caught along Brazilian coastal waters. Concentrations of DDTs and PCBs were the highest, followed by CHLs, TCPMOH, dieldrin, TCPMe, heptachlor epoxide, HCB, and HCHs. Unexpectedly, significant pollution of PCBs, DDTs, TCPMe, and TCPMOH were observed in cetaceans from Brazil, implying the occurrence of local sources in the Southern Hemisphere comparable to those in the Northern Hemisphere, probably by high industrialization in Brazil. On the other hand, CHLs, HCB, HCHs, heptachlor epoxide, and dieldrin residue levels in Brazilian dolphins were much lower than those in other species from the Northern Hemisphere. Significant correlations of TCPMe and TCPMOH were found along with PCBs and DDTs, indicating the highly bioaccumulative nature of all these compounds and/or possible similar pollution sources.
Assuntos
Golfinhos , Poluentes Ambientais/farmacocinética , Inseticidas/farmacocinética , Bifenilos Policlorados/farmacocinética , Poluentes Químicos da Água/farmacocinética , Animais , Brasil , Monitoramento Ambiental , Poluentes Ambientais/análise , Resíduos Industriais , Inseticidas/análise , Bifenilos Policlorados/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Urine and haemolymph can be repeatedly sampled from crabs with no (or limited) damage to the organism. Their analysis offers a measure of the animals' exposure to biologically available contaminants. Shore crabs (Carcinus maenas) were exposed to the PAHs phenanthrene and pyrene at concentrations ranging from 20 to 200 microg l(-1). After 48 h, urine and haemolymph samples were taken and analysed using ELISA and UV-fluorescence spectrophotometry. High correlations were recorded between the two sets of results from the urine analyses (r2 = 0.83 for phenanthrene and r2 = 0.88 for pyrene). Contaminant concentrations were much lower in haemolymph than in the urine. Analyses of urine taken from crabs collected from clean and contaminated sites confirm the suitability of these analyses for environmentally exposed organisms. Again, a good correlation was recorded between the ELISA and spectrofluorimetric analysis (r2 = 0.83). In this instance, difficulties were experienced with haemolymph analyses owing to a lack of sensitivity.