RESUMO
The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (RFL - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) is a highly polluted and eutrophic lacustrine system, which has been often used for the practice of aquatic sports, including during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. This study proposes the evaluation of metal concentrations in surface sediments from the RFL before and after urban interventions performed for the 2016 Olympics, as well as their toxicity to the benthic amphipod Tiburonella viscana and embryos of the sea-urchin Echinometra lucunter. Metal concentrations determined in 2017 were significantly higher than those obtained in 2015 (especially Cu, Cd and Ni), suggesting that the interventions performed to fulfill the requirements of the Olympics increased metal contents in sediments. The sediments from the northern sector of the RFL were muddier, more organically enriched, exhibited higher metal concentrations and were more toxic to T. viscana when compared to the sediments collected in the southern sector. This fact is particularly important since the practice of sports, including during the 2016 Olympics, has been preferably performed in the northern sector. Metal distribution was strongly correlated with organic matter and mud contents. The toxicity to E. lucunter embryos was high for both northern and southern sediments; most of the samples led to 100% lack or abnormal embryonic development. The integration of physical, chemical and ecotoxicological data indicates that the mortality to T. viscana was correlated with metal contents, whereas the toxicity to E. lucunter was apparently related to the release of ammonia from the sediment to water column. Finally, high metal concentrations and the toxicity to aquatic organisms evidence the ecological risks to the biota from RFL.
Assuntos
Anfípodes/efeitos dos fármacos , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Metais/toxicidade , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Poluição Química da Água/análise , Animais , Organismos Aquáticos/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil , Ecotoxicologia , Metais/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
This study aimed to evaluate the sediment quality in a Ramsar site located in the Southeast Brazil, by using several lines of evidence (LOEs). Chemical and sedimentological analyses, ecotoxicological tests, and whole-sediment Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) were performed. The sediments were predominantly composed of fine sands and muds. Higher concentrations of metals in the sediments collected close to Iguape were observed; however according to the SEM/AVS analyses, most sediments should not be toxic and the potentially toxic samples could occur along the whole channel. In fact, sediments of most stations were toxic in at least one survey. The PCA revealed associations between mud, metals and toxicity. Acutely toxic sediments presented Pb concentrations above the threshold effect levels, while chronic toxicity seemed to be influenced also by SEM. The most contaminated and toxic areas are not necessarily those located close to the primary sources, but are actually those with finer sediments. Toxicity Identification and Evaluation (TIE) showed that metals and ammonia were responsible for the toxicity. The results suggest that metals from former mining areas located at the upper Ribeira de Iguape River are transported to the Cananéia Iguape Peruíbe Protected Area and accumulate in the sediments at potentially toxic levels. The location of muddy and more contaminated sediments appears to move along the estuary, accompanying the displacement of the maximum turbidity zone, which, in turn, depends on seasonal freshwater inputs. The results also showed that using several lines of evidences to asses contamination in a protected area provides reliable information to subsidise further actions to control the sources of contaminants.
Assuntos
Sedimentos Geológicos/análise , Metais/análise , Metais/toxicidade , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Anfípodes/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Brasil , Copépodes/efeitos dos fármacos , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Estuários , Feminino , Água Doce , Mineração , Rios , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Considering the high number of accidents with diesel oil spills occurring in the marine ecosystem, toxicity tests aimed at assessing the effects of this pollutant on biota are necessary and urgent. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of the soluble fraction of diesel oil (WSD) in the fertilization success of gametes and pluteu larvae of the sea urchin Echinometra lucunter. To do this, gametes and embryos were exposed to concentrations of 0% (control group), 0.5%, 1.5% and 2.5% of WSD. The fertilization success of exposed gametes and embryos were reduced significantly when compared to the control group in all tested concentrations. With this finding, it is evident that diesel oil can be significantly promoted in the early and adult life stages of a particular organism, and a better way of evaluating this toxicity is through the analysis of contaminant effects throughout the reproductive cycle of a species.
Assuntos
Gasolina/toxicidade , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Animais , Fertilização/efeitos dos fármacos , Larva/efeitos dos fármacos , Ouriços-do-Mar/embriologia , Ouriços-do-Mar/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Água/químicaRESUMO
Domestic sewage is a major problem in highly urbanized coastal areas worldwide. In the present study, toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) phases I and II were applied to sediment interstitial water from 2 locations along the São Paulo coast in southeastern Brazil: the sewage outfalls from the city of Santos, a densely urbanized area, and the city of Bertioga, a less urbanized area. An adapted microscale sea urchin embryo-larval development bioassay was employed. Phase TIE-I manipulations were 1) ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) addition, 2) aeration at modified pH, 3) C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE), and 4) addition of Na2 S2 O3 . The results of the Santos TIE-I indicated toxicity by sulfides and substances with affinity to C18 resin. In Bertioga, toxicity was the result of NH3 , metals, and arsenic, as well as substances with affinity to C18 resin. Phase TIE-II aimed to specify the causes of toxicity by testing the toxicity of eluates of the sublation and C18 SPE manipulation. The results reinforced the role of both surfactants and nonpolar compounds as causative agents of toxicity in both Santos and Bertioga. Chemical analyses of sediment interstitial water or whole sediment ruled out the influence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the toxicity of both sampling sites. Other hydrophobic substances may play a role in the toxicity of Santos and Bertioga effluents. Efforts to remove such substances from sanitary effluents must be prioritized. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1820-1832. © 2017 SETAC.
Assuntos
Bioensaio , Sedimentos Geológicos/análise , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Animais , Ácido Edético/química , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/efeitos dos fármacos , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Larva/efeitos dos fármacos , Larva/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Metais/química , Metais/toxicidade , Bifenilos Policlorados/química , Bifenilos Policlorados/toxicidade , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/química , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/toxicidade , Ouriços-do-Mar/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Esgotos/análise , Esgotos/química , Extração em Fase Sólida , Tiossulfatos/química , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
Echinoderms are restricted to the marine environment and are osmoconformer invertebrates. However, some species live in unstable environments. Especially those species, and those of larger body size, tend to show variable, albeit transient, ionic gradients between their coelomic fluid and external seawater. In order to further examine how sea urchin size relates to apparent ionic permeability of their body wall/epithelia, specimens of Echinometra lucunter, Lytechinus variegatus, Paracentrotus gaimardi, and Arbacia lixula-A. lixula of two distinct populations, Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina-were abruptly transferred from 35 psu to either 25 or 45 psu. Sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium concentrations were assayed in their coelomic fluids after 0, 1, 2, and 3 hr of exposure. Relative area of putative permeable (i.e., cross section areas of soft tissues, or test holes) surfaces (PPS) was estimated in empty tests as the sum of the peristomial area (oral hole in the empty test) and the total cross-section area of ambulacral holes, divided by the total volume (TV) of the test. L. variegatus and E. lucunter, the largest species, had PPS/TV values similar to that of the much smaller P. gaimardi. A. lixula was the "most putatively-permeable and conformer" among them all, especially urchins from the Santa Catarina population. Internal ionic levels equilibrated faster with external water in 45 than in 25, and differences among ions were observed. Body size is relevant, among many other factors, to aid conformers such as sea urchins to dwell in intertidal unstable habitats.
Assuntos
Pressão Osmótica , Salinidade , Ouriços-do-Mar/anatomia & histologia , Ouriços-do-Mar/fisiologia , Animais , Líquidos Corporais , Tamanho Corporal/fisiologia , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacos , Água/química , Equilíbrio HidroeletrolíticoRESUMO
Ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) represents 5% of all solar UV radiation and chronic exposure can induce harmful biological responses, including skin cancer. Prospection of new drugs with photoprotective properties and less toxic effects is constant and natural products have been the main options in this field. Coumarins are a group of natural phenolic compounds that shows several pharmacological activities. The aim of present work was to investigate the effect of coumarin and six derivatives in sea urchin gametes and zygotes exposed to UVB. Embryonic development assay was used to monitor UVB embryotoxicity. Firstly, we demonstrated that coumarin inhibited first embryonic cell division from 5 µM (EC50 = 52.9 µM) and its derivatives showed an embryotoxic effect ten times higher. Then, gametes or zygotes were treated with coumarin compounds before or after UVB exposure (UVB doses ranged from 0.056 to 0.9 kJm(-2)). Pretreatment of gametes or zygotes with coumarin or 3-hydroxycoumarin (1 µM, both) decreased UVB embryotoxic effect. Protective effect of the compounds was observed only when cells were treated previous to UVB exposure. Coumarin derivatives 4-hydroxycoumarin, 6-hydroxycoumarin, 7-hydroxycoumarin, 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin and 6-methoxy-7-hydroxycoumarin did not exhibit photoprotective activity. Our data provides evidences that coumarin and 3-hydroxycoumarin can be a promising class of photoprotective drugs.
Assuntos
Cumarínicos/farmacologia , Substâncias Protetoras/farmacologia , Protetores contra Radiação/farmacologia , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacos , Ouriços-do-Mar/embriologia , Umbeliferonas/farmacologia , Animais , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Embrião não Mamífero/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Masculino , Óvulo/efeitos dos fármacos , Óvulo/efeitos da radiação , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos da radiação , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Raios Ultravioleta , Zigoto/efeitos dos fármacos , Zigoto/efeitos da radiaçãoRESUMO
Sediments from Guaratuba Bay (PR, Brazil), a marine protected area, were collected and evaluated for geochemistry and toxicity. High levels of P and acute toxicity were observed in some samples. Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn were relatively low; however, Cd levels eventually exceeded Threshold Effect Level. Toxicities were associated to nutrients and metals enrichment. Results suggest that impacts are incipient and occur only at specific sites, associated to multiple contamination sources. Despite sediments quality seems to range between good and fair, attention is required to land-use planning around Guaratuba Bay and controlling local pollution sources.
Assuntos
Baías , Ecotoxicologia , Monitoramento Ambiental , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Anfípodes/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Brasil , Carbono/análise , Embrião não Mamífero/efeitos dos fármacos , Metais/análise , Nitrogênio/análise , Fósforo/análise , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The present study aimed to assess the sediment quality in a tropical estuary located in the northeast of Brazil under semi-arid conditions and multiple sources of contamination, using both toxicity bioassays and metal distribution. The metal distribution followed a concentration gradient decreasing one order of magnitude from the inner station toward the outer estuary, with amounts in the following order: Fe > Al > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu. The index of geoaccumulation indicated a metal enrichment in the Ceará river sediment, mainly at inner sites, considered from moderately to strongly contaminated by Al, Cu, Cr and Zn. Sediment samples were considered toxic by means of whole sediment tests with copepods (reproduction) and amphipods (survival), and also elutriate fraction and sediment-water interface with sea urchin embryos (development). Acute and chronic toxicity did not exhibit a significant correlation with metals, emphasizing the influence of other contaminants mainly related to the pollution sources installed in the mid-estuary.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Rios , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Anfípodes/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Brasil , Copépodes/efeitos dos fármacos , Embrião não Mamífero/efeitos dos fármacos , Metais/análise , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacos , Análise de Sobrevida , Clima Tropical , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidadeRESUMO
Fertilization is an ordered sequence of cellular interactions that promotes gamete fusion to form a new individual. Since the pioneering work of Oskar Hertwig conducted on sea urchins, echinoderms have contributed to the understanding of cellular and molecular aspects of the fertilization processes. Studies on sea urchin spermatozoa reported the involvement of a plasma membrane protein that belongs to the ABC proteins superfamily in the acrosome reaction. ABC transporters are expressed in membranes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and are associated with the transport of several compounds or ions across biomembranes. We aimed to investigate ABCB1 and ABCC1 transporter activity in sea urchin spermatozoa and their involvement in fertilization. Our results indicate that Echinometra lucunter spermatozoa exhibit a low intracellular calcein accumulation (18.5% stained cells); however, the ABC blockers reversin205, verapamil, and MK571 increased dye accumulation (93.0-96.6% stained cells). We also demonstrated that pharmacologically blocking ABCB1 and ABCC1 decreased spermatozoa fertilizing capacity (70% inhibition), and this phenotype was independent of extracellular calcium. These data suggest that functional spermatozoa ABCB1 and ABCC1 transporters are crucial for a successful fertilization. Additional studies must be performed to investigate the involvement of membrane lipid homeostasis in the fertilization process.
Assuntos
Transportadores de Cassetes de Ligação de ATP/metabolismo , Fertilização/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/metabolismo , Transportadores de Ânions Orgânicos/metabolismo , Ouriços-do-Mar/metabolismo , Membro 1 da Subfamília B de Cassetes de Ligação de ATP/antagonistas & inibidores , Membro 1 da Subfamília B de Cassetes de Ligação de ATP/metabolismo , Transportadores de Cassetes de Ligação de ATP/antagonistas & inibidores , Acrossomo/metabolismo , Reação Acrossômica , Animais , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Cálcio/farmacologia , Fluoresceínas/metabolismo , Antagonistas de Leucotrienos/farmacologia , Masculino , Proteínas Associadas à Resistência a Múltiplos Medicamentos/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Associadas à Resistência a Múltiplos Medicamentos/metabolismo , Oligopeptídeos/farmacologia , Transportadores de Ânions Orgânicos/antagonistas & inibidores , Propionatos/farmacologia , Quinolinas/farmacologia , Ouriços-do-Mar/efeitos dos fármacos , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Espermatozoides/metabolismo , Verapamil/farmacologiaRESUMO
Increasing anthropogenic activities are creating environmental pressures that threaten marine ecosystems. Effective environmental health assessment requires the development of rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective tools to predict negative impacts at the individual and ecosystem levels. To this end, a number of biological assays using a variety of cells and organisms measuring different end points have been developed for biomonitoring programs. The sea urchin fertilization/development test has been useful for evaluating environmental toxicology and it has been proposed that sea urchin coelomocytes represent a novel cellular biosensor of environmental stress. In this study we investigated the sensitivity of coelomocytes from the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus to a variety of DNA-damaging agents including ultraviolet (UV) radiation, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). LD(50) values determined for coelomocytes after 24h of exposure to these DNA damaging agents indicated a high level of resistance to all treatments. Significant increases in the formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP or abasic) sites in DNA were only detected using high doses of H(2)O(2), MMS and UV radiation. Comparison of sea urchin coelomocytes with hemocytes from the gastropod mollusk Aplysia dactylomela and the decapod crustacean Panulirus argus indicated that sensitivity to different DNA damaging agents varies between species. The high level of resistance to genotoxic agents suggests that DNA damage may not be an informative end point for environmental health assessment using sea urchin coelomocytes however, natural resistance to DNA damaging agents may have implications for the occurrence of neoplastic disease in these animals.