Sandro Xavier de Campos

Bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of metal in freshwater Neotropical fish Geophagus brasiliensis.

From the concentration in water and sediments, bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), silver (Ag), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), and arsenic (As) were determined in the gills, liver, and muscles of Geophagus brasiliensis in the Alagados Reservoir, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil. Metals were quantified through AAS, and a study was carried out on the existing relations between metal and body weight, size, and genre of this species. The level of metal in the water of the reservoir was lower than the maximum set forth in the legislation, except for that of Cd and Fe. In sediments, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Ni presented concentrations above the threshold effect level (TEL). Pb and Cr were above the limits for the G. brasiliensis. The tendency of metals present in the muscles of G. brasiliensis was Al > Cu > Zn > Fe > Co > Mn > Cr > Ag > Ni > Pb > Cd > As. In the gills, it was Al > Fe > Zn > Mn > Co > Ag > Cr > Ni > Cu > As > Pb > Cd, and the liver presented Al > Cu > Zn > Co > Fe > Mn > Pb > Ag > Ni > Cr > As > Cd. The bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of metal in the tissues follow the global tendency liver > gills > muscle. The statistical analysis did not point to significant differences in the metal concentration and body weight, size, and gender of the species in the three tissues under analysis.

Bioavailability of pollutants sets risk of exposure to biota and human population in reservoirs from Iguaçu River (Southern Brazil).

The Iguaçu River, located at the Southern part of Brazil, has a great socioeconomic and environmental importance due to its high endemic fish fauna and its potential to generate hydroelectric power. However, Iguaçu River suffers intense discharge of pollutants in the origin of the river. In a previous report, the local environmental agency described water quality to improve along the river course. However, no study with integrated evaluation of chemical analysis and biological responses has been reported so far for the Iguaçu River. In the current study, three different Brazilian fish species (Astyanax bifasciatus, Chrenicicla iguassuensis, and Geophagus brasiliensis) were captured in the five cascading reservoirs of Iguaçu River for a multi-biomarker study. Chemical analysis in water, sediment, and muscle indicated high levels of bioavailable metals in all reservoirs. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in the bile of the three fish species. Integration of the data through a FA/PCA analysis demonstrated the poorest environmental quality of the reservoir farthest from river’s source, which is the opposite of what has been reported by the environmental agency. The presence of hazardous chemicals in the five reservoirs of Iguaçu River, their bioaccumulation in the muscle of fish, and the biological responses showed the impacts of human activities to this area and did not confirm a gradient of pollution between the five reservoirs, from the source toward Iguaçu River’s mouth. Therefore, diffuse source of pollutants present along the river course are increasing the risk of exposure to biota and human populations.

Assessing pollution in marine protected areas: the role of a multi-biomarker and multi-organ approach

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are vulnerable to many pressures, including pollution. However, environmental quality monitoring in these areas traditionally relies on only water chemistry and microbiological parameters. The goal of the current study was to investigate the role of a set of biomarkers in different target organs (liver, kidney, and gills) of fish in order to assess the environmental quality of an MPA (MTs, GPx, GST, GSH, DNA damage, LPO, AChE, and condition index). Chemical analyses were also performed on liver and muscle tissues to evaluate metal body burdens, and PAHs were identified in bile. A demersal fish (Cathorops spixii) that is widely consumed by the local population was used as bioindicator species, and the results were integrated using multivariate analysis. The use of the biomarker approach allowed for the identification of both seasonal and spatial variations in pollution sources around the Environmental Protected Area of Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe (APA-CIP). Higher metal body burdens associated with biological responses were found in the sites under the influence of urban areas during the dry season, and they were found in the sites under the influence of the Ribeira de Iguape River (RIR) during the rainy season. The liver was found to be more responsive in terms of its antioxidant responses, whereas gills were found to be more responsive to biomarkers of effect. These results show that this set of biomarker analyses in different organs of fish is a useful tool for assessing chemical pollution in an MPA.

Influência das características das substâncias húmicas na eficiência da coagulação com sulfato de alumínio

Neste trabalho foi estudada a influencia das caracteristicas das substâncias humicas (SH), em especial a massa molar das moleculas, na eficiencia da coagulacao com o uso do sulfato de aluminio. Utilizando-se de agua proveniente de poco profundo, foram preparadas quatro aguas de estudo, todas com cor verdadeira de aproximadamente 100 uH. As SH foram extraidas de turfa e fracionadas em massas molares: i) SH filtradas em membranas de 0,45 µm; ii) SH filtradas em membranas de 0,45 µm e maiores que 100 kDa, iii) SH com moleculas entre 30 e 100 kDa; iv) SH com moleculas menores do que 30 kDa. Verificou-se que quanto maior a massa molar das SH maior foi a eficiencia de remocao da cor aparente, com as menores dosagens de coagulante.O pH de coagulacao otimo, esteve entre 6,0 e 7,0, para todas as aguas de estudo. Os estudos da porcentagem de acido humico (AH) e acido fulvico (AF) presentes em cada fracao de diferente massa molar mostraram que quanto maior foi a porcentagem de AF presente, maior foi a dosagem de coagulante exigida para se obter os melhores resultados de remocao da cor aparente.

Environmental pollution by heavy metals in the São João River basin, southern Brazil

Environmental pollution tends to reduce the quality of water sources around the world. Thus, there is a clear need for strategic assessments of conditions that negatively affect river basins. The São João River basin is located in a strategic conservation area due to the abounding water resources and biodiversity, but is strongly affected by anthropic activity. In this study, eight metals were evaluated (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Co, Cd and Pb) in sediment and water from ten different points in the São João water basin. The São João basin pollution was evaluated through the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), ecological risk potential (ERP) and degree of pollution (Dp). The most toxic metals found in sediments were Cr (3.1–10.7), Cd (2.1–5.5) and Pb (5.0–28.1) in µg g−1. In the water samples, the most toxic metals were Cr (3.7–33.2), Cd (6.3–14.2) and Pb (5.0–57.5) in µg L−1. The Igeo presented indices between 2 and 3 in 80% of the samples, indicating significant pollution in the sediment. In 40% of the points sampled, the ERP values indicated severe risk for the ecosystem. In 30% of the water samples, the Dp values were over 40, indicating the highest pollution level. The results reveal that the use of land and water in the São João water basin without proper care might represent considerably high ecological and sanitary risk.

Toxicological interactions of silver nanoparticles and organochlorine pesticides in mouse peritoneal macrophages

Abstract Nanotechnology occupies a prominent space in economy and science due to the beneficial properties of nanomaterials. However, nanoparticles may pose risks to living organisms due to their adsorption and pro-oxidative properties. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of polymer-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), as well as their combined effects on mouse peritoneal macrophages. Macrophages were isolated and exposed to three concentrations of AgNPs (groups: N1 = 30, N2 = 300 and N3 = 3000 ng.ml−1), two concentrations of OCPs (groups: P1 = 30 and P2 = 300 ng.ml−1) and the six possible combinations of these two contaminants for 24 h. AgNPs had irregular shape, Feret diameter of 8.7 ± 7.5 nm and zeta potential of −28.7 ± 3.9 mV in water and −10.7 ± 1.04 mV in culture medium. OCP mixtures and the lower concentrations of AgNPs had no detectable effects on cell parameters, but the highest AgNPs concentration showed high toxicity (trypan blue and MTT assays) resulting in morphological changes, increase of nitric oxide levels and phagocytic index. Foremost, the association of N3 and P2 led to distinct effects from those observed under single exposure.

Assessing genotoxic effects in fish from a marine protected area influenced by former mining activities and other stressors

The goal of the current study was to evaluate different genotoxicity tools in order to assess a marine protected area (MPA) affected by former mining activities and urban settlements. A catfish (Cathorops spixii) was analyzed for genotoxic effects at the (i) molecular and at the (ii) chromosomal levels. Through factor analysis, genotoxicity was found to be linked to levels of metals bioaccumulated and PAH metabolites in the bile. Micronucleus and nuclear alteration were less vulnerable to the effects of confounding factors in mildly contaminated areas since they were more frequently associated with bioaccumulated metals than the DNA analysis. The different genotoxicity responses allowed for the identification of sources of pollution in the MPA. This approach was important for detecting environmental risks related to genotoxic contaminants in a mildly contaminated MPA.

Translocation of metal ions from soil to tobacco roots and their concentration in the plant parts

This paper presents a study on the translocation factors (TFs) and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As) ions in roots, stems, and leaves of tobacco. The results revealed that during the tobacco growth, the roots are able to increase the sensitiveness of the physiological control, reducing the translocation of the metals Ni (0.38) and Pb (0.48) to the leaves. Cd and Zn presented factors TF and BCF >1 in the three tissues under analysis, which indicates the high potential for transportation and accumulation of these metals in all plant tissues. The TF values for Cr (0.65) and As (0.63) revealed low translocation of these ions to the aerial parts, indicating low mobility of ions from the roots. Therefore, tobacco can be considered an efficient accumulator of Ni, Cr, As and Pb in roots and Cd and Zn in all plant parts.

Metals and arsenic in fish from a Ramsar site under past and present human pressures: Consumption risk factors to the local population

The risk of metals and As in seafood for traditional populations living in a Marine Protected Areas (MPA) is seldom assessed, although the risk of human exposure to contaminants is one of the indicators associated with the socioeconomic goals of MPAs. The current study aimed to estimate the potential risk of some metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) and arsenic (As) for human health through the ingestion of fish locally harvested in a Ramsar site, the Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe Environmental Protected Area (APA-CIP). Previous studies showed environmental impacts in this area due to former mining activities and urbanization. Cathorops spixii, a catfish largely consumed by the local population, was collected along the estuary in three seasons with different rain regimes. Metals and As loads in muscle tissue were quantified and it was estimated (i) the target hazard quotient (THQ) and (ii) the daily intake (EDI) for metals and As, (iii) the cancer risk (CRisk) only for As, and (iv) the number of eligible meals per month. Cd, Pb, and As were found at concentrations above action levels for human consumption. Depending on the level of exposure of the local population, the consumption of C. spixii may pose risk to human health. Highest THQs were estimated for fish collected in sites closer to the main contamination sources in the APA-CIP, i.e. the mouth of Ribeira de Iguape River (P1) and the city of Cananéia (P4, P5, and P6). Arsenic showed high levels of cancer risk, although restricted to the area close to the city. The exposure of the local population to metal and As contaminated seafood cannot be disregarded in environmental studies and management of the APA-CIP.

How and where to perform biomonitoring studies: different levels of toxic metal pollution are detected in the Alagados Reservoir in Southern Brazil

The Alagados Reservoir located in the Brazilian city of Ponta Grossa is used to supply water for human consumption but is impacted by toxic metals. The current study combined chemical, biochemical, and multivariate analyses to determine the bioavailability of toxic metals at three sites (AL-A, AL-B, and AL-C) within the Alagados Reservoir. Metal bioaccumulation was analyzed in the liver, gills, and muscle tissue of a native fish species (Geophagus brasiliensis), and neurotoxicity, xenobiotic metabolism, and oxidative stress were evaluated using biochemical biomarkers. Additionally, histopathological studies were performed on the gills and the liver using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and conventional light microscopy (LM), respectively. Overall, the bioaccumulation of metals, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and melanomacrophage counts indicate that the AL-C and the AL-A sites are the most and least affected by metals, respectively. The AL-B site presented the lowest acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity, a finding which was probably associated with the agricultural activities around this area of the reservoir. The biomarkers clearly revealed that toxic metals negatively affect all three sites studied herein and that human activity is the major source of pollutants. Despite the existence of different pollution levels within the Alagados Reservoir, it is still used as a human water supply.