[Use of bioindicators for assessing and monitoring pesticides contamination in streams and rivers].
The objective of this article is to present an analysis of the main bioindicators that are currently used to assess the environmental impact of pollution in water resources. The simple quantification of chemicals in the environment is not enough to reveal the real effects of contamination on ecosystems, making necessary the assessment of the biological effects that pollution causes at different hierarchical levels. The bioindicators used in this article on two case studies comprehend different hierarchical levels: in case study 1, three organization levels were utilized: individual, cellular and molecular, to detect the early effects of exposition to environmental pollutants in three hydrographic basins. By observing the inhibition of AChE activity in fish it was possible to assess the effects of organophosphorate and carbamate pesticides, showing the effects of agricultural activities. In case study 2, we present an assessment at the macroinvertebrate community level using the Extended Biotic Index. We discuss the advantages and limitations in the production of reliable data that could be used in the implementation of adequate actions to protect and/or recover ecosystems.
Arias
Ana Rosa Linde
AR
Laboratório de Toxicologia, Centro de Estudos da Saúde do Trabalhador e Ecologia Humana, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro. arlinde@ensp.fiocruz.br
Buss
Daniel Forsin
DF
de Alburquerque
Carla
C
Inácio
Alan Ferreira
AF
Freire
Marina Moreira
MM
Egler
Mariana
M
Mugnai
Riccardo
R
Baptista
Darcilio Fernandes
DF
D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D010575:Pesticides