Laboratory measurements of biomarkers and individual performances in Chironomus xanthus to evaluate pesticide contamination of sediments in a river of southeastern Brazil.
This study aimed at evaluating biomarkers, individual and population responses in the native Chironomus xanthus to assess the toxicity of pesticide-contaminated sediments from the Monjolinho River (Southeast Brazil). We measured cholinesterase (ChE) and glutathione S-transferase activities (GST), as biomarkers and survival, individual growth and adult emergence, as individual performances. There was no response of the ChE activity and a tendency to decreased GST activity in contaminated sites, but this was generally not statistically significant. Therefore, there was no association of the biomarker responses with exposure to sediment containing pesticides. In contrast, ash free dry mass was significantly increased and male emergence was decreased in C. xanthus exposed to the same sediments. In conclusion, the selected biomarkers were not sensitive and specific enough to detect and anticipate effects of pesticide contamination at the levels measured in the study area. Nevertheless, individual performances alterations pointed to potential pollution problems and possible ecological consequences.
Centro de Recursos Hídricos e Ecologia Aplicada, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. do Trabalhador São-Carlense 400, Cx. Postal 676, CEP: 13565-905 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. liane@ufscar.br
Liane Biehl
LB
Printes
Marisa Narciso
MN
Fernandes
Evaldo Luiz Gaeta
EL
Espíndola
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001938:Brazil; D002683:Chironomidae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D002802:Cholinesterases