Exposure to the herbicide atrazine induces oxidative imbalance, morphological damage and decreased survival in juvenile fish

Synthetic herbicides have been intensively used in weed control, although often involved in environmental contamination, critically affecting non-target species. However, never was investigated the effect of commercial formulation using atrazine on developing juvenile fish exposed for 35 days. Juveniles (Astyanax altiparanae) (n = 600) were assigned to the following ATZ-exposed groups: 0 (CTR-control), 0.56 (ATZ0.56), 1.00 (ATZ1.00), 1.66 (ATZ1.66) and 11.66 (ATZ11.66) µg/L. We found a 36.6% decrease in juvenile survival rate in the ATZ11.66 group compared to control and other groups. Juveniles from ATZ11.66 also showed hyperglycemia and increased cortisol levels. Increased the imbalance oxidative with an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and Carbonylated proteins levels markers in muscle, gills, and liver. We also found increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) in gills and SOD and catalase (CAT) in muscles from ATZ11.66 fish, and increased glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in the liver from all exposed groups compared to control. The morphological consequences of this were loss of secondary lamella integrity, increased mucus-secreting cells, hyperplasia, and lamellar fusion, as well as increased aneurysms percentage. The liver showed vascular congestion associated with endothelial hyperplasia, steatosis, and a decrease in the nuclei percentage. Our results showed that exposure to a commercial formulation of ATZ at 11.66 µg/L can be causing an imbalance in the oxidative markers and morphological damages and decreased survival in a juvenile Neotropical species of great ecological relevance and commercial interest.

Tolerancia al plomo de aislamientos nativos de Pseudomonas spp. de aguas residuales del Valle de Aburrá / Tolerance lead of native pseudomonas spp. wastewater from Aburrá Valley

RESUMEN El plomo (Pb) es un metal pesado cuyas características físico-químicas lo convierten en un contaminante ambiental persistente, bioacumulable y de alta toxicidad. La biorremediación surge como una alternativa con múltiples ventajas en comparación con los tratamientos convencionales para remover contaminantes como metales pesados de aguas residuales, basándose en las capacidades de tolerancia y mecanismos de resistencia de los microorganismos. Con el fin de conocer la tolerancia de Pseudomonas spp. al plomo presente en aguas contaminadas, se obtuvieron cuatro aislados nativos, procedentes de aguas residuales colectadas en el río del Valle de Aburrá (zona norte), los cuales se caracterizaron bioquímicamente. Se realizaron bioensayos de tolerancia en diferentes concentraciones de plomo por difusión en agar, como prueba tamiz, y determinación de la concentración mínima inhibitoria, determinando la viabilidad del microorganismo en cada exposición. No se presentó diferencia significativa para la tolerancia al plomo entre los aislados, identificados bioquímicamente como Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ni entre las diferentes concentraciones de plomo a las cuales fueron expuestos los aislados. A partir de estos resultados, se discute a cerca de los mecanismos reportados por diferentes autores, mediante los cuales Pseudomonas spp. puede actuar en presencia de Plomo. De esta manera, se concluye que los aislados de Pseudomonas spp. presentan mecanismos de tolerancia y/o resistencia hasta concentraciones de 2500 mg/L en presencia de nitrato de plomo, como potenciales agentes que pueden integrarse en procesos que impulsan nuevas tecnologías de biorremediación.

ABSTRACT Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal whose physicochemical characteristics make it a persistent environmental pollutant, bioaccumulable and highly toxic. Bioremediation emerges as an alternative with multiple advantages compared to conventional treatments to remove contaminants such as heavy metals from wastewater, based on the tolerance capacities and/or resistance mechanisms of microorganisms. In order to know the tolerance of Pseudomonas spp. to the lead present in contaminated waters, four native isolates were obtained, coming from wastewater collected in the north from Aburrá Valley River, which were characterized biochemically. Tolerance bioassay was carried out in different concentrations of lead by agar diffusion, as a screening test, and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration, determining the viability of the microorganism in each exposure. There was no significant difference for lead tolerance between the isolates, identified biochemically as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, nor between the different concentrations of lead to which the isolates were exposed. From these results, we discuss about the mechanisms reported by different authors, by means of which Pseudomonas spp. can act in the presence of lead. In this way, it is concluded that the isolates of Pseudomonas spp. they present tolerance and/or resistance mechanisms up to 2500 mg/L in the presence of lead nitrate, as potential agents that can be integrated into processes that promote new bioremediation technologies.

Investigation on the content of persistent organic pollutants in fish from Dongting Lake in China / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the content of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish from Dongting Lake.@*Methods@#Ten sample collection points were set in lakeside city Yueyang and Yuanjiang. In July (wet season) and November (dry season) of 2012, 13 common fish species were captured by convenience sampling in Dongting Lake. Two to three fish with similar weight were selected in each season for the same species of fish. After sample preparation and pretreatment, the contents of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), indicator polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyls ether (PBDEs) in the samples were determined by high resolution gas chromatographer-high resolution mass spectrometry. Toxicity Equivalents (TEQ) of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were calculated according to the revised toxicity equivalent factor (TEF) of WHO in 2005. The contents of POPs were expressed by median and quavtile. The differences of POPs in fish in different periods were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test.@*Results@#The content of PCDD/Fs of fish in Dongting Lake in wet season was 12.397 (8.865, 24.964) pg/g, higher than that in the dry season 0.771 (0.490, 1.442) pg/g (P<0.001), and the toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQ) were 0.150 (0.066,0.528) and 0.143 (0.066, 0.235) pg-TEQ/g without statistically significant difference (P>0.05). For the fish in wet and dry season from Dongting Lake,∑dl-PCBs of fish were 66.475 (28.065, 77.794) and 24.205 (18.237, 90.777) pg/g, respectively, and the TEQ were 0.061 (0.046, 0.268) and 0.075 (0.054, 0.182) pg-TEQ/g; ∑ indicative PCBs were 237.764 (153.896, 335.483) and 119.711 (52.171, 408.696) pg/g, respectively; ∑ PBDEs were 106.513 (64.834, 164.860) and 86.837 (61.872, 177.108) pg/g, respectively. The highest content of PCDD/Fs was found in grass carp (198.360 pg/g) in wet season. The higher content of PCBs was found in long-necked fish (2 332.509 pg/g) and PBDEs was found in pelteobagrus fulvidraco (343.857 pg/g), respectively.@*Conclusion@#A lower burden was found in fishes from Dongting Lake, and the content of POPs varied in different seasons and fishes.

ANÁLISE BACTERIOLÓGICA DA ÁGUA E O PERFIL DE SUSCEPTIBILIDADE AOS ANTIMICROBIANOS DAS ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLADAS / WATER BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF ISOLATED ESCHERICHIA COLI / ANÁLISIS BACTERIOLOGICO DEL AGUA Y EL PERFIL DE SUSCEPTIBILIDAD ANTIMICROBIANA DE LAS ESCHERICHIA COLI AISLADAS

Objetivo: analisar a qualidade microbiológica das águas residenciais e dos rios Cuiabá e Coxipó, assim como determinar o perfil de susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos das estirpes de Escherichia coli isoladas. Método: foram coletadas 42 amostras de água no município de Cuiabá-MT, sendo 40 residenciais e uma de cada rio. Realizou-se testes para coliformes totais e termotolerantes, semeadura em ágar EMB, prova de indol e teste de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos (TSA). Resultados: 2,5% das amostras residenciais e as duas amostras fluviais foram positivas para coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Através dos testes bioquímicos, foram isoladas e identificadas sete estirpes de E. coli das amostras dos rios. No TSA, constatou-se que as bactérias de estudo foram sensíveis a oito antimicrobianos testados, demonstrando resistência somente à penicilina G. Conclusão: mesmo com as intempéries inerentes ao sistema de distribuição, a qualidade da água que chega nas residências cuiabanas é majoritariamente ideal. As águas dos rios estão sendo impactadas pelo despejo de esgotos in natura. A alta sensibilidade das estirpes dos rios aos antimicrobianos indica que ou se originaram de animais silvestres ou de humanos e animais domésticos que pouco entraram em contato com antimicrobianos para produzir pressão seletiva nas estirpes de E. coli da microbiota.

Objective: to evaluate the microbiological quality of residential and Cuiabá and Coxipó rivers water, and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of isolated Escherichia coli strains. Method: 42 water samples were collected in the city of Cuiabá- MT, 40 residential and one in the river. We conducted tests for total and thermotolerant coliforms, sowing on agar EMB, indole test and susceptibility testing to antimicrobial (STA). Results: 2.5% of residential samples and two river samples were positive for total and thermotolerant coliforms. By means of biochemical tests, they were isolated and identified seven strains of E. coli from rivers samples. In the TSA, it was found that the study of bacteria were sensitive to eight antimicrobials tested, showing only resistance to penicillin G. Conclusion: even with the elements inherent to the distribution system, the quality of water arriving at cuiabanas homes is mostly ideal. The rivers' waters are being impacted by the disposal of sewage in natura. The high sensitivity of the strains from rivers to antimicrobials indicates that either originated from wild animals or humans and domestic animals that came little into contact with antimicrobials to produce selective pressure on strains of E. coli microbiota.

Objetivo: evaluar la calidad microbiológica del agua residencial y ríos Cuiabá y Coxipó, así como determinar el perfil de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de cepas de Escherichia coli aisladas. Método: se recogieron 42 muestras de agua en la ciudad de Cuiabá, 40 residenciales y una en cada río. Se realizaron pruebas para coliformes totales y termotolerantes, siembra en agar EMB, prueba de indol y pruebas de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos (PSA). Resultados: el 2,5% de las muestras residenciales y dos muestras de los ríos fueron positivos para coliformes totales y termotolerantes. Por medio de pruebas bioquímicas, se aislaron y se identificaron siete cepas de E. coli en las muestras de ríos. En el PSA, las bacterias en estudio fueron sensibles a ocho antimicrobianos analizados, mostrando sólo resistencia a la penicilina G. Conclusión: incluso con los elementos inherentes al sistema de distribución, la calidad del agua que llega a los hogares cuiabanos es, en su mayoría, ideal . Las aguas de los ríos están siendo afectados por la eliminación de aguas residuales in natura. La alta sensibilidad de las cepas de los ríos a los antimicrobianos indica que, o bien se originó a partir de animales salvajes o de humanos y animales domésticos que poco contactaron con antimicrobianos para producir una presión selectiva sobre las cepas de E. coli de la microbiota.

Qualidade da Água Subterrânea na Região do Médio Vale do Itajaí - SC / Groundwater Quality in the Region of Médio Vale do Itajaí ? SC

A água é um bem inestimável, necessária para a manutenção da vida, para os processos industriais e irrigação agrícola. A água superficial potável está cada vez mais escassa, tornando mais comum o uso de águas subterrâneas. A água subterrânea geralmente é potável por natureza, porém, devido a modificações de origem antrópica, essa propriedade pode ser alterada. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a qualidade da água subterrânea na região do Médio Vale do Itajaí - SC. Para isso, foram utilizados os resultados de 51 laudos de exames físico-químicos e microbiológicos feitos por laboratórios de análise ambiental, localizados nas cidades de Timbó e Blumenau. Os resultados mostraram que 25 amostras (49,01%) tiveram algum dos parâmetros alterados. Separando por parâmetro, 12 (25,53%) amostras estavam contaminadas por coliformes totais e 4 (8,51%) por coliformes termotolerantes / E. coli. Na análise de pH, 7 amostras (19,44%) apresentaram valores abaixo do recomendado pela legislação e 6 (16,66%) amostras resultaram em valores de turbidez acima do máximo permitido. Apenas 1 (5,26%) amostra apresentou-se alterada na análise de odor e 5 (16,66%) estavam desconformes em relação a cor. Outras alterações encontradas foram níveis de ferro e amônia acima do permitido em 3 amostras. Diante das alterações encontradas, é recomendável que antes do consumo de água subterrânea, sua potabilidade seja certificada através de análises laboratoriais.

Water is a inestimable commodity, necessary for the maintenance of life, industrial processes and agricultural irrigation. Drinking surface water is increasingly scarce, making the use of groundwater more common. Although groundwater is generally potable by nature, this property can be altered by anthropogenic changes. The aim of this study was to verify the groundwater quality in the region of Médio Vale do Itajaí ? SC. For this purpose, the results of 51 reports of physicochemical and microbiological tests performed by environmental testing laboratories located in the cities of Blumenau and Timbó were studied. The results showed that 25 samples (49,01%) presented changes in the parameters evaluated. With respect to each parameter, 12 (25.53%) samples were contaminated by total coliforms and 4 (8.51%) by thermotolerant coliforms / E. coli. For pH, 7 samples (19.44%) were with values below the recommended by legislation and 6 (16.66%) presents turbidity values above the maximum allowed by law. Only 1 (5.26%) sample had altered odor, while 5 (16.66%) were nonconforming for the color attributes. Iron and ammonia levels were also above the permitted in 3 samples. Given the results, it is recommended the potability of groundwater be certified by laboratory analysis before the consumption.

Evaluation of radiographic waste management in dental offices and radiology clinics of São Luís (MA)

Introduction: Lack of information continues to lead the professionals of various areas to contribute to environment degradation, and Dentistry is a potential source of contamination through chemical residues resulting from radiographic procedures. Objective:To evaluate the management of residues resulting from radiographic processing in dental radiology clinics and dental offices in São Luís - MA, Brazil. Material and methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared with the aim of characterizing the behavior of professionals and their procedures for discarding the processing solutions (developer, fixer, and water) and radiographic packing materials. A sample of 100 individuals represented 7.8% of the total number of 1,281 dentists in the city of São Luís.Results: A total of 92% of the participants believed that radiographic effluents could cause damage to the environment. Concerning to the fixer discarding, 43% affirmed that they threw the solution directly through the sink, 36% diluted the fixer in water and threw it into the sink, 14% used a specialized company to discard it and 7% used other means. The developer was discarded as follows: 42% threw it down the sink, 36% diluted it in water before throwing it into the sink, 13% used a specialized company to discard it and 9% used other ways. Considering to the discarding of the packing of the radiographic films, 51% threw them into the trash and 49% used a specialized disposal company. Conclusion: Large portions of dentists do not discard radiographic processing residues and films correctly.

Contaminación del agua en fuentes cercanas a campos petrolíferos de Bolivia / Water pollution in sources close to oil-producing fields of Bolivia

OBJETIVO: Determinar las concentraciones de compuestos petroquímicos en las fuentes de agua de consumo para comunidades cercanas a campos petrolíferos del Chaco Boliviano. MÉTODOS: Se recogieron datos sobre concentraciones de hidrocarburos totales de petróleo (HTP), 16 hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP), incluidos el benceno, tolueno, etilbenceno y xilenos (BTEX), y 22 metales en muestras de 42 fuentes de agua de consumo humano situadas a menos de 30 km de un campo de extracción de petróleo. Se analizó la distribución de la concentración y el cumplimiento de los estándares definidos en las normativas boliviana, europea y estadounidense, así como en las recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. RESULTADOS: En 76,19 por ciento de las muestras se halló algún contaminante petroquímico en concentraciones superiores a alguna de las cuatro normativas de referencia. Las muestras de agua que presentaron mayor contaminación fueron las provenientes de grifos y ríos. Los contaminantes más frecuentes fueron HTP, HAP, aluminio, arsénico, manganeso y hierro. CONCLUSIONES: Las comunidades del Chaco Boliviano ubicadas en un radio de 30 km alrededor de los campos de extracción de petróleo consumen agua con concentraciones de HTP, HAP y metales muy por encima de los niveles permitidos por la normativa boliviana y los estándares internacionales, poniendo en grave riesgo la salud pública de sus habitantes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the concentrations of petrochemical compounds in the drinking water sources of communities located near oil-producing fields in the Bolivian Chaco region. METHODS: Data were collected on total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), and 22 metals in samples from 42 sources of water for human consumption located less than 30 km from an oil-producing field. Distribution of the concentration and adherence to the standards contained in the Bolivian, European, and United States regulations, as well as the recommendations of the World Health Organization, were analyzed. RESULTS: In 76.19 percent of the samples, some petrochemical contaminant was found in concentrations higher than permissible in any of the four sets of regulations mentioned. The water samples with the highest contamination levels were from faucets and rivers. The most common contaminants were TPH, PAH, aluminum, arsenic, manganese, and iron. CONCLUSIONS: Communities within a 30 km radius of the oil-producing fields in the Bolivian Chaco region consume water with TPH, PAH, and metal concentrations well above the levels permitted in the Bolivian regulations and international standards, putting the public health of their residents at serious risk.

Marco legislativo del suministro de agua en México / Legislative framework for the water supply in Mexico

In this study, water sanitation laws and methods (both Mexican and international) are compared, and the feasibility of incorporating recommendations issued by international organizations into Mexican legislation is assessed. When climate, demographic, or industry changes occur, there is an apparent need to broaden the range of substances and organisms being measured and regulated in the water. This comparative analysis identifies the following challenges: improving equipment sensitivity and specificity; removing contaminants that interfere with the process; increasing pathogen concentration of the sample; reducing manpower, equipment, and infrastructure requirements; identifying priority pathogens; adopting a flexible evaluation system; comparing and evaluating similar efforts carried out by other countries; and lastly, collating local regulations with international ones.

Toxicidade das águas do Rio Tietê coletadas na Grande São Paulo em peixes Danio rerio / Tietê River water toxicity collected near São Paulo city in Danio rerio fishes

Introdução - O Rio Tietê é um rio brasileiro do Estado de São Paulo. É famoso nacionalmente por atravessar todo o Estado e a cidade de São Paulo. Nasce em Salesópolis, na Serra do Mar, a 1.027 metros de altitude. Apesar de estar a apenas 22 quilômetros do litoral, as escarpas da Serra do Mar obrigam-no a caminhar sentido inverso, rumo ao interior, atravessando o Estado de SãoPaulo de sudeste a noroeste até desaguar no lago formado pela barragem de Jupiá no rio Paraná, no município de Três Lagoas, cerca de 50 quilômetros a jusante da cidade de Pereira Barreto, o Rio Tietê é extremamente poluído, pois nele são despejados esgotos e efluentes industriais. No entanto, ao longo do rio a poluição pode variar. Materiais e Métodos - Investigou-se a toxicidade em Danio rerio de 6 amostras de água do Rio Tietê, a saber: Local 1 - Córrego localizado na Av. Hirante Sanazar em Osasco, antes da empresa Adammas; Local 2 - o mesmo córrego, mas coleta depois da empresa; Local 3 - Córrego paralelo a empresa Razzo; Local 4 - foi feita a coleta na ponte da Vila dos Remédios; Local 5 - Rio Tietê coleta feita antes de Osasco, Ponte da Freguesia do Ó; Local 6 - Tietê depois de Osasco. Resultados - Mediu-se a mortalidade dos animais e parâmetros comportamentais dos mesmos durante a exposição por 5 minutos a estas amostras. Conclusões - Concluiu-se que: 1) tanto os tremores bem como a subida à superfície foram importantes para determinar a toxicidade diferencial às diferentes amostras de água; 2) não houve correlação entre óbito e toxicidade comportamental; 3) pode-se ainda apontar que a maior toxicidade ocorreu nos locais 1 e 2 levando-se em conta a mortalidade e efeitos comportamentais obtidos. 4. Estudos que levam em conta alterações em parâmetros comportamentais e fisiológicos podem ser indicadores precoces de toxicidade em animais aquáticos, permitindo prevenir acidentes neste meio.

Introduction - Tietê River is a Brazilian River of São Paulo State. It is nationally famous for crossing the state and the city of São Paulo. Tietê River born in Salesópolis, Serra do Mar, at 1,027 meters high. Although it is only 22 kilometers from the coast, the scarps of the Serra do Mar forcing it to walk in opposite direction, towards the interior, through the state of São Paulo from southeast to northwest until flow in the lake formed by the weir in the Paraná River, Jupiá, in the Três Lagoas city, about 50 km downstream of Pereira Barreto city. This river is highly polluted but throughout its course the grade of pollution varies. Materials and Methods - The present study investigated the toxicity in Danio rerio fish of 6 samples of water from the Tietê River, i.e.: Place 1 - Streamlet located on Avenida Hirante Sanazar in Osasco, before the company Adammas; Place 2 - the same streamlet, but after the company; Place 3 - Stream parallel to Razzo company; Place 4 - was the gathering on Vila dos Remédios bridge; Place 5 - Tietê River collection made before Osasco city, Ponte da Freguesia do Ó; Place 6 - Tietê River after Osasco. Results - The mortality and behavior of animals were measured in the Danio rerio fish after 5 minutes of exposure to the different water samples. Conclusions - It was concluded that: 1) both tremor and the rise the surface were important to determine the toxicity spread to different samples of water; 2) there was no correlation between death and behavioral toxicity; 3) data indicate that the greater toxicity occurred at sites 1 and 2 taking into account the mortality and behavioral effects obtained. 4) Studies which take into account changes in behavioral and physiological parameters can be early indicators of toxicity to aquatic animals, allowing prevent accidents in this medium.

Determination of Trace Organic Pollutants in Drinking Water by Solid-Phase Extraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To develop a method for determination of trace organic pollutants in drinking water. Methods The organic pollutants in water were enriched and separated by a solid-phase extraction method with the big form resin of hole pattern as the enrichment of stationary phase and then were detected by GC-MS. Results The ideal test condition and the enriched method of sample were established in the present paper. Many water samples were determined by the newly established method. Over 100 organic pollutants were identified in these samples. Conclusion The newly established method is simple, fast, sensitive and easy to popularize and is suitable for determining organic chemical compounds in tap water, clean underground water and the water of source water.

Study on Contents of Elements and Mutagenecity of Organic Extracts of Drinking Water in Different Processes of Deep Water Treatment / 环境与健康杂志

0.05) . Significant decreases of contents of 14 kinds of macro-elements and trace elements in purified water were found compared with those in water samples after activated carbon filtration (t = 2.496 9-5.261 7, F2 and showed significant dose-response relationship respectively (r = 0.980, P