ABSTRACT
Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), which is widely used in industrial production, reaches the aquatic environment, mainly owing to improper disposal of plastic products. In the water, it remains adsorbed to sedimentary particles causing toxic effects in aquatic invertebrates such as Chironomidae, which are important in maintaining ecosystem dynamics and are an important link in the food chain. However, the effects of BBP on Chironomidae are still poorly known. Thus, the toxic effects of BBP on Chironomus sancticaroli at acute (48 h), subchronic (8 d), and chronic (25 d) exposures of concentrations between 0.1 and 2000 µg·L-1 were determined. Genotoxicity effects, changes in the oxidative stress pathway, and development and emergence of organisms were evaluated. Biochemical markers showed a reduction in cholinesterase (ChE) activity, indicating a neurotoxic effect on acute exposure (1-1000 µg·L-1). The antioxidant pathway, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity showed reduction on acute (0.1; 1-2000 µg·L-1) and subchronic (1-2000 µg·L-1) exposures and reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at all evaluated concentrations, suggesting oxidative stress. In contrast, lipid peroxidation was not observed. DNA damage occurred on acute (10 µg·L-1) and subchronic (10-2000 µg·L-1) exposures, indicating genotoxic effects. At concentrations above 10 µg·L-1, no emergence of adults occurred, while lower concentrations (0.1 and 1 µg·L-1) showed a reduction in the number of adults, mainly males. The observed effects indicate that BBP is genotoxic and causes biochemical alterations presenting high toxicity at the population level.
Subject(s)
Chironomidae , Animals , DNA Damage , Ecosystem , Larva , Phthalic Acids , Water Pollutants, ChemicalABSTRACT
This work was conducted at the cemetery "São Pedro", Londrina, PR. The object was to determine the species of Culi-cidae that are breeding in this type of local. Aspects of their ecology were examined, especially data related to interspecific differences of the physic-chemistry of the rearing sites.
O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com material coletado no interior do Cemitério São Pedro da cidade de Londrina-PR. O seu objetivo foi o de levantar as espécies de Culicidae que estão procriando neste tipo de local, contribuindo assim para o estudo da sua ecologia e procurando evidenciar correlações entre as espécies coletadas, com as condições físico-químicas dos criadouros.
ABSTRACT
This work was conducted at the cemetery "São Pedro", Londrina, PR. The object was to determine the species of Culi-cidae that are breeding in this type of local. Aspects of their ecology were examined, especially data related to interspecific differences of the physic-chemistry of the rearing sites.
O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com material coletado no interior do Cemitério São Pedro da cidade de Londrina-PR. O seu objetivo foi o de levantar as espécies de Culicidae que estão procriando neste tipo de local, contribuindo assim para o estudo da sua ecologia e procurando evidenciar correlações entre as espécies coletadas, com as condições físico-químicas dos criadouros.