Impact on Fertility Rate and Embryo-Larval Development Due to the Association Acidification, Ocean Warming and Lead Contamination of a Sea Urchin Echinometra lucunter (Echinodermata: Echinoidea).

Ocean warming and acidification can cause deleterious effects on marine biota, which may be potentialized when associated with metal pollution. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of pH decrease, temperature increase and lead contamination on fertility rate and embryo-larval development of Echinometra lucunter. Gametes and embryos were exposed at pH 8.2 (control) and 7.5; at 26°C (control) and 28°C; and at lead concentrations of 0 (control), 125, 250 and 500 µg/L. These conditions were tested individually and in combination. The fertilization rate of E. lucunter was only significantly reduced in the treatments where temperature was increased and in the treatment where pH decreased. However, the development rate of the pluteus larvae was significantly affected in the majority of treatments: metal contamination in the higher concentration; decreased pH in all metal concentrations; increased temperature in the highest metal concentration; decreased pH and increased temperature and all variables combined, which is decreased pH, increased temperature and metal contamination in relation to the control group (C). The development test was shown to be more sensitive than the fertilization test in all the studied scenarios. In general, the present study suggests that pH decrease, temperature increase and metal pollution may have a significant impact on E. lucunter reproductive cycle.

Genotoxic, biochemical and bioconcentration effects of manganese on Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae).

Manganese and iron were found at high concentrations (3.61 mg/L and 19.8 mg/L, respectively) in the water of the Rio Doce after the dams of Fundão and Santarém broke in Mariana/MG (Brazil). These same metals were found in fish and crustacean muscle (15 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg wet weight, respectively) in the specimens collected near the Rio Doce's outfall. Due to the variation in Mn concentration found in the lower Rio Doce, this study aimed to determine the effects of Mn in Oreochromis niloticus, at the concentrations allowed by CONAMA, and in concentrations found in the Rio Doce after the dams broke. The animals were exposed to the following dissolved concentrations: control group (0.0 mg/L), 0.2; 1.5 and 2.9 mg/L manganese for 96 h. In addition, a positive control was conducted, injecting intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide (at 25 mg/kg). These exposures caused significant erythrocyte micronucleus formation in the organisms exposed to the highest concentration, as well a significant increase in the DNA damage index of erythrocytes from organisms exposed to 1.5 mg/L and 2.9 mg/L treatments. The glutathione S-transferase enzyme activity also showed a significant increase in the liver of the organisms exposed to 2.9 mg/L. However, catalase activity increased significantly in the gills of the animals exposed to all concentrations of manganese that were tested. Manganese bioconcentrated in greater quantities in the liver than the gills. Thus, manganese causes significant damage to genetic material, generates nuclear abnormalities, activates the body's detoxification system and can accumulate in animal tissue.