ABSTRACT
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins that may be related to the occurrence of human endocrine disorders. The present study aims to indicate a microalgae for use in ecotoxicological tests concerning BPA contamination of aquatic environments by analyzing its toxicity for the freshwater species Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and the two marine species Tetraselmis chuii and Skeletonema costatum. The standardization of the test involved determination of suitable nominal concentrations of BPA and the most appropriate species for use as biomarkers. S. costatum and P. subcapitata demonstrated resistance to BPA, features that are not of interest for toxicity markers. T. chuii presented an adequate sensitivity to BPA, compatible with parameters used in human toxicology for this substance, and is indicated as a potential biomarker for the presence of BPA in marine environments. The IC50 of T. chuii was 2.5 µM with R2 = 0.9, indicating reliability to demonstrate that low concentrations of BPA has significant toxicity to this species.
Subject(s)
Benzhydryl Compounds/toxicity , Ecotoxicology/methods , Microalgae/drug effects , Phenols/toxicity , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Chlorophyta/drug effects , Diatoms/drug effects , Fresh Water/chemistry , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
Concerns over the sustained availability of fossil fuels and their impact on global warming and pollution have led to the search for fuels from renewable sources to address worldwide rising energy demands. Biodiesel is emerging as one of the possible solutions for the transport sector. It shows comparable engine performance to that of conventional diesel fuel, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the toxicity of products and effluents from the biodiesel industry has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Brazil has a very high potential as a biodiesel producer, in view of its climatic conditions and vast areas for cropland, with consequent environmental risks because of possible accidental biodiesel spillages into water bodies and runoff to coastal areas. This research determined the toxicity to two marine organisms of the water-soluble fractions (WSF) of three different biodiesel fuels obtained by methanol transesterification of castor oil (CO), palm oil (PO), and waste cooking oil (WCO). Microalgae and sea urchins were used as the test organisms, respectively, for culture-growth-inhibition and early-life-stage-toxicity tests. The toxicity levels of the analyzed biodiesel WSF showed the highest toxicity for the CO, followed by WCO and the PO. Methanol was the most prominent contaminant; concentrations increased over time in WSF samples stored up to 120 d.