Emerging pollutants in textile wastewater: an ecotoxicological assessment focusing on surfactants.

Water and several chemicals, including dyestuffs, surfactants, acids, and salts, are required during textile dyeing processes. Surfactants are harmful to the aquatic environment and induce several negative biological effects in exposed biota. In this context, the present study aimed to assess acute effects of five surfactants, comprising anionic and nonionic classes, and other auxiliary products used in fiber dyeing processes to aquatic organisms Vibrio fischeri (bacteria) and Daphnia similis (cladocerans). The toxicities of binary surfactant mixtures containing the anionic surfactant dodecylbenzene sulfonate + nonionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate and dodecylbenzene sulfonate + nonionic alkylene oxide were also evaluated. Nonionic surfactants were more toxic than anionic compounds for both organisms. Acute nonionic toxicity ranged from 1.3 mg/L (fatty alcohol ethoxylate surfactant) to 2.6 mg/L (ethoxylate surfactant) for V. fischeri and from 1.9 mg/L (alkylene oxide surfactant) to 12.5 mg/L (alkyl aryl ethoxylated and aromatic sulfonate surfactant) for D. similis, while the anionic dodecylbenzene sulfonate EC50s were determined as 66.2 mg/L and 19.7 mg/L, respectively. Both mixtures were very toxic for the exposed organisms: the EC50 average in the anionic + fatty alcohol ethoxylate mixture was of 1.0 mg/L ± 0.11 for V. fischeri and 4.09 mg/L ± 0.69 for D. similis. While the anionic + alkylene oxide mixture, EC50 of 3.34 mg/L for D. similis and 3.60 mg/L for V. fischeri. These toxicity data suggested that the concentration addition was the best model to explain the action that is more likely to occur for mixture for the dodecylbenzene sulfonate and alkylene oxide mixtures in both organisms. Our findings also suggest that textile wastewater surfactants may interact and produce different responses in aquatic organisms, such as synergism and antagonism. Ecotoxicological assays provide relevant information concerning hazardous pollutants, which may then be adequately treated and suitably managed to reduce toxic loads, associated to suitable management plans.

Spring water quality monitoring using multiple bioindicators from multiple collection sites.

The aim of this study was to examine the water quality of the Extrema River spring in a Brazilian Cerrado area. Three collection sites (P1 - P3) were sampled in the dry and rainy seasons, which are close to industries from different sectors. In the physicochemical analysis, a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels (<5 mg/L) and pH (< 6) at P3 was detected. An increase in heterotrophic bacteria count was recorded at all sites (> 500 colonies/ml). In ecotoxicological analyses, P2 and P3 exhibited toxicity using Vibrio fischeri (> 20%). In evaluating toxicity, the reduction in seed germination was significant utilizing Lactuca sativa at all locations and with Allium cepa only at P2; rootlet length was decreased at P3 on L. sativa and at all sites with A. cepa. In contrast, loss of membrane integrity and mitochondrial function of meristems was adversely affected at all locations using both L. sativa and A. cepa assays. Principal components analysis (PCA) approach indicated that seasonality apparently did not markedly interfere with the obtained data, but it is important to include more collection locations to be evaluated with multiple bioindicators in the spring region. Our data indicate the urgent need for more rigorous programs to monitor the discharge of effluents into water springs.

Multiproxy analysis in contaminated sediments from Niterói Harbour (Guanabara Bay), Brazil.

Harbours are located in major urban centres around the world and are of great economic importance to the cities in their surroundings. However, the intense traffic of boats and ships can generate environmental impacts that can directly affect the local biota as well as the population that lives in surrounding areas. Therefore, this work aimed to analyse the surface sediment of the Niterói Harbour using chemical, biological and micropalaeontological tools to investigate the environmental condition of this important harbour in Rio de Janeiro State. The pseudototal trace metal data analysed in the surface samples showed values far above those of the greater Guanabara Bay background. These data were corroborated by a high mortality rate of Artemia sp. and elevated presence of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, indicating a high rate of local pollution. Dinoflagellate cysts also showed a direct response to high values of pseudototal trace metals. The data obtained in this study emphasize a need for greater monitoring of ports since the experience gained through this study in a Brazilian harbour can serve as an example for the management of other harbours located in large urban centres around the world.

Multiple adverse effects of textile effluents and reactive Red 239 dye to aquatic organisms.

Textile dyeing consumes high volumes of water, generating proportional number of colored effluents which contain several hazardous chemical. These contaminants can implicate in significant changes in aquatic environmental, including several adverse effects to organisms in different trophic levels. The present study was developed to assess the ecotoxicological effects of textile effluent samples and reactive Red 239 dye (used in cotton dyeing) to aquatic organisms Vibrio fischeri bacteria, Daphnia similis crustacean, and Biomphalaria glabrata snail (adults and embryos). Chronic assays with lethal and sublethal effects for Daphnia similis were included and performed only for textile effluents samples. The mutagenicity was also evaluated with Salmonella/microsome assay (TA98, TA100, and YG1041 strains). V. fischeri bacteria was the most sensitive to reactive Red 239 dye (EC50 = 10.14 mg L-1) followed by mollusk embryos at all stages (EC50 = 116.41 to 124.14 mg L-1), D. similis (EC50= 389.42 mg L-1), and less sensitive to adult snails (LC50= 517.19 mg L-1). The textile effluent was toxic for all exposed organisms [E(L)C50 < 15%] and B. glabrata embryos showed different responses in the early stages of blastulae and gastrulae (EC50 = 7.60 and 7.08%) compared to advanced development stages trochophore and veliger (EC50 = 21.56 and 29.32%). Developmental and sublethal effects in B. glabrata embryos and D. similis were evidenced. In the chronic assay with effluent, the EC10/NOEC = 3% was obtained. Mutagenic effects were not detected for dye aqueous solutions neither for effluents samples. These data confirmed the importance of evaluating the effects in aquatic organisms from different trophic levels and reinforce the need for environmental aquatic protection.

Effects of water produced by oil segment on aquatic organisms after treatment using advanced oxidative processes.

The water produced (PW) by the petroleum industry is a potential contaminant to aquatic biota, due to its complex mixture that may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organic chemical compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), metals and other components that are known to be toxic. The aim of this investigation was to examine the acute toxicity produced by a PW sample in aquatic organisms Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia similis prior to and after 4 treatments using advanced oxidative processes such as photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, ozonation and photoelectrocatalytic ozonation. Data demonstrated that exposure to PW was toxic to both organisms, as evidenced by reduced luminescence in bacterium Vibrio fischeri and induced immobility in Daphnia similis. After treatment of PW with 4 different techniques, the PW remained toxic for both tested organisms. However, photoelectrocatalysis was more efficient in decreasing toxicity attributed to PW sample. Therefore, data demonstrate the importance of treating PW for later disposal in the environment in order to mitigate ecotoxicological impacts. Further photoelectrocatalysis appeared to be a promising tool for treating PW samples prior to disposal and exposure of aquatic ecosystems.

Degradation of antidepressant pharmaceuticals by photoperoxidation in diverse water matrices: a highlight in the evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity.

Photoperoxidation (UV/H2O2) was used to degrade three of the worldwide most consumed antidepressant pharmaceuticals-bupropion, escitalopram, and fluoxetine-in ultrapure water, drinking tap water, surface water, and reclaimed water. The study was performed with antidepressants in concentration levels in which these compounds usually occur in the water matrices. Online solid-phase extraction coupled to UHPLC-MS/MS was used to quantify the analytes during degradation studies. The UV/H2O2 process was able to degrade bupropion and fluoxetine in ultrapure water, using 0.042 mmol L-1 of H2O2 and 1.9 kJ of UV-C irradiation. Nevertheless, escitalopram, which had the most recalcitrant character among the studied antidepressants, needed a tenfold more oxidant and UV-C irradiation. The primary metabolites of the antidepressants were identified as the major by-products generated by the UV/H2O2 process, and they persisted in the solution even when the parent compound was degraded. The residual toxicity of the solution was evaluated for two different trophic levels. The UV/H2O2 process reduced the toxicity of the solution to Raphidocelis. subcapitata microalgae after 30 min of reaction. On the other hand, the toxicity of the residual solution increased over the reaction time to the marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri (reaching up to 48.3% of bioluminescence inhibition after 60 min of reaction). Thus, our results evidenced that the toxicity against different trophic levels and the monitoring of the by-products formed are important aspects to be considered regarding the safety of the treated solution and the optimization of the treatment process.

Evaluation of the acute effects of chemical additives on the toxicity of a synthetic oilfield produced water.

This study evaluated the acute effects of nine different production chemicals typically employed in oil exploration on the toxicity of a synthetic produced water (PW). Bioassays with the Microtox® System were performed to monitor changes in the level of light emission of the marine luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri during exposure to the samples. The results show that synthetic PW is moderately toxic to these organisms, and the addition of oilfield chemicals significantly increases its toxicity. For most of the additives tested, the toxicity of the aqueous phase following partitioning against crude oil was not strongly altered by the presence of these chemicals. Synergistic effects occurred in the three different mixtures investigated. Among the additives studied, biocide, corrosion inhibitor, H2S scavenger, and surfactant were the most toxic for V. fischeri. Furthermore, the surfactant has been identified as the possible source of the acute toxicity observed.

Multiple adverse effects of textile effluents and reactive Red 239 dye to aquatic organisms

Textile dyeing consumes high volumes of water, generating proportional number of colored effluents which contain several hazardous chemical. These contaminants can implicate in significant changes in aquatic environmental, including several adverse effects to organisms in different trophic levels. The present study was developed to assess the ecotoxicological effects of textile effluent samples and reactive Red 239 dye (used in cotton dyeing) to aquatic organisms Vibrio fischeri bacteria, Daphnia similis crustacean, and Biomphalaria glabrata snail (adults and embryos). Chronic assays with lethal and sublethal effects for Daphnia similis were included and performed only for textile effluents samples. The mutagenicity was also evaluated with Salmonella/microsome assay (TA98, TA100, and YG1041 strains). V. fischeri bacteria was the most sensitive to reactive Red 239 dye (EC50 = 10.14 mg L−1) followed by mollusk embryos at all stages (EC50 = 116.41 to 124.14 mg L−1), D. similis (EC50= 389.42 mg L−1), and less sensitive to adult snails (LC50= 517.19 mg L−1). The textile effluent was toxic for all exposed organisms [E(L)C50 < 15%] and B. glabrata embryos showed different responses in the early stages of blastulae and gastrulae (EC50 = 7.60 and 7.08%) compared to advanced development stages trochophore and veliger (EC50 = 21.56 and 29.32%). Developmental and sublethal effects in B. glabrata embryos and D. similis were evidenced. In the chronic assay with effluent, the EC10/NOEC = 3% was obtained. Mutagenic effects were not detected for dye aqueous solutions neither for effluents samples. These data confirmed the importance of evaluating the effects in aquatic organisms from different trophic levels and reinforce the need for environmental aquatic protection.

Evaluation of a Combined System Based on an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASB) and Shallow Polishing Pond (SPP) for Textile Effluent Treatment

Abstract Color removal from textile effluents was evaluated using a laboratory-combined process based on an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor followed by a shallow polishing pond (SPP). The anaerobic reactor was fed with a real textile effluent, diluted 10-times in a 350 mg/L solution of pre-treated residual yeast extract from a brewery industry as nutrient source. The parameters color, COD, N-NH3 and toxicity were monitored throughout 45 days of operation. According to the results, decolorization and COD removal were highest in the anaerobic step, whereas the effluent was polished in the SPP unit. The overall efficiency of the complete UASB-SPP system for COD and color were 88 and 62%, respectively. Moreover, the N-NH3 generated by the residual yeast extract ammonification was below 5 mg/L for the final effluent. Finally, no toxicity was detected after the treatment steps, as shown by the Vibrio fischeri microscale assay.

Degradation of Direct Red 81 mediated by Fenton reactions: multivariate optimization, effect of chloride and sulfate, and acute ecotoxicity assessment.

The role of different operational parameters related to Fenton reactions (pH, concentration of Fe2+ and H2O2, and reaction time) and of Cl- and SO 4- was investigated in the degradation of the azo dye Direct Red 81, expressed in terms of its decolorization. The factorial design and Pareto's charts showed that only Fe2+ concentration and pH influence the decolorization under the conditions evaluated. So, only these parameters were optimized using the response surface model. Under the best experimental conditions (initial pH 2.5, 11 mg L-1 Fe2+, 78 mg L-1 H2O2, and 20 min of reaction), 94 % of decolorization was achieved. However, even under the these conditions, but in the presence of Cl- and SO 4- , a striking loss of efficiency was observed as the concentration of these ions was increased, due the formation of chloride- and sulfate-iron complexes and less reactive inorganic radicals (Cl2•- and SO4•-). The results show that the presence of Cl- is more deleterious, since sulfate-iron complexes are more reactive towards H2O2, and the SO4•- turns out to favor the degradation. On the other hand, the  negative effect of Cl- can be compensated by increasing the chloride concentration up to 300 mmol L-1. In addition, although a high degradation level has been obtained by monitoring the dye absorbance and by HPLC-UV, a low mineralization occurred, being generated degradation products of higher ecotoxicity to Vibrio fischeri, showing the need of subsequent studies to identify these compounds as well as the application of additional treatments aiming the complete mineralization of the dye.

Bioensaios ecotoxicológicos na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Pardo (UGRHI 04), Brasil / Ecotoxicological bioassays in the Pardo River Hydrographic Basin (UGRHI 04), Brazil

A água é um importante recurso natural que contribui para melhorias no bem-estar social e desenvolvimento inclusivo. A presença de produtos químicos, rejeitos radioativos e agentes infecciosos pode comprometer a qualidade desse recurso, afetando a biodiversidade e a subsistência de milhões de pessoas. A Ecotoxicologia Aquática é uma ciência que surgiu para dar suporte no enfrentamento dos problemas de contaminação dos corpos d'água por compostos tóxicos. Seus instrumentos de análise são capazes de avaliar a toxicidade de compostos químicos, sinalizando os potenciais efeitos ecotoxicológicos e seus mecanismos de ação em organismos vivos em ambientes impactados. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Pardo (UGRHI 04) abrange 27 municípios com um importante contingente populacional (1.092.477 habitantes), inserido em uma região cuja prática agrícola baseia-se na cultura de cana-de-açúcar para a produção de etanol e açúcar. Dentro desse contexto, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a toxicidade para organismos bioindicadores de amostras de água superficial do Rio Pardo, principal afluente da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Pardo. Foram realizados ensaios de toxicidade aguda com Daphnia similis e Vibrio fischeri, e toxicidade crônica com Ceriodaphnia dubia. Adicionalmente, analisaram-se Oxigênio Dissolvido (OD), pH e Temperatura da água. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, os parâmetros físico-químicos analisados estão de acordo com os limites estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA 357/2005 [OD (>= 5 mgO2/L); pH (6 a 9)]. Nos ensaios de toxicidade aguda realizados com Daphnia similis, tanto na estação chuvosa quanto na estação seca, não observou-se toxicidade sobre os organismos testados. Todas as amostras foram classificadas como Não Tóxicas (NT). Nos ensaios de toxicidade crônica com Ceriodaphnia dubia, na estação chuvosa, nenhuma das amostras analisadas apresentou toxicidade. Das amostras analisadas na estação seca, 50% apresentaram Efeito Crônico (EC); os resultados mostraram diferença estatisticamente significante entre o número médio de neonatos produzidos por adulta no grupo controle (19,2) e nas amostras dos pontos de coleta 2 (10,7), 3 (10,5) e 5 (8,1). No entanto, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante nas amostras dos pontos de coleta 1 (13,7), 4 (12,3) e 6 (14,3), classificadas como NT. A comparação entre os resultados obtidos no presente estudo, nos ensaios de toxicidade crônica com Ceriodaphnia dubia, mostrou similaridade com a série histórica de dados (2010-2015) fornecida pela Agência Ambiental do Governo do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB). Nos ensaios de toxicidade aguda realizados com Vibrio fischeri, nas estações chuvosa e seca do ano de 2016, não observou-se toxicidade sobre a bactéria após os períodos de 5 e 15 minutos de exposição; todas as amostras foram classificadas como NT. Apesar do Rio Pardo estar inserido em área com reconhecido uso de produtos agrícolas e pouca proteção de Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APP), os resultados mostraram toxicidade apenas para o organismo Ceriodaphnia dubia, na estação seca do ano de 2016, possivelmente relacionada com a diminuição da vazão média e a concentração de poluentes na água. Cabe destacar a importância da manutenção do monitoramento periódico pela CETESB, considerando o Art. 14 da Resolução CONAMA 357/2005, que prevê a "não verificação de efeito tóxico crônico a organismos" para águas doces de Classe 1 e 2 no contexto brasileiro

Water is an important natural resource that contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive development. The presence of chemicals, radioactive waste and infectious agents can compromise the quality of this resource, affecting the biodiversity and livelihoods of millions of people. Aquatic Ecotoxicology is a science that has emerged to support the problems of contamination of water bodies by toxic compounds. Its analytical instruments are able to evaluate the toxicity of chemical compounds, signaling the potential ecotoxicological effects and their mechanisms of action in living organisms in impacted environments. The Pardo River Hydrographic Basin (UGRHI 04) covers 27 municipalities with a significant population (1.092.477 inhabitants), inserted in a region whose agricultural practice is based on the cultivation of sugarcane for the production of ethanol and sugar. In this context, the objective of the study was to evaluate the toxicity to bioindicators organisms of surface water samples of the Pardo River, main tributary of the the Pardo River Hydrographic Basin. Acute toxicity tests were performed with Daphnia similis and Vibrio fischeri, and chronic toxicity with Ceriodaphnia dubia. In addition, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and water temperature were analyzed. The obtained results showed that the physical-chemical parameters analyzed are in accordance with the limits established by CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 [DO (>= 5 mgO2 / L); pH (6 to 9)]. In the acute toxicity tests performed with Daphnia similis, both in rainy season and in dry season, no toxicity was observed on the organisms tested. All samples were classified as Non-Toxic (NT). In the chronic toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia in the rainy season none of the analyzed samples presented toxicity. Of the samples analyzed in the dry season, 50% presented Chronic Effect (CE); The results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean number of neonates produced by the adult in the control group (19,2) and the collection points 2 (10,7), 3 (10,5) and 5 (8,1). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the samples from collection points 1 (13,7), 4 (12,3) and 6 (14,3), classified as NT. The comparison between the results obtained in the present study in the chronic toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia showed similarity with the historical data series (2010-2015) provided by the Environmental Agency of the State of São Paulo (CETESB). In the acute toxicity tests performed with Vibrio fischeri in the rainy and dry seasons of 2016, no toxicity was observed on the bacteria after periods of 5 and 15 minutes of exposure; All samples were classified as NT. Although Rio Pardo is inserted in an area with recognized use of agricultural products and little protection from Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA), the results showed toxicity only for the Ceriodaphnia dubia organismo, in the dry season of 2016, possibly related to the decrease in average flow and the concentration of pollutants in the water. It is important to highlight the importance of Maintenance of periodic monitoring by CETESB, considering Art. 14 of CONAMA Resolution 357/2005, which provides for "non-verification of chronic toxic effect to organisms" for Class 1 and 2 fresh waters in the Brazilian context

Bioensaios ecotoxicológicos na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Pardo (UGRHI 04), Brasil / Ecotoxicological bioassays in the Pardo River Hydrographic Basin (UGRHI 04), Brazil

A água é um importante recurso natural que contribui para melhorias no bem-estar social e desenvolvimento inclusivo. A presença de produtos químicos, rejeitos radioativos e agentes infecciosos pode comprometer a qualidade desse recurso, afetando a biodiversidade e a subsistência de milhões de pessoas. A Ecotoxicologia Aquática é uma ciência que surgiu para dar suporte no enfrentamento dos problemas de contaminação dos corpos d'água por compostos tóxicos. Seus instrumentos de análise são capazes de avaliar a toxicidade de compostos químicos, sinalizando os potenciais efeitos ecotoxicológicos e seus mecanismos de ação em organismos vivos em ambientes impactados. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Pardo (UGRHI 04) abrange 27 municípios com um importante contingente populacional (1.092.477 habitantes), inserido em uma região cuja prática agrícola baseia-se na cultura de cana-de-açúcar para a produção de etanol e açúcar. Dentro desse contexto, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a toxicidade para organismos bioindicadores de amostras de água superficial do Rio Pardo, principal afluente da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Pardo. Foram realizados ensaios de toxicidade aguda com Daphnia similis e Vibrio fischeri, e toxicidade crônica com Ceriodaphnia dubia. Adicionalmente, analisaram-se Oxigênio Dissolvido (OD), pH e Temperatura da água. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, os parâmetros físico-químicos analisados estão de acordo com os limites estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA 357/2005 [OD (>= 5 mgO2/L); pH (6 a 9)]. Nos ensaios de toxicidade aguda realizados com Daphnia similis, tanto na estação chuvosa quanto na estação seca, não observou-se toxicidade sobre os organismos testados. Todas as amostras foram classificadas como Não Tóxicas (NT). Nos ensaios de toxicidade crônica com Ceriodaphnia dubia, na estação chuvosa, nenhuma das amostras analisadas apresentou toxicidade. Das amostras analisadas na estação seca, 50% apresentaram Efeito Crônico (EC); os resultados mostraram diferença estatisticamente significante entre o número médio de neonatos produzidos por adulta no grupo controle (19,2) e nas amostras dos pontos de coleta 2 (10,7), 3 (10,5) e 5 (8,1). No entanto, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante nas amostras dos pontos de coleta 1 (13,7), 4 (12,3) e 6 (14,3), classificadas como NT. A comparação entre os resultados obtidos no presente estudo, nos ensaios de toxicidade crônica com Ceriodaphnia dubia, mostrou similaridade com a série histórica de dados (2010-2015) fornecida pela Agência Ambiental do Governo do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB). Nos ensaios de toxicidade aguda realizados com Vibrio fischeri, nas estações chuvosa e seca do ano de 2016, não observou-se toxicidade sobre a bactéria após os períodos de 5 e 15 minutos de exposição; todas as amostras foram classificadas como NT. Apesar do Rio Pardo estar inserido em área com reconhecido uso de produtos agrícolas e pouca proteção de Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APP), os resultados mostraram toxicidade apenas para o organismo Ceriodaphnia dubia, na estação seca do ano de 2016, possivelmente relacionada com a diminuição da vazão média e a concentração de poluentes na água. Cabe destacar a importância da manutenção do monitoramento periódico pela CETESB, considerando o Art. 14 da Resolução CONAMA 357/2005, que prevê a "não verificação de efeito tóxico crônico a organismos" para águas doces de Classe 1 e 2 no contexto brasileiro

Water is an important natural resource that contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive development. The presence of chemicals, radioactive waste and infectious agents can compromise the quality of this resource, affecting the biodiversity and livelihoods of millions of people. Aquatic Ecotoxicology is a science that has emerged to support the problems of contamination of water bodies by toxic compounds. Its analytical instruments are able to evaluate the toxicity of chemical compounds, signaling the potential ecotoxicological effects and their mechanisms of action in living organisms in impacted environments. The Pardo River Hydrographic Basin (UGRHI 04) covers 27 municipalities with a significant population (1.092.477 inhabitants), inserted in a region whose agricultural practice is based on the cultivation of sugarcane for the production of ethanol and sugar. In this context, the objective of the study was to evaluate the toxicity to bioindicators organisms of surface water samples of the Pardo River, main tributary of the the Pardo River Hydrographic Basin. Acute toxicity tests were performed with Daphnia similis and Vibrio fischeri, and chronic toxicity with Ceriodaphnia dubia. In addition, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and water temperature were analyzed. The obtained results showed that the physical-chemical parameters analyzed are in accordance with the limits established by CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 [DO (>= 5 mgO2 / L); pH (6 to 9)]. In the acute toxicity tests performed with Daphnia similis, both in rainy season and in dry season, no toxicity was observed on the organisms tested. All samples were classified as Non-Toxic (NT). In the chronic toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia in the rainy season none of the analyzed samples presented toxicity. Of the samples analyzed in the dry season, 50% presented Chronic Effect (CE); The results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean number of neonates produced by the adult in the control group (19,2) and the collection points 2 (10,7), 3 (10,5) and 5 (8,1). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the samples from collection points 1 (13,7), 4 (12,3) and 6 (14,3), classified as NT. The comparison between the results obtained in the present study in the chronic toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia showed similarity with the historical data series (2010-2015) provided by the Environmental Agency of the State of São Paulo (CETESB). In the acute toxicity tests performed with Vibrio fischeri in the rainy and dry seasons of 2016, no toxicity was observed on the bacteria after periods of 5 and 15 minutes of exposure; All samples were classified as NT. Although Rio Pardo is inserted in an area with recognized use of agricultural products and little protection from Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA), the results showed toxicity only for the Ceriodaphnia dubia organismo, in the dry season of 2016, possibly related to the decrease in average flow and the concentration of pollutants in the water. It is important to highlight the importance of Maintenance of periodic monitoring by CETESB, considering Art. 14 of CONAMA Resolution 357/2005, which provides for "non-verification of chronic toxic effect to organisms" for Class 1 and 2 fresh waters in the Brazilian context

Comparative evaluation of acute and chronic toxicities of CuO nanoparticles and bulk using Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri.

Copper oxide (CuO) has various applications, as highlighted by the incorporation of this compound as a biocide of antifouling paints for coating ships and offshore oil platforms. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the aquatic toxicity of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles (MPs) through acute and chronic toxicity tests with the freshwater microcrustacean Daphnia magna and an acute toxicity test with the bioluminescent marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri. Acute toxicity results for D. magna in tests with CuO NPs (EC50, 48 h=22 mg L(-1)) were ten times higher than those for tests with CuO MPs (EC50, 48 h=223.6 mg L(-1)). In both periods of exposure of V. fischeri, the CuO NPs (EC50, 15m 248±56.39 - equivalent to 12.40%; EC50, 30 m 257.6±30.8 mg L(-1) - equivalent to 12.88%) were more toxic than the CuO MPs (EC50, 15m 2404.6±277.4 - equivalent to 60.10%; EC50, 30 m 1472.9±244.7 mg L(-1) - equivalent to 36.82%). In chronic toxicity tests, both forms of CuO showed significant effects (p<0.05) on the growth and reproduction parameters of the D. magna relative to the control. Additionally, morphological changes, such as lack of apical spine development and malformed carapaces in D. magna, were observed for organisms after the chronic test. The toxicity results demonstrate that CuO NPs have a higher level of toxicity than CuO MPs, emphasizing the need for comparative toxicological studies to correctly classify these two forms of CuO with identical CAS registration numbers.

Synthesis, characterization and toxicological evaluation of a core-shell copper oxide/polyaniline nanocomposite.

The newest generation of copper oxide NPs (CuO NPs) is the CuO core-shell (CS), which has potential applications in several areas (e.g., electronics and paint) and is able to provide a greater service life due to its coating; however, its toxicity is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the aquatic toxicology of CuO NPs and CuO core-shells through acute and chronic toxicity tests with the freshwater microcrustaceans Daphnia magna and to evaluate its acute toxicity with the marine bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri. The NPs were synthesized by direct thermal decomposition after being coated as a CS with polyaniline (PANI). With respect to acute toxicity with D. magna, the CuO NPs and CS CuO/PANI presented EC50 values of 0.32 mg L(-1) and 0.48 mg L(-1), respectively. For the tests with V. fischeri, the CuO NPs (EC50-15 min=7.79 mg L(-1)) exhibited behavior similar to that of the CS CuO/PANI (EC50-15 min=9.05 mg L(-1)) after 15 min of exposure. Regarding chronic toxicity, both forms showed a statistically significant effect (p<0.05) on the growth and reproduction parameters. Based on the characterization and toxicity results, it can be concluded that both forms of CuO were toxic and presented similar behaviors during the acute tests; however, after 21 d of exposure, CS CuO/PANI showed higher toxicity to the reproduction parameter, highlighting the importance of a complete study of the NP to better understand its toxicity mechanism.