A new species of Notodiaptomus Kiefer (Crustacea, Copepoda, Calanoida, Diaptomidae) from Brazil.

Description of a new species of Diaptomidae (Crustacea, Copepoda, Calanoida) Notodiaptomus oliveirai is given from the material obtained at a reservoir at Barra Bonita, SP in 1992. The new species is very similar to Notodiaptomus henseni Dahl 1894 although both species can be found in the same locality, constituting two distinct populations. Notodiaptomus oliveirai seems to be endowed with great adaptability to changes in environmental conditions, extending its distribution to all the hydrographic basins in the state of São Paulo.

The influence of algal densities on the toxicity of chromium for Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard (Cladocera, Crustacea).

Food availability may affect metal toxicity for aquatic organisms. In the present study, the influence of high, medium and low densities of the algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (10(6), 10(5) and 10(4) cells.mL(-1), respectively) on the chronic toxicity of chromium to the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia was investigated. C. dubia was exposed to a range of chromium concentration from 2.71 to 34.04 microg.L(-1) and fed with algae at various densities. In another experiment, the green alga was exposed to chromium concentrations (94 to 774 microg.L(-1)) and supplied as food in different densities to zooplankton. The survival and reproduction of the cladoceran were measured in these toxicity tests. The IC50 for Cr to P. subcapitata and metal accumulated by algal cells were determined. The results of a bifactorial analysis (metal versus algal densities) showed that metal toxicity to zooplankton was dependent on algal densities. Significant toxic effects on the reproduction and survival of C. dubia were observed at 8.73, 18.22 and 34.04 microg.L(-1) Cr when the test organisms were fed with 10(6) cells.mL(-1) of P. subcapitata. Although the chlorophyta retain low chromium content, a decrease in the reproduction and survival of C. dubia occurred when they were fed with high algal density contaminated with 774 microg.L(-1) Cr. It was concluded that high algal density have an appreciable influence on chromium toxicity to daphnids.

The influence of algal densities on the toxicity of chromium for Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard (Cladocera, Crustacea) / Influência de diferentes densidades algais sobre a toxicidade do cromo para Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard (Crustacea, Cladocera)

Food availability may affect metal toxicity for aquatic organisms. In the present study, the influence of high, medium and low densities of the algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (10(6), 10(5) and 10(4) cells.mL-1, respectively) on the chronic toxicity of chromium to the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia was investigated. C. dubia was exposed to a range of chromium concentration from 2.71 to 34.04 µg.L-1 and fed with algae at various densities. In another experiment, the green alga was exposed to chromium concentrations (94 to 774 µg.L-1) and supplied as food in different densities to zooplankton. The survival and reproduction of the cladoceran were measured in these toxicity tests. The IC50 for Cr to P. subcapitata and metal accumulated by algal cells were determined. The results of a bifactorial analysis (metal versus algal densities) showed that metal toxicity to zooplankton was dependent on algal densities. Significant toxic effects on the reproduction and survival of C. dubia were observed at 8.73, 18.22 and 34.04 µg.L-1 Cr when the test organisms were fed with 10(6) cells.mL-1 of P. subcapitata. Although the chlorophyta retain low chromium content, a decrease in the reproduction and survival of C. dubia occurred when they were fed with high algal density contaminated with 774 µg.L-1 Cr. It was concluded that high algal density have an appreciable influence on chromium toxicity to daphnids.

A disponibilidade de alimento pode afetar a toxicidade dos metais para os organismos aquáticos. No presente estudo, a influência de alta, média e baixa densidades da alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (10(6), 10(5) e 10(4) céls.mL-1, respectivamente) sobre a toxicidade crônica do cromo para o cladócero Ceriodaphnia dubia foi investigada. C. dubia foi exposta a uma faixa de concentração de cromo de 2,71 a 34,04 µg.L-1 e alimentada com diferentes densidades algais. Em outro experimento, a alga foi exposta a concentrações de cromo (94 a 774 µg.L-1) e oferecida como alimento ao cladócero em diferentes densidades. A sobrevivência e a reprodução do cladócero foram medidas nesses testes de toxicidade. O valor da CI50 do cromo para P. subcapitata e a concentração de metal retido pelas células algais foram determinados. Os resultados da análise bifatorial (metal versus densidades algais) mostraram que a toxicidade do metal ao zooplâncton foi dependente da densidade algal. Efeitos tóxicos significativos na sobrevivência e reprodução de C. dubia foram observados a 8,73, 18,22 e 34,04 µg.L-1 Cr quando o organismo-teste foi alimentado com 10(6) céls.mL-1 de P. subcapitata. Apesar de a alga reter pouco cromo, decréscimo na sobrevivência e na reprodução de C. dubia ocorreu quando alimentada com alta densidade algal contaminada com 774 µg.L-1 Cr. Concluiu-se que alta densidade algal tem uma considerável influência na toxicidade do cromo aos dafinídeos.

Dimethoate 40% organosphosphorous pesticide toxicity in Prochilodus lineatus (Prochilodontidae, Characiformes) eggs and larvae.

Toxicity tests using early life stages of fish are of great importance in assessing risks to growth, reproduction and survival in polluted environments and are important tools for good environmental monitoring. However, a small number of standard bioassays of this type have been developed in Brazil. Curimbatá (Prochilodus lineatus) is an abundant South American characid fish of great commercial interest. It was chosen for testing different concentrations of 40% dimethoate, an organophosphate insecticide and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitor used widely in Brazil. The 48-h LC50 for eggs is higher than 16.0 microg.L-1, whereas for recently hatched larvae it was found to be significantly lower (11.81 microg.L-1, ranging between 10.23 microg.L-1 - 13.65 microg.L-1) and also significantly lower than that for eggs by a Student t-test for independent samples (p = 0.03). The 96-h LC50 for 3-day old larvae was 10.44 microg.L-1 (8.03 microg.L-1 - 13.57 microg.L-1), similar to that of recently-hatched larvae (p = 0.76). Larval mobility was also found to be reduced by this insecticide.

Dimethoate 40 percent organosphosphorous pesticide toxicity in Prochilodus lineatus (Prochilodontidae, Characiformes) eggs and larvae

Os testes de toxicidade com os primeiros estágios de vida de peixes são de elevada importância no que se refere ao comprometimento das fases de crescimento, reprodução e sobrevivência dos organismos em ambientes poluídos, constituindo uma ferramenta importante para um adequado monitoramento ambiental. Entretanto, um pequeno número de bioensaios desta natureza tem sido desenvolvido no Brasil. O curimbatá (Prochilodus linetaus) é um peixe da ordem Characidae de grande interesse comercial e muito abundante na América do Sul. A espécie foi utilizada para testar diferentes concentrações de dimetoato 40%, um pesticida organofosforado inibidor da enzima acetilcolinesterase (AChE) utilizado em grande escala no Brasil. A CL50 (48h) para ovos é superior a 16,0 µg.L-1; entretanto para larvas recém-eclodidas foi significativamente mais baixa (11,81 µg.L-1 , variando de 10.23 a 13,65) de acordo com o teste-t para amostras independentes (p = 0.03). A CL50 para larvas com 3 dias de vida foi de 10,44 µg.L-1 (8,03-13,57), apresentando-se similar ao resultado encontrado para larvas recém-eclodidas (p = 0.76). A mobilidade das larvas foi reduzida na presença deste pesticida.

Limnological and ecotoxicological studies in the cascade of reservoirs in the Tietê river (São Paulo, Brazil)

O presente trabalho visou avaliar a qualidade de amostras de água e sedimento dos reservatórios em cascata do rio Tietê (SP) através de análises limnológicas e ecotoxicológicas. Foram realizadas coletas de água e sedimento em dois períodos (fevereiro e julho de 2000) e em 15 estações de amostragem. Foram realizados bioensaios de toxicidade aguda para Daphnia similis, de toxicidade crônica para Ceriodaphnia dubia e para larvas pós-eclodidas de Danio rerio. Análises de nutrientes totais, material em suspensão total e cádmio, cromo, cobre e zinco foram realizadas para as amostras de água e análises de matéria orgânica, granulometria e metais biodisponíveis (cádmio, cromo, cobre e zinco) para o sedimento. Os resultados obtidos para as variáveis limnológicas, revelaram diferenças na qualidade da água, com elevado aporte de nutrientes e metais pelos rios Tietê e Piracicaba, além da incorporação, da sedimentação e da redução de materiais no reservatório de Barra Bonita, promovendo a melhoria da qualidade da água nos demais reservatórios. Os bioensaios revelaram toxicidade aguda para Daphnia similis somente nos reservatórios localizados à jusante da barragem de Barra Bonita, porém os bioensaios de toxicidade crônica com Ceriodaphnia dubia e com Danio rerio revelaram toxicidade decrescendo em magnitude de Barra Bonita à Três Irmãos, evidenciando um gradiente de degradação ambiental nos reservatórios.

Limnological and ecotoxicological studies in the cascade of reservoirs in the Tietê River (São Paulo, Brazil).

An evaluation was made of the quality of samples of water and sediment collected from a series of reservoirs in the Tietê River (SP), based on limnological and ecotoxicological analyses. The samples were collected during two periods (Feb and Jul 2000) from 15 sampling stations. Acute toxicity bioassays were performed using the test organism Daphnia similis, while chronic bioassays were carried out with Ceriodaphnia dubia and Danio rerio larvae. The water samples were analyzed for total nutrients, total suspended matter and total cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc concentrations, while the sediment samples were examined for organic matter, granulometry and potentially bioavailable metals (cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc). The results obtained for the limnological variable, revealed differences in the water quality, with high contribution of nutrients and metals for Tietê and Piracicaba rivers, besides the incorporation and sedimentation, consequently causing a reduction of materials in Barra Bonita reservoir, thus promoting the improvement of the water quality in the other reservoirs. The toxicity bioassays revealed acute toxicity for Daphnia similis only in the reservoirs located below Barra Bonita dam. On the other hand, chronic toxicity for Ceriodaphnia dubia and acute for Danio rerio showed a different pattern, decreasing in magnitude from Barra Bonita to Três Irmãos, demonstrating an environmental degradation gradient in the reservoirs.

Longitudinal processes in Salto Grande Reservoir (Americana, SP, Brazil) and its influence in the formation of compartment system.

Studies on the longitudinal processes in reservoirs, involving physical, chemical and biological processes have been thoroughly appraised, suggesting the existence of a longitudinal organization controlled by the entrance and circulation of water which inserts modifications in the structuring of the system. To evaluate this effect, the Salto Grande reservoir (Americana, SP) was analyzed in 11 sampling stations in its longitudinal axis, in the rainy and dry seasons of 1997 considering the physical chemical and biological variables. Analyzing the results in agreement with the declining concentration degree of the river-barrage direction, a more significant correlation was verified in the dry period for total phosphorus (r2 = 0.86), dissolved total phosphate (r2 = 0.83), nitrite (r2 = 0.93), inorganic phosphate (r2 = 0.89), ammonium (r2 = 0.84) and suspended material (r2 = 0.85). In the rainy period, only nitrite (r2 = 0.90) and conductivity (r2 = 0.89) presented correlation with the distance of the dam, which demonstrates the effects of precipitation and the operational mechanism of the dam, as well as the distinction among the physical (sedimentation), chemical (oxidation) and biological (decomposition) processes in spatial heterogeneity of the system. These factors were decisive in the organization of these communities, with higher occurrence of rotifers and copepods in relation to cladocerans, the first ones being more abundant in the entrance of the Atibaia river, decreasing towards the dam direction, while copepods presented an inverse pattern. A distribution pattern similar to Copepoda was also verified for the Cladocera, evidencing a tendency to increase the density of organisms in the stations distant to the entrance of the Atibaia river, not being registered, however, a distribution gradient in the longitudinal axis, as observed for rotifers and copepods. In relation to the trophic degree a longitudinal gradient was also verified from eutrophic to oligotrophic depending on the location of the sampling station in relation to the longitudinal axis and period of analysis. The differences obtained, relating to the distribution of the environmental variables, demonstrate a characteristic pattern for reservoirs, with a longitudinal gradient in the sense river-barrage that inserts changes in the physical and chemical composition of the water, contributing to the differentiated establishing of biological communities.

Longitudinal processes in Salto Grande reservoir (Americana, SP, Brazil) and its influence in the formation of compartment system

Studies on the longitudinal processes in reservoirs, involving physical, chemical and biological processes have been thoroughly appraised, suggesting the existence of a longitudinal organization controlled by the entrance and circulation of water which inserts modifications in the structuring of the system. To evaluate this effect, the Salto Grande reservoir (Americana, SP) was analyzed in 11 sampling stations in its longitudinal axis, in the rainy and dry seasons of 1997 considering the physical chemical and biological variables. Analyzing the results in agreement with the declining concentration degree of the river--barrage direction, a more significant correlation was verified in the dry period for total phosphorus (rý = 0.86), dissolved total phosphate (rý = 0.83), nitrite (rý = 0.93), inorganic phosphate (rý = 0.89), ammonium (rý = 0.84) and suspended material (rý = 0.85). In the rainy period, only nitrite (rý = 0.90) and conductivity (rý = 0.89) presented correlation with the distance of the dam, which demonstrates the effects of precipitation and the operational mechanism of the dam, as well as the distinction among the physical (sedimentation), chemical (oxidation) and biological (decomposition) processes in spatial heterogeneity of the system. These factors were decisive in the organization of these communities, with higher occurrence of rotifers and copepods in relation to cladocerans, the first ones being more abundant in the entrance of the Atibaia river, decreasing towards the dam direction, while copepods presented an inverse pattern. A distribution pattern similar to Copepoda was also verified for the Cladocera, evidencing a tendency to increase the density of organisms in the stations distant to the entrance of the Atibaia river, not being registered, however, a distribution gradient in the longitudinal axis, as observed for rotifers and copepods. In relation to the trophic degree a longitudinal gradient was also verified from eutrophic to oligotrophic depending on the location of the sampling station in relation to the longitudinal axis and period of analysis. The differences obtained, relating to the distribution of the environmental variables, demonstrate a characteristic pattern for reservoirs, with a longitudinal gradient in the sense river--barrage that inserts changes in the physical and chemical composition of the water, contributing to the differentiated establishing of biological communities