The half-lives of biological activity of some pesticides in water

In the absence of analytical methods, the half-lives of biological activity of pesticides can be estimated by bioassays. To determine the half-lives of biological acivity of pesticides to fish, static bioassays were conducted in the laboratory with ten different formulations of pesticides using Labeo rohita as a bio-indicator. The half-lives of biological activity for ten different pesticides in soft water at pH 7.5 and 27°C, ranged from 4.6 days to 11.8 days. The half-life of biological activity of Sumithion 50% EC was only 4.6 days. In contrast, Dimecron 50% EC degraded very slowly and its half-life of biological activity on L. rohita was about 11.8 days. Sumithion 50% EC, Padan 50% SP, EPN 45% EC, Diazinon 40% EC and Diazinon 10 G degraded in less than five to seven days indicating that these pesticides are desirable for rice-fish culture. Contamination by pesticides with long-term residual toxicity in waters may eventually cause high levels of fish mortality.

Diferenças intra e interespecíficas na atividade da fosfatase alcalina em microalgas marinhas costeiras selecionadas

A incorporação de fósforo (P) foi avaliada através da técnica de marcador enzimático fluorescente a fim de determinar a atividade da fosfatase alcalina (PA) em dois clones de Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin), Ub3 e Ub7, isolados de Ubatuba (SP), em Tetraselmis aff. chui (Butcher) e Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) J. Schiller, isoladas da Baía de Guanabara (RJ) e na Comunidade Natural da Baía de Guanabara (RJ). A fosfatase alcalina (PA) é uma enzima extracelular associada à membrana que catalisa a hidrólise de compostos orgânicos de fósforo em resposta à limitação de fosfato. Sua análise, a partir do marcador ELF-97, proporciona uma avaliação individual e, portanto, determina as condições nutricionais de fósforo inorgânico em células fitoplanctônicas. Os clones de P. tricornutum apresentaram diferenças no desenvolvimento quando incubados no tratamento P-repleto. O clone Ub7 de P. tricornutum apresentou a maior atividade enzimática quando comparado às demais espécies testadas, em condições P-repletas. Enquanto P. minimum apresentou a maior atividade da fosfatase alcalina em condições P-limitadas. Entre as espécies T. aff. chui e P. minimum, a maior atividade enzimática ocorreu durante a fase estacionária de desenvolvimento, entretanto diferenças foram observadas somente nas menores concentrações de fosfato. P. tricornutum, T. aff. chui e P. minimum, ao longo dos experimentos, utilizaram duas estratégias para incorporação de fosfato, aumentando a atividade da fosfatase alcalina, assim como alterando o biovolume ou a máxima dimensão linear para manter a relação S/V estável. Em P. tricornutum os sítios da atividade enzimática ocorreram na membrana celular, em T. aff. chui encontrados intracelularmente, enquanto em P. minimum observados tanto nas membranas, quanto no interior das células. No experimento realizado com a comunidade natural, houve predomínio das diatomáceas entre todos os grupos e tratamentos; as espécies foram agrupadas nas estratégias adaptativas C e R e classificadas principalmente como R-estrategistas. Os dinoflagelados da Ordem Prorocentrales utilizaram a incorporação do fósforo orgânico como estratégia para obtenção de fósforo em condições limitantes. Entretanto, as diatomáceas apresentaram tal estratégia de forma mais variável. Quanto às prasinofíceas, embora Tetraselmis sp. tenha apresentado baixa atividade enzimática nos experimentos unialgais, as concentrações de fosfato ao longo do experimento não resultaram na utilização de P orgânico para o grupo. Os resultados destacaram as diferenças intra e interespecíficas na atividade da fosfatase alcalina, e, consequentemente, na incorporação de fósforo orgânico, uma vez que as espécies testadas regularam a atividade enzimática de acordo com as diferentes concentrações externas de fosfato.

Avaliação química e ecotoxicológica para seleção de bioensaios aquáticos sensíveis a efluentes contendo metais

A Resolução CONAMA N 430/2011 exige a utilização de dois bioensaios (dois níveis tróficos) para avaliação ecotoxicológica de efluentes, mas a seleção ao acaso de bioensaios pode permitir lançamentos tóxicos. A sensibilidade dos bioindicadores irá depender da substância tóxica avaliada. Assim, baterias de bioensaios sensíveis devem ser estabelecidas às classes de contaminantes. Na literatura não há estudos que indiquem uma bateria de bioensaios ecotoxicológicos sensíveis para avaliação de efluentes contendo principalmente metais. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo selecionar uma bateria de bioensaios ecotoxicológicos que conjuntamente detectem toxicidade ao maior número de metais isolados e em misturas e que sejam realizados no menor tempo indicado pelas normas de padronização. Foram avaliadas as sensibilidades de seis bioensaios, incluindo três níveis tróficos (produtores, algas: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata e Chlorella vulgaris; consumidores primários, cladóceros: Daphnia similis e Ceriodaphnia dubia; consumidores secundários, peixes: Poecilia reticulata e Danio rerio), a 10 espécies metálicas individuais (Ag+, Cd2+, Cu+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Cr6+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ e Hg2+) e a efluentes reais (siderúrgicos) e simulados em laboratoriais (baseado nos limites máximos permitidos para descarte). Os bioensaios com peixes foram os menos sensíveis, D. rerio não detectou toxicidade em nenhum dos efluentes testados. P. subcapitata foi um bom bioindicador de toxicidade de Cr3+ e D. similis foi o organismo mais sensível a Hg2+. O uso combinado do bioensaio crônico de 72h com C. vulgaris e do bioensaio agudo de 48h com C. dubia garantiu a detecção das menores concentrações dos metais tanto individualmente quanto em efluentes reais e simulados. Apesar de P. subcapitata ser um bom bioindicador da toxicidade de Cr3+, a interação dos metais em misturas tornou C. vulgaris igualmente sensível. Da mesma forma, apesar de D. similis ter sido mais sensível ao Hg2+, o efeito da toxicidade dos efluentes com maiores teores de Hg2+ foi detectado por C. dubia

An assessment of chemical contaminants, toxicity and benthic infauna in sediments from the St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER)

This report contains a chemical and biological characterization of sediments from the St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER) in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). The STEER Management Plan (published in 2011) identified chemical contaminants and habitat loss as high or very high threats and called for a characterization of chemical contaminants as well as an assessment of their effects on natural resources. The baseline information contained in this report on chemical contaminants, toxicity and benthic infaunal community composition can be used to assess current conditions, as well as the efficacy of future restoration activities. In this phase of the project, 185 chemical contaminants, including a number of organic (e.g., hydrocarbons and pesticides) and inorganic (e.g., metals) compounds, were analyzed from 24 sites in the STEER. Sediments were also analyzed using a series of toxicity bioassays, including amphipod mortality, sea urchin fertilization impairment, and the cytochrome P450 Human Reporter Gene System (HRGS), along with a characterization of the benthic infaunal community. Higher levels of chemical contaminants were found in Mangrove Lagoon and Benner Bay in the western portion of the study area than in the eastern area. The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), chlordane, zinc, copper, lead and mercury were above a NOAA sediment quality guideline at one or more sites, indicating impacts may be present in more sensitive species or life stages in the benthic environment. Copper at one site in Benner Bay, however, was above a NOAA guideline indicating that effects on benthic organisms were likely. The antifoulant boat hull ingredient tributyltin, or TBT, was found at the third highest concentration in the history of NOAA’s National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program, which monitors the Nation’s coastal and estuarine waters for chemical contaminants and bioeffects. Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any established sediment quality guidelines for TBT. Results of the bioassays indicated significant sediment toxicity in Mangrove Lagoon and Benner Bay using multiple tests. The benthic infaunal communities in Mangrove Lagoon and Benner Bay appeared severely diminished.

Sediment quality triad assessment in Kachemak Bay: characterization of soft bottom benthic habitats and contaminant bioeffects assessment condensed. A NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Special Report

A baseline environmental characterization of the inner Kachemak Bay, Alaska was conducted using standardized National Status and Trends Bioeffects Program methods. Three sites near the village of Port Graham were also sampled for comparison. Concentrations of over 120 organic and metallic contaminants were analyzed. Ambient toxicity was assessed using two bioassays. A detailed benthic community condition assessment was performed. Habitat parameters (e.g. depth, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, sediment grain size, and organic carbon content) that influence species and contaminant distribution were also measured at each sampling site. The following is the synopsis of findings • Sediments were mostly mixed silt and sand with pockets of muddy zones. Organic compounds (PAHs, DDTs, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides) were detected throughout the bay but at relatively low concentrations. With some exceptions, metals concentrations were relatively low and probably reflect the input of glacial runoff. • Homer Harbor had elevated concentrations of metallic and organic contaminants. Concentrations of organic contaminants measured were five to ten times higher in the harbor sites than in the open bay sites. Tributyltin was elevated in Homer Harbor relative to the other areas. • There was no evidence of residual PAHs attributable to oil spills, outside of local input in the confines of the harbor. • The benthic community is very diverse. Specific community assemblages were distributed based on depth and water clarity. Species richness and diversity was lower in the eastern end of the bay in the vicinity of the Fox River input. Abundance was also generally lower in the eastern portion of the study area, and in the intertidal areas near Homer. The eastern portions of the bay are stressed by the sediment load from glacial meltwater. • Significant toxicity was virtually absent. • The benthic fauna at Port Graham contained a significant number of species not found in Kachemak Bay. • Selected metal concentrations were elevated at Port Graham relative to Kachemak Bay, probably due to local geology. Organic contaminants were elevated at a site south of the village.

Sediment Quality Triad assessment in Kachemak Bay: characterization of soft bottom benthic habitats and contaminant bioeffects assessment

A baseline environmental characterization of the inner Kachemak Bay, Alaska was conducted using the sediment quality triad approach based on sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, and benthic invertebrate community structure. The study area was subdivided into 5 strata based on geophysical and hydrodynamic patterns in the bay (eastern and western intertidal mud flats, eastern and western subtidal, and Homer Harbor). Three to seven locations were synoptically sampled within each stratum using a stratified random statistical design approach. Three sites near the village of Port Graham and two sites in the footprint of a proposed Homer Harbor expansion were also collected for comparison. Concentrations of over 120 organic and metallic contaminants were analyzed. Ambient toxicity was assessed using two amphipod bioassays. A detailed benthic community condition assessment was performed. Habitat parameters (depth, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, sediment grain size, and organic carbon content) that influence species and contaminant distribution were also measured at each sampling site. Sediments were mostly mixed silt and sand; characteristic of high energy habitats, with pockets of muddy zones. Organic compounds (PAHs, DDTs, PCBs, cyclodienes, cyclohexanes) were detected throughout the bay but at relatively low concentrations. Tributyltin was elevated in Homer Harbor relative to the other strata. With a few exceptions, metals concentrations were relatively low and probably reflect the input of glacial runoff. Relative to other sites, Homer Harbor sites were shown to have elevated concentrations of metallic and organic contaminants. The Homer Harbor stratum however, is a deep, low energy depositional environment with fine grained sediment. Concentrations of organic contaminants measured were five to ten times higher in the harbor sites than in the open bay sites. Concentration of PAHs is of a particular interest because of the legacy of oil spills in the region. There was no evidence of residual PAHs attributable to oil spills, outside of local input, beyond the confines of the harbor. Concentrations were one to ten times below NOAA sediment quality guidelines. Selected metal concentrations were found to be relatively elevated compared to other data collected in the region. However, levels are still very low in the scale of NOAA’s sediment quality guidelines, and therefore appear to pose little or no ecotoxicity threat to biota. Infaunal assessment showed a diverse assemblage with more than 240 taxa recorded and abundances greater than 3,000 animals m-22 in all but a few locations. Annelid worms, crustaceans, snails, and clams were the dominant taxa accounting for 63 %, 19%, 5%, and 7 % respectively of total individuals. Specific benthic community assemblages were identified that were distributed based on depth and water clarity. Species richness and diversity was lower in the eastern end of the bay in the vicinity of the Fox River input. Abundance was also generally lower in the eastern portion of the study area, and in the intertidal areas near Homer. The eastern portions of the bay are stressed by the sediment load from glacial meltwater. Significant toxicity was virtually absent. Conditions at the sites immediately outside the existing Homer Harbor facility did not differ significantly from other subtidal locations in the open Kachemak Bay. The benthic fauna at Port Graham contained a significant number of species not found in Kachemak Bay. Contaminant conditions were variable depending on specific location. Selected metal concentrations were elevated at Port Graham and some were lower relative to Kachemak Bay, probably due to local geology. Some organic contaminants were accumulating at a depositional site.

Toxicity of heavy metals to brine shrimp Artemia

Bioassay were carried out on 48h cultured nauplii of brine shrimp Artemia by exposing them to seven trace elements viz. copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). Synergistic effects of all these elements and additive effects of Cu and Zn, Cd and Pb, and Ni and Fe were also investigated. Comparatively, the degree of toxicity for compound bioassays was higher than individual simple tests. The values were averaged and the expected median lethal concentration [LC sub(50)] of tested heavy metals was obtained by probit analysis on the basis of cumulative numbers of dead organisms after 24 and 48h. The order of toxicity of the metals to Artemia was Pb>Cd>Cu>Ni>Zn>Fe>Mn. Potency ratios of the seven metals were also calculated. The 24 and 48h variations obtained in LC sub(50) values were significantly different and relative implications of these are discussed.

Toxicity of four therapeutic compounds to fry of Indian major carps

Toxicity of four therapeutic compounds: sodium chloride, potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate and acriflavine to fry of Catla calla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala was tested. Bioassays were conducted in 5 and 10 liters glass jars in the laboratory for periods of 24-48 hrs. at temperatures of 26° and 32°C. LC 50 values of the chemicals were in the ranges of 5500 to 7500 ppm, 37.5 to 48 ppm, 92.5 to 125 ppm and 47.5 to 80 ppm respectively. The results obtained are of value in evolving cheap control methods against some common fish diseases. Sodium chloride and acriflavine can be widely used for chemotherapy and potassium dichromate is preferable to potassium permanganate for prophylaxis.

Toxicity of malathion to silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus Bleeker) fingerlings

Static bioassays were performed to observe the toxic effect of malathion to Barbodes gonionotus at 0.0 to 20.0 ppm concentrations. Malathion at 5.0 ppm was harmless to B. gonionotus and concentrations above 6.0 ppm were found to be lethal. Malathion at 2.06 ppm was safe for the B. gonionotus.

Pesticide induced physiological and behavioural changes in an estuarine teleost Therapon jarbua (Forsk)

Static bioassays were conducted with pesticides like PP'-DDT, Dimethoate (Rogor) and Carbaryl (Sevin) to determine the median lethal concentrations (LC sub(50)) on an estuarine teleost Therapon jarbua (Forsk). The respiration rates of fishes exposed to pesticides, as well as those of controls were determined. Respiration abnormalities were noticed in treated fishes. The metabolic rates are generally higher in treated fishes than in the controls. The behaviour of fishes exposed to LC sub(25) (96h) concentrations of pesticides is discussed. Estuarine fishes appear to be more sensitive and susceptible to pesticides than fresh water fishes. The pesticides affect the locomotory and swimming behaviour of fishes. Loss in weight of fishes exposed to LC sub(50) (96 h) concentration of pesticides was also estimated. The present report gives a comprehensive account of the toxic nature of these pesticides to fishes.

Determination of acute mercury toxicity to developing stages of Cyprinus carpio and Cirrhinus mrigala

Toxicity of inorganic mercury to different life history stages of fresh water fishes, Cyprinus carpio and Cirrhinus mrigala were demonstrated by static bioassays. 48 and 94% of egg hatching occurred in controls at 72 and 24h of experimentation in C. carpio and C. mrigala respectively. While fish eggs in water containing mercuric chloride showed delayed development as compared to the control. LC50, LC100 and safe concentrations of hatchling, fry and fingerling were calculated. Hatchling and fry were observed to be more susceptible as compared to fingerlings of C. carpio and C. mrigala.

Use of aspirator for aeration in fish culture

A description is given of the use of an aspirator in fish culture and hatchery water management in order to solve the problem of dissolved oxygen depletion. Trials show that a single aspirator can be used efficiently when using 1,000 litres of water for bioassays, breeding experiments, or hatchery management work with continuous flow or recirculating systems.

Acute toxicity of unionized ammonia to milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) fry

The study was conducted to determine the effects of varying concentrations of ammonia to milkfish fry. Two runs of static 96h bioassays were conducted to determine the median lethal concentration (LC 50) of unionized ammonia (NH₃) to milkfish fry. Test concentrations were based on exploratory 24h and 48h bioassays and were made in three replicates. Reagent grade ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) was used to adjust the level of unionized ammonia. The 96h median lethal concentration, determined by the Reed Muench method was calculated at 28.029 ppm NH₃ 29.69 ppm. Even at high concentrations of unionized ammonia, most of the fry mortality occurred after 48 to 96 hours exposure. Severe gill damage occurs only at concentrations above 20 ppm, especially above the LC 50. The high LC 50 value obtain shows that milkfish fry has great tolerance to ammonia, that even fry with severely-damaged gills can still recover days after it is returned to favorable culture condition. The result suggest that observed mortalities of milkfish fry under culture conditions are not due to ammonia toxicity.

The comparison of inhibitory effects of barley and rice straws to control of algae and aquatic weeds in fish ponds

Bioassays were carried out to consider the relative effect of barley and rice straw extracts on the growth of 12 problematic freshwater algae. The laboratory results demonstrated that growth of Microcystis aeruginosa; Aphanizomenon flos–aquae, Anabaena flos–aquae, Synura petersenii, and Dinobryon sertularia were all inhibited, whereas Oscillatoria tenuis, Asterionella formosa, Spirogyra sp., and Hydrodictyon reticulatum grown were stimulated by the barley straw extract. No significant effect was also found on the growth of Chlorella kessleri, Scenedesmus subspicatus, and Navicula pelliculosa.

ALGAL GROWTH POTENTIAL AND NUTRIENT LIMITATION IN SPRING IN THREE-GORGES RESERVOIR, CHINA

In China, especially in Three-Gorges Reservoir, our knowledge of the algal growth potential and nutrient limitation was still limited. In the spring of 2006, the water column ratios of total nitrogen/total phosphorus were investigated and algal bioassays performed to determine algal growth potential of waters and nutrient limitation of mainstream and Xiangxi Bay of Three-Gorges Reservoir. The results showed sampling sites in mainstream were co-limited by N and P or P-limited alone, and sites in Xiangxi Bay were N-limited alone. Fe likely played an important role in determining the appearance and disappearance of algal blooms of Three-Gorges Reservoir. Native algae, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Cyclotella meneghiniana, had high growth potential in Three-Gorges Reservoir.