Search

Aquatic organisms that inhabit coastal areas are often exposed to several contaminants. It is known that the bioaccumulation of contaminants can be amplified according to the species feeding habits and contaminant properties. As a consequence, species can experience different effects to contaminant exposure even if they inhabit the same area. The present study aimed to investigate the activities of carbonic anhydrase (CA), Ca2+-ATPase, and Mg2+-ATPase in different tissues (soft tissue, mantle, and gill) of three mollusk species (Lottia subrugosa, Stramonita brasiliensis, and Crassostrea brasiliana) with different feeding habits (herbivore, carnivore, and filter-feeder, respectively) which were sampled within a known contamination gradient at Santos Estuarine System (Southeastern Brazil). From the three enzymes tested, only CA was affected by the presence of contaminants within the contamination gradient evaluated. In general, the CA activity from the three species were lower in contaminated sites when compared to the reference site. The contrasting CA activity response observed in S. brasiliensis compared to L. subrugosa and C. brasiliana could be related to the tissue-specificity of this enzyme activity and species feeding habits (filter-feeders can accumulate more contaminants than herbivores and even carnivores). Results indicated that C. brasiliana mantle is the most suitable tissue for the use of CA analysis as a biomarker.

Hoplosternum littorale is an Amazon fish that lives in urban areas surrounded by polluted igarapes, where elevated copper concentrations eventually occur. The central goal of this study was to evaluate the associated effects of high temperature and copper contamination on survival time and biochemical responses of the Amazonian fish species H. littorale. We exposed fish to two nominal dissolved copper concentrations (50 and 500 µg l−1) and combined temperatures of 28 and 34°C. Our findings showed that the combination of these variables affects the survival time of this species. The activity of the biotransformation enzymes ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and glutathione-S-transferase showed no alterations in fish within all treatments. The increase of reactive oxygen species and the decrease in potential total antioxidant capacity promoted the imbalance in the antioxidant system. An induction in superoxide dismutase activity occurred in fish exposed to copper concentrations of 50 and 500 µg l−1 at both temperatures, suggesting liver impairments. Thus, we suggest that H. littorale is sensitive to copper, and this sensitivity is increased further with exposure to high temperatures, particularly in the survival time and reactive oxygen species formation of this fish species.

Given the reported degraded nature of DOC in the Rio Negro, and low oxygen, pH, and bacterial riverine levels, we hypothesized: (1) DOC would have strong humic and fulvic acid fluorescence signals with high aromaticity and large mean molecular weight; and (2) photo-oxidation rates would be slow, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations low, producing no oxidative stress in biota. We surveyed the environment and properties of DOC and explored DOC photo-oxidation and fish sensitivity to DOC products. DOC properties were investigated using absorption and fluorescence indices and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) of excitation–emission matrices. ROS concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically. A native fish, Hemigrammus levis, was exposed to photo-oxidizing DOC and its tissues (brain, gill, liver) assayed for changes in antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes. With respect to our hypotheses, (1) DOC was highly terrigenous, with high SAC340 values (aromaticity), high capacity to produce ROS, and high tryptophan-like fluorescence (bacterial, autochthonous signal); (2) photo-oxidation rates were appreciable, while products were related to mean UV-radiation levels (total radiation was constant). ROS levels were often higher than freshwater averages, yet fish experienced no oxidative stress. Results suggest photo-oxidation influences patterns in C-cycling, bacterial production and community dynamics between wet and dry seasons.

The condition factor and blood variables, including erythrocyte lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), in two ecologically distinct fish species (Astyanax fasciatus and Pimelodus maculatus) were evaluated at five sites in the Furnas Hydroelectric Power Station reservoir (Brazil) to assess water quality. Aldrin/dieldrin, endosulfan, heptachlor epoxide, and metolachlor were detected at different concentrations in four of the sites. Condition factor was not directly affected by such contaminants. A negative correlation between hematocrit and heptachlor was detected in P. maculatus. Positive correlations between red blood cells and heptachlor as well as an interactive effect of metolachlor and aldrin/dieldrin were detected in A. fasciatus. The erythrocytes of both species collected from the contaminated sites showed high levels of LPO, an increase in SOD and GPx activities and a decrease in CAT activity. Although the leukocyte number and the differential percentage of leukocytes varied among the sites, the hematological variables, the LPO levels, and the antioxidant enzyme activities could be used to assess water quality, regardless of the differences in the responses of the fish species.