Effects of sugarcane cultivation on aquatic macroinvertebrate community structure: a historical comparative case study in São Paulo State.

Over two decades, the area with sugarcane has more than doubled, from 4.8 million hectares in 2000 to 10 million in 2018, in Brazil. São Paulo State is mostly responsible for the sugarcane production in the country, accounting for 51% of the national production.

Anaerobic treatment removing tetrabromobisphenol A and biota safety: How do tropical aquatic species respond to effluent toxicity over short- and long-term exposures?

Wastewater containing tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a commonly used flame retardant found in wastewater, can present significant toxic effects on biota, yet its impact on tropical freshwater environments is not well understood. This study explores the effectiveness of two independent anaerobic treatment systems, the acidogenic reactor (AR) and the methanogenic reactor (MR), for the ecotoxicity reduction of TBBPA-rich wastewater in four tropical freshwater species. Despite presenting good physicochemical performance and reduced toxicity of the influent for most species, AR and MR treatments remain acute and chronic toxicity.

Pristina longiseta reproduction test: chronic exposure to environmental contaminants.

Aquatic worms are considered a suitable group to evaluate the effects of contaminants on the environment, although one of the main challenges is to use the species of local occurrence. Recently, Pristina longiseta was suggested to be used in acute bioassays. In this context, this study aimed to establish a chronic exposure for ecotoxicological bioassays using the cosmopolitan species of occurrence in Brazilian freshwater P.

Effects of pyrimethanil fungicide on Chironomidae community structure.

The use of agrochemicals in agriculture may impact aquatic ecosystems, particularly influencing the stream insect communities. Among aquatic insects, the family Chironomidae is the most abundant and species-diverse insect group found in freshwater ecosystems. However, in the southern hemisphere, studies with Chironomidae are still sparse, compared to Europe and North America.

Update on the use of Pristina longiseta Ehrenberg, 1828 (Oligochaeta: Naididae) as a toxicity test organism.

Ecotoxicological bioassays have been widely applied to evaluate the toxicity of substances in standardized test organisms. Nevertheless, the main challenge for researchers is the use of native species to express the effects of pollutants on aquatic biota. Thirty years ago, Smith and collaborators evaluate the possible use of Pristina longiseta (as Pristina leidyi) in acute toxicity test, developing some experiments using cadmium and vanadium as toxicants.

Dynamics of (total and methyl) mercury in sediment, fish, and crocodiles in an Amazonian Lake and risk assessment of fish consumption to the local population.

Increasing concerns have been raised about the toxicity of mercury (Hg) to humans, especially for those that consume a great amount of fish. High Hg concentrations have previously been measured in Amazonian waterbodies, both resulting from natural and anthropogenic sources. However, few studies have been conducted so far in Amazonian lakes that are fished by local populations.

Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera, Chironomidae) as a Sensitive Test Species: Can We Rely on Its Use After Repeated Generations, Under Laboratory Conditions?

In ecotoxicological assays, previously selected and standardized organism tests are exposed to an environmental sample. Some species of the Chironomus genus have been extensively used in ecotoxicological assays. Among these, Chironomus tentans is usually utilized in the USA and Chironomus sancticaroli in Brazil.

Environmental diagnosis of metals in streams near sugarcane cultivation areas: current and historical analysis in the central region of the State of São Paulo.

In Brazil, innumerable regions of native landcover have been removed and replaced by agricultural cultivation, especially of sugarcane. In this culture, the application of fertilizers containing metals has caused impacts on the water resources causing contamination of stream sediments and occasioning bioaccumulation of metals in aquatic invertebrates. In the year of 2006, an environmental diagnosis of metals in sediments of streams located near sugarcane cultivation areas and in streams located in preserved areas, was published.