Aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, notably tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene [PCE]), are persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) and/or very persistent, mobile, and toxic (vPMT) groundwater pollutants, often exceeding safe drinking water thresholds. The present study delves into the groundwater risk assessment of PCE with a novel focus on the sensitivity of stygobitic species-organisms uniquely adapted to groundwater environments. Through a comparative analysis of the subchronic effects of PCE on the locomotion behavior of two copepod species, the stygobitic Moraria sp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGroundwater bodies are impacted by substances such as pesticides and N-fertilizers, which usually occur in the environment as complex mixtures rather than isolated pollutants. The threat that these mixtures pose to groundwater-dwelling organisms is still poorly understood. The aims of the present study were to test the acute effect of a binary mixture of a herbicide (Imazamox) and NH on epigean (Eucyclops serrulatus) and hypogean (Diacyclops belgicus) freshwater copepod species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe management and final disposal of industrial wastes are a matter of considerable human concern. The present study evaluates the cyto/genotoxic effects and changes of the coelomic cell formulas exerted by aqueous leachates and solid waste (SW) of two industrial residues using coelomocytes extruded from Eisenia fetida. The assayed wastes corresponded to industrial foundry and cosmetic activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) was used for the study of the genotoxic effects of insecticide Chlorpyrifos and fungicide Tebuconazole (commercial formulations) on two freshwater green algae species, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Nannocloris oculata, after 24 h of exposure. The percentage of DNA in tail of migrating nucleoids was taken as an endpoint of DNA impairment. Cell viability was measured by fluorometric detection of chlorophyll "a" in vivo and the determination of cell auto-fluorescence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAquatic environments located in areas cultivated with biotech soybean were studied. Water and sediment samples were analyzed for insecticides, acute toxicity, genotoxicity, detoxification biomarkers, and fish diversity. Samples were taken in the core area of soybean cultivation in Argentina; all measures were related to the distance between the crops and the streams sampled.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFQuantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) with aromatic hydrocarbons were obtained. Biological response was measured by acute toxicity of several aquatic trophic levels. The chemicals assayed were benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, isopropylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, and butylbenzene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe earthworm (Eisenia foetida) is an attractive sentinel species for detecting genotoxicity in soil. In this study, an improved single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was developed for detecting DNA damage in the coelomocytes (lymphocytes) of earthworms. Coelomocytes were obtained from the coelomic fluid using a modified extrusion medium that did not include the mucolytic agent guaiacol.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcotoxicol Environ Saf
October 2004
A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was determined, according to Hansch's approach. The acute toxicity of nine aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, isopropylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, butylbenzene) was evaluated in an Argentinean freshwater fish species. Solubility, molecular weight, and the octanol-water coefficient of partition (K(ow)) were taken as macroscopic molecular descriptors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF