Uma das formas de se quantificar os possíveis efeitos de metais sobre o estado de saúde de organismo é analisar os biomarcadores do estresse oxidativo. Bioensaios foram realizados com a tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) com concentrações de cádmio (4,25 \'mü\'g/L), cobre (45,0 \'mü\'g/L ) e zinco (260,0 \'mü\'g/L). Os peixes foram expostos aos metais separados (\'CD\', \'CU\' e \'ZN\'), associados dois a dois (\'CD\'/\'CU\', \'CD\'/\'ZN\' e \'CU\'/\'ZN\') e aos três metais juntos (\'CD\'/\'CU\'/\'ZN\'), por doze dias. Foram retiradas amostras de rim, fígado e brânquias para análise de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo, a superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e glutationa peroxidase (GPx), o efeito da peroxidação de lipídios (HP), a glutationa S-transferase (GST) e a metalotionéina (MT). Pelos reusltados obtidos constatou-se que, mesmo nas baixas concentrações de exposição aos metais, ocorreram alterações no sitema de defesa antioxidante de O. niloticus. A primeira barreira antioxidante, composta pela SOD, não foi suficiente para barrar os efeitos da exposição aos metais. Em brânquias, onde a ativação desta enzima foi proeminente, formação de HP ocorreu. E, mesmo inicialmente em rim e fígado, tecidos onde ocorreu diminuição da atividade da SOD, ocorreu também a formaçao de HP nas etapas seguintes. A CAT e a GPx também atuaram no sentido de tentar evitar o aparecimento de HP, mas não foram bem sucedidas neste processo. A GST, como enzima da fase II de biotransformação pode ter auxiliado no processo de eliminação dos metais, mas como ocorre de forma tardia em relação à defesa antioxidante, acarretando danos celulares. Em relação às enzimas que compõem o sistema de defesa antioxidante não se verificou também especificidade de tecidos nas respostas. No entanto, a brânquia foi o órgão que teve maior intensidade nas respostas (em termos de ativação das enzimas), nos tratamentos de metais combinados dois a dois, evidenciando que este órgão, por estar em contato com a água e ser sede de processos fisiológicos de homeostase, desempenhou papel importante na tentativa de neutralizar os efeitos dos metais. / One way of quantifying metals effects upon organisms\' health state is to analyse oxidative stress biomarkers. Bioassays were conducted with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with cadmium (4,25 \'mü\'g/L), copper (45,0 \'mü\'g/L ) and zinc (260,0 \'mü\'g/L). Fishes were exposed to metals separatelly (\'CD\', \'CU\' e \'ZN\'), associated two by two (\'CD\'/\'CU\', \'CD\'/\'ZN\' e \'CU\'/\'ZN\') and to three metals together (\'CD\'/\'CU\'/\'ZN\'), for twelve days. Gills, liver and kidney samples were taken to analyse oxidative stress biomarkers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), the effect of lipid peroxidation (HP), an enzyme of phase II biotransformation, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and metallothionein (MT). From results obtained, it was stablished that, even in low concentrations of metals, O. niloticus antioxidant defense system was modified. The first antioxidant barrier, SOD, wasn\'t able to minimize metal exposition effects. In gills, where activaton of this enzyme was prominent, didn\'t avoi HP formation. And even in liver and kidney, tissues where SOD activity decreased, HP formation also occurred. CAT and GPx also acted trying to avoid HP formation, but weren\'t successfull. GST, like a phase I enzyme, could help eliminating metals, but in a late moment in relation to antioxidant defense, leading to cell damage. For antioxidant enzymes no relation to tissue-specificity response was observed. But gills were the organ which had more intense responses (in terms of enzyme activation), mainly in metals combined two by two, evidencing that gills are important like a first organ in antioxidant defense because it is in direct contact with water and determine the main processes in homeostasis, trying to neutralize metals effects.

As estações de tratamento de água (ETA) operam mundialmente com o intuito de tratar e disponibilizar água potável a população, a partir das águas brutas dos mananciais. Durante as fases do tratamento da água é gerada uma grande quantidade de lodo, em torno de 1 a 3% do total de água tratada pela ETA, o que pode representar uma tonelada diária de lodo gerado. Esse resíduo vem sendo descartado nos mesmos mananciais da captação das águas, porém com as novas legislações ambientais, visando à proteção e a preservação dos recursos hídricos, pesquisas estão sendo desenvolvidos com o intuito de encontrar uma alternativa para o descarte desse resíduo. O presente estudo tem como objetivo principal avaliar e relacionar a ecotoxicidade do lodo da ETA, com as características físicas e químicas dos mesmos. As quantificações dos elementos químicos presentes: nas amostras de água e nos filtros, quando foram realizadas as filtrações das águas foram realizadas pelas técnicas de fluorescência de raios X dispersiva em energia por reflexão total (TXRF), para as amostras líquidas e por fluorescência de raios X dispersiva em energia (EDXRF) para as amostras sólidas. As determinações dos elementos químicos presentes nas amostras de lodo foram realizadas por espectrometria de massa com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP MS) e por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES). Os testes ecotoxicológicos foram realizados com as espécies Hydra attenuata, Daphnia similis, Danio rerio, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Chironomus xanthus, Folsomia candida e Zea mays. Além das exposições para avaliação da mortalidade e da inibição do crescimento, também foram realizados testes crônicos de reprodução com as D. similis e F. candida. Os testes de toxicidade mostraram que as amostras de elutriato e principalmente as amostras do lodo filtrado foram altamente tóxicas aos organismos aquáticos e terrestres. As amostras do floculador apresentaram menor qualidade ambiental, com menores concentrações de OD, maior condutividade elétrica e concentrações de elementos químicos mais elevados. As análises de redundância (RDA), realizadas com as plântulas de Z. mays irrigadas com o elutriato, indicaram alta correlação negativa com os elementos químicos quantificados nas raízes. Entretanto a incorporação do lodo ao substrato foi benéfica, incentivando o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plântulas. Concluiu-se que a incorporação ao solo, pode ser uma alternativa de destino do lodo da ETA / The water treatment plants (WTP) operate worldwide in order to treat and deliver drinking water to the population, from the untreated waters of the springs. During the water treatment stage is generated a large amount of sludge, about 1 to 3% of total treated water, which thus can arrive at a daily ton of sludge generated by the ETA. This waste is being disposed of in the same watershed catchment of water, but with the new laws aimed at environmental protection and preservation of water resources, research is being developed in order to find an alternative for the disposal of this waste. This study aims to evaluate and relate the ecotoxicity of sludge from ETA, with the physical and chemical characteristics of the same. The quantification of chemical elements: the water samples and filters when filtrations were performed water were conducted by the techniques of fluorescence energy dispersive X-ray total reflection (TXRF) for the liquid samples and ray fluorescence energy dispersive X (EDXRF) for solid samples. The determinations of chemical elements in samples of sludge were performed by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP MS) and optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES). The ecotoxicological tests were performed with the species Hydra attenuata, Daphnia similis, Danio rerio, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Chironomus xanthus, Folsomia candida and Zea mays. In addition exposures to assess mortality and growth inhibition tests were also performed with chronic reproduction D. similis and F. candida. Toxicity tests showed that samples of elutriate and mostly filtered sludge samples were highly toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. However for Z. mays incorporate the sludge was beneficial to the substrate, promoting inclusive growth and seedling development, concluding that the incorporation into the soil can be an alternative destination sludge ETA

A toxicidade da formulação comercial contendo o praguicida piretróide deltametrina foi testada nas espécies de peixe Danio rerio, Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus, Geophagus brasiliensis e Oreochromis niloticus por meio de testes de toxicidade aguda, avaliação de alterações comportamentais e análises anatomopatológicas do fígado e das brânquias. A espécie D. rerio apresentou CL50;48h igual a 0,078µg L-1, a espécie H. bifasciatus apresentou CL50;48h igual a 0,082µg L-1, a espécie G. brasiliensis apresentou CL50;48h igual a 0,594µg L-1 e O. niloticus apresentou CL50;48h igual a 0,954µg L-1. As análises de comportamento realizadas com as espécies D. rerio e H. bifasciatus mostrou ser a segunda mais sensível ao praguicida, revelando alterações significativas nas menores doses de exposição. As análises anatomopatológicas realizadas com a espécie G. brasiliensis quando exposta à concentrações subagudas do praguicida mostrou vacuolização e degeneração nuclear hepática e nas brânquias a ocorrência de hiperplasia lamelar e fusão nas lamelas secundárias que aumentaram em função da concentração do praguicida e do tempo de exposição. Os resultados demonstraram elevada toxicidade do praguicida para todas as espécies testadas. / The toxicity of the commercial formulation containing the pesticide pirethroid deltamethrin was tested in the species of fish Danio rerio, Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus, Geophagus brasiliensis and Oreochromis niloticus through tests of acute toxicity, evaluation of behavioral alterations and anatomopathological analysis of the liver and of the gills. The species D. rerio presented LC50;48h equals to 0,078µg L-1, the species H. bifasciatus presented LC50;48h equals to 0,082µg L-1, the species G. brasiliensis presented LC50;48h equals to 0,594µg L- 1 and O. niloticus presented LC50;48h equals to 0,954µg L-1. The analysis of behavior accomplished with the species D. rerio and H. bifasciatus showed that the second one was more sensitive to the pesticide, and revealed significant alterations in the exhibition of fewer doses. The anatomopathological analysis accomplished with the species G. brasiliensis, when exposed to underacute concentrations of the pesticide, showed vacuolization and hepatical nuclear degeneration and the occurrence of lamellar hyperplasia in the gills plus fusion in the secondary lamellas which were increased due to the concentration of the pesticide and of the time of exposition. The results demonstrated high toxicity of the pesticide for all of the tested species.

A exploração de ácaros predadores no manejo de ácaros fitófagos em sistemas de produção agrícola pode ser prejudicada pelo uso de agrotóxicos para o controle de outras pragas e doenças. O uso de produtos compatíveis com os ácaros predadores ou de linhagens de ácaros predadores resistentes a agrotóxicos pode favorecer a conservação desses inimigos naturais. Uma outra estratégia a ser explorada pode ser a liberação isolada ou combinada de ácaros predadores com hábitos alimentares e comportamentais distintos. Dentro desse contexto, o presente trabalho foi desenvolvido para coletar subsídios para a integração das estratégias de controle químico e biológico para a conservação e liberação dos ácaros predadores Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) e Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) em programas de manejo do ácaro rajado Tetranychus urticae Koch em sistemas de produção agrícola, tais como cultivos protegidos de plantas ornamentais e hortaliças. Inicialmente a compatibilidade de alguns acaricida-inseticidas, inseticidas e fungicidas com N. californicus e P. macropilis foi avaliada nas concentrações recomendadas para cultivos protegidos de plantas ornamentais e hortaliças. Foram realizados estudos para verificar o efeito desses agrotóxicos sobre a mortalidade de imaturos e adultos e a taxa instantânea de crescimento (ri) de cada espécie. Foram realizadas a caracterização da linhabásica de suscetibilidade dos estágios imaturo e adulto de N. californicus e P. macropilis a deltametrina. Posteriormente, foi efetuado um monitoramento da suscetibilidade a esse inseticida em populações de P. macropilis coletadas em condições de campo. Além do efeito letal dos neonicotinóides acetamiprido, imidacloprido e tiametoxam sobre N. californicus e P. macropilis, estudos envolvendo a resposta funcional desses predadores sobre ovos tratados de T. urticae também foram avaliados. A toxicidade diferencial de abamectina e espiromesifeno foi avaliada para os ácaros predadores e T. urticae. E por fim, a viabilidade das liberações isolada e combinada de N. californicus e P. macropilis foi testada em condições de laboratório e casa de vegetação. Dentre os grupos de agrotóxicos testados, os fungicidas causaram menor impacto sobre os ácaros predadores. A compatibilidade de agrotóxicos testados foi maior com N. californicus do que com P. macropilis. Os estágios imaturo e adulto de N. californicus foram aproximadamente 3.600 e 3.000 vezes mais tolerantes a deltametrina do que os estágios de P. macropilis. No entanto, alta variabilidade na suscetibilidade a esse inseticida foi detectada entre as populações de P. macropilis, com razões de resistência de até 3.500 vezes. Apesar de os neonicotinóides terem apresentado baixa toxicidade e pouco efeito na taxa intrínseca de crescimento de N. californicus e P. macropilis, verificou-se que esses inseticidas podem afetar a resposta funcional desses ácaros predadores sobre ovos de T. urticae contaminados. Abamectina e espiromesifeno foram altamente tóxicos sobre de T. urticae . A toxicidade de abamectina foi também elevada sobre as duas espécies de ácaros predadores; porém, espiromesifeno foi compatível com N. californicus. As liberações combinadas de N. californicus e P. macropilis foram eficientes quando comparadas a liberações isoladas, somente em situações com alta relação predador:presa (igual ou superior a 1:20). / The exploitation of predaceous mites to manage phytophagous mites in agricultural production systems can be affected by the use of pesticides for controlling other pests and diseases. The use of pesticides that are compatible with predaceous mites or pesticide-resistant strains can promote the conservation of these natural enemies. Another strategy to be exploited can be the release of single or combined species of predaceous mites with distinct feeding habitat and behavior. Within this context, this research was conducted in order to collect data to integrate the chemical and biological control strategies to preserving and releasing the predaceous mites Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) for managing twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch in agricultural production systems, such as ornamental plants and vegetable crops. Initially, studies were conducted to select pesticides that are compatible with N. californicus and P. macropilis as well as to evaluate the feasibility of combined releases of predaceous mites for managing T. urticae. The compatibility of some acaricide-insecticides, fungicides and insecticides with N. californicus and P. macropilis was evaluated at recommended rates for ornamental and vegetable crops. The effect of these pesticides on mortality of immature and adult stages and on the instantaneous growth rate (ri) of both species was evaluated. The baseline susceptibility to deltamethrin was characterized for immature and adult stages of N. californicus and P. macropilis. Then, monitoring the susceptibility to deltamethrin was conducted in field populations of P. macropilis. Besides the lethal effect of the neonicotinoids acetamiprid, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam on N. californicus and P. macropilis, functional responses of both mites on treated T. urticae eggs were also evaluated. The differential toxicity of abamectin and spiromesifen was evaluated to both predaceous mites and T. urticae. And finally, the feasibility of single or combined releases of N. californicus and P. macropilis was evaluated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Among the group of pesticides tested, the fungicides caused the least impact on predaceous mites. Higher compatibility of tested pesticides was observed with N. californicus than with P. macropilis. The immature and adult stages of N. californicus were approximately 3,600 and 3,000-fold more tolerant to deltamethrin than those of P. macropilis. However, high variability in the susceptibility to this insecticide was detected among P. macropilis populations, with resistance ratios of up to 3,500-fold. Although neonicotinoids showed low toxicity and little effect on instantaneous growth rate of N. californicus and P. macropilis, these insecticides can affect the functional response of these predaceous mites on treated T. urticae eggs. Abamectin and spiromesifen were highly toxic to T. urticae. High toxicity of abamectin was also detected to both species of predaceous mites; however, spiromesifen was compatible with N. californicus. Combined releases of N. californicus and P. macropilis were more effective than single species releases, only in situations with high predator:prey ratios (equal or greater than 1:20).

Bumble bees and other wild pollinators are crucial to the support of both natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, unprecedented declines of pollinator populations have been observed all over the world, raising concerns of a looming threat to both the human food supply, as well as sustainability of the biodiversity in local ecological niches. Though declines are well described, the cause behind these still evades scientists. Proposed contributors include anthropogenic-mediated environmental stress, including application of xenobiotics for pest control, and increase of pathogen diversity and abundance due to the shipment of infection human-managed colonies. This research examined these theories and attempted to quantify the threats they may pose. Through development of a chronic, oral toxicity experiment, susceptibility of all Bombus impatiens castes to clothianidin exposure was examined. This exposed a substantial increase in vulnerability of male bumble bees to realistic concentrations of neonicotinoid pesticides, highlighting the crucial need to examine all members of wild bumble bee life cycles before determining pesticide regulations. Additionally, sublethal effects on fitness-related foraging behaviors in Bombus impatiens were examined through development of a voluntary task switching assay. The results of this experiment suggest humoral immune stimulation, through pathogenic infection, leads to significant impairment of cognitive flexibility. Taken together, this data suggests that pesticides and pathogens are capable of causing severe detrimental effects, both lethally and sublethally, in wild bumble bees. I hope this data will eventually contribute to reassessment of environmental regulations and establishment of effective conservation strategies in order to sustain the critical populations of wild bumble bees.

A cause d’une anthropisation toujours plus forte des écosystèmes, de plus en plus de menaces pèsent sur la biodiversité. Parmi celles-ci, l’exposition aux contaminants est particulièrement problématique pour les organismes vivants. Emis et utilisés dans les pays industrialisés, ces contaminants hautement persistants dans l’environnement vont gagner les régions polaires puis se bio-accumuler dans les organismes vivants au cours du temps et se bio-amplifier le long du réseau trophique. Ainsi, les oiseaux marins, longévifs et situés dans les maillons supérieurs de la chaine alimentaire, sont particulièrement exposés et vulnérables à une exposition chronique à ces contaminants. A travers une perturbation endocrinienne, ces contaminants vont pouvoir impacter certains mécanismes physiologiques et traits comportementaux, entrainant in fine des conséquences à long-terme sur la fitness des individus et populations. Ma thèse s’articule autour de trois grandes familles de contaminants : i) les composés perfluoroalkylés (PFASs), encore largement utilisés dans plusieurs secteurs industriels et agricoles et en augmentation dans l’environnement ; (ii) les composés organochlorés dits « d’héritage » (OCs), interdits depuis des années mais entrainants toujours des effets délétères sur la biodiversité et (iii) le mercure (Hg), métal lourd non-essentiel ayant une origine à la fois anthropique et naturelle. Basé sur une approche corrélative in natura, je me suis intéressé aux conséquences physiologiques et comportementales d’une exposition chronique à ces trois grandes familles de contaminants présents chez la mouette tridactyle (Rissa tridactyla) de l’Arctique Norvégien (Svalbard) au cours de son cycle reproducteur (depuis l’accouplement jusqu’à l’élevage des poussins). Spécifiquement, j’ai étudié les relations entre ces contaminants et la fertilité (morphologie et motilité des spermatozoïdes), l’expression des signaux sexuels (visuel : coloration des téguments, olfactif : signature chimique), les comportements de soins parentaux (température d’incubation et rotation de l’œuf), le vieillissement cellulaire (longueur des télomères) et la dépense énergétique (métabolisme de base). Je me suis également penché sur de potentiels mécanismes sous-jacents permettant d’expliquer ces relations. Puisque ces mécanismes physiologiques et comportementaux sont fortement impliqués dans la valeur sélective des individus, les possibles conséquences à long terme de cette exposition sur la reproduction et survie des individus sont discutées. Ce travail permet de souligner la forte toxicité de certains composés organochlorés « historiques » (en particulier les chlordanes) et d’apporter de toutes nouvelles connaissances sur la toxicité très mal connue des PFASs chez la faune sauvage. Fait important, ce travail de thèse révèle que les PFASs et les OCs pourraient agir de manière contrastée sur plusieurs mécanismes physiologiques et traits comportementaux. Spécifiquement, une forte exposition à l’oxychlordane, un métabolite du chlordane, pesticide interdit depuis des décennies, est associée à des télomères plus courts, une réduction du métabolisme de base et à une moindre capacité à incuber les œufs. A l’inverse, on observe une élongation des télomères, une augmentation du métabolisme de base et une rotation des œufs accrue chez les individus les plus exposés aux PFASs. Le Hg, au moins en ce qui concerne les paramètres étudiés, ne semble pas jouer un rôle majeur. Cette étude souligne l'importance de tenir compte de plusieurs groupes de contaminants lorsqu'on étudie les conséquences de l'exposition aux contaminants environnementaux chez la faune sauvage. / Due to increasing human activities, a growing number of threats are challenging the fate of biodiversity. Among them, environmental contamination is particularly concerning for living organisms. Used and released in industrialized countries, these highly persistent contaminants can reach remote areas such as the Arctic ecosystem and will biomagnify though food webs and bioaccumulate in organisms. Long-lived seabirds are located in the upper levels of the food chains and thus particularly exposed and sensitive to a chronic contaminants exposure. Through endocrine disruption, these contaminants can impact physiological mechanisms and behavioural traits, inducing in fine, long-term fitness consequences on individuals and populations. My thesis focuses on three groups of contaminants: (i) poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), still broadly used in a vast array of industrial processes and increasing in the Arctic; (ii) “legacy” organochlorine contaminants (OCs, pesticides and industrial compounds), banned from use but still well present in the Arctic and (iii) mercury (Hg), a non-essential metal coming of both natural and anthropic origins. Based on a correlative approach conducted in natura, I investigated the physiological and behavioural consequences of exposure to these contaminants during the whole breeding cycle (from pre-laying to chick-rearing period) in an Arctic seabird, the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) from Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic. Specifically, I examined the relationships between several PFASs, OCs, Hg and fertility (sperm morphology and motility), sexual signaling (visual: integument coloration and olfactory: chemical signature), parental care behaviors (incubation temperature and egg-turning), ageing (telomere length) and energy expenditure (basal metabolic rate). In addition, some potential underlying mechanisms were also studied to better understand the way through which contaminants can be detrimental for kittiwakes. Furthermore, since physiological mechanisms and behavioral traits investigated here are tightly involved in self maintenance and reproduction, possible effects on fitness are then discussed. This PhD work underlines the major role of certain legacy chlorinated organic compounds (e.g. chlordanes) and significantly contributes at documenting the poorly known toxicological consequences of PFASs exposure in wildlife. Importantly, this PhD shows that PFASs and OCs could impact ageing, energy expenditure and some parental care behaviors in a contrasted manner. Specifically, oxychlordane, a metabolite of a banned organochlorine pesticide was associated with decreased telomere length, lowered metabolic rate and reduced ability to incubate the eggs. Conversely, elongated telomere, increased BMR and enhanced egg rotation were observed in birds bearing the highest concentrations of PFASs. Finally, at least for the considered endpoints, Hg appears as a coming minor threat for kittiwakes. This study highlights the importance of considering several groups of contaminants when investigating the consequences of environmental contaminants exposure in wildlife.

O município de Bom Repouso, região da nascente do rio Mogi-Guaçu, está localizado a sudoeste do Estado de Minas Gerais, sendo reconhecido nacionalmente pela produção de morango - o município é responsável por 40% da produção nacional - e batata inglesa - o Estado é o primeiro produtor nacional desta cultura. Esses cultivos, porém, geram impactos ambientais em função do uso excessivo de agrotóxicos. Considerando que tais produtos podem se acumular no solo e serem carreados para o ambiente aquático, cujos efeitos danosos podem se estender aos organismos aquáticos, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os impactos causados pelos agrotóxicos em sistemas naturais, por meio de análises físicas e químicas e da realização de bioensaios ecotoxicológicos com amostras de solo provenientes das duas principais culturas desenvolvidas na região (morango e batata), utilizando-se como organismos-teste juvenis da espécie Danio rerio (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae). Os resultados mostram que a região sofre com o impacto das lavouras em função não apenas da utilização de agrotóxicos, mas também pelo uso de fertilizantes. Os bioensaios revelaram baixa toxicidade das amostras, porém efeitos sobre o crescimento e alterações histolpatológicas nas brânquias foram observados nos organismos submetidos aos testes. As alterações histológicas foram, em geral, relacionadas à proliferação celular, dilatação de capilares, deslocamento de epitélio branquial, além de aneurismas e fusão de lamelas. / Bom Repouso, region of Mogi-Guaçu river riverhead, is located in the southwest of Minas Gerais State, in Brazil, is widely recognized by the production of strawberry - the municipality is responsible for 40% of the national production - and potato - the State is the first national producer of this culture. However, the intensive use of pesticides in these cultures creates several environmental impacts. Considering that such products can be accumulated in the soil and carried into the aquatic environment, with hazardous effects being extended to the aquatic organisms, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts caused by these pesticides in natural systems. Physical and chemical analysis were made, as well as bioassays with soil samples proceeding from the two main cultures (strawberry and potato), using Danio rerio (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) juveniles as test-organisms. The results showed that the Mogi-Guaçu basin suffers not only due pesticides applications, but also due to the fertilizer use. The bioassays revealed low toxicity of the samples. Despite of it, some negative effects in the growth and histopathological alterations in the gills were observed in the organisms submitted to the tests.

Les drogues illicites consommées sont éliminées sous forme inchangée ou métabolisée dans les urines et/ou les fèces et rejoignent le réseau d’égout. La quantification de ces produits d’élimination dans les eaux usées présente un double intérêt : d’une part, permettre d’évaluer la contamination des milieux naturels par ces composés et d’autre part, contribuer à l’estimation de la consommation de drogues illicites dans une population dépendant d’un même bassin collecteur des eaux usées urbaines. Des méthodes analytiques adaptées à la charge organique complexe des eaux usées ont été développées et validées pour évaluer les niveaux de contamination des affluents et effluents de 26 stations d’épuration en France pour dix-sept composés (drogues illicites et métabolites). Les résultats d’analyses ont permis d’évaluer les taux d’élimination de ces composés en fonction des technologies de traitement utilisées dans les stations d’épuration. Les concentrations mesurées dans les affluents ont été utilisées pour estimer les consommations de drogues illicites par un calcul en retour et ont montré des différences qualitatives et quantitatives de consommation de stupéfiants entre zones urbaines en France métropolitaine et en Outre-mer. Dans une dernière partie, des études de toxicologie sur un modèle bactérien et des études comportementales sur un modèle animal ont été conduites à des niveaux de concentrations proches des teneurs relevées en eau de surface et aucun effet notable n’a été observé. / Illicit drugs are metabolized or eliminated unchanged in the urine and/or feces then join the sewer system. The quantification of these products in wastewater disposal has two advantages: firstly, to assess the contamination of the environment and also contribute to the estimation of illicit drug consumption in a catchment. Analytical methods adapted to the complex organic load of wastewater have been developed and validated to assess the levels of contamination of influents and effluents from 26 sewage treatment plants in France for seventeen compounds (illicit drugs and metabolites). The results of the analysis were used to evaluate the elimination of these compounds depending on the treatment technologies used in wastewater treatment plants. Concentrations in the influent were used to estimate the illicit drug consumption by back calculation and showed qualitative and quantitative differences of drug use among urban areas in metropolitan France and overseas. In the last part, toxicology studies on a bacterial model and behavioural studies with an animal model have been conducted with concentration levels close to the levels found in surface water and no significant effect was observed.

Les tests écotoxicologiques en conditions écosystémiques, tels que ceux que l’on peut réaliser en mésocosmes,présentent une plus grande pertinence écologique que les tests normalisés en laboratoire. Ilspermettent d’intégrer les interactions complexes entre les espèces, entre le biotope et la biocénose. Cependant,en contrepartie de leur complexité, ces systèmes présentent une variabilité importante qu’il s’agitde réduire, par une standardisation expérimentale poussée, ou d’identifier les facteurs explicatifs pourmieux mettre en lumière des différences entre traitements. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous avons enoutre fait le choix d’une espèce sur laquelle focaliser nos efforts, le poisson, ici l’épinoche à trois épines,Gasterosteus aculeatus, en le considérant comme un bon indicateur de l’état de santé du mésocosme. Ilnous est apparu plus judicieux, dans le cadre des études en mésocosmes, de se concentrer sur une espèceintégratrice en parallèle d’une analyse globale d’abondance des espèces.L’objectif de cette thèse était donc de mieux comprendre la dynamique de populations de l’épinoche àtrois épines dans les mésocosmes de l’Ineris afin d’améliorer les protocoles utilisés et l’analyse des donnéesobtenues lors des études écotoxicologiques. Pour y parvenir, des expériences ont été réalisées afinde caractériser les processus et les traits d’histoire de vie de l’espèce dans notre site d’étude ; un protocolea été proposé pour effectuer des expériences en mésocosmes ciblées sur l’étude de la dynamique despoissons ; deux années d’expérience ont permis d’acquérir des données en conditions témoins et de mieuxsaisir les facteurs confondants ; nous avons mis en application nos connaissances en évaluant les effets dubisphénol A (BPA) sur la dynamique de population de poissons exposés à 0, 1, 10 et 100 μg/L de BPA.Nous avons ainsi pu décrire et expliquer la dynamique de la population de l’épinoche dans les mésocosmespar quatre phases distinctes : une augmentation massive des effectifs en raison de la reproduction desfondateurs ; une diminution importante des effectifs en raison d’une saturation des capacités du système ;une faible reprise ; une nouvelle chute à la fin de la période de reproduction. S’agissant du BPA, des effetssignificatifs ont été mis en évidence sur les individus (atrophie des gonades), mais également à l’échellede la population (structure de la population). / Ecotoxicity tests in ecosystemic conditions, such as those that can be performed in mesocosms, providea substantial ecological relevance. They permit to integrate complex inter-species interactions, interactionsbetween the organisms and the environmental conditions, and permit to assess perturbations witha systemic view. However, in return, these systems present a high variability that should be reduced,through experimental standardization or by identifying explicative factors, to better assess the differencebetween the outputs of the different treatments. In this thesis, we also focused on one species, of fish,the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), considering that it is good indicator of the healthstatus of the experimental ecosystem. We suggest that is more appropriate to focus on an integrativespecies in parallel to a global analysis in the context of mesocosms studies.The goal of this thesis was thus to better understand sticklebacks population dynamics in INERIS mesocosmsto improve the experimental protocols and the data analysis in ecotoxicity studies. To achieve thisgoal, studies were performed to characterize life cycle traits and processes of the species ; an experimentalprotocol was proposed to perform mesocosms studies with a focus on fish population dynamics; the datafrom two years of mesocosms studies in control conditions permitted to better understand the confoundingfactors ; we applied the methodolgoy to assess the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on fish populationdynamics with expsoure concentrations 0, 1, 10 and 100 μg/L BPA.We could describe and explain stickleback population dynamics divided by four periods: first a massiveabundance increase due to the first reproduction of the founders in the mesocosms; second an importantdecrease due to the saturation of the system ; third a short increase ; finaly a new drop due to the endof reproduction. For BPA, effects were observed both at individual and at population levels.

A represa da Pampulha está inserida em uma grande área de lazer da cidade de Belo Horizonte/MG, exercendo sérios problemas ambientais incluindo a eutrofização e contaminação da água. O presente estudo visou avaliar a qualidade da água e sedimento do sistema e complementar os programas de monitoramento, que até então, não tinham um abordagem ecotoxicológica. Para tanto, foram realizadas 4 coletas no período de um ano, em 7 pontos de amostragem distribuídos na represa da Pampulha, nos seus principais tributários, os córregos Sarandi e Ressaca e um ponto referência na nascente do córrego Olhos d\'Água. Foram analisadas as variáveis limnológicas ( temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, condutividade, nutrientes totais e dissolvidos; granulometria e matéria orgânica do sedimento) e as concentrações de metais totais na água e metais biodisponíveis no sedimento, além da realização de bioensaios de toxicidade aguda com amostras de água e sedimento, utilizando os cladóceros similis, Ceriodaphnia dubia e Ceriodaphnia silvestri como organismos-teste. Os resultados obtidos para as variáveis limnológicas demonstraram estratificação térmica na represa da Pampulha e anoxia dos córregos Sarandi e Ressaca. As altas concentrações das formas fosfatadas e nitrogenadas conferiram ao sistema características de ambientes eutróficos e os valores encontrados para metais pesados demonstraram que os ambientes estudados encontram-se fora dos padrões fixados pela resolução CONAMA/86 para águas classe 2. Os bioensaios de toxicidade aguda com amostras de água permitiram detectar que os tributários da represa da Pampulha estão altamente contaminados, incluindo-se, o ponto 7, considerado a princípio, como ponto controle. As amostras de sedimento também apresentaram efeito de toxicidade aos organismos-teste, indicando que o compartimento sedimento da represa encontra-se mais contaminado do que o compartimento água. / Pampulha Reservoir, located in Belo Horizonte city (MG), plays an important role in the social context of the city. However, it shows serious environmental problems such as eutrophication and water contamination. This study aimed to evaluate water and sediment quality of this system and improve monitoring proqrams, through an ecotoxicological approach. Four campaigns were carried out at seven sampling points including Pampulha Reservoir, Sarandi and Ressaca streams (main tributaries) and one reference site (Olhos d\'Água stream). Limnological variables (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, granulometry and organic matter of sediments) and metal concentrations in water and sediments were analyzed. Acute toxicity bioassays with water and sediment were also performed, using Daphnia similis, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Ceriodaphnia silvestrii as test organisms. The limnological variables showed thermal stratification in the reservoir and absence of oxygen in the Sarandi and Ressaca streams. High concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus indicated a eutrophic system and the concentrations of metais showed that the studied areas are over CONAMA 20/86 resolution for class 2 waters. The acute toxicity bioassays with water samples showed that Pampulha reservoir tributaries are highly contaminated, including point 7, initially considered as Control site. The sediment samples, also showed effects or signs of acute toxicity on the test organisms, indicating that the reservoir sediment compartment is more contaminated than the water compartment.