Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:26:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:04:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 11715.pdf: 1156737 bytes, checksum: 41ad845cca81dbf4069b69b67a1aa3f3 (MD5) / A Estação de Tratamento de Esgotos de Suzano, ETE Suzano, localizada em Suzano, recebe efluentes e esgotos domésticos de cinco municípios que concentram forte atividade industrial. A região merece estudos que visem à preservação do rio tendo em vista sua proximidade à nascente do mesmo, além da importância para o estado de São Paulo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi utilizar ensaios de toxicidade com organismos aquáticos de níveis tróficos distintos para avaliar a carga tóxica que chega na estação, a eficiência do tratamento biológico aplicado na mesma, bem como a influência da estação no seu entorno.Os resultados obtidos para os cinco locais amostrados indicaram que para o afluente a toxicidade foi bastante superior comparada aos demais locais e esse resultado se repetiu para todos os organismos testados, com valores de CE(I)50 variando entre 1,02% e 21,14% para V. fischeri, e entre 0,60 até 83,84% para D. similis . Com relação ao efluente tratado os resultados mais críticos foram determinados para a Ceriodaphnia dubia com valor crônico de 7,07%, em outubro de 2006. Nas demais campanhas os valores críticos do efluente tratado variaram entre 15,81% até 86,60%. Para Vibrio fischeri em todas as campanhas foi observada toxicidade para a amostra do afluente P2, sendo que a maior toxicidade foi verificada na primeira campanha. Ainda na primeira campanha o P4 apresentou toxicidade 2 vezes maior que em relação ao P1 mostrando que na água do P4 ainda existem contaminantes que prejudicam a vida aquática. Nas campanhas posteriores os valores verificados para P1 e P4 estiveram bem próximos, com moderada toxicidade. Para Daphnia similis foi constatada toxicidade nas 2ª e 3ª campanhas para o P4 enquanto que o P1 não apresentou toxicidade. Os resultados dos ensaios realizados com C. dubia visando ao potencial de efeito crônico demonstraram importante diferença entre natalidade obtida no ponto controle e os pontos do rio Tietê, jusante e montante. Ficou evidenciada que no entorno da estação comparativamente ao ponto controle a capacidade de reprodução desse organismo foi prejudicada. Da mesma forma alguns contaminantes orgânicos puderam ser determinados nesses locais e outro parâmetro crítico para a manutenção da vida aquática, o oxigênio dissolvido na água, resultou em valores entre 6,80ppm a 7,20 ppm no ponto controle (reservatório) enquanto que na água do rio esse parâmetro se manteve entre 0,5ppm e 0,7ppm , muito abaixo de 2,0 mg/L previsto pelo CONAMA. / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

This thesis deals with ecotoxicity tests of selected substances used in agriculture and horticulture. It is focused on the determination of acute and chronic toxicity of selected herbicides. These herbicides are sold commercially, specifically Finalsan (active substance is nonanoic acid), the product of Neudorff GmbH KG company, and Dominator (active substance is glyphosate, isopropylamine salt) by Dow AgroSciences Ltd. Next tested substances are potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate - common agricultural fertilizers. Potassium dichromate was also tested. Potassium dichromate is very toxic for aquatic environment and it is used as the standard in acute tests. Tests were carried out in terms of effects on aquatic systems, due to very good solubility in water of selected substances. The tests were performed on the organism Daphnia magna.

Orientador: Cristiane Angélica Ottoni / Resumo: A utilização de nanopartículas de prata (AgNP) biológicas nos dias atuais é uma alternativa promissora frente as obtidas por via sintética (VS), uma vez que, não geram resíduos em seu processo de síntese e possuem superfície revestida por proteínas que viabilizam sua incorporação em diversos compostos comerciais, sendo os fármacos os de maior destaque. O efeito do descarte de AgNP sintéticas no meio ambiente é atualmente fonte de investigação de diversos grupos de pesquisa, entretanto, são restritas as informações associadas as AgNP biológicas. Diante deste contexto, o presente estudo utilizou a AgNP IBCLP20 biossintetizada pelo fungo Aspergillus niger para avaliar a sua ação antimicrobiana e efeito tóxico em ambiente aquático dulcícula utilizando organismos pertencentes a diferentes níveis tróficos. Nos ensaios antimicrobianos a AgNP IBCLP20 apresentou excelente ação antibacteriana em uma faixa de concentração de 5 a 100 µg/mL e ação antifúngica na faixa de concentração de 20 a 100 µg/mL. A densidade celular da microalga Chrorella vulgaris, quando exposta a AgNP IBCLP20 e ao sal precursor AgNO3, na maior concentração analisada (100 uM/mL) e após 96 horas de incubação, apresentou uma taxa de redução de 34,4% e 85,71%, respectivamente. Nas mesmas condições supracitadas, só foi detectada viabilidade celular da microalga quando exposta a AgNP biológica (65,38%). A letalidade média em D. silimis causada pelas AgNP IBCLP20 foi estimada a uma concentração de 4,06 μg/L (2,29 -6,42).... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of biological silver nanoparticles (AgNP) today is a promising alternative compared to those obtained synthetically (VS), since they do not generate residues in their synthesis process and have a surface coated with proteins that enable their incorporation in several commercial compounds, with drugs being the most prominent. The effect of discarding synthetic AgNP in the environment is currently a source of investigation for several research groups, however, information associated with biological AgNP is restricted. In this context, the present study used the AgNP IBCLP20 biosynthesized by the fungus Aspergillus niger to evaluate its antimicrobial action and toxic effect in aquatic dulcicle environment using organisms belonging to different trophic levels. In antimicrobial tests, AgNP IBCLP20 showed excellent antibacterial action in a concentration range of 5 to 100 µg / mL and antifungal action in the concentration range of 20 to 100 µg / mL. The cell density of the microalgae Chrorella vulgaris, when exposed to AgNP IBCLP20 and the precursor salt AgNO3, in the highest concentration analyzed (100 uM / mL) and after 96 hours of incubation, showed a reduction rate of 34.4% and 85.71 %, respectively. Under the same conditions mentioned above, cell viability of the microalgae was only detected when exposed to biological AgNP (65.38%). The average lethality in D. silimis caused by AgNP IBCLP20 was estimated at a concentration of 4.06μg/L (2.29 -6.42). , The physiological ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants synthesized through incomplete combustion of carbon based substances. PAHs are known to be photodynamic and toxicity increases exponentially when in contact with ultraviolet radiation (UV). The effect of UV absent recovery periods and potential for latent toxicity during photo-induced toxicity are previously unknown and are not included within the toxicity model. Results of equal interval tests further support the current reciprocity model as a good indicator of PAH photo-induced toxicity. Interval test results also indicate a possible presence of time-dependent toxicity and recovery thresholds and should be included into toxicity risk assessments. Moreover, results of latent effects assays show that latent mortality is a significant response to PAH photo-induced toxicity and should be included into toxicity risk assessments. The present research demonstrates that UV exposure time rate is a significant driving force of PAH photo-induced toxicity.

4 ABSTRACT Characteristic high helmets in Daphnia cucullata, which increase resistance of Daphnia against various invertebrate predators, can be induced by chemical cues released by these invertebrates but also by small-scale turbulence. I evaluated the response of D. cucullata to both factors in several clones originating from two riverine pools differing in their predator regime. In a large pool, the dominant invertebrate predator is the cladoceran Leptodora kindtii, and the Daphnia population there shows a typical cyclomorphosis. In the second (small) pool, Daphnia do not produce helmets, despite the presence of the phantom midge larvae Chaoborus flavicans. I compared phenotypic changes of Daphnia cucullata clones from these pools to Chaoborus kairomones and to a small-scale turbulence in laboratory experiments. Kairomones induced significantly longer helmets in clones from both pools; however, only clones form the large pool reacted also to turbulence. As all daphnids in the experiments responded to chemical cues from Chaoborus, I assume that either the kairomone dose under natural conditions in the small pool is too low to induce helmets or the phenotypic response of the local population is mediated by other factors. On the other hand, the variation of response to small-scale turbulence suggests that...

Diapause is often an adaptation for survival during periods of harsh environmental conditions. Some diapausing stages do not terminate the dormancy once the favourable conditions are restored. Such prolonged diapause may be enforced by environment if a diapausing stage cannot be reached by the cues inducing termination of dormancy. However, it may also be an advantageous bet-hedging strategy to allow only a fraction of dormant stages produced in any given season to hatch the next time conditions become favourable. I tested whether such strategy can be observed in hatching patterns of dormant eggs of Daphnia obtusa - a cladoceran occurring in small Central European temporary waters. I investigated the influence of intensity of illumination on hatching success, and effect of isolating the eggs encased in ephippia from the sediment. Fraction of eggs terminating diapause, fraction of embryos successfully leaving the egg membranes, and timing of the response were assessed at 15 ˚C under four intensities of illumination (100% = 35µmol.m2 .s-1 , 75%, 50%, 25%; photoperiod 12h light: 12h dark) and in complete darkness for 21 days. My results support previous suggestions that there is no genetically-fixed bet-hedging strategy in D. obtusa. I observed high proportion of eggs which terminated diapause in all...

Hypoxia is a significant low oxygen state that has complex and diverse impacts on organisms. In aerobes, various adaptive responses to hypoxia are observed that vary depending on the level of oxygen depletion and previous adaptation, hence the continued attention to hypoxia as an important abiotic stressor. Adaptive responses to hypoxia are primarily governed by the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which activate downstream genetic pathways responsible for oxygen transport and metabolic plasticity. In aquatic habitats, oxygen availability can vary greatly over time and space. Therefore, aquatic organisms’ adaptation to hypoxia is likely pervasive, especially in genotypes originating from waterbodies prone to hypoxia. Here we report the transcriptional response to severe hypoxia in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. We observe improved survival in media containing elevated calcium ion (Ca2+) concentrations. Additionally, we observe changes in lactate and pyruvate concentrations within tissues. To elucidate the transcriptome basis of these effects, we examine transcripts with known gene ontologies indicating roles in Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling, and in pyruvate metabolism, including gluconeogenesis (GNG). We observe the up-regulation of numerous transcripts encoding GNG pathway enzymes, including the rate-limiting enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP). In contrast, no transcripts involved in Ca2+ homeostasis or signaling showed any significant differential expression. Some GNG transcripts are more up-regulated in clones from permanent waterbodies not prone to hypoxia, inconsistent with the hypothesis about its protective effects. One exception is the FBP transcript, which has been identified to be up-regulated in some hypoxia-tolerant aquatic organisms.

Many organisms have geographical distributions extending from the tropics to near polar regions or can experience up to 30°C temperature variation within the lifespan of an individual. Two forms of evolutionary adaptation to such wide ranges in ambient temperatures are frequently discussed: local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. The freshwater planktonic crustaceanDaphnia magna, whose range extends from South Africa to near arctic sites, shows strong phenotypic and genotypic variation in response to temperature. In this study, we use D. magna clones from 22 populations (one clone per population) ranging from latitude 0° (Kenya) to 66° North (White Sea) to explore the contributions of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation to high temperature tolerance. Temperature tolerance was studied as knockout time (time until immobilization, Timm) at 37°C in clones acclimatized to either 20°C or 28°C. Acclimatization to 28°C strongly increased Timm, testifying to adaptive phenotypic plasticity. At the same time, Timm significantly correlated with average high temperature at the clones' sites of origin, suggesting local adaptation. As earlier studies have found that haemoglobin expression contributes to temperature tolerance, we also quantified haemoglobin concentration in experimental animals and found that both acclimatization temperature (AccT) and temperature at the site of origin are positively correlated with haemoglobin concentration. Furthermore, Daphnia from warmer climates upregulate haemoglobin much more strongly in response to AccT, suggesting local adaptation for plasticity in haemoglobin expression. Our results show that both local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity contribute to temperature tolerance, and elucidate a possible role of haemoglobin in mediating these effects that differs along a cold-warm gradient.

Many organisms have geographical distributions extending from the tropics to near polar regions or can experience up to 30°C temperature variation within the lifespan of an individual. Two forms of evolutionary adaptation to such wide ranges in ambient temperatures are frequently discussed: local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. The freshwater planktonic crustaceanDaphnia magna, whose range extends from South Africa to near arctic sites, shows strong phenotypic and genotypic variation in response to temperature. In this study, we use D. magna clones from 22 populations (one clone per population) ranging from latitude 0° (Kenya) to 66° North (White Sea) to explore the contributions of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation to high temperature tolerance. Temperature tolerance was studied as knockout time (time until immobilization, Timm) at 37°C in clones acclimatized to either 20°C or 28°C. Acclimatization to 28°C strongly increased Timm, testifying to adaptive phenotypic plasticity. At the same time, Timm significantly correlated with average high temperature at the clones' sites of origin, suggesting local adaptation. As earlier studies have found that haemoglobin expression contributes to temperature tolerance, we also quantified haemoglobin concentration in experimental animals and found that both acclimatization temperature (AccT) and temperature at the site of origin are positively correlated with haemoglobin concentration. Furthermore, Daphnia from warmer climates upregulate haemoglobin much more strongly in response to AccT, suggesting local adaptation for plasticity in haemoglobin expression. Our results show that both local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity contribute to temperature tolerance, and elucidate a possible role of haemoglobin in mediating these effects that differs along a cold-warm gradient.

Daphnia is a widespread freshwater zooplankton species, which is both a classic and emerging new model for research in ecological physiology, ecotoxicology and evolutionary biology of adaptation to novel environments. Heat tolerance in Daphnia is known to depend both upon evolutionary history of a genotype and on individuals' acclimation to elevated temperature and to correlate with the level of haemoglobin expression. We demonstrate the existence of north-south gradient of heat tolerance in North American D. pulex, which is not associated with any parallel changes in haemoglobin expression. Geographically distinct clones differ in the way their haemoglobin expression changes due to acclimation to a sub-stressful (28°C) temperature, but these changes are not correlated with the latitude of clones' origin. Likewise, the effect of acclimation to sub-stressful temperature is independent from, and cannot be fully explained by, haemoglobin expression changes during acclimation. The degree of oxidative damage to haemoglobin, measured as the ratio of absorbance at 540:576 nm at the acclimation temperature, is a strong predictor of 28°C-acclimated Daphnia survival during an acute heat exposure. The comparison of haemoglobin expression in resistant and tolerant clones acclimated to different temperatures indicates that tolerant clones exhibit canalization of haemoglobin expression, possessing a high level of haemoglobin even at non-stressful temperatures. We discuss the evolutionary biology of adaptation and acclimation to elevated temperatures in an ecologically important component of freshwater ecosystems in the context of global climate change.