Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are one of the most important organic pollutants in environmental studies. The aim of this study was to assess the naphthalene acute toxicity in two fish species, Astyanax lacustris (LLcust, 1875) and Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824). The fish were exposed to naphthalene (0.005, 0.03, 0.3, and 3 mgL -1 ) in water and after that the piscine micronucleus test in erythrocytes, comet assay in blood, liver and gill cells, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver, and accumulation of naphthalene in the bile were performed. The susceptibility of the two species was similar and naphthalene was not genotoxic in all tested tissues. The liver GST activity may have been responsible for less damage observed in the liver while the highest DNA damage occurred in blood cells. However, low concentrations of naphthalene in water can stimulate apparent benefits, such as less DNA damage, which would be a compensatory response to an imbalance of homeostasis.
Agriculture residues and domestic effluents are contaminants that reach aquatic ecosystems leading to toxic effects to environment and human health. These contaminants impacting mainly developing countries, due to precarious treatment of effluents and lack of legislation in the use of pesticides. Perequê River (South of Brazil) is impacted by pesticides (mainly glyphosate) and domestic effluents. The aims of this study were to analyze the concentration of glyphosate in water and sediments of Perequê River; and to evaluate the sublethal effects of the river contamination in Astyanax altiparanae using biomarkers. A sampling of water, sediment and fish were carried out in Perequê River (November/2016). The samples were collected in two sites, site 1 (S1) that is located on agriculture area and water catchment point; and site 2 (S2) located on the area with a domestic effluents influence. Water and sediment samples were used to glyphosate quantification. Fish were collected and tissues (brain, muscle, liver) were used to biochemical and genetic biomarkers. Glyphosate were quantified in S1, which is impacted by agriculture. Alterations in the liver biomarkers were not observed between the sites. However, the decrease in the AChE activity was observed in the S2, showing that the mixture of contaminants (urban and agriculture contaminants) can lead to anticholinesterasic effects. The sublethal effects observed can be a threat of environmental and human health.
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