Sediment-contact fish embryo toxicity assay with Danio rerio to assess particle-bound pollutants in the Tietê River Basin (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2011-10, Vol.74 (7), p.1951-1959
• Main Authors: Rocha, Paula Suares, Bernecker, Conny, Strecker, Ruben, Mariani, Carolina Fiorillo, Pompêo, Marcelo Luiz Martins, Storch, Volker, Hollert, Henner, Braunbeck, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agnatha. Pisces; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; cities; Contact; Danio rerio; Ecotoxicology - methods; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Embryo, Nonmammalian - drug effects; Embryos; Environmental Monitoring - methods; exposure scenario; fish; Fish embryo; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Pinheiros River; Pollutants; pollution load; Reservoirs; River basins; Rivers; Rivers - chemistry; Sediment; Sediments; sewage; sublethal effects; Teratogens - toxicity; Tietê River; Toxicity; Toxicity assay; Toxicity Tests - methods; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; watersheds; Zebrafish - embryology
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.07.009

The Tietê River and its tributary Pinheiros River receive a highly complex organic and inorganic pollutants load from sanitary sewage and industrial sources, as well as agricultural and agroindustrial activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of sediments from selected locations in the Tietê River Basin by means of the sediment contact embryo toxicity assay with Danio rerio, in order to provide a comprehensive and realistic insight into the bioavailable hazard potential of these sediment samples. Lethal and sub-lethal effects were recorded, and high embryo toxicity could be found in the samples not only in the vicinity of the megacity São Paulo (Billings reservoir and Pinheiros River samples), but also downstream (in the reservoirs Barra Bonita, Promissão and Três Irmãos). Results confirm that most toxicity is due to the discharges of the metropolitan area of São Paulo. However, they also indicate additional sources of pollutants along the river course, probably from industrial, agricultural and agroindustrial residues, which contribute to the degradation of each area. The sediment contact fish embryo test showed to be powerful tool to detect embryo toxicity in sediments, not only by being a sensitive method, but also for taking into account bioavailability. This test provides an ecological highly realistic and relevant exposure scenario, and should therefore be added in ecotoxicological sediment quality assessments. ► Fish embryo test as a replacement or reduction of in vivo tests with adult fish. ► Sediment contact test with fish embryo is a powerful tool to detect sediment toxicity. ► Simulation of in situ exposure conditions in laboratory. ► High ecological relevant assay, since considers bioavailability. ► Improvement of transferability of results.