The use of relevant teleost models to characterize the effect of setteable atmospheric particulate matter (SePM) contamination

• Grant number: 23/14486-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date until: May 01, 2024
• End date until: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Cléo Alcantara Costa Leite
• Grantee: Carolina Fernandes de Angelis
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/08491-0 - Atmospheric particulate material and environmental contamination. Impact assessment in the aquatic biota in an integrated ecophysiotoxicological approach, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/13268-6 - The use of a relevant teleost model in ecotoxicology to characterize the effect of contamination by settable atmospheric particulate matter (SePM), BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The settleable fraction of APM (SePM) consists of a complex mixture ofparticles, primarily metallic nanoparticles. SePM has been described as a relevantsublethal pollutant with emerging characteristics and compounds involved inbioaccumulation and biomagnification processes and is suspected of causing relevantdamage to both aquatic biota and the human population. This contamination is related tosteel industry activity, such as the industrial complex of Tubarão - ES, estuary region,that creates a great level of difficulty in investigating this problem. Currently, there arereports that associated this problem with aquatic organisms. However, the reducedamount of consistent information causes several impairments in understanding anddefining a framework for risk monitoring, mitigation, legislative adjustments, andprogression of the investigation. The objective of this research is to analyze functionalbiomarkers to assess potential damage in functional biomarkers related to potential SePMdamage in relevant experimental models, such as nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), fatsnook (Centropomus parallelus), and zebrafish (Danio rerio). The first is a well-knowntropical species, especially its functional parameters. The second is the top of the chainin the contaminated biome. The third is the reference species in ecotoxicological studies;its data will allow pertinent comparative analyses. Therefore, in conjunction, we willdevelop a series of physiological measures to assess the potential functional limitationsof these species. The results will allow us a better understanding of this emergingproblem.