Multilevel ecotoxicological effects of a mixture of organic micropollutants in aquatic species from different trophic levels: sub-cellular, physiological, and behavioral responses

• Grant number: 25/13436-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 30, 2025
• End date: March 27, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: Juliano José Corbi
• Grantee: Tallyson Tavares Cunha de Souza
• Supervisor: Joana Luisa Lourenco Estevinho Pereira
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Aveiro (UA), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/16854-8 - Ecotoxicity assessment of organic micropollutants in aqueous mixtures and sanitary sewage matrices using aquatic invertebrates as bioindicators, BP.DR

Abstract

The broad diversity of organic micropollutants detected in aquatic systems, coupled with the complexity of their interactions, hinders a full understanding of their ecotoxicological impacts. Moreover, the current literature remains limited in addressing the effects of complex mixtures, as well as in elucidating the mechanisms of action of these compounds. Therefore, this project proposes a multiscale approach to assess the sublethal effects of ecologically relevant mixtures of eight pharmaceuticals widely detected in surface waters (diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol, atenolol, propranolol, caffeine, and carbamazepine) on two key freshwater species: the microcrustacean Daphnia magna, and the fish Danio rerio. The assays will integrate cellular, physiological, and behavioral biomarkers, focusing on changes in oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, development, mobility, heart rate and feeding activity. Exposures will be conducted using three groups of mixtures, whose selected based on the occurrence of biochemical effects reported in the literature. The results will provide insights into the toxic mechanisms of action triggered by environmentally relevant pharmaceutical mixtures, broadening the understanding of their impacts and highlighting how these effects may differ between species from distinct trophic levels.