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Study of disturbances of the balance of aquatic microscopic ecosystems as a method for the evaluation of contamination by toxic substances

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Author(s):
Izabel Adelina Ribeiro
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Samuel Murgel Branco; Antonio Eduardo Giansante; Helena Apparecida dos Santos Lima Pereira; Aristides Almeida Rocha; Carlos Alberto Silva Varela
Advisor: Samuel Murgel Branco
Abstract

Biological testing systems with representative species have been used to assess the effects caused by toxic substances in the aquatic environment. Bioassays rely on defined protocols, but organisms are isolated from their environment. The objective of this work is to develop a test system capable of evaluating adverse effects, not only on a single species, but on an ecosystem. For this purpose an experimental microbial aquatic ecosystem was built in the laboratory capable of generating a microbiological community and reproducing the components of a natural ecosystem in a reduced scale, forming an ecological structure. Two morphological groups were observed in ecological sequence as the conditions of the environment were altered. Growth dynamics curves indicated typical behavior for the group of ciliate protozoa and presented logarithmic growth around the fourth day of aeration. Growth inhibition was observed when concentrations of 12.28 mg / l copper (3.12 ppm) and 2.5 ml / l DDVP 20 insecticide are introduced into the systems. No typical dynamics were observed for the group of filamentous bacteria. Statistical analysis of variance was applied to analyze the results. The method did not allow the study of established ecological relations, but provides information on the theoretical aspects of ecology related to the functioning of ecosystems and their attributes such as the capacity of self-organization and ecological succession process. For better precision of the method, we suggest a study of community composition including methods of molecular biology, elongation of the experiment period and application of population models. (AU)