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Chromium and copper distribution and effects in aquatic ecosystems: a laboratorial and \in situ\ analysis

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Author(s):
Mariana Beraldo Masutti
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Carlos.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Evaldo Luiz Gaeta Espindola; Ana Lúcia Fonseca; Clarice Maria Rispoli Botta Paschoal; Liane Biehl Printes; Regina Sawaia Sáfadi
Advisor: Evaldo Luiz Gaeta Espindola
Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
Indexed in: Banco de Dados Bibliográficos da USP-DEDALUS
Location: Universidade de São Paulo. Biblioteca da Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos; TESE-EESC; M414d
Abstract

The general aim of this work was to evaluate the distribution and the toxic effects of the metals Cr and Cu on lenthic aquatic ecosystems, using systems of different complexity and organization levels. The systems used for Cr and Cu toxicity evaluations were: a) single-specific tests with Selenastrum capricornutum (microalgae), Daphnia similis e Ceriodaphnia dubia (Cladocera), Chironomus xanthus (Diptera, Chironomidae), Oreochromis niloticus (fish) and Pistia stratiotes (macrophyte); b) microcosms experiments (multi- specific tests) with the Lobos reservoir natural communities; c) mesocosms experiments, with natural water, sediment, plankton, benthics, fishes and macrophytes from Lobos reservoir. In the toxicity tests, all the species were more sensitive to Cu than to Cr, and the sensitiviness sequence was D. similis> C. dubia> S. capricornutum> C. xanthus > P. stratiotes > O. niloticus. In the microcosms and mesocosms experiments, the test-concentrations were the maximum value allowed by the CONAMA Resolution nº 20/1986 to Cr6+ and Cu2+ to Class 2 water bodies (50 µg.L-1 and 20 µg.L-1, respectively). In all experiments the chlorophyll concentration was significantly reduced after the metal addition. The effects on the Zooplankton density and richness were stronger to Cr than to Cu; however Cladocera was more sensitive to Cu. Chromium caused higher inhibition in primary production in April/ 2002, but in November/ December 2002 the primary production suffered higher inhibition by Cu addition. Both studied metals showed significant effects on several water variables, as dissolved oxygen, ammonium, phosphate forms distribution, chlorophyll and suspended material, being the Cr effects stronger than the Cu effects, in relation to the number of affected variables and the system restoration time. The sediments didnt show alterations after the metal addition. Chromium and Cu bioaccumulation was observed by plankton, benthic invertebrates, macrophytes and fishes. The toxicity of the studied metals was reduced by the fish and macrophyte inclusion, mainly to Cu. Although the concentration of Cr and Cu were low, toxic effects were observed on both biotic and abiotic system compartments. The results obtained in this work may be useful as subsidy to evaluation of the maximum value allowed by the CONAMA Resolution nº 20/1986 to the studied metals. (AU)