Temporal variation of AVS/SEM and integrated assessment of sediment from Rio Grande reservoir (Billings Complex - SP)

Author(s)

Carolina Fiorillo Mariani

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2010-08-27

Examining board members

Marcelo Luiz Martins Pompeo; Marisa Dantas Bitencourt; Ana Lucia Brandimarte; Odete Rocha; Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro

• Advisor: Marcelo Luiz Martins Pompeo

Abstract

Assessment of complex mixture sediments is a great challenge, especially for reservoir located near urban areas where a multitude of pollution sources is present, such as Rio Grande reservoir. Aiming an integrated assessment, we performed a battery of bioassays on sediment from Rio Grande reservoir, using permanent cell line RTL-W1 and bacteria exposed sediment acetonic extracts (cytotoxicity test, EROD assay, comet assay, micronucleus assay and Ames Fluctuation test) and Danio rerio embryos (whole sediment contact). After exposure, we measured metal (ICP-MS) in dechorionated non-coagulated fish embryos (digestion: H2O2 and HNO3 under UV light radiation). PAH was also measured in extracts and metal dynamics was evaluated as temporal heterogeneity and remobilization to water column. Sediment extract was highly cytotoxic (NR50 = 10.3 mg sediment equivalent /mL; n=4) and whole sediment showed high toxic potential to fish embryos (EC50 48h=12 mg sediment/ mL; n=4). No metal could be detected in the non-coagulated fish eggs, although metals were found in high concentrations with potential to cause negative effect. EROD assay showed dioxin-like activity, with EC25 TCDD = 0.82 mg of SEQ/mL, and Bio-TEQ as high as 1884 pg/g (n=6). Sum of target PAH in sediment extract was 763.6 µg/kg; though 4.64 % of Bio- TEQ could be explained by PAH-TEQ. Ames Fluctuation test and comet assay reveled high potentials for mutageno- and genotoxicity. Studied metals appear not to be the cause of primary acute effect observed toxicity tests, nor seam target PAHs. Yet, we observed high concentration of metal in sediment, short-time temporal heterogeneity of metals coupled with front cold passage and possible remobilization into the water column, what raises the need for better understanding of metal dynamics in such aquatic environment (tropical polymithic) and careful planning for sediment sampling designs (considering temporal and spatial scales and the whole water column above the sediment). Integrated assessment through Weight-of-Evidence (WOE) approach indicates the need of management actions regarding sediment from Rio Grande reservoir. However, characterization of the risk in within an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) framework should precede action, in order to better address the problem. Further studies should prioritize chronic exposure of organisms to sediment samples from Rio Grande; PCBs and dioxins should be considered as possible EROD activity inducer; chemical analysis should be expanded and consider other organic chemicals; sediment fractionation technique should also be applied in order to provide insights on causality from organic compounds. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/00739-2 - Temporal variation of AVS/SEM and integrated assessment of sediment from Rio Grande reservoir (Billings Complex - SP)
• Grantee: Carolina Fiorillo Mariani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate