The Longitudinal Profile of a Stream Contaminated With 2,4-D and its Effects on Non-Target Species

Author(s)

Ferreira Freitas, Isabele Baima ^[1] ; Ogura, Allan Pretti ^[1] ; Fernandes Cunha, Davi Gasparini ^[2] ; Cossolin, Aline Silva ^[2] ; Ferreira, Murilo de Souza ^[2] ; Goulart, Bianca Veloso ^[3] ; Montagner, Cassiana Carolina ^[3] ; Gaeta Espindola, Evaldo Luiz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Nucleus Ecotoxicol & Appl Ecol, Sao Carlos Sch Engn, NEEA, CRHEA, SHS, Dept Hydraul & Sanitat, Trabalhador Sancarlense Ave 400, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Sch Engn, Dept Hydraul & Sanitat, BIOTACE SHS, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Chem, Analyt Chem Dept, LQA, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; v. 82, n. 1 NOV 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Pesticides can cause harmful effects to aquatic communities, even at concentrations below the threshold limit established as guidelines for the water bodies by environmental agencies. In this research, an input of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (i.e., 2,4-D) was simulated under controlled conditions in a 500-m-long reach of a first-order tropical stream in Southeastern Brazil. Two water samplings at eight stations investigated the stream longitudinal contamination profile. The ecotoxicological effects were analyzed using Eruca sativa L. seed germination assays and the acute and chronic toxicity tests with the neotropical cladoceran Ceriodaphnia silvestrii. Physicochemical parameters of water quality were evaluated to characterize the study area and quantify 2,4-D concentrations along the stream to assess pesticide retention. The 2,4-D concentration was reduced by approximately 50% downstream in the samplings, indicating that the herbicide was retained along the stream. Moreover, C. silvestrii reproduction in long-term assays decreased approximately 50% in the stations with higher concentrations of 2,4-D than the laboratory control. After contamination, E. sativa L. showed a lower average root growth (1.0 cm), statistically different from the control (2.2 cm). On the other hand, similar growth values were obtained among the background and the most downstream stations. Our study highlighted the relevance of reviewing and updating herbicide guidelines and criteria to prevent possible ecological risks. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/18790-3 - Environmental effects of the pasture-sugarcane conversion and pasture intensification
• Grantee: Luiz Antonio Martinelli
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/50397-5 - Understanding the influence of land use practices and canopy cover restoration on nutrient spiraling in tropical and temperate stream ecosystems
• Grantee: Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants