Toxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and bioaccumulative effects of metal mixture from settleable particulate matter on American bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Author(s)

da Costa, Regiane Luiza ; Souza, Iara Costa ; Morozesk, Mariana ; de Carvalho, Luana Beserra ; Carvalho, Cleoni dos Santos ; Monferran, Magdalena Victoria ; Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto ; Fernandes, Marisa Narciso ; Monteiro, Diana Amaral

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Pollution; v. 340, p. 12-pg., 2023-11-09.

Abstract

Amphibians are more susceptible to environmental stressors than other vertebrates due to their semipermeable skin and physiological adaptations to living in very specific microhabitats. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a metal mixture from settleable particulate matter (SePM) released from metallurgical industries on Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles. Endpoints analyzed included metal bioconcentration, morphological (biometrical indices), hematological parameters (hemoglobin and blood cell count), and erythrocyte DNA damage (genotoxicity and mutagenicity). American bullfrog tadpoles (Gosner's stage 25) were kept under control condition (no contaminant addition) or exposed to a sub-lethal and environmentally relevant concentration (1 g.L-1) of SePM for 96 h. Tadpoles exposed to SePM exhibited elevated whole blood levels of Fe56, AL, Sn, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ti, Rb, V, Ce, La, Ag, As. SePM-exposed tadpoles showed a significant decrease in condition factor (12%) and increases in hepatosomatic index (25%), hemoglobin concentration (17%), and total leukocytes (82%), thrombocytes (90%), and monocytes (78%) abundance. In addition, exposed tadpoles showed higher MN and ENAs (340 and 140%, respectively) frequencies, and erythrocyte DNA damage with approximately 1.2-to 1.8-fold increases in comet parameters. Taken together, these results suggest that the multimetal mixture found in SePM is potentially genotoxic and mutagenic to L. catesbeianus tadpoles, induces stress associated with hematological changes, and negatively affects growth. Although such contamination occurs at sublethal levels, regulatory standards are needed to control the emission of SePM and protect amphibian populations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/08491-0 - Atmospheric particulate material and environmental contamination. Impact assessment in the aquatic biota in an integrated ecophysiotoxicological approach
• Grantee: Marisa Narciso Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants