Comparison of Sublethal Effects of Metal and Insecticide in Congeneric Species of Neotropical Cladocerans

Author(s)

Broggio Raymundo, Larissa ; Miguel, Mariana ; Gomes, Diego Ferreira ; Moreira, Raquel Aparecida ; Rocha, Odete

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION; v. 236, n. 7, p. 12-pg., 2025-07-01.

Abstract

Tropical aquatic ecosystems face significant contamination risks from pesticides and heavy metals, yet the chronic sublethal effects of these pollutants on native species remain poorly understood. The chronic toxicity of Chlorpyrifos and Cadmium were assessed on two native cladoceran species, Ceriodaphnia silvestrii and Ceriodaphnia rigaudi, from tropical regions. Chlorpyrifos and Cadmium are common aquatic pollutants in Brazil, but their effects on native species, particularly sublethal effects such as the growth and size of neonates produced by exposed females, are poorly understood. The test organisms were exposed to Chlorpyrifos at concentrations 0.0014; 0.0028; 0.0042; 0.0056; 0.007; and 0.014 mu g L-1 and to Cadmium at 0.001; 0.003; 0.005; 0.011; 0.016; 0.022 mg L-1. Endpoints analyzed included survival, reproduction output, size of neonates produced, and organism body growth. Reproduction of both species exposed to Chlorpyrifos was affected at all tested concentrations. Cadmium affected the reproduction of C. rigaudi at all tested concentrations and of C. silvestrii at 0.002; 0.003; 0.005; 0.008; and 0.011 mg L-1. The size of neonates produced by both species exposed to Chlorpyrifos was smaller than those in the control at all tested concentrations. Exposure to Cadmium affected the size of neonates of C. rigaudi at concentrations of 0.002; 0.005; 0.008; and 0.011 mg L-1 and of C. silvestrii at 0.005; 0.011; 0.016; and 0.022 mg L-1. Growth of C. rigaudi exposed to Chlorpyrifos was affected at concentrations of 0.0070 and 0.0140 mu g L-1 and of C. silvestrii at 0.0014; 0.0042; 0.005; 0.0070; and 0.0140 mu g L-1. Exposure to Cadmium affected the growth of C. rigaudi at 0.002; 0.005; 0.008; and 0.011 mg L-1 and of C. silvestrii at 0.011; 0.016; and 0.022 mg L-1. These findings highlight the crucial importance of using sublethal endpoints to unveil the profound and potentially far-reaching impacts of metals and pesticides on non-target aquatic organisms. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/08039-8 - Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics and pesticides, isolated and in mixture, on the native species Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera) in freshwater aquatic ecosystems
• Grantee: Diego Ferreira Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral