Using zebrafish embryo bioassays combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry screening to assess ecotoxicological water bodies quality status: A case study in Panama rivers

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Wilson, EW (Author) Other; Castro, V (Author) Other; Chaves, R (Author) Other; Espinosa, M (Author) Other; Rodil, R (Author) Other; Quintana, JB (Author) Other; Vieira, MN (Author) FCUP; Santos, MM (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Chemosphere

Vol. 272

ISSN: 0045-6535

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-HCD

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129823

Abstract (EN): Several studies show that many water bodies in developing countries are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pressure, such as agricultural activities, domestic and industrial wastewater. However, data is scarce in several of such countries, including Panama. Thus, in this work, the ecotoxicological status of selected rivers in Panama with distinct input sources were evaluated using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo bioassays combined with a liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry screening of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), using a library of over 3200 chemicals. A total of 68 CECs, including pharmaceuticals and metabolites, pesticides and several industrial chemicals, could be tentatively identified. Additionally, the zebrafish embryo bioassays showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in embryo mortality/abnormalities when incubated with water samples from two rivers, Matasnillo and Curundu (47.5% and 32%, respectively). Importantly, a positive correlation between ecotoxicological endpoints and some of the detected CECs was observed. The findings demonstrate that both rivers are under strong anthropogenic pressure, and therefore, management actions are urgently needed to decrease their level of contamination. Overall, this study further supports the use of the zebrafish embryo bioassay as a fast, high throughput approach for screening the toxicity of water samples, and highlights the advantages of combining ecotoxicological assays with high-resolution mass spectrometry to an expedite assessment of the ecotoxicological status of water bodies.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11