Under pressure: Daphnia magna¿s responses to 4-chloroaniline exposure and climate-induced temperature rise

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Rebelo, D (Author) Other; Antunes, SC (Author) FCUP; Rodrigues, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Vol. 32

ISSN: 0944-1344

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-01A-KXD

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-025-37199-1

Abstract (EN): With global warming, it is crucial to recognise that temperature changes can influence the ecotoxicity of pollutants in natural ecosystems. 4-Chloroaniline (4-CA) is an emerging contaminant due to its environmental persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity to aquatic organisms. This study intends to assess the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of 4-CA (0.09¿9.65 µg/L) on Daphnia magna under two temperatures: 20 °C (standard) and 26 °C (global warming). A 21-day reproduction assay evaluated the life-history traits and biomarkers related to oxidative stress, metabolism, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, and cellular energy allocation. Results revealed an interaction between temperature and 4-CA exposure. At 26 °C, D. magna exhibited anticipation of reproduction and increased brood frequency but with fewer offspring per brood. Thermal stress also intensified metabolism and antioxidant defences, with elevated superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, suggesting a compensatory mechanism to mitigate oxidative damage. Genotoxicity was more pronounced at 26 °C, highlighting an increased risk of DNA damage. The combined stress of 4-CA and temperature negatively impacted energy allocation, reproductive success, and overall fitness. The results underscore the importance of incorporating climate change scenarios into ecotoxicological assessments of emergent contaminants, reinforcing the need to include 4-CA in the Water Framework Directive Watch List. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 0