Can biochemical endpoints improve the sensitivity of the biomonitoring strategy using bioassays with standard species, for water quality evaluation?

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

Authors

Rodrigues, S (Author) Other; Isabel Sousa Pinto (Author) FCUP; Martins, F (Author) Other; Formigo, N (Author) FCUP; Antunes, SC (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Vol. 215

ISSN: 0147-6513

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

Scopus - 16 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-NAM

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112151

Abstract (EN): The Water Framework Directive (WFD) was adopted in 2000 and is a common framework for water policy, management and protection in Europe. The WFD assesses specific parameters; however, it ignores indicators of ecosystem functioning and sub-individual performance. Reservoirs are strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities that promote their imbalance. Bioassays and biomarkers are useful tools to link the chemical, ecological and toxicological assessments in water quality assessments. These approaches can be complementary to WFD methodologies, allowing the detection of impacts on the ecosystem. This study evaluated if the biochemical parameters can improve the sensitivity of the biomonitoring strategy using bioassays with the standard species Daphnia magna, in the assessment of the ecological quality of water reservoirs. To this end, water samples of Portuguese reservoirs were analysed in three sampling periods (Autumn 2018 and Spring, Autumn 2019). In parallel, a physicochemical characterization of waters was performed. D. magna feeding rate assays were performed for 24 h. After exposure, metabolism, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation biomarkers were evaluated. Feeding rate assays showed sensitivity to different reservoirs. Biomarkers showed a higher sensitivity and can therefore improve the sensitivity of the biomonitoring strategy using bioassays. Bioassays and biomarkers approach allowed to highlight potential sources of stress, more related to the quality of the seston than to chemical contamination. This work highlights the complementarity between bioassays and biomarkers to identify ecotoxicological effects of surface waters, and can be extremely useful, especially in cases where the biotic indices are difficult to establish, such as reservoirs.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13