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https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/12096
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ArticleCopyright
Open access
Embargo date
2016-02-29
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- IOC - Artigos de Periódicos [12642]
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METAL BIOAVAILABILITY AND TOXICITY IN FRESHWATERS
Biological responses
Models to predicting metal toxicity
Bioindicators
Biomonitoring
Biomarkers
Author
Affilliation
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Programa de Pós-graduação em Química. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Laboratório de Ecotoxicologia Aplicada à Indústria Mínero-Metalúrgica. CETEM/MCT. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Química. Laboratório de Tecnologia Ambiental. Programa de Pós-graduação em Química. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Química. Laboratório de Tecnologia Ambiental. Programa de Pós-graduação em Química. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Abstract
Many factors influence metal speciation in
freshwaters. Metal species that are more soluble are considered
more bioavailable and toxic. However, evaluation
of metal speciation in waters is a complex task. Moreover,
the quantification of total and dissolved metals is not suf-
ficient to determine toxic effects on the biota. Here, we
review environmental parameters that influence metal
bioavailability: mathematical models to predict toxicity,
and the biological tools used to evaluate contamination in
freshwaters ecosystems. The major points are the following:
(1) we discuss many ‘‘exceptions’’ of chemical
parameters that are deemed to increase metal bioavailability
or to protect against metal uptake, such as pH and
water hardness. We provide evidence of organisms and
environmental conditions that break these rules and therefore
should be considered when predicting impairment by
metals. (2) We discuss the advances in mathematical
modelling as a proxy to metal toxicity. (3) We discuss
advantages and limitations of using multiple biological
tools to assess toxicity, such as the use of biomarkers and
microorganisms, zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates
and fish communities. Biomarkers are efficient in detecting
low concentrations of metals in a short-term exposition.
Changes on biological community structure and composition
are good tools to detect high metal concentration or
chronic concentration in a long-term exposition. The use of
multiple tools including chemical analyses and a set of
biological indicators is recommended for a more accurate
evaluation of metal impacts on freshwater systems.
Keywords
Metal speciationBiological responses
Models to predicting metal toxicity
Bioindicators
Biomonitoring
Biomarkers
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