Co-exposure of carbon nanotubes with carbofuran pesticide affects metabolic rate in Palaemon pandaliformis (shrimp)

Abstract

Palaemon pandalirformis (shrimp) is a species widely distributed in the Brazilian coastal region and with an important economic role. In addition, this organism is considered an indicator of environmental pollution in estuaries; however, its physiological responses to toxic environmental pollutants, including pesticides and nanomaterials, are not well known, mainly, the effects of co-exposure. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects of co-exposure between oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (HNO3-MWCNT) and carbofuran pesticide on the routine metabolism of P. pandalirformis. The shrimps were exposed to different concentrations of HNO3-MWCNT (0; 10; 100; 500; 1000 μg L−1), carbofuran (0; 0.1; 1.0; 5.0; 10 μg L−1) and to co-exposure with 100 μg L−1 of HNO3-MWCNT + carbofuran (0; 0.1; 1.0; 5.0; 10 μg L−1), to evaluate the effects on metabolic rate (O2 consumption) and excretion of ammonia (NH4+NH3). Our results showed that the shrimps exposed to HNO3-MWCNT (10 μg L−1) increased the metabolic rate by 292% and the excretion of ammonia by 275%; those exposed to carbofuran (10 μg L−1) increased their metabolic rate by 162% and the excretion of ammonia by 425%; and with the co-exposure of HNO3-MWCNT + carbofuran there was also an increase in the metabolic rate by 317% and an excretion of ammonia by 433% when compared to control. These findings provides useful information toward better understanding the physiological responses of shrimps after combined exposure to nanomaterials and pesticides in aquatic environments.