Abstract
Hexachlorobenzene and the γ-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane, or lindane, are organochlorine pesticides that are characterized by their high stability and persistence in the environment, are compounds that share the characteristic of fat solubility, thereby facilitating their bioaccumulation and bioconcentration through food chains. It is therefore important to determine the level of environmental risk of chlorinated pesticides on aquatic ecosystems by implementing toxicity bioassays. The cladocerans are widely used in such assays. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of organochlorine pesticides (hexachlorobenzene and lindane on local cladocerans Ceriodaphnia cornuta , Ceriodaphnia dubia , Ceriodaphnia quadrangula and Simocephalus vetulus . The organisms were collected from different local water bodies for later identification at the laboratory. The selected daphnids were maintained in the laboratory under controlled conditions of light, temperature and feeding. At the 50 % lethal concentration it was observed greater sensitivity of C. dubia for both organochlorines. The results statements reaffirm the toxicity of hexachlorobenzene and lindane, as well as the high sensitivity of local species, providing new data for such studies.
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