Toxicity assessment on the waters from the Criciúma river (Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil) using physico-chemical parameters and ecotoxicological approaches

Abstract

The Criciúma river (Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil) receives daily potentially toxic waste generated by various human activities. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of water from the Criciúma river, using physico-chemical parameters and ecotoxicological approaches. River water samples were collected in three different stations. The values of pH, COD, BOD, DO and hardness were determined. The following assays were performed: the acute toxicity in Daphnia magna, a test of inhibition of growth of roots in Allium cepa L. (onion), and genotoxicity (Comet test) in meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. and blood cells and liver tissue of fish Geophagus brasiliensis. The results indicated that the water collected in the central region showed increased values of COD, BOD and hardness and low values of DO. Acute toxicity was found for Daphnia magna, as well as significant inhibition of growth of the roots A. cepa and genotoxic effects in A. cepa and G. brasiliensis exposed to waters from the central region. It was concluded that the waters of the Criciúma river are potentially toxic to biota exposed.