Indicadores biológicos para avaliação de riachos neotropicais: protocolo de avaliação rápida e biomarcadores em Astyanax spp

Abstract

Establish the relationship between the answers of different metrics and levels of biological organization, assuming that when both ecological and toxicological indicators are equally useful they demonstrate greater reliability in diagnosing the ecosystem is healthy. The study included the application of a rapid assessment protocol adapted to the sandstone Caiuá (RAP), population and water physicochemical parameters, somatic indices and the use of morphometric and biochemical biomarkers in native fish (Astyanax spp.). As biochemical biomarkers it was used the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the liver, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in muscle, glutathione concentration (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonylation (PCO ) in the liver and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the bile. The genotoxicity was estimated by comet assay in blood and gills, and the mutagenicity by micronucleus (MN) and nuclear morphological changes (NMC). The study included three watersheds located in northwestern Paraná State: referential environment, the Indios River, inserted in a protected area; public supply spring, the Bolivar stream; and future unprotected spring, the Lideiro River. The RAP enabled the characterization of the environments conservation status and the identification of small changes in physical attributes of habitats. The other ecological indicators and biomarkers showed different results as injuries and morphological and physiological changes in fish, reflecting a potential risk and fragility condition of the environments resulting from possible anthropogenic and natural stressors.