Morais_2019_Ecotoxicol.Environ.Saf_176_196

In aquatic systems, antimony (Sb) is found in the water column and associated with sediment particles being bioavailable to organisms. Consequently, toxic effects have been detected in benthic invertebrates, but the toxicity after Sb exposure in Chironomidae have not been investigated. Were investigated DNA damage, activities of cholinesterase (ChE), alpha and beta esterase (EST-alpha, EST-beta), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation after acute (48h) and subchronic exposure (8d). We also investigated the effects of subchronic (8d) on development of larvae and chronic (25d) Sb exposure on emergence and size of adults of Chironomus sancticaroli. Were analyze Sb nominal concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 800mug.L(-1). Genotoxic effects occurred at higher concentrations upon acute (50, 800mug.L(-1)) and subchronic exposure (50mug.L(-1)). Acute exposure increased ChE, EST-alpha, EST-beta, and GST activities. Subchronic Sb exposure increased EST-alpha activity at 0.2mug.L(-1) and GST activity at 5mug.L(-1). CAT activity increased at all concentrations while increasing lipid peroxidation levels were observed (1mug.L(-1), 5mug.L(-1) and 50mug.L(-1)), indicating oxidative stress. All concentrations of Sb delayed larval development and decreased the number of emerging adults. At high concentrations (50, 500, 800mug.L(-1)), the emerging adults were smaller. In conclusion, these varying genotoxic, biochemical and biological effects of Sb make a notable impact on the reproduction and population dynamics of C. sancticaroli.