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Ana Gavina is a PhD Student in Biology from FCUP & CIIMAR. She obtained her degree in Biology and Geology in 2009 and her Master degree in Applied Biology – Toxicology and Ecotoxicology in 2011, at the University of Aveiro. During the PhD, she is carrying out a research on a derivation of risk limits for the protection of soil ecosystems from nanomaterials. Main research interests are related to nanomaterials and soil ecotoxicology, namely the evaluation of changes in the habitat and retention soil functions as well as the evaluation of changes in soil enzyme activity under the exposure to nanomaterials.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the eco-cytotoxicity of several forms of nanomaterials (NM), such as nano-CuO, nano-TiO2, nano-SiO2 and nano-ZnO, on different aquatic species (Raphidocelis subcapitata, Daphnia magna and Lemna minor) following standard protocols and on human cell lines (Caco-2, SV-80, HepG2 and HaCaT). Predicted no-effect concentrations (PNEC) or hazard concentrations for 5% of the species (HC5) were also estimated based on the compilation of data available in the literature. Most of the NM agglomerated strongly in the selected culture media. For the ecotoxicity assays, nano-CuO and nano-ZnO even in particle agglomeration state were the most toxic NM to the freshwater organisms compared to nano-TiO2 and nano-SiO2. Nano-ZnO was the most toxic NM to R. subcapitata and D. magna, while nano-CuO was found to be very toxic to L. minor. Nano-CuO was very toxic to Caco-2 and HepG2 cells, particularly at the highest tested concentrations, while the other NM showed no toxicity to the different cell lines. The HC5 and PNEC values are still highly protective, due to data limitations. However, the present study provides consistent evidence of the potential risks of both nano-CuO and nano-ZnO against aquatic organisms and also their effects on public health.
Tatiana Andreani; Verónica Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Saul Fernandes; José Luís Rodrigues; Vera V. Pinto; Maria José Ferreira; Amélia M. Silva; Carlos M. Pereira; Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity to Freshwater Organisms and Cytotoxicity of Nanomaterials: Are We Generating Sufficient Data for Their Risk Assessment? Nanomaterials 2020, 11, 66 .
AMA StyleTatiana Andreani, Verónica Nogueira, Ana Gavina, Saul Fernandes, José Luís Rodrigues, Vera V. Pinto, Maria José Ferreira, Amélia M. Silva, Carlos M. Pereira, Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity to Freshwater Organisms and Cytotoxicity of Nanomaterials: Are We Generating Sufficient Data for Their Risk Assessment? Nanomaterials. 2020; 11 (1):66.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTatiana Andreani; Verónica Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Saul Fernandes; José Luís Rodrigues; Vera V. Pinto; Maria José Ferreira; Amélia M. Silva; Carlos M. Pereira; Ruth Pereira. 2020. "Ecotoxicity to Freshwater Organisms and Cytotoxicity of Nanomaterials: Are We Generating Sufficient Data for Their Risk Assessment?" Nanomaterials 11, no. 1: 66.
The present research intended to investigate the toxicity abatement of domestic wastewater after passing a biosystem composed of a constructed wetland (CW) followed by a pond. The wastewater was generated in a tourism house in a rural and mountainous context and passed through a septic tank before being diverted to a CW followed by a pond. A battery of ecotoxicological tests, comprising microalgae (Raphidocelis subcapitata), macrophytes (Lemna minor), cladocerans (Daphnia magna), and bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri), was used to assess the toxicity of the wastewater collected before and after the CW and the water of the pond. Physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, phosphates, ammonium, and nitrate) were also determined. The CW was able to remove carbon and nutrients from the water with a concomitant reduction of its toxicity. This study, reinforced the added value of using toxicity tests as a complement to CW operational monitoring to validate the solution and to analyze possible readjustments that may be required to improve efficiency. This study lends further support to the claim that CWs can be a sustainable solution for treating small volumes of domestic wastewater in a rural context.
Cristina S. C. Calheiros; Paula M. L. Castro; Ana Gavina; Ruth Pereira. Toxicity Abatement of Wastewaters from Tourism Units by Constructed Wetlands. Water 2019, 11, 2623 .
AMA StyleCristina S. C. Calheiros, Paula M. L. Castro, Ana Gavina, Ruth Pereira. Toxicity Abatement of Wastewaters from Tourism Units by Constructed Wetlands. Water. 2019; 11 (12):2623.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristina S. C. Calheiros; Paula M. L. Castro; Ana Gavina; Ruth Pereira. 2019. "Toxicity Abatement of Wastewaters from Tourism Units by Constructed Wetlands." Water 11, no. 12: 2623.
This work describes the protocol developed for preparing an artificial digested sludge to be used for the ecotoxicological evaluation and risk assessment of chemical substances that are previewed to attain the soil through sewage sludge applications for fertilization (e.g. pharmaceutical compounds). Such evaluations have been made with standard protocols for ecotoxicological tests with terrestrial species in which the chemical substances are directly spiked to the test soil. This procedure lacks ecological relevance in terms of the role the sludge organic matter plays on the bioavailability and fate of chemical substances. Here we describe the protocol and the composition for obtaining the artificial sludge, prepared with commercial pet food and eggs white to mimic the composition of domestic sewage sludge in terms of proteins, carbon hydrates, fat and fibers content. Further, the conditions ascertained for the anaerobic digestion of the organic mixture are described, and the final properties of the sludge are presented, after repeating the procedure twice.
Ana Gavina; Ana Cristina Freitas; Amadeu Ricardo; Ana Gomes; Catarina Marques; Isabel Lopes; Ruth Pereira. Dataset of the preparation and characterization of an artificial sludge for ecotoxicological purposes. Data in Brief 2019, 25, 104385 .
AMA StyleAna Gavina, Ana Cristina Freitas, Amadeu Ricardo, Ana Gomes, Catarina Marques, Isabel Lopes, Ruth Pereira. Dataset of the preparation and characterization of an artificial sludge for ecotoxicological purposes. Data in Brief. 2019; 25 ():104385.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Gavina; Ana Cristina Freitas; Amadeu Ricardo; Ana Gomes; Catarina Marques; Isabel Lopes; Ruth Pereira. 2019. "Dataset of the preparation and characterization of an artificial sludge for ecotoxicological purposes." Data in Brief 25, no. : 104385.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a global problem, and in urban soils they can be found at potentially hazard levels. Nevertheless, the real risks that these contaminants pose to the environment are not well known, since the bioavailability of PAHs in urban soils has been poorly studied. Therefore, the bioavailability of PAHs in some selected urban soils from Lisbon (Portugal) was evaluated. Moreover, the applicability of a first screening phase based on total contents of PAHs was assessed. Results show that bioavailability of PAHs is reduced (low levels in earthworms, low accumulation percentages, and low biota-to-soil accumulation factors values), especially in more contaminated soils. The aging of these compounds explains this low availability, and confirms the generally accepted assumption that accumulation of PAHs in urban areas is mostly related with a long-term deposition of contaminated particles. The comparison of measured PAHs concentrations in earthworm tissues with the ones predicted based on theoretical models, reinforce that risks based on total levels are overestimated, but it can be a good initial approach for urban soils. This study also highlights the need of more reliable ecotoxicological data.
A. Cachada; C. Coelho; Ana Gavina; A.C. Dias; Carla Patinha; AlessanRSS Reis; Eduardo Ferreira da Silva; A.C. Duarte; Ruth Pereira. Availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to earthworms in urban soils and its implications for risk assessment. Chemosphere 2018, 191, 196 -203.
AMA StyleA. Cachada, C. Coelho, Ana Gavina, A.C. Dias, Carla Patinha, AlessanRSS Reis, Eduardo Ferreira da Silva, A.C. Duarte, Ruth Pereira. Availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to earthworms in urban soils and its implications for risk assessment. Chemosphere. 2018; 191 ():196-203.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Cachada; C. Coelho; Ana Gavina; A.C. Dias; Carla Patinha; AlessanRSS Reis; Eduardo Ferreira da Silva; A.C. Duarte; Ruth Pereira. 2018. "Availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to earthworms in urban soils and its implications for risk assessment." Chemosphere 191, no. : 196-203.
Cobalt oxide nanomaterial (nano-Co3O4) is among the least investigated NMs in terms of environmental ecotoxicity. However, nano-Co3O4 was widely used for pigments, catalysis, sensors, electrochemistry, magnetism and energy storage.
Sirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Maria Da Graça Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Mohamed Ksibi; Ruth Pereira. Deriviation of Terrestrial Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) for Cobalt Oxide Nanomaterial. Plant-Microbes-Engineered Nano-particles (PM-ENPs) Nexus in Agro-Ecosystems 2017, 405 -407.
AMA StyleSirine Bouguerra, Ana Gavina, Maria Da Graça Rasteiro, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Mohamed Ksibi, Ruth Pereira. Deriviation of Terrestrial Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) for Cobalt Oxide Nanomaterial. Plant-Microbes-Engineered Nano-particles (PM-ENPs) Nexus in Agro-Ecosystems. 2017; ():405-407.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Maria Da Graça Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Mohamed Ksibi; Ruth Pereira. 2017. "Deriviation of Terrestrial Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) for Cobalt Oxide Nanomaterial." Plant-Microbes-Engineered Nano-particles (PM-ENPs) Nexus in Agro-Ecosystems , no. : 405-407.
In the past few years the number of studies on the toxic effects of nanomaterials (NMs) in the environment increased significantly. Nonetheless, the data is still scarce, since there is a large number of NMs and new ones are being developed each day. Soils are extremely important for life, and are easily exposed to the released NMs, thus enhanced efforts are needed to study the impacts on soil biota. The objective of the present work was to determine if different concentrations of two NMs, one inorganic (TiSiO) and other organic (nano-vesicles of sodium sodecyl sulfate/ didodecyl dimethylammonium bromide - SDS/DDAB), are genotoxic to soil invertebrates. Additionally, it was intended to understand whether, in the event of occurring, genotoxicity was caused by the incapability of the cells to deal with the oxidative stress caused by these NMs. With that purpose, Eisenia andrei were exposed for 30 days to the artificial OECD soil contaminated with different concentrations of the NMs being tested. After the exposure, coelomocytes were extracted from earthworms and DNA damage was measured by the comet assay. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g. glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-Transferase) and lipid peroxidation were also assessed. The results showed that both NMs were genotoxic, particularly TiSiO for which significant DNA damages were recorded for concentrations above 444mg of TiSiO-NM/kg of soil. Since no statistically significant differences were found in the tested antioxidant enzymes and in lipid peroxidation, the mechanism of genotoxicity of these NMs seemed to be unrelated with oxidative stress.
Bruno Correia; Joana Lourenço; Sérgio Marques; Verónica Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Maria Graca Rasteiro; Filipe Antunes; Sonia Mendo; Ruth Pereira. Oxidative stress and genotoxicity of an organic and an inorganic nanomaterial to Eisenia andrei : SDS/DDAB nano-vesicles and titanium silicon oxide. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2017, 140, 198 -205.
AMA StyleBruno Correia, Joana Lourenço, Sérgio Marques, Verónica Nogueira, Ana Gavina, Maria Graca Rasteiro, Filipe Antunes, Sonia Mendo, Ruth Pereira. Oxidative stress and genotoxicity of an organic and an inorganic nanomaterial to Eisenia andrei : SDS/DDAB nano-vesicles and titanium silicon oxide. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2017; 140 ():198-205.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBruno Correia; Joana Lourenço; Sérgio Marques; Verónica Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Maria Graca Rasteiro; Filipe Antunes; Sonia Mendo; Ruth Pereira. 2017. "Oxidative stress and genotoxicity of an organic and an inorganic nanomaterial to Eisenia andrei : SDS/DDAB nano-vesicles and titanium silicon oxide." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 140, no. : 198-205.
Nanotechnology holds the promise of develop new processes for wastewater treatment. However, it is important to understand what the possible impacts on the environment of NMs. This study joins all the information available about the toxicity and ecotoxicity of NMs to human cell lines and to terrestrial and aquatic biota. Terrestrial species seems more protected, since effects are being recorded for concentrations higher than those that could be expected in the environment. The soil matrix is apparently trapping and filtering NMs. Further studies should focus more on indirect effects in biological communities rather than only on effects at the individual level. Aquatic biota, mainly from freshwater ecosystems, seemed to be at higher risk, since dose effect concentrations recorded were remarkable lower, at least for some NMs. The toxic effects recorded on different culture lines, also give rise to serious concerns regarding the potential effects on human health. However, few data exists about environmental concentrations to support the calculation of risks to ecosystems and humans.
Verónica Inês Jesus Oliveira Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Sirine Bouguerra; Tatiana Andreani; Isabel Lopes; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity and Toxicity of Nanomaterials with Potential for Wastewater Treatment Applications. Materials Science and Engineering 2017, 1182 -1216.
AMA StyleVerónica Inês Jesus Oliveira Nogueira, Ana Gavina, Sirine Bouguerra, Tatiana Andreani, Isabel Lopes, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity and Toxicity of Nanomaterials with Potential for Wastewater Treatment Applications. Materials Science and Engineering. 2017; ():1182-1216.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVerónica Inês Jesus Oliveira Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Sirine Bouguerra; Tatiana Andreani; Isabel Lopes; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2017. "Ecotoxicity and Toxicity of Nanomaterials with Potential for Wastewater Treatment Applications." Materials Science and Engineering , no. : 1182-1216.
Nanotechnology holds the promise of develop new processes for wastewater treatment. However, it is important to understand what the possible impacts on the environment of NMs. This study joins all the information available about the toxicity and ecotoxicity of NMs to human cell lines and to terrestrial and aquatic biota. Terrestrial species seems more protected, since effects are being recorded for concentrations higher than those that could be expected in the environment. The soil matrix is apparently trapping and filtering NMs. Further studies should focus more on indirect effects in biological communities rather than only on effects at the individual level. Aquatic biota, mainly from freshwater ecosystems, seemed to be at higher risk, since dose effect concentrations recorded were remarkable lower, at least for some NMs. The toxic effects recorded on different culture lines, also give rise to serious concerns regarding the potential effects on human health. However, few data exists about environmental concentrations to support the calculation of risks to ecosystems and humans.
Verónica Inês Jesus Oliveira Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Sirine Bouguerra; Tatiana Andreani; Isabel Lopes; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity and Toxicity of Nanomaterials with Potential for Wastewater Treatment Applications. Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies 2017, 294 -329.
AMA StyleVerónica Inês Jesus Oliveira Nogueira, Ana Gavina, Sirine Bouguerra, Tatiana Andreani, Isabel Lopes, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity and Toxicity of Nanomaterials with Potential for Wastewater Treatment Applications. Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies. 2017; ():294-329.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVerónica Inês Jesus Oliveira Nogueira; Ana Gavina; Sirine Bouguerra; Tatiana Andreani; Isabel Lopes; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2017. "Ecotoxicity and Toxicity of Nanomaterials with Potential for Wastewater Treatment Applications." Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies , no. : 294-329.
Soil pollution at firing ranges is an issue of growing importance, due to the accumulation in soils of contaminants derived from ammunition and clay targets. The concentration of Pb and PAHs was determined in five soils of an abandoned shooting range in Galicia (northwest Spain), and an ecotoxicological characterization was performed in order to obtain an assessment of risks. Therefore, the retention capacity of soils was assessed using test organisms of different trophic levels, and the role of soils as habitat for soil invertebrates was assessed by reproduction tests and bioaccumulation assays with earthworms. The sum of 15 PAHs ranged between 38 and 360mgkg, which exceed, together with Pb (160-720mgkg), the Galician generic reference value for urban and sporting field soils. Bioaccumulation in E. andrei showed contents up to 104,000μgPbkg, and up to 645μgPAHskg. High contents of Pb and PAHs in soil samples and in Eisenia andrei whole body, caused a reduction in the number of juveniles produced, whereas, Vibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata and Daphnia magna displayed a slight toxic response to the soil elutriates tested. Therefore, the function of these soils to retain contaminants seemed not compromised, probably due to the high organic matter content and pH values, which are weakly acidic. The habitat function was affected, indicating that soil solution is not the only route of exposure to contaminants to E. andrei. The integration of chemical and ecotoxicological lines of evidence give rise to high risks values, restricting the use of these areas, and pointing for risks to surrounding ecosystems due to possible trophic transferences. The calculation of risks using the chemical and ecotoxicological data, required by Spanish legislation, could be a good approach to communicate with those responsible and/or involved in the management of contaminated sites.
A. Rodríguez-Seijo; Anabela Cachada; Ana Gavina; Armando Duarte; F.A. Vega; M.L. Andrade; R. Pereira. Lead and PAHs contamination of an old shooting range: A case study with a holistic approach. Science of The Total Environment 2017, 575, 367 -377.
AMA StyleA. Rodríguez-Seijo, Anabela Cachada, Ana Gavina, Armando Duarte, F.A. Vega, M.L. Andrade, R. Pereira. Lead and PAHs contamination of an old shooting range: A case study with a holistic approach. Science of The Total Environment. 2017; 575 ():367-377.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Rodríguez-Seijo; Anabela Cachada; Ana Gavina; Armando Duarte; F.A. Vega; M.L. Andrade; R. Pereira. 2017. "Lead and PAHs contamination of an old shooting range: A case study with a holistic approach." Science of The Total Environment 575, no. : 367-377.
The huge evolution of nanotechnology and the commercialization of nanomaterials (NMs) positively contributed for innovation in several industrial sectors. Facing this rapid development and the emergence of NMs in the market, the release of this nanometric sized materials in the environment and the possible impact on different ecosystem components attracted the attention of researchers in the last few years. In our study we aimed to assess the impact of titanium silicon oxide nanomaterial (nano-TiSiO4) on soil biota to estimate a risk limit for this material. In the present research a battery of standardized ecotoxicological assays aimed at evaluating a wide range of endpoints (avoidance and reproduction of earthworms and collembolans, emergence/growth of four selected terrestrial plants) were carried out, using OECD artificial soil as test substrate spiked with aqueous suspension of different concentrations of nano-TiSiO4. The results showed a maximum avoidance percentage of 40% for earthworms (Esenia andrei) at the highest concentration tested (1000 mg kg−1 soildw of nano-TiSiO4). No significant effect on the reproductive function of both invertebrate species was recorded. Nevertheless, significant phytotoxic data was registered at least for the growth of dicotyledonous plant species (Lactuca sativa and Lycopersicon lycopersicum) with EC20 values ranging between 236 and 414 mg kg−1 soildw of nano-TiSiO4 for L. sativa dry mass and fresh mass, respectively. Further, the characterization of nano-TiSiO4 in suspensions used to spike the soil, performed by Dynamic Light Scattering, showed the formation of aggregates with important average size diameter, thus demonstrating that the toxic effects observed were likely not size dependent. A deterministic PNEC (predicted no effect concentration) for this NM of 10.02 mg kg−1 soildw of nano-TiSiO4, is suggested, while no more ecotoxicological information exists.
Sirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Mohamed Ksibi; Maria Graca Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity of titanium silicon oxide (TiSiO4) nanomaterial for terrestrial plants and soil invertebrate species. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2016, 129, 291 -301.
AMA StyleSirine Bouguerra, Ana Gavina, Mohamed Ksibi, Maria Graca Rasteiro, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicity of titanium silicon oxide (TiSiO4) nanomaterial for terrestrial plants and soil invertebrate species. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2016; 129 ():291-301.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Mohamed Ksibi; Maria Graca Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2016. "Ecotoxicity of titanium silicon oxide (TiSiO4) nanomaterial for terrestrial plants and soil invertebrate species." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 129, no. : 291-301.
Cadmium-based quantum dots (QDs) are increasingly applied in existent and emerging technologies, especially in biological applications due to their exceptional photophysical and functionalization properties. However, they are very toxic compounds due to the high reactive and toxic cadmium core. The present study aimed to determine the toxicity of three different QDs (CdS 380, CdS 480 and CdSeS/ZnS) before and after the exposure of suspensions to sunlight, in order to assess the effect of environmentally relevant irradiation levels in their toxicity, which will act after their release to the environment. Therefore, a battery of ecotoxicological tests was performed with organisms that cover different functional and trophic levels, such as Vibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Chlorella vulgaris and Daphnia magna. The results showed that core-shell type QDs showed lower toxic effects to V. fischeri in comparison to core type QDs before sunlight exposure. However, after sunlight exposure, there was a decrease of CdS 380 and CdS 480 QD toxicity to bacterium. Also, after sunlight exposure, an effective decrease of CdSeS/ZnS and CdS 480 toxicity for D. magna and R. subcapitata, and an evident increase in CdS 380 QD toxicity, at least for D. magna, were observed. The results of this study suggest that sunlight exposure has an effect in the aggregation and precipitation reactions of larger QDs, causing the degradation of functional groups and formation of larger bulks which may be less prone to photo-oxidation due to their diminished surface area. The same aggregation behaviour after sunlight exposure was observed for bare QDs. These results further emphasize that the shell of QDs seems to make them less harmful to aquatic biota, both under standard environmental conditions and after the exposure to a relevant abiotic factor like sunlight.
B.F. Silva; Tatiana Andreani; A. Gavina; Natividade Vieira; Carlos Pereira; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. Toxicological impact of cadmium-based quantum dots towards aquatic biota: Effect of natural sunlight exposure. Aquatic Toxicology 2016, 176, 197 -207.
AMA StyleB.F. Silva, Tatiana Andreani, A. Gavina, Natividade Vieira, Carlos Pereira, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ruth Pereira. Toxicological impact of cadmium-based quantum dots towards aquatic biota: Effect of natural sunlight exposure. Aquatic Toxicology. 2016; 176 ():197-207.
Chicago/Turabian StyleB.F. Silva; Tatiana Andreani; A. Gavina; Natividade Vieira; Carlos Pereira; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2016. "Toxicological impact of cadmium-based quantum dots towards aquatic biota: Effect of natural sunlight exposure." Aquatic Toxicology 176, no. : 197-207.
Aiming at contributing new insights into the effects of nanomaterials (NMs) in the terrestrial ecosystem, this study evaluated the impacts of organic nano-vesicles of sodium dodecyl sulphate/didodecyl dimethylammonium bromide (SDS/DDAB) on the emergence and growth of plant seeds, and on the avoidance and reproduction of soil invertebrates. For this purpose several ecotoxicological assays were performed with different test species (terrestrial plants: Zea mays, Avena sativa, Brassica oleracea and Lycopersicon esculentum; soil invertebrates: Eisenia andrei and Folsomia candida). A wide range of SDS/DDAB concentrations were tested, following standard protocols, and using the standard OECD soil as a test substrate (5% of organic matter). The aqueous suspensions of SDS/DDAB, used to spike the soils, were characterised by light scattering techniques for hydrodynamic size of the vesicles, aggregation index, polydispersity index, zeta potential and surface charge. The SDS/DDAB concentrations in the test soil were analysed by HPLC-UV at the end of the assays. Invertebrate species were revealed to be sensitive to nano-SDS/DDAB upon immediate exposure to freshly spiked soils. However, the degradation of SDS/DDAB nano-vesicles in the soil with time prevented the occurrence of significant reproduction effects on soil invertebrates. Plants were not particularly sensitive to SDS/DDAB, except B. oleracea (at concentrations above 375 mg kg− 1dw). The results gathered in this study allowed a preliminary determination of a risk limit to nano-SDS/DDAB. The low toxicity of SDS/DDAB nano-vesicles could be explained by its high and fast degradation in the soil. The soil microbial community could have an important role in the fate of this NM, thus it is of remarkable importance to improve this risk limit by taking into account specific data addressing this community.
A. Gavina; Sirine Bouguerra; I. Lopes; C.R. Marques; Maria Graca Rasteiro; F. Antunes; T. Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. Impact of organic nano-vesicles in soil: The case of sodium dodecyl sulphate/didodecyl dimethylammonium bromide. Science of The Total Environment 2016, 547, 413 -421.
AMA StyleA. Gavina, Sirine Bouguerra, I. Lopes, C.R. Marques, Maria Graca Rasteiro, F. Antunes, T. Rocha-Santos, Ruth Pereira. Impact of organic nano-vesicles in soil: The case of sodium dodecyl sulphate/didodecyl dimethylammonium bromide. Science of The Total Environment. 2016; 547 ():413-421.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Gavina; Sirine Bouguerra; I. Lopes; C.R. Marques; Maria Graca Rasteiro; F. Antunes; T. Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2016. "Impact of organic nano-vesicles in soil: The case of sodium dodecyl sulphate/didodecyl dimethylammonium bromide." Science of The Total Environment 547, no. : 413-421.
Standard assays for phytotoxicity provide a reductionist view on the performance of plants under toxic stress. To address two of the most prominent issues in plant toxicity studies, our aims were (1) to assess how well physiological and biochemical parameters complement standard toxicological endpoints when testing natural soils and (2) to assess the suitability of three commonly used control soils as comparative references. We compared the performance of Zea mays and Helianthus annuus in three control soils (artificial Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) soil, standard LUFA 2.2 soil, and turf-perlite) against three natural soils representing a gradient of contamination (from a deactivated uranium mine). Standard endpoints (emergence and biomass) were estimated, along with pigment content, photosynthetic parameters, cellular injury, and proline content. The toxicological profile of natural soils was highly dependent on the control soil used as reference; also, plant physiological performance was influenced by the soils’ properties. We discuss the need to interpret and combine multiple lines of evidence as a way to increase the degree of confidence one classifies soils based on their ecotoxicity, and this is where the integration of physiological and biochemical parameters bring added value. When facing large variability in soil characteristics, it is best to collect and integrate as much information possible to strengthen conclusions about phytotoxicity of natural soils. Obviously, this refutes reductionist views and places the final conclusion in the hands of expert judgment.
Sara C. Antunes; Bruno Castro; Maria Celeste Dias; José Moutinho-Pereira; Carlos M. Correia; Maria T. Claro; Ana Gavina; Conceição Santos; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Glória Pinto. Phytotoxicity of natural soils using physiological and biochemical endpoints reveals confounding factors: can a weight of evidence tackle uncertainty? Journal of Soils and Sediments 2015, 16, 785 -800.
AMA StyleSara C. Antunes, Bruno Castro, Maria Celeste Dias, José Moutinho-Pereira, Carlos M. Correia, Maria T. Claro, Ana Gavina, Conceição Santos, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Glória Pinto. Phytotoxicity of natural soils using physiological and biochemical endpoints reveals confounding factors: can a weight of evidence tackle uncertainty? Journal of Soils and Sediments. 2015; 16 (3):785-800.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSara C. Antunes; Bruno Castro; Maria Celeste Dias; José Moutinho-Pereira; Carlos M. Correia; Maria T. Claro; Ana Gavina; Conceição Santos; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Glória Pinto. 2015. "Phytotoxicity of natural soils using physiological and biochemical endpoints reveals confounding factors: can a weight of evidence tackle uncertainty?" Journal of Soils and Sediments 16, no. 3: 785-800.
The risk assessment of metal-contaminated soils demands the establishment of soil screening values (SSVs) for metals. Cadmium(Cd) is a very toxic metal resulting from anthropogenic wastes/activities. However, ecologically relevant Cd SSVs are often unavailable for several European countries, including Portugal, due to the lack of ecotoxicological datasets on regional natural soils. Therefore, this work aims to generate an ecotoxicological dataset in a dominant type of Portuguese natural soil for the preliminary derivation of Cd SSVs. A battery of terrestrial ecotoxicological tests focusing on microbial parameters, reproduction of invertebrates (Eisenia andrei, Enchytraeus crypticus, Folsomia candida), seed germination and growth of terrestrial plants (Avena sativa, Zea mays, Lactuca sativa, Lycopersicon esculentum) was carried out in a natural soil contaminated with Cd. The Assessment Factor approach was followed to determine the predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) after correcting the toxicity values used for PNEC calculation for leaching-aging processes, as to harmonize toxic effects in freshly spiked soils to those in field soils. The obtained PNECs will be the preliminary derivation of SSVs for Cd. Urease was slightly compromised (EC20 = 47.8 mg Cd kg−1 dw), whilst acid phosphatase and cellulase activities, and nitrogen mineralization were the most inhibited parameters (LOEC = 13.4 mg Cd kg−1 dw). Invertebrates reproduction was constrained, being E. crypticus the most sensitive species (EC50 = 8.3 mg Cd kg−1 dw). The phytotoxicity of Cd was effective on the seed germination of L. sativa and L. esculentum for an EC50 of 460.0 and 919.0 mg Cd kg−1 dw, respectively. The dry mass was the most sensitive endpoint for plant growth effects, providing significant inhibitions at a LOEC = 35.0 mg Cd kg−1 dw for most species. Based on these data, the PNECs ranged between 3.7 (EC20-based) and 3.5 (NOEC-based) mg Cd kg−1 dw. Towards a precautionary decision we proposed an SSV of 3.5 mg Cd kg−1 dw. When comparing our results with the literature, a direct influence of soil properties on Cd toxicity was likely, hence highlighting the importance of using regional natural soils in the derivation of SSVs. Overall, this work is a good contribution for the establishment of national soil quality guideline values, while at the same time is providing a working path for other European countries.
Ana Caetano; Catarina R. Marques; Ana Gavina; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Eduardo Ferreira da Silva; Ruth Pereira. Contribution for the derivation of a soil screening level (SSV) for cadmium using a natural reference soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments 2015, 16, 134 -149.
AMA StyleAna Caetano, Catarina R. Marques, Ana Gavina, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Eduardo Ferreira da Silva, Ruth Pereira. Contribution for the derivation of a soil screening level (SSV) for cadmium using a natural reference soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments. 2015; 16 (1):134-149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Caetano; Catarina R. Marques; Ana Gavina; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Eduardo Ferreira da Silva; Ruth Pereira. 2015. "Contribution for the derivation of a soil screening level (SSV) for cadmium using a natural reference soil." Journal of Soils and Sediments 16, no. 1: 134-149.
In order to regulate the management of contaminated land, many countries have been deriving soil screening values (SSV). However, the ecotoxicological data available for uranium is still insufficient and incapable to generate SSVs for European soils. In this sense, and so as to make up for this shortcoming, a battery of ecotoxicological assays focusing on soil functions and organisms, and a wide range of endpoints was carried out, using a natural soil artificially spiked with uranium. In terrestrial ecotoxicology, it is widely recognized that soils have different properties that can influence the bioavailability and the toxicity of chemicals. In this context, SSVs derived for artificial soils or for other types of natural soils, may lead to unfeasible environmental risk assessment. Hence, the use of natural regional representative soils is of great importance in the derivation of SSVs. A Portuguese natural reference soil PTRS1, from a granitic region, was thereby applied as test substrate. This study allowed the determination of NOEC, LOEC, EC20 and EC50 values for uranium. Dehydrogenase and urease enzymes displayed the lowest values (34.9 and <134.5 mg U Kg, respectively). Eisenia andrei and Enchytraeus crypticus revealed to be more sensitive to uranium than Folsomia candida. EC50 values of 631.00, 518.65 and 851.64 mg U Kg were recorded for the three species, respectively. Concerning plants, only Lactuca sativa was affected by U at concentrations up to 1000 mg U kg1. The outcomes of the study may in part be constrained by physical and chemical characteristics of soils, hence contributing to the discrepancy between the toxicity data generated in this study and that available in the literature. Following the assessment factor method, a predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) value of 15.5 mg kg−1 dw was obtained for U. This PNEC value is proposed as a SSV for soils similar to the PTRS1.
Ana Luisa Caetano; Catarina R. Marques; Ana Gavina; Fernando Da Piedade Carvalho; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva; Ruth Pereira. Contribution for the Derivation of a Soil Screening Value (SSV) for Uranium, Using a Natural Reference Soil. PLOS ONE 2014, 9, e108041 .
AMA StyleAna Luisa Caetano, Catarina R. Marques, Ana Gavina, Fernando Da Piedade Carvalho, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva, Ruth Pereira. Contribution for the Derivation of a Soil Screening Value (SSV) for Uranium, Using a Natural Reference Soil. PLOS ONE. 2014; 9 (10):e108041.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Luisa Caetano; Catarina R. Marques; Ana Gavina; Fernando Da Piedade Carvalho; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Eduardo Ferreira Da Silva; Ruth Pereira. 2014. "Contribution for the Derivation of a Soil Screening Value (SSV) for Uranium, Using a Natural Reference Soil." PLOS ONE 9, no. 10: e108041.
Sirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Mohamed Ksibi; Maria Da Graça Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. How nanomaterials will interfere with the toxicity of copper? Toxicology Letters 2014, 229, S202 .
AMA StyleSirine Bouguerra, Ana Gavina, Mohamed Ksibi, Maria Da Graça Rasteiro, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ruth Pereira. How nanomaterials will interfere with the toxicity of copper? Toxicology Letters. 2014; 229 ():S202.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Mohamed Ksibi; Maria Da Graça Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2014. "How nanomaterials will interfere with the toxicity of copper?" Toxicology Letters 229, no. : S202.
Sirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Mohamed Ksibi; Maria Da Graça Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicological Evaluation Of Titanium Silicon Oxide Nanoparticules With Terrestrial Species. Toxicology Letters 2014, 229, S201 .
AMA StyleSirine Bouguerra, Ana Gavina, Mohamed Ksibi, Maria Da Graça Rasteiro, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ruth Pereira. Ecotoxicological Evaluation Of Titanium Silicon Oxide Nanoparticules With Terrestrial Species. Toxicology Letters. 2014; 229 ():S201.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSirine Bouguerra; Ana Gavina; Mohamed Ksibi; Maria Da Graça Rasteiro; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2014. "Ecotoxicological Evaluation Of Titanium Silicon Oxide Nanoparticules With Terrestrial Species." Toxicology Letters 229, no. : S201.
Site-specific risk assessment of contaminated areas indicates prior areas for intervention, and provides helpful information for risk managers. This study was conducted in the Ervedosa mine area (Bragança, Portugal), where both underground and open pit exploration of tin and arsenic minerals were performed for about one century (1857 – 1969). We aimed at obtaining ecotoxicological information with terrestrial and aquatic plant species to integrate in the risk assessment of this mine area. Further we also intended to evaluate if the assessment of other parameters, in standard assays with terrestrial plants, can improve the identification of phytotoxic soils. For this purpose, soil samples were collected on 16 sampling sites distributed along four transects, defined within the mine area, and in one reference site. General soil physical and chemical parameters, total and extractable metal contents were analyzed. Assays were performed for soil elutriates and for the whole soil matrix following standard guidelines for growth inhibition assay with Lemna minor and emergence and seedling growth assay with Zea mays . At the end of the Z. mays assay, relative water content, membrane permeability, leaf area, content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), malondialdehyde levels, proline content, and chlorophyll fluorescence (F v /F m and Φ PSII ) parameters were evaluated. In general, the soils near the exploration area revealed high levels of Al, Mn, Fe and Cu. Almost all the soils from transepts C, D and F presented total concentrations of arsenic well above soils screening benchmark values available. Elutriates of several soils from sampling sites near the exploration and ore treatment areas were toxic to L. minor , suggesting that the retention function of these soils was seriously compromised. In Z. mays assay, plant performance parameters (other than those recommended by standard protocols), allowed the identification of more phytotoxic soils. The results suggest that these parameters could improve the sensitivity of the standard assays.
Ana Gavina; Sara C. Antunes; Gloria Pinto; Maria Teresa Claro; Conceição Santos; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Ruth Pereira. Can Physiological Endpoints Improve the Sensitivity of Assays with Plants in the Risk Assessment of Contaminated Soils? PLOS ONE 2013, 8, e59748 .
AMA StyleAna Gavina, Sara C. Antunes, Gloria Pinto, Maria Teresa Claro, Conceição Santos, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Ruth Pereira. Can Physiological Endpoints Improve the Sensitivity of Assays with Plants in the Risk Assessment of Contaminated Soils? PLOS ONE. 2013; 8 (4):e59748.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Gavina; Sara C. Antunes; Gloria Pinto; Maria Teresa Claro; Conceição Santos; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Ruth Pereira. 2013. "Can Physiological Endpoints Improve the Sensitivity of Assays with Plants in the Risk Assessment of Contaminated Soils?" PLOS ONE 8, no. 4: e59748.
F. Gonçalves; Ana Gavina; R.O. Pereira; João Carvalho; T. Cruz; A.L. Caetano; S.C. Antunes. Ecological risk assessment of Ervedosa mine (Portugal): Tier 1—Screening evaluation of soil ecotoxicity. Toxicology Letters 2011, 205, S261 .
AMA StyleF. Gonçalves, Ana Gavina, R.O. Pereira, João Carvalho, T. Cruz, A.L. Caetano, S.C. Antunes. Ecological risk assessment of Ervedosa mine (Portugal): Tier 1—Screening evaluation of soil ecotoxicity. Toxicology Letters. 2011; 205 ():S261.
Chicago/Turabian StyleF. Gonçalves; Ana Gavina; R.O. Pereira; João Carvalho; T. Cruz; A.L. Caetano; S.C. Antunes. 2011. "Ecological risk assessment of Ervedosa mine (Portugal): Tier 1—Screening evaluation of soil ecotoxicity." Toxicology Letters 205, no. : S261.