Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X2424
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Review of biomonitoring metals in rivers using bullfrog tadpoles: an applicability study of exposed animals to Sorocaba River

Revisão do biomonitoramento de metais em rios utilizando girinos de rã-touro: um estudo de aplicabilidade de animais expostos ao rio Sorocaba

Victor Holanda Arjonas; Isabela Ferreira Fernandes; Mayara de Almeida Ribeiro Carvalho; Luciana Camargo de Oliveira; Heidi Samantha Moraes Utsunomiya; Gabriel Hiroshi Fujiwara; Cleoni dos Santos Carvalho

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X2424 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.37, e6, 2025
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Abstract

Aim: This study reviewed recent literature on the use of the bullfrog species (Aquarana catesbeiana, Shaw, 1802) as an environmental bioindicator of pollution. Additionally, the total concentration of metals in the skin of bullfrog tadpoles exposed to the Sorocaba River was evaluated to explore the potential of this tissue as a biomonitoring tool and assess the bioavailability of metals in the river to aquatic organisms.

Methods: A bibliographic review was conducted using the Scopus and PubMed platforms with the search terms “Lithobates catesbeianus biomarkers,” “Aquarana catesbeiana biomarkers,” and “Rana catesbeiana biomarkers.” Tadpoles were exposed for 96 hours to water from two points along the Sorocaba River: Point Ibiúna (PI), representing the river's source, and Point Itupararanga Reservoir (PIR), a key water supply location for the Sorocaba-SP region. Deionized, contaminant-free water served as the control. Metal concentrations (Ba, Cu, Mn, Sr, and Zn) in skin samples (n=30) were analyzed after sample digestion using HNO3 and HCl, with determination via Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES).

Results: A review of the last 10 years of bibliographic production revealed 35 articles, where metals were the second most studied contaminant using this species (approximately 34% of articles), following agricultural pesticides (43%). Metal concentrations of Ba and Zn in the PI group varied compared to the control group. For the PIR group, Mn concentrations varied significantly relative to both the control and PI groups. No significant variation in Cu and Sr concentrations was observed across the groups.

Conclusions: Existing literature supports the use of various bullfrog tissues as bioindicators of environmental pollution. In this study, Ba concentrations increased by 12% and Mn by 54% in the PIR group compared to the PI group. No differences were observed for Cu, Sr, and Zn across groups. Metals such as As, Cd, Co, Mo, Ni, and Pb were below the quantification limit in all groups. The increased Mn concentration in PIR-exposed tadpoles suggests metal accumulation, pointing to a potential decline in water quality downstream from the river's source.

Keywords

environmental monitoring; metallic pollution; amphibians

Resumo

Objetivo: Neste estudo foi avaliada a bibliografia recente sobre o uso da espécie de rã-touro Aquarana catesbeiana (Shaw, 1802) como bioindicador ambiental e a concentração total de metais na pele de girinos de rã-touro expostos às águas do rio Sorocaba, a fim de avaliar o potencial uso do tecido como ferramenta de biomonitoramento ambiental e a disponibilidade de metais no Rio Sorocaba para os animais.

Métodos: A bibliografia recente foi avaliada através das plataformas Scopus e Pubmed utilizando os termos “Lithobates catesbeianus biomarkers”, “Aquarana catesbeiana biomarkers” e “Rana catesbeiana biomarkers”. Os girinos foram expostos por 96 horas às águas de 2 pontos do Rio Sorocaba, sendo o ponto Ibiúna (PI) representando a nascente do Rio Sorocaba e o ponto Represa de Itupararanga (PIR) representando um importante ponto de abastecimento de água para região da cidade de Sorocaba-SP. Foi utilizada água deionizada livre de contaminantes como controle. A avaliação da concentração dos metais Ba, Cu, Mn, Sr e Zn nas amostras de pele (n=30) foi realizada após digestão das amostras em sistema fechado utilizando HN3 e HCl e determinação em Espectrômetro de Emissão Atômica por Plasma de Microondas (MP-AES).

Resultados: A revisão da produção bibliográfica dos últimos 10 anos resultou em 35 artigos sobre o tema, onde os metais foram o segundo contaminante mais estudado utilizando esta espécie (cerca de 34% dos artigos), atrás apenas dos defensivos agrícolas (cerca de 43% dos artigos). A concentração dos metais Ba e Zn no grupo PI variou em relação ao grupo controle, e a concentração de Mn no grupo PIR variou em relação ao grupo controle e em relação ao grupo exposto às águas do grupo PI. Para os metais Cu e Sr não houve variação significativa entre os grupos.

Conclusões: A bibliografia existente demonstra a capacidade de utilização de diversos tecidos de girinos de rã-touro como bioindicadores ambientais. Foi identificado o aumento de Ba (12%) e Mn (54%) no grupo PIR em relação ao grupo PI na pele dos girinos. Para os metais Cu, Sr e Zn não houve diferença entre os grupos. As, Cd, Co, Mo, Ni e Pb tiveram resultados abaixo do limite de quantificação nos grupos estudados. O aumento da concentração de Mn na pele dos girinos de rã-touro expostos às águas do reservatório de Itupararanga em relação ao grupo exposto às águas de Ibiúna pode indicar o acúmulo deste, apontando para piora na qualidade da água em relação ao ponto inicial do curso do rio.

Palavras-chave

monitoramento ambiental; poluição metálica; anfíbios

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Submitted date:
03/15/2024

Accepted date:
03/31/2025

Publication date:
05/27/2025

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