Susana Loureiro | University of Aveiro (original) (raw)

Papers by Susana Loureiro

The ''PortoNovo'' project was developed to standardize the methodologies for water quality manage... more The ''PortoNovo'' project was developed to standardize the methodologies for water quality management in the port areas of coastal Atlantic regions to improve the Water Frame Directive (WFD) for these specific water bodies. Under this scope, water and sediment samples were collected from five sites within the Port of Aveiro, Portugal. According to the physical and chemical parameters that were analyzed (i.e., metals, total organic carbon, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), the sediments were not considered at risk based on European sediment quality laws. However, the bioassays that were performed on the sediment samples (Microtox Ò ) and the standardized acute toxicity test using the marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, on sediment elutriates revealed higher toxicity levels. The use of bioassays to assess sediment quality clearly complements more conservative approaches and highlights current gaps within the WFD. The approach presented here can be easily transferred to other port areas for more reliable water quality management.

Increasing considerations of biochar application to soils has raised concerns over implications t... more Increasing considerations of biochar application to soils has raised concerns over implications to overall environmental quality, associated to some of its components. The heterogeneity of biochar composition is well documented in relation to co-existing chemical species, as a function of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. Robust ecotoxicology studies with focus on bioavailable biochar components in soil remain scarce and have only started to emerge. This pilot study provides an insight into the potential ecotoxicological effects of aqueous extracts of biochar-amended soil on a range of aquatic organisms (Vibrio fischeri, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Daphnia magna), using a battery of standard aquatic bioassays. The use of such bioassays in environmental risk assessment of soil-biochar elutriates is here suggested as a crucial tool, to bridge the gap between biochar's 'inert' fraction in soil and that bioavailable to edaphic organisms.

Cadmium ecotoxicity and genotoxicity was assessed in three representative species of different tr... more Cadmium ecotoxicity and genotoxicity was assessed in three representative species of different trophic levels of marine ecosystems – the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa, the decapod shrimp, Palaemon varians and the pleuronectiform fish Solea senegalensis. Ecotoxicity endpoints assessed in this study were adult survival, hatching success and larval development ratio (LDR) for A. tonsa, survival of the first larval stage (zoea I) and post-larvae of P. varians, egg and larvae survival, as well as the presence of malformations in the larval stage of S. senegalensis. In vivo genotoxicity was assessed on adult A. tonsa, the larval and postlarval stage of P. varians and newly hatched larvae of S. senegalensis using the comet assay. Results showed that the highest sensitivity to cadmium is displayed by A. tonsa, with the most sensitive endpoint being the LDR of nauplii to copepodites. Sole eggs displayed the highest tolerance to cadmium compared to the other endpoints evaluated for all tested species. Recorded cadmium toxicity was (by increasing order): S. senegalensis eggs < P. varians post-larvae < P. varians zoea I < S. senegalensis larvae < A. tonsa eggs < A. tonsa LDR. DNA damage to all species exposed to cadmium increased with increasing concentrations. Overall, understanding cadmium chemical speciation is paramount to reliably evaluate the effects of this metal in marine ecosystems. Cadmium is genotoxic to all three species tested and therefore may differentially impact individuals and populations of marine taxa. As A. tonsa was the most sensitive species and occupies a lower trophic level, it is likely that cadmium contamination may trigger bottom-up cascading effects in marine trophic interactions.

Archives of …, Jan 1, 2006

Science of The Total Environment, 2014

Effects of silver nanoparticles and nitrate were compared in three aquatic species.

European Journal of Soil Biology, 2005

New directions for research identified during the final plenary discussion of the Sixth Symposium... more New directions for research identified during the final plenary discussion of the Sixth Symposium on the Biology of Terrestrial Isopods included: locating enzymes buffering pleon fluids during excretion of ammonia and the use of isopods in ecotoxicology including how they adapt to or tolerate high contaminant levels; how they interact with free living and endosymbiotic microbiota and how Wolbacchia avoids the immune response of isopods. New analyses of mating behaviour raised questions concerning mate choice while new microsatellite techniques may help resolve issues of multiple paternity and sperm competition. In relation to their ecology and biogeography new questions included how does the ability to learn the location of high quality food patches in spatially heterogeneous environments and the existence of an Allee effect, influence the population biology of isopods in the field and how do patterns of invasion and colonisation vary between species with different motility and life history strategies?

The effects of soil pH on the toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) to the terrestrial isopod Porce... more The effects of soil pH on the toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) to the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus were evaluated. Isopods were exposed to a natural soil amended with CaCO 3 to reach 3 different pH CaCl2 levels (4.5, 6.2, and 7.3) and to standard LUFA 2.2 soil (pH 5.5) spiked with ZnO NPs (30 nm), non-nano ZnO (200 nm), and ionic Zn as ZnCl 2 . Toxicity was expressed based on total Zn concentration in soil, as well as total Zn and free Zn 2þ ion concentrations in porewater. Compared with ZnO-spiked soils, the ZnCl 2 -spiked soils had lower pH and higher porewater Ca 2þ and Zn levels. Isopod survival did not differ between Zn forms and soils, but survival was higher for isopods exposed to ZnO NPs at pH 4.5. Median effect concentrations (EC50s) for biomass change showed similar trends for all Zn forms in all soils, with higher values at intermediate pH. Median lethal concentration (LC50) and EC50 values based on porewater Zn or free Zn ion concentrations were much lower for ZnO than for ionic zinc. Zn body concentrations increased in a dose-related manner, but no effect of soil pH was found. It is suggested not only that dissolved or free Zn in porewater contributed to uptake and toxicity, but also that oral uptake (i.e., ingestion of soil particles) could be an important additional route of exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2808-2815. # 2013 SETAC

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2012

Metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) (e.g., silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxide) are bein... more Metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) (e.g., silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxide) are being widely used in the nanotechnology industry. Because of the release of particles from NP-containing products, it is likely that NPs will enter the soil compartment, especially through land application of sewage sludge derived from wastewater treatment. This review presents an overview of the literature dealing with the fate and effects of metal-based NPs in soil. In the environment, the characteristics of NPs (e.g., size, shape, surface charge) and soil (e.g., pH, ionic strength, organic matter, and clay content) will affect physical and chemical processes, resulting in NP dissolution, agglomeration, and aggregation. The behavior of NPs in soil will control their mobility and their bioavailability to soil organisms. Consequently, exposure characterization in ecotoxicological studies should obtain as much information as possible about dissolution, agglomeration, and aggregation processes. Comparing existing studies is a challenging task, because no standards exist for toxicity tests with NPs. In many cases, the reporting of associated characterization data is sparse, or missing, making it impossible to interpret and explain observed differences in results among studies. Environ. Toxicol. Chem.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2015

The application of nanoparticles (NPs) in consumer products has been increasing over the past few... more The application of nanoparticles (NPs) in consumer products has been increasing over the past few years. Their release to the environment is likely to happen at any stage of production or usage of NPs-containing products. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) are among the most used NPs in the market due to its intrinsic properties, such as UV absorption. The aim of this study was to assess the combined effects of ZnO-NP and UV radiation (UVR) on two freshwater species: Daphnia magna and Danio rerio. The initial hypothesis was that the presence of ZnO-NP in the aquatic media would decrease the damaging effects of UVR for both species. The endpoints assessed for Daphnia magna were immobilisation, feeding inhibition and reproduction output, whereas for Danio rerio, egg development was studied during 96h and mortality, hatching delay and abnormal development were the endpoints recorded. Combined exposures were designed based on the single toxicity of both stressors and analyzed based on the Independent Action (IA) concept and exploring possible deviations for synergism/antagonism (SA), dose level (DL) and dose ratio (DR). Combined exposures with Daphnia magna induced synergism on reproduction, decreasing the number of neonates produced more than expected based on both stressors individual toxicity. Single exposures of Danio rerio embryos to both stressors induced negative effects. The combined exposures caused a dose-ratio deviation pattern on mortality and hatching, with a synergism observed when ZnO-NP was the dominant stressor, changing to antagonism when UVR dominated the combined exposure. Therefore and regarding the results attained, studying ZnO toxicity under laboratory conditions may underestimate the risks, considering the potential interaction on effects when combined with UVR. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015

At ecosystems level, environmental parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentra... more At ecosystems level, environmental parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration and intensity of UV radiation (UVR) have an important role on the efficiency of organisms' physiological and behavioral performances and consequently on the capacity of response to contaminants. Insignificant alterations of these parameters may compromise this response. In addition, these parameters can additionally alter chemical compounds by inducing their degradation, producing thereafter other metabolites. Understanding the combined effects of chemicals and environmental parameters is absolutely necessary for an adequate prediction of risk in aquatic environments. According to this scenario, this work aims at studying the combined toxicity of UVR and three xenobiotics: the biocide triclosan (TCS), the metal chromium (as potassium dichromate, PD) and the fungicide prochloraz (PCZ). To achieve this goal zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (3 h post fertilization (hpf)) were exposed to several concentrations of each chemical combined with different UV intensities; mortality and eggs were recorded every 24 h for the all test duration (96 h). Results showed different response patterns depending on the toxicant, stress levels and duration of exposure. The combination of UVR and TCS indicated a dose ratio deviation where synergism was observed when UVR was the dominant stressor (day 2). The combination of UVR and PD presented a dose level dependency at day 3 indicating antagonism at low stress levels, changing with time where at day 4, a dose ratio deviation showed statistically that synergism occurred at higher PD concentrations. Finally, UVR combined with PCZ indicated a dose ratio at day 3 and dose level deviation at day 4 of exposure, suggesting a synergistic response when PCZ is the dominant stressor in the combination. The obtained results in this study highlighted the importance of taking into account the possible interaction of stressors and time of exposure to better predict environmental risk.

Applied Soil Ecology, 2015

Abiotic factors constitute one of the most important drivers shaping soil ecosystems. Although be... more Abiotic factors constitute one of the most important drivers shaping soil ecosystems. Although being a strongly buffered environment, soil heterogeneous nature combined with the limited mobility of its organisms can make them highly sensitive to unfavourable conditions. A thorough knowledge of these relationships is thus a critical starting point to understand the challenges posed to edaphic organisms in a context of global environmental changes and the implications arising therefrom. In this study we evaluated the influence of temperature, soil moisture and UV radiation on the performance of the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus using several endpoints: survival, locomotor activity, feeding parameters and avoidance behaviour. At the range assessed, temperature did not affect isopods' survival but showed marked effects on sublethal endpoints. Both feeding parameters and locomotor activity showed a right-shifted response with gradual temperature-induced optimisation in isopods' performance until reaching an optimum temperature and abruptly declining thereafter. On the contrary, soil moisture was found to significantly affect isopods' survival but the effects on the feeding parameters were not clear. Although exhibiting a clear preference for intermediate soil moistures, isopods were particularly sensitive to drier environments since higher percentages of avoidance were found. UV radiation affected survival, body weight and locomotor performance. Abiotic factors affect soil organisms at relevant conditions and must therefore be considered while developing tools for edaphic ecosystems' protection such as ecotoxicological testing and further environmental risk assessment.

Marine and Freshwater Research, 2015

Plant and Soil, 2014

Aims The Cerrado, a South American savanna, is considered a priority for conservation. In this ca... more Aims The Cerrado, a South American savanna, is considered a priority for conservation. In this case study, we assessed soil feeding activity as a way to improve understanding of the ecosystem functioning, in order to support and refine conservation strategies. Methods Soil feeding activity was assessed using the bait-lamina method under different environmental conditions: in the dry and rainy seasons, in burned and unburned areas, and under native and invasive grasses. Results Feeding activity was significantly reduced after fire, but recovered to pre-fire levels with the rains. Activity increased significantly during the rainy season in both areas, being more pronounced in the unburned area. The highest feeding activity was observed under the invasive grass (Melinis minutiflora). Feeding activity declined with soil depth and was affected by season and fire. Conclusions Seasonality was the most important factor affecting the feeding activity of soil organisms, followed by the fire history and the extant vegetation. Although this method does not allow distinguishing between feeding activity of different organisms, it can provide valuable insights into differences in soil functioning due to changes in environmental conditions.

Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC, Jan 5, 2015

The increase of ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface due to the increase of ozo... more The increase of ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface due to the increase of ozone layer depletion have affected crop production systems, and in combination with pesticides used in agricultural activities can lead to greater risks to the environment. The impact of ultraviolet radiation and carbaryl singly and in combination on Triticum aestivum (wheat) and Brassica rapa (turnip) was studied. The combined exposure was analyzed using the MixTox tool and was based on the conceptual model of Independent Action (IA), where possible deviations to synergism or antagonism, dose-ratio or dose-level response pattern were also considered. Compared to the control, carbaryl and ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation) individually led to reductions in growth, fresh and dry weight and water content for both species. Combined treatment of ultraviolet and carbaryl were more deleterious when compared to single exposure. For T. aestivum length no interactions between the 2 stressors was ...

Ecotoxicology, in press, 2014

The natural LUFA 2.2 standard soil has been extensively used in hazard assessment of soil contami... more The natural LUFA 2.2 standard soil has been extensively used in hazard assessment of soil contaminants, combining representation with ecological relevance for accurate risk evaluation. This study revisited the waterextractable fraction of LUFA 2.2 soil, through consecutive soil wet-dry cycles and discusses implications of use as standard substrate in derivation of ecotoxicological data and toxicity thresholds. Potentially bioavailable contents of metals (177.9-888.7 lg/l) and the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; 0.064-0.073 lg/l) were dependent on the number of soil wetting-drying cycles applied. Such

Ecotoxicology, 2014

It is vital to address potential risks to aquatic ecosystems exposed to runoff and leachates from... more It is vital to address potential risks to aquatic ecosystems exposed to runoff and leachates from biocharamended soils, before large scale applications can be considered. So far, there are no established approaches for such an assessment. This study used a battery of bioassays and representative aquatic organisms for assessing the acute toxicity of water-extractable fractions of biocharamended soil, at reported application rates (80 t ha -1 ). Biochar-amended aqueous soil extracts contained cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) (Rmetals 96.3 lg l -1 ) as well as the 16 priority PAHs defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (R 16 PAHs 106 ng l -1 ) at contents in the range of current EU regulations for surface waters. Nevertheless, acute exposure to soil-biochar (SB) extracts resulted in species-specific effects and dose-response patterns. While the bioluminescent marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri was the most sensitive organism to aqueous SB extracts, there were no effects on the growth of the microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. In contrast, up to 20 and 25 % mobility impairment was obtained for the invertebrate Daphnia magna upon exposure to 50 and 100 % SB extract concentrations (respectively). Results suggest that a battery of rapid and cost-effective aquatic bioassays that account for ecological representation can complement analytical characterization of biochar-amended soils and risk assessment approaches for surface and groundwater protection.

World Mycotoxin Journal, 2013

The persistent organic pollutant p,p′-DDE, the major metabolite of the insecticide DDT, has displ... more The persistent organic pollutant p,p′-DDE, the major metabolite of the insecticide DDT, has displayed evidence of endocrine disruption through the inhibition of androgen binding to androgen receptors in different species. Although p,p′-DDE was continuously detected in wild fish with abnormal gonad development such as intersex, little is known about its mode of action during gonad development in fish. To elucidate the potential endocrine effects of this pollutant in zebrafish (Danio rerio), juveniles (30 days post hatch) were exposed to p,p′-DDE during the critical window of sexual differentiation. Fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 20 µg l–1 over 14 days and were maintained in control water for an additional 4 months. As core endpoints, the vitellogenin (vtg) concentration was measured at the end of exposure, and sex ratio and the gonadosomatic index were assessed 4 months after the end of exposure. An increase in vtg production in whole body homogenate was observed in fish exposed to 0.2 and 2.0 µg l–1 p,p′-DDE. No significant differences were displayed in morphological parameters such as the gonadosomatic index of males and females or sex ratio. However, exposed females presented histopathological changes that include the reduction of the number of mature oocytes, which might impair their successful reproduction. These results demonstrate the ability of p,p′-DDE to cause endocrine disruption in zebrafish exposed during gonad differentiation of juvenile specimens. Furthermore, vtg induction by p,p′-DDE in juvenile zebrafish arises as a predictive marker for adverse effects of this DDT metabolite on the ovarian function of female zebrafish. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.