Effects of pasture intensification and sugarcane cultivation on non-target species: A realistic evaluation in pesticide-contaminated mesocosms

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 922; p. 171425
• Main Authors: Baima Ferreira Freitas, Isabele, Duarte-Neto, Paulo José, Sorigotto, Lais Roberta, Cardoso Yoshii, Maria Paula, de Palma Lopes, Laís Fernanda, de Almeida Pereira, Mickaelle Maria, Girotto, Laís, Badolato Athayde, Danillo, Veloso Goulart, Bianca, Montagner, Cassiana Carolina, Schiesari, Luis Cesar, Martinelli, Luiz Antônio, Gaeta Espíndola, Evaldo Luiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 20.04.2024
• Subjects: 2,4-D; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - toxicity; Animals; Cattle; Environmental Biomarkers; Female; Fertilizer; Fipronil; Pesticides - toxicity; Saccharum; Soil; Soil management; Vinasse; Water - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; pH; 2,4-D; Soil management; Fipronil; Fertilizer; Vinasse
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171425

Conventional soil management in agricultural areas may expose non-target organisms living nearby to several types of contaminants. In this study, the effects of soil management in extensive pasture (EP), intensive pasture (IP), and sugarcane crops (C) were evaluated in a realistic-field-scale study. Thirteen aquatic mesocosms embedded in EP, IP, and C treatments were monitored over 392 days. The recommended management for each of the areas was simulated, such as tillage, fertilizer, pesticides (i.e. 2,4-D, fipronil) and vinasse application, and cattle pasture. To access the potential toxic effects that the different steps of soil management in these areas may cause, the cladoceran Ceriophania silvestrii was used as aquatic bioindicator, the dicot Eruca sativa as phytotoxicity bioindicator in water, and the dipteran Chironomus sancticaroli as sediment bioindicator. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify differences between the treatments. Low concentrations of 2,4-D (<97 μg L−1) and fipronil (<0.21 μg L−1) in water were able to alter fecundity, female survival, and the intrinsic rate of population increase of C. silvestrii in IP and C treatments. Similarly, the dicot E. sativa had germination, shoot and root growth affected mainly by 2,4-D concentrations in the water. For C. sancticarolli, larval development was affected by the presence of fipronil (<402.6 ng g−1). The acidic pH (below 5) reduced the fecundity and female survival of C. silvestrii and affected the germination and growth of E. sativa. Fecundity and female survival of C. silvestrii decrease in the presence of phosphorus-containing elements. The outcomes of this study may improve our understanding of the consequences of exposure of freshwater biota to complex stressors in an environment that is rapidly and constantly changing. [Display omitted] •Pesticides concentrations are greater in sugarcane than in pasture treatments.•Combined conditions affected female survival of Ceriodaphnia silvestrii.•Fipronil have affected larvae development of Chironomus sancticaroli.•Environmental conditions may influence pesticides toxicity.