Prospecting for Phytotoxicity and Enzymatic Modulation of Waters from Springs in the Surroundings of Campo Mourão, State of Paraná, Brazil, in Lactuca sativa L.

Water quality of rivers in the eastern region of Cianorte (Paraná, Brazil) under relevant influence of industrial and agricultural waste

“…The presence of fluorides, chlorides (even in line with the law considered) and phosphate in the waters is also a result of urban waste transported by the city's rain galleries, as those from domestic and industrial cleaning agent (Damasceno et al, 2015). According to Barbério et al (2009) and Mendes et al (2021), the presence of these three compounds in natural waters even at permitted concentrations, when combined with other conditions, such as the presence of salts and/or metals in water, form complex structures that can cause significant adverse effects, such as toxicity to organisms and death. Table 2 lists the results of the physical-chemical analyzes of the waters of the three rivers.…”

“…Punctual and diffuse sources of pollution can cause physical, chemical and/or biological changes in a water body, impeding its use. Worldwide, the destruction of flooded areas, the suppression of riparian forests, pollution and contamination of rivers by the discharge of urban and agricultural effluents, have caused loss of water quality and availability, resulting in environmental, social and economic consequences (Chan-Keb et al, 2018;Mendes et al, 2021).…”

“…Such parameters allow the knowledge of the factors determining the origin and the nature of residues in water bodies (Brasil, 2005;Barbério et al, 2009;Mendes et al, 2020). However, according to Mendes et al (2021), in that country the toxicological potential of contaminants in rivers remains little explored in the assessment of environmental risk.…”

“…Vascular plants are recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency as test organisms for assessing and monitoring contaminants in different environmental matrices (Herrero et al, 2012). Among the internationally accepted tests for assessing environmental quality are the bioassays on Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), where its seeds and seedlings are routinely used to determine the toxic effects of compounds in terrestrial environments and water bodies, as they are sensitive even to low concentrations (Zhao et al, 2016;Paredes et al 2016;Mendes et al, 2021). This species presents fast germination and linear root growth in a wide range of pH (Mtisi & Willis 2019;Priac et al, 2017;Souza et al, 2020).…”

“…This species presents fast germination and linear root growth in a wide range of pH (Mtisi & Willis 2019;Priac et al, 2017;Souza et al, 2020). It is also considered more sensitive in assessing the toxicity of pollutants than other plant test systems (Silveira et al, 2017;Chan-Keb et al, 2018;Mendes et al, 2021). With the results of germination and root elongation obtained through this bioassay, it is possible to predict the cytotoxic potential of substances, mixtures of compounds and waters.…”