Environment chemistry: comparative studies and sublethal ecotoxicity of new antifungals on Daphnia magna as model organism

Abstract

The objective of this work was to compare through chronic tests, the sublethal effects of twocompounds: the antifungal commercial Pellital Bio-F36 (TCMTB), and a synthetic eco-friendly gemini (Gem3e) compound in Daphnia magna. Both compounds are used in the industry as antifungals for the preservation of woods and leathers. The attributes of life history recorded as endpoints were: survival; growth; fecundity and net reproductive rate (Ro). The net reproductive rate (Ro) was =0 in the bioassays conducted with 1x10-4, 5x10-5 and 2.5x10-5 mg L-1 of TCMTB. This value is indicative of no reproductive events, condition that would indicate a population decline and possible local extinction. For the synthetic compound type-gemini (Gem-3e) only in the lowest concentration Ro was >1. Changes occurred in the life cycle of D. magna exposed to both compounds, but the concentrations tested with the commercial formulation was between 2100 and 2403 times lower than those of the Gem-3e compound.