Descontinuidade serial ao longo da bacia do rio Descoberto, Brasil Central

A bacia do rio Descoberto foi estudada como um sistema descontínuo através de um ciclo sazonal (um ano) em 13 estações amostrais; Métodos: A conectividade foi analisada em relação a características ambientais e limnológicas ao longo eixo longitudinal do rio Descoberto e as variáveis que mais influenciaram as diferentes estações amostrais foram determinadas; Resultados: As estações K e L, localizadas a montante e jusante da entrada do rio Melchior, respectivamente, diferiram mais quanto aos parâmetros físicos e químicos da água. Uma análise de componentes principais (PCA) demonstrou que o sistema foi mais influenciado espacialmente que temporalmente, com 74,57% da variância total acumulada nos dois primeiros eixos. Altos valores de cloreto, clorofila a, DBO5, fósforo total e carbono orgânico total, tanto quanto baixas concentrações de oxigênio dissolvido separaram as estações L e M das demais. Inverno e primavera foram estações nas quais a maioria dos parâmetros apresentou diferenças significativas entre as estações; Conclusões: A construção do reservatório e descargas de esgoto atuaram como fatores de descontinuidade afetando o referido sistema, principalmente no trecho médio do rio e no trecho inferior, entre estações K e L. O rio Melchior, a partir de sua entrada, afetou o rio Descoberto. Importantes mudanças na qualidade de água ocorreram na bacia especialmente a jusante do reservatório, com aumentos significativos de nutrientes, sólidos suspensos, turbidez e clorofila a e, portanto, na diminuição da transparência da água.The Descoberto Basin was studied as a discontinuous ecological system through one seasonal cycle (about one year), at 13 sampling sites; Methods: The connectivity was analyzed in relation to environmental and limnological characteristics along the length of the Descoberto River, and the variables that most influenced the different sampling sites were determined; Results: Sites K and L, located upstream and downstream of the entrance of the Melchior River, respectively, differed most in physical and chemical parameters. A Principal Components Analysis demonstrated that the system was more influenced spatially than temporally, with 74.57% of accumulated variance accounted for by the first two axes. High values of chloride, chlorophyll-a, BOD5, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon, as well as low dissolved-oxygen concentrations separated sites L and M from the others. Winter and spring were the seasons in which most parameters showed significant differences among the sites; Conclusions: The construction of the dam and waste discharge act as discontinuity factors affecting the referred system, mainly at middle region and lower patch, between the sites K and L. Besides the construction of the reservoir, the Melchior River, an extremely impacted system, affects the Descoberto River downstream from its entry. Important changes in water quality occur in the lower basin, especially downstream of the Descoberto Reservoir, with significant increases in nutrient concentrations, suspended solids, turbidity, and chlorophyll a, and therefore a decrease in water clarity

Rotifera, Paranoá reservoir, Brasília, central Brazil

This study examined rotifers from Lake Paranoá, an urban reservoir of central Brazil, within an exploratory sampling (from 1996 to 2005) on littoral and deeper areas in the lake and from the mouth of the tributaries of the lake (Torto and Bananal - north part, Gama and Riacho Fundo - south part) and registered five genera and 33 species are new records for the reservoir. This reservoir was subject to intense eutrophication at least during thirty years (1960 to 1998). Since 1999, when the lake underwent intentional flushing, shifts in species composition of rotifers were identified. Four new records were exclusives in triburary of Lake Paranoá. An expressive number of non planktonic species were registered in pelagic zone of Lake Paranoá, specially belong to Collothecidae

Trophic structure of a fish community in Bananal stream subbasin in Brasília National Park, cerrado biome (Brazilian savanna), DF

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de determinar a estrutura trófica da comunidade de peixes da sub-bacia do ribeirão Bananal pertencente a uma área bem preservada de Cerrado no Parque Nacional de Brasília. Além disso, buscou-se verificar a influência das variações ambientais na dieta das espécies. Em cada trecho de 30 m de extensão foram realizadas quatro amostragens, duas no período seco e duas no período chuvoso. Foram analisados 1050 estômagos pertencentes às 13 espécies mais abundantes encontradas. No total, foram consumidos 36 itens alimentares sendo 24 autóctones, oito alóctones e quatro de origem indeterminada. A análise de escalonamento multidimensional não-métrico (NMDS), juntamente com os resultados dos gráficos de freqüência de ocorrência e abundância, agrupou as espécies em quatro guildas: detritívoros, onívoros (com tendência à herbivoria e invertivoria), invertívoros e piscívoros. Cerca de 69% dos recursos consumidos pelos indivíduos foram de origem alóctone, o que evidencia a importância dos recursos advindos das matas de galeria. A contribuição de presas autóctones e alóctones na dieta diferiu, de acordo com a estação para Aspidoras fuscoguttatus, Astyanax sp., Characidium xanthopterum, Hyphessobrycon balbus, Kolpotocheirodon theloura, Moenkhausia sp., Phalloceros harpagos e Rivulus pictus. Apesar das características climáticas do bioma Cerrado, não houve influência significativa da variação sazonal na dieta. A ausência de variação sazonal e a predominância de itens alóctones na dieta provavelmente estão associadas à presença de matas ciliares, que atuam como zonas de amortecimento e zonas provedoras de recursos para a biota aquática. O presente estudo demonstra a importância de estudos em regiões íntegras para fornecer conhecimentos sobre a biologia das espécies e permitir o direcionamento de ações públicas para o manejo dos recursos aquáticos, para a recuperação de áreas degradadas e para a determinação de áreas prioritárias para a conservação.The aim of this study was to determine the trophic structure of the fish community in the Bananal stream subbasin, which belongs to a well-preserved Cerrado area (Brazilian Savanna) in Brasília National Park, Brazil. We also evaluated the influence of environmental variations in the diet of fish species. Four samples were taken in each 30 m long established transect, two in the rainy season and two in the dry season. A total of 1,050 stomachs of the 13 most abundant species were analyzed. A total of 36 food items were consumed, where 24 were autochthonous, 8 allochthonous, and 4 of undetermined origin. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis, in addition to the results of frequency of occurrence and abundance charts, was used to determine four groups of feeding guilds: detritivores, omnivores (tending toward herbivory and invertivory), invertivores and piscivores. Around 69% of the volume of resources consumed was allochthonous, which proves the importance of the resources provided by riparian vegetation. The contribution of autochthonous and allochthonous items in the diet differed due to seasonality for Aspidoras fuscoguttatus, Astyanax sp., Characidium xanthopterum, Hyphessobrycon balbus, Kolpotocheirodon theloura, Moenkhausia sp., Phalloceros harpagos, and Rivulus pictus. Despite the Cerrado climate characteristics, there was no significant influence of season on the fish diet. The absence of seasonal variation and the predominance of allochthonous items in the fish diet are probably associated with the presence of riparian vegetation, which acts as a transition area in the Cerrado biome and provides resources for the aquatic fauna. This work shows the importance of studies in non-disturbed areas considered here as a source of information concerning the biology of fish species and as a guide for direct conservation policies on the management of aquatic resources, recovery of damaged areas and determination of priority areas for conservation

Efeitos da aplicação de algicida (sulfato de cobre) sobre flutuações de curta duração do fitoplâncton no lago Paranoá, Brasil central

Flutuações de curta duração e a estrutura do fitoplâncton foram analisadas ao longo de dois meses na estação seca (agosto-setembro de 1997) em reservatório eutrófico do Brasil central. A aplicação de algicida para o controle de florescimentos de Microcystis aeruginosa exerceu influência sobre a variação temporal da comunidade fitoplanctônica, sendo efetiva também no controle do florescimento de M. aeruginosa e sobre a população de Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Ambas permaneceram em baixas densidades numéricas, com pequenas colônias e tricomas, respectivamente. Quedas bruscas de populações de Cyanobacteria após o tratamento de algicida foram seguidas por progressivo aumento de Chlorophyta. Mudanças de condições ambientais podem ter permitido o desenvolvimento deste último grupo. Análise de correspondência de dados de abundância do fitoplâncton no lago Paranoá revelou que a variável luz disponível se relacionou mais à flutuação de curta duração em estrutura do fitoplâncton do que a clorofila-a, o material suspenso total e a temperatura da água. A ACC constatou que as mudanças de transparência de água foram de primordial importância na abundância dos taxa fitoplanctônicos. O tratamento de algicida no controle de florescimentos algais é discutido aqui em relação ao gerenciamento eficiente de reservatórios.Short-term fluctuations and structure of phytoplankton were examined for two months in the dry season (August-September/1997) in a eutrophic reservoir of central Brazil. Algicide treatment for the control of Microcystis aeruginosa bloom influenced the short-term variation pattern of the phytoplankton community. Algicide treatment was effective in controlling M. aeruginosa bloom, but it also influenced the Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii population. These species retained low densities, showing small colonies and trichomes, respectively. Drops in Cyanobacteria populations following algicide treatment were succeeded by progressive increase in Chlorophyta. The shifts in environmental conditions may have allowed the development of this group. In this study correspondence analysis of abundance data for phytoplankton assemblage in lake Paranoá revealed that available light, rather than chlorophyll-a, total suspended material, and water temperature, accounted for most of the short-term fluctuation in phytoplankton structure during algicide application. Canonical correspondance analysis (CCA) showed the primary importance of water transparency changes in abundance of taxa in the community. Algicide treatment for the control of nuisance blooms is discussed as a contribution to improved efficiency in reservoir management

Factors that drive zooplankton diversity in Neo-Tropical Savannah shallow lakes

Abstract Zooplankton is an important community in aquatic ecosystems due to its linkage between primary producers and secondary consumers also playing a key role in cycling of organic materials. Aim: Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effects of physicochemical variables of the water on the diversity of zooplankton community in seven tropical shallow lakes of Brazilian savannah. Methods Zooplankton samples were taken using a bucket and filtered 200 L by a 64 µm-mesh-plankton-net, and preserved for subsequent identification. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, total phosphorus, and soluble reactive phosphorus were measured. Results The turbidity (decreases the temperature, luminosity and the system productivity) and ammonium (increases the toxicity) values were the major factors responsible for structuring the zooplankton community. On the other hand, also nitrogen and phosphorus (increase the productivity) are limiting in savannah lentic systems for the zooplankton. The higher α diversity was positively associated with aquatic macrophytes (increase of niches and refuge), whereas lakes with geographic proximity increase the similarity in species composition, decreasing the β diversity. Conclusions We conclude that the deterministic processes (niche theory), due to species have different ecological requirements, are different responses to environmental gradients and increase the diversity in heterogenic lentic systems

Trophic structure of macroinvertebrates in Amazonian streams impacted by anthropogenic siltation

This study assessed the results of anthropogenic sediment input on macroinvertebrate trophic structure in streams located in an area of oil and natural gas exploitation in Brazil's Amazon forest. The results indicate that macroinvertebrate communities both in streams impacted by anthropogenic sediments and in non-impacted streams are composed mainly of taxa in the following functional feeding groups: predators, gathering-collectors, scrapers, shredders and filtering-collectors. The highest densities were observed for collector-gatherers, followed by scrapers, predators, shredders and filtering-collectors. However, both the richness and the density of all groups were reduced in impacted streams. The reductions were significantly related to suspended inorganic sediment load and to the colour of suspended sediments. The relative proportion of shredders in streams impacted by anthropogenic sediments was significantly reduced as compared with the proportion observed in non-impacted streams. This resulted from lower availability of coarse particulate organic matter in these streams owing to burial of leaves and other plant material. These results indicate changes in the functioning and productivity of streams owing to anthropogenic siltation. This is because the benthic macroinvertebrate communities, sampled during this study, were dependent on the degradation of leaves, which are the primary energy source sustaining the benthic foodweb. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Ecological Society of Australia

Effects of anthropogenic silt on aquatic macroinvertebrates and abiotic variables in streams in the Brazilian Amazon

Purpose: While environmental risks associated with petroleum extraction such as oil spills or leaks are relatively well known, little attention has been given to the impacts of silt. The increase in petroleum exploitation in Amazonia has resulted in sediment input to aquatic systems, with impacts on their biodiversity. Here we use a combination of field measurements and statistical analyses to evaluate the impacts of anthropogenic silt derived from the construction of roads, borrow pits, and wells during the terrestrial development of gas and oil, on macroinvertebrate communities in streams of the Urucu Petroleum Province in the Central Brazilian Amazon. Material and methods: Ten impacted and nine non-impacted streams were sampled in January, April, and November of 2007. Macroinvertebrates were sampled along a 100-m continuous reach in each stream at 10-m intervals using a dip net. Abiotic variables including, a siltation index (SI), suspended inorganic sediment (SIS), sediment color index (SCI), suspend organic sediment (SOS), pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, water velocity, channel width, and depth, were measured at three equidistant points in each stream (~30-m intervals). Results and discussion: SI did not differ between impacted and undisturbed streams. SIS was higher and SCI lower (more reddish) in impacted than in non-impacted streams. SCI had a positive and SIS a negative effect on both macroinvertebrate richness and density. SIS and SCI also influenced macrophyte taxonomic composition. In impacted streams, taxonomic richness and density were 1. 5 times lower than in non-impacted streams. No taxon was significantly associated with impacted streams. SIS was positively correlated with SOS and electrical conductivity while SCI was negatively correlated with SOS, electrical conductivity, and pH. The lack of difference in SI between impacted and non-impacted streams suggests that anthropogenic sediment does not accumulate on stream beds. The reddish color of SIS in impacted streams reflects terrestrial erosion and indicates the rapid flow of suspended sediments through these reaches, impacting macroinvertebrate richness, density, and species composition. Conclusions: Anthropogenic suspended silt has had a significant negative impact on aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity and density in streams in the Urucu Petroleum Province. Soil conservation measures are needed to reduce silt inputs and restore these streams to their natural condition. Additional studies are also needed to investigate the dynamics of sediments in the impacted streams. © Springer-Verlag 2009