The usefulness of ecotoxicological approaches to assess environmental impacts caused by oil spills

Accidents involving oil spills have a high potential to cause catastrophic environmental impacts. However, the Brazilian legislation and guidelines to plan and determine response actions in case of oil accidents are vague and generally do not include the assessment of toxic effects of oil on the exposed biota and ecosystems. Therefore, such actions are unable to adequately assess the environmental effects of oil in the short, medium and long terms. Ecotoxicological methods consist of cost-effective and robust alternatives to identify and quantify the effects of oil on the exposed ecosystems. Such approaches should be incorporated into response actions in episodes of oil spills in aquatic environments

Sensitivities of two tropical epibenthic amphipodsto physical chemical variables and reference toxicants

This study sought to evaluate the sensitivity of two epibenthic amphipods (Hyalenigraand Hyaleyoungi) to reference substances inorder toevaluate their potential as test-organisms in ecotoxicological studies. First, theoptimal ranges of salinity, temperature, and pH were estimated for both species. Then, toxicity tests with different reference toxicants were conducted. The selected contaminants were cadmium chloride (CdCl2), sodium dodecyl sulfate detergent (C12H25NaO4S), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl2), potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4).The mortalities were recorded and the effectiveconcentrations to 50% organisms (LC5096h)were estimated. Sensitivities of both species were similar to those reported in studies on other amphipods, which is evidence of the potential of these species to serve as test organisms in ecotoxicological studies

Autodiagnóstico para Seleção de Reservas de Surf: um Protocolo de Análise

Surfing reserves (SRs) have been created all around the world as part of international or national programs. They can represent relevant initiatives for the local coastal management and protection of surfing spots and their surrounding areas. The process for establishing a SR relies on a set of attributes, of four main themes (wave quality, environmental characteristics, culture and surf history, governance capacity and local support). In this research, we proposed and tested some forms of organizing and comparing these attributes and themes, in order to provide a simple and easy form of preliminarily evaluating a candidate site to be a SR. Four beaches from the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, were compared (Maresias, Itamambuca, Guaraú and Praia Branca), and the themes and attributes were combined by qualitative and quantitative approaches. All approaches indicated Itamambuca beach as presenting the highest potential to be a SR. The stratified approaches, in which each of the four themes was evaluated separately and then combined with the other, appeared to be more consistent and easier to use and understand. We hope that these approaches are useful to surfing communities involved in SR candidatures, especially in the initial phases of analysis and diagnostic.Reservas de surf têm sido criadas em todo o mundo como parte de programas nacionais e internacionais, representando iniciativas relevantes para a gestão costeira local e a proteção das zonas de surf e suas áreas circunvizinhas. O processo de criação dessas reservas envolve uma série de atributos, dentro de quatro temas (qualidade de onda, características ambientais, história e cultura surf, governança e apoio local). Nesta pesquisa, foram propostas e testadas algumas formas de organizar e comparar esses temas e atributos, de modo a fornecer uma forma simples e fácil para avaliar de forma preliminar um determinado local como potencial candidato a se tornar uma reserva de surf. Quatro praias localizadas no estado de São Paulo, Brasil (Maresias, Itamambuca, Guaraú e Praia Branca), foram comparadas e os atributos e temas foram combinados por meio de abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas. Todas as abordagens apontaram a praia de Itamambuca como apresentando o maior potencial, nas condições atuais. As abordagens estratificadas, nas quais cada um dos quatro temas foi analisado separadamente para uma integração posterior, se revelaram mais consistentes e fáceis de serem utilizadas e compreendidas. Esperamos que estas abordagens possam ser úteis para comunidades interessadas em apresentar candidaturas de novas reservas de surf, principalmente nas fases iniciais de análise

Water toxicity assessment of Santos Bay under different climate conditions

Climate conditions and the movement of water masses are among the main factors that influence the destination of pollutants, acting upon transport and dispersion affecting, thus, the quality of water. Samples from Santos Bay were collected under normal conditions (08/21/2008) and during the entrance of a frontal system (08/22/2008) and tested for chronic ecotoxicity using fertilized eggs of sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Samples were toxic for stations near Xixová-Japuí State Park, Port of Santos, Submarine Outfall and Moela’s Island, sites related to pollution sources. Differences in climate conditions were observed and its contribution on toxicity seemed to be significant at the entrance of São Vicente estuary and Moela’s Island. At the stations in Santos Bay under influence of contamination from multiple sources such as the presence of outfall and sediments disposal from dredging, the continuous release of compounds still plays an important role in environmental quality

Contamination and toxicity in a subtropical Estuarine Protected Area influenced by former mining activities

The present paper reviews information about sources, fate, concentrations and toxicity of the metals found in the Cananéia-Iguape Estuarine Complex (CIEC), which is within a Ramsar site, the Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe Environmental Protected Area (CIP-PA). The main sources of metals to CIEC are the former mining sites located upstream, on the Ribeira de Iguape River basin. Pb is reported as the element of primary concern, but Cu, Zn, Cr and As have been detected in sediments and biota. In general, higher levels of metals are associated with muddy sediments, in depositional portions of the estuary. Metals appear to be bioavailable, as sediment toxicity has been reported, together with bioaccumulation and sub-chronic effects in fish and invertebrates. Areas with higher concentrations of metals and more severe sediment toxicity are not necessarily the closest to the sources. The worse conditions occur in depositional sites, which depend on rainfall in catchment basin and hydrological processes in the estuary. In fact, during the flooding season the deposition of particles seems to move southward, carrying metals to the southern portion of the CIEC. The results suggest that the protection objectives are not being fully achieved, demanding actions to ensure control of both internal and external sources of contaminants for the CIEC. Additionally, new enforcements and actions are required to control the contamination sources of mining residues located upstream. The current review highlights that estuarine and marine protected areas may be impacted by contaminants released from distant sources, and this situation should be properly addressed in management plans

A Rapid Protocol for the Preliminary Selection of Sites with Potential to be Surfing Reserves through Self-diagnosis

Reservas de surf têm sido criadas em todo o mundo como parte de programas nacionais e internacionais, representando iniciativas relevantes para a gestão costeira local e a proteção das zonas de surf e suas áreas circunvizinhas. O processo de criação dessas reservas envolve uma série de atributos, dentro de quatro temas (qualidade de onda, características ambientais, história e cultura surf, governança e apoio local). Nesta pesquisa, foram propostas e testadas algumas formas de organizar e comparar esses temas e atributos, de modo a fornecer uma forma simples e fácil para avaliar de forma preliminar um determinado local como potencial candidato a se tornar uma reserva de surf. Quatro praias localizadas no estado de São Paulo, Brasil (Maresias, Itamambuca, Guaraú e Praia Branca), foram comparadas e os atributos e temas foram combinados por meio de abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas. Todas as abordagens apontaram a praia de Itamambuca como apresentando o maior potencial, nas condições atuais. As abordagens estratificadas, nas quais cada um dos quatro temas foi analisado separadamente para uma integração posterior, se revelaram mais consistentes e fáceis de serem utilizadas e compreendidas. Esperamos que estas abordagens possam ser úteis para comunidades interessadas em apresentar candidaturas de novas reservas de surf, principalmente nas fases iniciais de análise.Surfing reserves (SRs) have been created all around the world as part of international or national programs. They can represent relevant initiatives for the local coastal management and protection of surfing spots and their surrounding areas. The process for establishing a SR relies on a set of attributes, of four main themes (wave quality, environmental characteristics, culture and surf history, governance capacity and local support). In this research, we proposed and tested some forms of organizing and com-paring these attributes and themes, in order to provide a simple and easy form of preliminarily evaluating a candidate site to be a SR. Four beaches from the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, were compared (Maresias, Itamambuca, Guaraú and Praia Branca), and the themes and attributes were combined by qualitative and quantitative

Urbanización costera y polución marina

Historicamente, as cidades litorâneas brasileiras foram estabelecidas sem um planejamento adequado, muitas vezes deixando de lado alguns aspectos básicos, como os sistemas de saneamento. Assim, esgotos e águas de drenagem urbanas frequentemente acabam despejados no mar, onde produzem impactos negativos sobre o ambiente, a saúde pública e a economia. A situação ainda é bastante complicada, dado o enorme atraso na adequação das cidades quanto à coleta e à disposição final dos esgotos, e um quadro ainda mais preocupante se refere às drenagens urbanas. É fundamental que seja dada prioridade ao saneamento das cidades costeiras, considerando os objetivos de sustentabilidade previstos na Agenda 2030.Historically, the Brazilian coastal cities have established and grown without proper planning. Some basic aspects were often left aside, such as the sanitation systems. Thus, waste waters and urban stormwater runoff normally end up being released into the sea, where they cause adverse impacts on the environment, public health and economy. This scenario remains quite complicated, as the improvement of the cities’ infrastructure for collecting and treating waste waters is deeply delayed, and a more concerning picture refers to the urban drainage. It is necessary to prioritize the sanitation of Brazilian coastal cities, based on the sustainable development goals proposed in the Agenda 2030.Históricamente, las ciudades costeras brasileñas se establecieron sin una planificación adecuada, frecuentemente dejando de lado algunos aspectos básicos, como los sistemas de saneamiento. Por lo tanto, las aguas residuales y de drenaje urbanas terminan en el mar, en la mayoría de los casos, donde producen impactos negativos sobre el medio ambiente, la salud pública y la economía. La situación sigue siendo bastante complicada, dado el enorme retraso en la adecuación de las ciudades respecto a la recogida y destino final de las aguas residuales, y un panorama aún más preocupante se refiere en al drenaje urbano. Es fundamental que se dé prioridad al saneamiento en las ciudades costeras, considerando los objetivos de sostenibilidad establecidos en la Agenda 2030

Modeling the dispersion of endocrine disruptors in the Santos Estuarine System (Sao Paulo State, Brazil)

Estrogens are hormones responsible for growth and reproduction. They are naturally synthesized by animals and humans alike. Xenoestrogens are identical to natural hormones, but they are man-made and used as oral contraceptives. Xenoestrogens are a specific group of drugs found in domestic wastewater and some environmental matrices. These compounds remain after conventional sewage treatment and, consequently, affect both the environment and non-target aquatic organisms. In this study, we used the Delft3D hydrodynamic model to estimate the amount of both natural and synthetic estrogens that have been released in the Estuarine System of Santos and São Vicente and the Santos Bay. The data on flow from the sewage treatment plants and on average concentrations of natural and synthetic estrogens released in aquatic environments were obtained from the literature. The results of the modeling showed higher concentrations of estrogens in the estuarine waters of the Largo Pompeba region, the São Vicente Canal, and the Santos Bay, which are regions that receive greater inflows of domestic sewage. The results also suggest that higher concentrations of estrogenic compounds are expected to be found in areas with higher levels of salinity.Estrogênios são hormônios responsáveis pelo crescimento e reprodução, sendo naturalmente sintetizados por animais e seres humanos. Os xenoestrogênios são hormônios idênticos aos naturais, porém fabricados pelo homem e utilizados como contraceptivos orais. Xenoestrogênios formam um grupo específico de fármacos encontrados em efluentes domésticos e em algumas matrizes ambientais. Estes compostos persistem nos tratamentos convencionais de esgotos e, consequentemente, atingem os ambientes e os organismos aquáticos não alvos. Neste trabalho, foi estimada a dispersão de estrogênios naturais e sintéticos quando estes são possivelmente lançados no Sistema Estuarino de Santos e São Vicente e Baía de Santos, utilizando o modelo hidrodinâmico Delft3D. Os dados das vazões de estações de tratamento de esgotos e de concentrações médias de estrogênios naturais e sintéticos lançadas nos ambientes aquáticos foram obtidos da literatura. Os resultados mostraram concentrações mais elevadas de estrogênios nas águas estuarinas da região do Largo da Pompeba, Canal de São Vicente, e na Baía de Santos, sendo estas as regiões que recebem maior aporte de esgotos domésticos. Os resultados da modelagem sugerem ainda que maiores concentrações dos compostos estrogênicos são esperadas nos locais com níveis mais elevados de salinidade

Divulgação do património geológico da ilha de Santa Maria

XIV Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Santa Maria 2009.As ilhas dos Açores apresentam uma grande variedade de rochas, formas, estruturas e paisagens, que derivam, entre outros factores, da natureza dos magmas, do tipo de vulcanismo, dos condicionalismos geotectónicos intrínsecos à sua génese e em especial do seu posicionamento no Atlântico Norte, na junção tripla das placas litosféricas Euroasiática, Norte Americana e Africana (ou Núbia). Das nove ilhas que constituem o Arquipélago dos Açores, Santa Maria é a ilha mais Oriental e Meridional do território insular. [...]. Santa Maria distingue-se das restantes ilhas açorianas pelas suas características edafo-climáticas, geológicas e morfológicas. A história geológica desta ilha traduz-se numa intensa actividade vulcânica, que terá feito emergir a mesma há cerca de 10 milhões de anos, alternada com períodos de acalmia, oscilações do nível do mar concomitantes e episódios de intensa erosão. Em consequência, a ilha, que contém as formações geológicas mais antigas do arquipélago, possui actualmente formas vulcânicas muito alteradas e índices de erosão superiores aos das outras ilhas do arquipélago, apresenta significativos afloramentos de rochas sedimentares com conteúdo fóssil abundante e diversificado e expõe abundantes afloramentos de lavas submarinas (Nunes et al., 2007). Em suma: a sua localização geográfica, clima, actividade vulcânica e oscilações do nível do mar que a afectaram contribuíram, indubitavelmente, para a sua evolução e a geodiversidade que evidencia

Assessment of metallic element contamination in sediments from the Santos - São Vicente Estuarine System

Three approaches were applied to evaluate metal contamination in 41 sediment samples from the Santos - São Vicente Estuarine System: normalization to Al, statistical analysis and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The results showed increases in the concentrations of Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg, which seemed to be associated with human activities. The levels of Al, Fe and Co probably were associated with crustal material or natural weathering processes. About 45% of the samples presented concentrations exceeding TEL-ERL, levels occasionally associated with adverse biological effects. Four of these samples presented concentrations above PEL-ERM, levels frequently associated with adverse biological effects.FAPES