Marcos Antonio Hortellani

Avaliação da contaminação por elementos metálicos dos sedimentos do Estuário Santos - São Vicente

Three approaches were applied to evaluate metal contamination in 41 sediment samples from the Santos - Sao 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.

Contamination of port zone sediments by metals from Large Marine Ecosystems of Brazil

Sediment contamination by metals poses risks to coastal ecosystems and is considered to be problematic to dredging operations. In Brazil, there are differences in sedimentology along the Large Marine Ecosystems in relation to the metal distributions. We aimed to assess the extent of Al, Fe, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination in sediments from port zones in northeast (Mucuripe and Pecém) and southeast (Santos) Brazil through geochemical analyses and sediment quality ratings. The metal concentrations found in these port zones were higher than those observed in the continental shelf or the background values in both regions. In the northeast, metals were associated with carbonate, while in Santos, they were associated with mud. Geochemical analyses showed enrichments in Hg, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn, and a simple application of international sediment quality guidelines failed to predict their impacts, whereas the use of site-specific values that were derived by geochemical and ecotoxicological approaches seemed to be more appropriate in the management of the dredged sediments.

Evaluation of mercury contamination in sediments from Santos - São Vicente Estuarine System, São Paulo State, Brazil

The distribution of mercury contamination in the Santos - Sao Vicente Estuarine System was observed through the analysis of 31 sediments samples collected from that system, including mangrove areas under urban, industrial and harbor influence zones. The range of values obtained was between 0.04 and 1.19 µg g -1. About 90% of samples presented Hg > 0.13 µg g-1 levels, which is the limit established by Canadian legislation and adopted by the environmental control agency of Sao Paulo State - Brazil (CETESB), below which no adverse effect on the biological community has been observed. About 35% of these samples presented concentrations of Hg > 0.70 µg g-1, the probable level of occurrence of adverse effect on the biological community. These results indicate an increase in the mercury levels caused by industrial, port and urban activities. A statistical study was carried out, using the SPSS-10.0 software, to verify relationships among all the investigated parameters. Normalization of mercury with mud content was used to detect the degree of mercury contamination in this area.

Metal Concentration in Sediments from the Santos Estuarine System: a Recent Assessment

O presente estudo avaliou a concentracao de metais em sedimentos provenientes do Sistema Estuarino de Santos (Estado de Sao Paulo, Brasil) no inverno de 2010. Amostras de sedimento superficial foram coletadas em 16 pontos distribuidos ao redor do referido estuario. Cada amostra foi homogeneizada e sub-amostrada para as analises quimicas e granulometricas. Os resultados foram comparados aos valores de referencia presentes nas Normas Canadenses de Qualidade do Sedimento. As analises de componentes principais (ACP) e de clusters foram utilizadas para identificar e esclarecer correlacoes existentes entre os pontos de coleta e os parâmetros quimicos. ACP agrupou locais proximos a area industrial, onde a contaminacao do sedimento parece ser mais critica, o que foi confirmado pela analise de clusters. Os resultados confirmaram que a contaminacao por metais ainda e um problema para o ecossistema bentonico do Estuario de Santos. Esforcos devem ser feitos para continuar permitindo a recreacao, a pesca e demais atividades diretamente relacionadas com as zonas costeiras e ajudar a proteger o ecossistema estuarino. This study aimed to evaluate the metal concentration of sediments from the Santos Estuarine System (Sao Paulo State, Brazil). during the winter of 2010. Surface sediment samples were collected from 16 sites distributed along with the estuarine system. Aliquots from homogenized samples were sub-sampled for chemical and granulometric analyses. The results were compared with reference values from Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines. Principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were used to identify and clarify relationships among sites and chemical parameters. PCA grouped sites close to the industrial area, where sediment contamination seems to be more critical, which was confirmed by cluster analysis. The results confirmed that metal contamination is still a problem for the bent ecosystem of the Santos Estuarine System. Strong efforts must be done to keep allowing recreation, fishing and other activities direct related to coastal areas and to help protect the estuarine ecosystem.

Are Catfish (Ariidae) Effective Bioindicators for Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu and Zn?

Ariidae catfish species are numerically abundant along the coast of Brazil. Their benthic habits and broad spectrum diets make them good potential candidates for sub-lethal biomonitoring studies. In this study, we assess the levels of various metal contaminants (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu and Zn) in the muscle tissues of two Ariidae species, Cathorops spixii and Genidens genidens, from three sites in São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil: two polluted sites in the Santos-São Vicente estuary and a relatively unpolluted site in the Cananéia estuary. The Zn levels observed in the polluted areas in the Santos-São Vicente estuary were similar to those obtained for Ariidae from the reference site in Cananéia. The concentrations of Hg and Cu in the muscle tissue of both fish species were higher in individuals from the Santos-São Vicente than those from the Cananéia estuary. Both Ariidae species were observed to accumulate the Cu, Zn and Hg in their tissues; however C. spixii showed a more stable response suggesting its potential utility as a bioindicator species. The Zn and Cu concentrations probably reflect normal levels without a significant influence of anthropogenic contamination. The levels of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue of C. spixii and G. genidens were relatively low, but the PCA indicated the presence of the levels of these metals in the reference area (thereby supporting the need for monitoring in Cananéia estuary). The detection of Hg in fish from Santos-São Vicente and from the unpolluted site (Cananéia) is of particular concern as scientists frequently use this area as a reference site for biomonitoring studies on the Southwest coast of Brazil.

Uso do bivalve límnico Anodontites tenebricosus (LEA, 1834) no biomonitoramento de metais do Rio Ribeira de Iguape

USING THE FRESHWATER BIVALVE Anodontites tenebricosus (LEA, 1834) AS A BIOMONITOR OF METALS IN THE RIBEIRA DE IGUAPE RIVER. This study investigated the contamination of the Ribeira de Iguape River – RIR by Cd, Zn, Cr and Pb, using the bivalve Anodontites tenebricosus as a biomonitor. Metal concentrations in tissue samples were measured by HR-ICPMS. Bivalve tissues exhibited mean levels of 1.00 µg/g Cd; 152.89 µg/g Zn; 14.79 µg/g Cr and 4.40 µg/g Pb. Lead concentrations were comparable to those reported for moderately contaminated sites. The results showed that Pb is bioavailable to the bivalves, exhibiting high concentrations and exceeding both natural and reference values for human consumption. The freshwater bivalve Anodontites tenebricosus is a suitable biomonitor of contamination by metals.

Effects of harbor activities on sediment quality in a semi-arid region in Brazil

Tropical marine environments are rich in biodiversity and the presence of harbor activities in these areas can harm the coastal ecosystems. In this study, we assessed sediment quality of two harbors from a tropical region in Brazil by applying multiple lines-of-evidence approach. This approach included the integration of results on: (1) grain size, organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, linear alkylbenzenes, and tributyltin; (2) acute toxicity of whole sediments and chronic toxicity of liquid phases; and (3) benthic community descriptors. Our results revealed that the main contaminants detected in sediments from Mucuripe and Pecém Harbors were chromium, copper, nitrogen, zinc, and tributyltin. These toxicants arise from typical harbor activities. However, the changes in benthic composition and structure appear to depend on a combination of physical impacts, such as the deposition of fine sediments and the toxic potential of contaminants, especially in Mucuripe. Thus, apart from toxicants physical processes are important in describing risks. This information may assist in management and conservation of marine coastal areas.

Assessment of metal concentration in the Billings Reservoir sediments, São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil

Four approaches were applied to evaluate the metal contamination in 47 sediment samples (< 63 µm fraction) collected at 13 fishing points of the Billings Reservoir: sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), geoaccumulation index (IGeo), metal pollution index (MPI) and statistical analyses. Only Fe and Co concentrations seemed to be associated with crustal material or natural weathering processes, while Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn showed increases in their concentrations, which seemed to be associated with anthropogenic sources. MPI identified the most critical sites in relation to the total metal accumulation while IGeo identified the specific metal accumulation for each site. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and box plot method were performed to evaluate seasonal effects on the metal levels. Only box plot suggested a slight increase in Hg and Pb contamination during heavy rainy periods and also indicated high concentrations of Cu and Zn in one of the analyzed point, with incidence of outliers and extreme values. Thus, an environmental policy in order to reduce these metal contaminations must be adopted.

Analysis of major metallic elements in Chilean wines by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

A set of 75 wine samples from seven of the major wine producing regions in Chile were analyzed with flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to determine their content of major metallic elements (K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe and Zn). The results obtained were further analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA) in an attempt to loosely discriminate these wines according to grape type and geographical origin. The metal concentrations measured were within normal ranges, according to previously published data from other wine producing countries. Multivariate statistics allowed the possibility to reasonably discriminate between red and white wines, and to show a distinctive pattern of Na concentration, with higher total contents for the wines produced in the northern parts of the country. Setenta y cinco muestras de vinos provenientes de siete de las principales zonas vitivinicolas de Chile fueron analizadas por espectrometria de absorcion atomica de llama (AAS) para determinar su contenido de elementos mayoritarios (K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe y Zn). Los resultados obtenidos fueron analizados mediante la metodologia de analisis de componentes principales (PCA) en un intento por discriminar los vinos de acuerdo a su variedad u origen geografico. Las determinaciones de concentracion de metales encontradas resultaron dentro de los rangos normales previamente descritos para vinos producidos en otras regiones del mundo. La tecnica de estadistica multivariada utilizada permitio discriminar adecuadamente entre vinos blancos y tintos, y evidencio un importante patron de distribucion de Na, con mayores concertaciones de dicho elemento para los vinos producidos en la zona norte de Chile.

Accumulation and distribution of metals in the tissues of two catfish species from Cananéia and Santos-São Vicente estuaries

Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu concentrations and their distribution in liver, gill, and muscle tissues of the catfish Cathorops spixii and Genidens genidens were investigated in order to provide information concerning the bioaccumulation processes in these species. Fish were collected in one estuary subject to slight human influence (Cananeia) and in two regions within the Santos-Sao Vicente estuary, Sao Paulo, Brazil, subject to distinct anthropogenic influences: 1) industrial and 2) domestic. In general, the highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were found in the liver tissue. Muscle showed the lowest values of metal accumulation for all the elements investigated. Regarding the distribution and the metal pollution index (MPI), the levels of the metals analyzed decreased in the following order: liver>gill>muscle. MPI results suggest that gill and liver are important organs to exemplify the bioaccumulation process and are also better able to reflect both recent and chronic exposure to metals.