Assessment of water quality and concentration of heavy metals in fishes in the estuary of the Perizes River, Gulf of Maranhão, Brazil.

The present study evaluated physicochemical and microbiological variables of the water in the estuary of the Perizes River in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, heavy metal levels in the muscle tissue of fish species (Genyatremus luteus, Macrodon ancylodon, Sciades herzbergii and Mugil curema). Data were collected bimonthly between Nov 2017 and May 2018. Physicochemical variables of the water (pH, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity). The microbiological analysis of the water was performed using the multiple-tube method. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for the determination of heavy metals in muscle tissue of the fishes. The results revealed minor fluctuations in the environmental variables, with the exception of turbidity. The microbiological quality of the water was associated with acceptable bacterial levels. Regarding heavy metals, acceptable concentrations were found of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni and Hg, whereas Cr and Pb were found at concentrations higher than the maximum.

Determination of metals in estuarine fishes in a metropolitan region of the coastal zone of the Brazilian Amazon.

The aim of the present study was to determine concentrations of cadmium, copper, chromium, manganese and iron in fishes in the São Marcos (SMB), São Jose (SJB) and Arraial (AB) Bays. Metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Mean Cd and Cr levels were above the permissible limits set by different international or national guidelines in all three bays, whereas copper levels were well below the maximum acceptable limit. High concentrations of iron were found in all species analyzed, whereas high concentrations of manganese were found, especially in specimens caught in SJB. Spatial analysis indicated significant differences among the elements investigated. Copper was correlated more with SMB and AB as well as the species Macrodon ancylodon (carnivore) and Sciades herzbergii (omnivore). Cadmium and iron were strongly associated with AB and SJB, while manganese was only associated with SJB, mainly in carnivorous and herbivorous species.

Anthropogenic litter on the macrotidal sandy beaches of the Amazon region.

Coastal zones, which are strategic points of considerable importance to the tourism industry, are among the environments most affected by anthropogenic debris. Thus, it is crucial to monitor and implement management programs to provide immediate solutions. Here, we aimed to evaluate anthropogenic litter along 21 macrotidal sandy beaches in the Amazon region. Indices and multivariate statistical analyses were used to identify spatial patterns of pollution, as well as sources and lifetime of the items. A total of 20,286 items were collected, with an average density of 0.19 items/m2 and a predominance of plastics. Litter was associated with tourist and recreational activities. The lifetime of most items was <1 year. All beaches had intermediate levels of pollution. The analyses identified varying patterns of anthropogenic litter related to the cleaning frequency and waste item typologies. In conclusion, pollution of macrotidal beaches in the Amazon region is an emerging problem that requires measures to prevent and mitigate the impacts on this ecosystem and to reconsider the form of production and consumption of plastic waste.

Enquadramento e avaliação do índice de qualidade da água dos igarapés Rabo de Porco e Precuá, localizados na área da Refinaria Premium I, município de Bacabeira (MA) / Ordination and evaluation of the water quality index for the creeks Rabo de Porco and Precuá, located in the Premium I Refinery area, municipality of Bacabeira (MA), Brazil

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um diagnóstico da qualidade das águas dos igarapés Rabo de Porco e Precuá, localizados na área de implantação da Refinaria Premium I, no município de Bacabeira, Maranhão. Foram avaliadas as características físico-químicas e microbiológicas da água em pontos a montante e a jusante de cada corpo d'água, confrontando os resultados com a Resolução CONAMA nº 357/2005 e com o índice de qualidade da água (IQA). No período de maio a agosto de 2012, foram efetuadas amostragens mensais dos seguintes parâmetros físicos e químicos da água: temperatura, turbidez, pH, sólidos totais (ST), oxigênio dissolvido (OD), demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO5), nitrogênio total, fósforo total (PT) e coliformes fecais. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significantes dos parâmetros entre os pontos a montante e a jusante apenas para as variáveis ST e turbidez, especialmente no Precuá. A análise dos componentes principais (PCA) revelou uma correlação moderada entre as variáveis. Os resultados obtidos enquadraram as águas da maioria dos pontos amostrados predominantemente na classe 3, seguida da classe 2 da Resolução CONAMA nº 357/2005. O IQA evidenciou ligeiras diferenças espaciais e temporais entre os corpos d'água investigados: o igarapé do Rabo de Porco registrou o melhor IQA, enquanto o pior IQA ocorreu na coleta de maio no ponto amostral Precuá a jusante. As informações levantadas servirão de base para avaliações de mudanças nas características e na qualidade dos corpos d'água estudados no decorrer da implantação e operação do empreendimento.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the water quality for the creeks Rabo de Porco and Precuá, located in the area of deployment of the Premium I refinery in the municipality of Bacabeira, Maranhão, Brazil. The physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of the water at points upstream and downstream of each water body were evaluated, comparing the results with the CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 and the water quality index (WQI). In the period from May to August 2012, monthly samples of the following physical and chemical parameters of water were made: temperature, turbidity, pH, total solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and fecal coliforms. The results showed significant differences in the parameters between upstream and downstream points, only for the parameters total solids and turbidity, especially for the Precuá creek. The principal component analysis revealed a moderate correlation between the parameters. The data indicated that water from most of the points can be classified in the class 3, followed by the class 2 of the CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. The WQI showed slight spatial and temporal differences between the water bodies investigated: Rabo de Porco creek registered the best WQI, while the worst one occurred in sampling at the downstream Precuá point in May. The information registered will be used as a basis for changes evaluation in characteristics and quality of water bodies studied during the deployment and operation of the enterprise.