ABSTRACT
As today the 137Cs fallout peak, in sediment cores, corresponds only to 25% of its initial concentration, alternatives to the use of 137Cs as a210Pb sediment dating validation tool are proposed. In highly industrialized bays, such as Guanabara Bay in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region, several chemical/compounds from the surrounding industry releases may be applied as validation tools. Chromium and copper profiles in a sediment core adequately fit the expected pattern due to the implementation of a chemical plant in 1958, reaching their maximum discharge in 1982 and subsequently decreasing due to the operation of a new wastewater treatment plant. A diffuse source such, as the PCB-based mixture Askarel, was also applied as an alternative validation tool, and the observed concentration profile reproduced the expected behavior, with increasing concentration after the Second World War and a decrease after the ban of this product in 1981. The observed Aroclor 1254 and 1260 mixture chlorination rates fit the most widely distributed PCB-based products in the country.
Subject(s)
Cesium Radioisotopes , Lead Radioisotopes , Radiation Monitoring , Cesium Radioisotopes/analysis , Radiation Monitoring/methods , Lead Radioisotopes/analysis , Water Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis , South America , Brazil , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Radiometric Dating/methodsABSTRACT
Sea turtles are affected by pollutants worldwide, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected in different types of samples and at high levels in some cases. The present study brings concentrations of 37 PAHs in liver samples of 17 green turtles Chelonia mydas stranded in northeastern Brazil [four with cutaneous tumors of fibropapillomatosis (FP), being classified as FP+]. Six PAHs were detected in 100% of the liver samples, and all alkylated PAHs were frequently quantified. High levels of phenanthrene (771.20 and 794.43 ng g-1 d.w.) and fluorene (1882.36 ng g-1 d.w.) were found in three females FP- (without FP cutaneous tumors). On the other hand, one green turtle FP+ had the higher level of naphthalene (531.70 ng g-1 d.w.), compound detected in 82.35 % of the samples. Our study brings additional baseline of organic pollutants in green turtles, improving knowledge on bioaccumulation of these compounds in sea turtles.
Subject(s)
Environmental Pollutants , Neoplasms , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons , Turtles , Animals , Female , Brazil , LiverABSTRACT
The present study aimed to analyze the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in populations of the shellfish Anomalocardia brasiliana and oysters Crassostrea rhizophorae three years after the 2019 oil spill, as well as evaluate histopathological changes on the gill tissues of the bivalves. Individuals of both species were sampled at points along the northern and southern coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. The permanence of oil residues was confirmed, evidenced by the total concentration of PAHs in the shellfish from the northern coast, which was roughly four times higher than the southern one. Among the PAHs analyzed, the low molecular weight compounds naphthalene and anthracene were the main contributors to the total concentration. Histological changes in the gills of the bivalves, were more severe in the specimens sampled on the north coast indicating alterations in the bivalve's health, mainly on the state's northern coast.
Subject(s)
Crassostrea , Petroleum Pollution , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Humans , Animals , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/toxicity , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis , Petroleum Pollution/analysis , Brazil , Environmental Monitoring , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysisABSTRACT
In this study, the multi-marker approach was used for the first time with a highly urbanized lake located in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, to provide a comprehensive view of temporal trends in sources of pollutants and evaluate the relation between the influence of anthropogenic activities and socioeconomic development. Total concentrations of the markers analyzed ranged from 21.0 to 103.8 ng g-1, 450.2 to 2390.2 ng g-1, and 233.8 to 9827.3 ng g-1 for ∑PAHs, ∑n-alk, and ∑sterols, respectively. Concentrations and patterns of PAH, AH, and sterol ratio distribution changed over time and may be associated with different episodes in the history of the city of Fortaleza. The marker ratio distribution in the sediment core revealed an overlap of natural and anthropogenic sources, with degraded oil, biogenic inputs, pyrogenic processes, and fecal contamination from humans and animals in the past changing to petroleum fossil inputs and high contamination from sewage in the present day. The distribution of markers and the chronological history of Fortaleza revealed two distinct periods related to human activities during the development of the city. In the first period (prior to the 1950s), the main human activities were animal breeding and the use of biomass for domestic activities, public and cargo transportation, and commercial activities, especially food production. In the second period (after the 1950s), expansion of the city occurred due to the so-called Brazilian economic miracle and the main human activities were industrialization and urbanization processes, involving deforestation, paving, sewage discharge, and petroleum combustion.
Subject(s)
Petroleum , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Animals , Anthropogenic Effects , Brazil , Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments , Sewage , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysisABSTRACT
Oil spills, intrinsically related to the petroleum production chain, represent a risk to the marine environment and a potential threat to humans through seafood consumption. We revised the NE Brazil oil spill and other accidents along the Brazilian coast, with a focus on seafood contamination, covering topics such as bioaccumulation, bioaccessibility, and risk analysis. Comprehensive knowledge of the impacts of spills helps in the interpretation of the dynamics of hydrocarbons released into the sea, contributing to actions to control their negative impacts. Currently, no legal limits have been established permanently in Brazil for PAHs in seafood edible tissues.
Subject(s)
Petroleum Pollution , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Accidents , Aquatic Organisms , Environmental Monitoring , Humans , Petroleum Pollution/adverse effects , Petroleum Pollution/analysis , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/toxicity , Risk Assessment , Seafood/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicityABSTRACT
The polar regions have relatively low richness and diversity of plants and animals, and the basis of the entire ecological chain is supported by microbial diversity. In these regions, understanding the microbial response against environmental factors and anthropogenic disturbances is essential to understand patterns better, prevent isolated events, and apply biotechnology strategies. The Antarctic continent has been increasingly affected by anthropogenic contamination, and its constant temperature fluctuations limit the application of clean recovery strategies, such as bioremediation. We evaluated the bacterial response in oil-contaminated soil through a nutrient-amended microcosm experiment using two temperature regimes: (i) 4 °C and (ii) a freeze-thaw cycle (FTC) alternating between -20 and 4 °C. Bacterial taxa, such as Myxococcales, Chitinophagaceae, and Acidimicrobiales, were strongly related to the FTC. Rhodococcus was positively related to contaminated soils and further stimulated under FTC conditions. Additionally, the nutrient-amended treatment under the FTC regime enhanced bacterial groups with known biodegradation potential and was efficient in removing hydrocarbons of diesel oil. The experimental design, rates of bacterial succession, and level of hydrocarbon transformation can be considered as a baseline for further studies aimed at improving bioremediation strategies in environments affected by FTC regimes.
ABSTRACT
The environmental impacts of the urban expansion in Rio de Janeiro was evaluated based on the historical accumulation of black carbon (BC), aliphatic (AHs) and aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and sterols in a sediment core retrieved from Botafogo Cove. BC related to oil combustion sources increased significantly since the 1990s. AHs were associated with petroleum inputs and revealed a high level of contamination. Multivariate statistical methods (a Principal Component Analysis associated with a linear multiple regression - PCA/LMR) applied to PAHs suggests changes in the sources in recent years. This can be ascribed to a reduction in pyrogenic emissions over the last four decades and to an increase in petrogenic inputs since the 1990s. The sterol dinosterol registered the increased eutrophication over the last three decades, but the sewage marker coprostanol was present at relatively low concentrations (0.40 to 1.16⯵gâ¯g-1) probably caused by enhanced bacterial activity in the sediment.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Hydrocarbons/chemistry , Sewage/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Bays/chemistry , Brazil , Cities , Petroleum/analysis , Sterols/analysisABSTRACT
This paper presents baseline data of sediments characterization from Ria de Aveiro lagoon (Portugal). Twenty-two intertidal surface sediments were collected and analysed for their pseudo-total content of 25 major and trace elements and for their total content of PAHs (Sum16) and PCBs (Sum13). The fine fraction percentage and total organic carbon content were also determined. Ria de Aveiro Lagoon has been the target of several studies during the last decades, and it has been pointed out as a hot spot in terms of contamination García-Seoane et al., 2016. Nevertheless, data about sediments contamination is mostly focused on Hg Lillebø et al.,2011, and in a specific area of the lagoon Grilo et al., 2013, and there is not a clear and global picture about the spatial distribution of other elements, and especially of organic contaminants. Thus, this baseline dataset is of utmost importance for researchers and planners and it can be used to monitor the effect of disturbances, such as: dredging activities; hydrodynamic changes (either due to human activities or extreme events); external inputs (new discharges from industries and wastewater plants, etc).
ABSTRACT
Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of environmental concern that represent a threat to marine systems. Here we report data on the abundance and characteristics of MPs collected from surface waters of the urban Guanabara Bay. Samples were collected, by horizontal trawling of a plankton net on two occasions (summer of 2016). The MPs were obtained from samples by sieving and particles were manually sorted with microscope. Characterization of MPs was accomplished by gravimetry and digital image processing (for quantification and morphology categorization), and chemical composition identified by infrared spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Total MPs ranged from 1.40 to 21.3â¯particles/m3, which places Guanabara Bay amongst the most contaminated coastal systems worldwide by microplastics. Polyethylene and polypropylene polymers ≤1â¯mm were the most abundant particles. Therefore, the occurrence of MPs in Guanabara Bay is relevant to understand ecological hazards of exposition to marine biota and merits further investigation.
Subject(s)
Bays/chemistry , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Plastics/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Brazil , Seasons , UrbanizationABSTRACT
Changes in the structure of benthic macrofauna and its relationship with hydrocarbon contamination were determined at different spatial scales in sublittoral sediments of two large estuaries in Brazil. Guanabara Bay (GB) is a heavily polluted estuary due to the presence of a large industrial complex and high demographic density. Laranjeiras Bay (LB) lies in an Environmental Protection Area and can still be considered as preserved from human activities. Despite some spatial differences within each bay, the PAHs concentrations were significantly and consistently higher in GB, with values generally above the threshold effect levels. No signs of hydrocarbon contamination were observed in LB. Macrofauna abundance, diversity and overall assemblage structure were largely different between bays. Canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP), used to model the relationship between macrofauna and PAHs levels, indicated that this class of hydrocarbons is the main structuring factor of soft-bottom assemblages in both bays.
Subject(s)
Biodiversity , Environmental Pollution/adverse effects , Invertebrates , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/toxicity , Animals , Bays/analysis , Brazil , Environmental Monitoring , Environmental Pollution/analysis , Estuaries , Gastropoda , Geologic Sediments/analysis , Hydrocarbons/analysis , Oligochaeta , Petroleum Pollution , Polychaeta , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysisABSTRACT
Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified in harbors sediments from SE Brazil. The aims were to (i) compare harbors with distinct sizes and under the influence of different environmental pressures with respect to the sources and level of hydrocarbon contamination and (ii) evaluate the potential of adverse biological effects of sediment contamination by PAHs, based on sediment quality guidelines and toxicity equivalence quotient. The concentrations of total aliphatics (39.9µgg-1; 22.9-113µgg-1) and total PAHs (727ngg-1; 366-1760ngg-1) varied according to the size of and urban development around each harbor. Mixed contamination by petrogenic and pyrolytic hydrocarbons, and input of biogenic compounds, indicated the influence of both harbor activities and a myriad of urban, industrial and atmospheric inputs. The quality of sediment poses a risk to benthic biological communities, and, if dredged, this material may cause environmental damage in the waste disposal area.
Subject(s)
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Brazil , Environmental Monitoring , Geologic SedimentsABSTRACT
Fecal sterols in sediments were used to assess the degree of sewage contamination in Ria de Aveiro lagoon and Mondego River estuary for the first time. Coprostanol, the major fecal sterol, averaged 1.82 ± 4.12 µg g(-1), with maxima of 16.6 µg g(-1). The northwestern sector of the Ria and a marina at Mondego estuary showed the highest level of sewage contamination. This scenario was confirmed by several diagnostic ratios based on fecal sterols and other phytosterols. Our data revealed that in spite of the improvements achieved in the last decades, there is still a need for control the organic inputs into the aquatic environment in the studied regions.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring/methods , Feces/chemistry , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Rivers/chemistry , Sewage/analysis , Sterols/analysis , Atlantic Ocean , Cholestanol/analysis , Estuaries , PortugalABSTRACT
Aliphatic (n-C12-n-C40, unresolved complex mixture, resolved peaks) and aromatic hydrocarbons (46 PAH) were investigated in suspended particulate matter (SPM) sampled over eleven months in six of the major rivers and two channels of the Guanabara Bay Basin. PAH flow rates of the most contaminated rivers, the contribution to the PAH sediment load of the receiving bay, and the main sources of hydrocarbons were determined. PAH (38) ranged from 28 ng L(-1) to 11,514 ng L(-1). Hydrocarbon typology and statistical evaluation demonstrated contribution of distinct sources in different regions and allowed quantification of these contributions. Total flow rate for the five major rivers amounts to 3 t year(-1) and responds for 30% of the total PAH annual input into the northern area of the Guanabara Bay. For the first time PAH mass deposited in the bay sediments has been estimated and shall serve as base for decision making and source abatement.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Estuaries , Hydrocarbons/analysis , Rivers/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis , Water MovementsABSTRACT
Coprostanol (5ß-cholestan-3ß-ol) and other fecal steroids were used as markers to trace the input of sewage to the shelf along the coast of Sergipe and Alagoas States, in NE Brazil. Surface sediment samples in shallow regions (<50 m depth) on the shelf were collected adjacent to four fluvial systems, whose drainage basins exhibit distinct levels of human influence. Highest coprostanol concentrations were observed in the area under influence of the Sergipe River (58.6 ± 74.6 ng g(-)(1); maximum of 184.1 ng g(-)(1)), whereas in the Vaza-Barris (18.9 ± 23.6 ng g(-)(1)) and the Piaui/Real (12.3 ± 6.7 ng g(-)(1)) rivers the levels of coprostanol were near the method's limit of detection. Nearby the São Francisco River, the largest in the NE Brazil, coprostanol was virtually absent. The findings of the present study, supported by coprostanol-based diagnostic ratios, revealed that, when sanitation is lacking in the coastal region, even a small-sized river like the Sergipe River can effectively contribute to the export of sewage-derived organic matter to the inner continental shelf in the studied region.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Sewage/analysis , Biomarkers/analysis , Brazil , Cholestanol/analysis , Feces/chemistry , Humans , Rivers/chemistry , Sanitation , Steroids/analysisABSTRACT
We evaluated the effects of diesel oil on the bivalve Mytella guyanensis using biomarkers of oxidative stress (glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione) after an experimental in situ spill in a mangrove area in southern Brazil. A linear model was developed for the Multiple Before-After Control-Impact (MBACI) experimental design to assess the significance of biological responses. Control and impacted sites were sampled seven and two days before as well as two and seven days after the spill. With the exception of a late response of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels on day seven, none of the biomarkers were significantly altered by the impact. This result was attributed to the high environmental variability of the experimental sites combined with a low sensitivity of Mytella guyanensis to diesel oil at short time-scales. The high resistance of M. guyanensis suggests that its antioxidant response is triggered only after a medium- to long-term exposure to contaminants.
Subject(s)
Gasoline/toxicity , Mytilidae/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Petroleum Pollution/adverse effects , Animals , Antioxidants/metabolism , Bays , Biomarkers/metabolism , Brazil , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Glutathione Transferase/metabolism , Mytilidae/drug effects , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysisABSTRACT
Cultured and native brown mussels (Perna perna Linnaeus 1758) were used to evaluate the contamination by PAHs in the SE Brazilian coastal zone. Mean concentrations of total PAH (38 parental and alkylated compounds) and cluster analysis revealed that: (i) mussel farms (32.7-70.1 ng g(-1)) are located in uncontaminated areas; (ii) coastal rockyshore areas (89.7 ± 25.8 ng g(-1)) have low level of contamination; and (iii) the Guanabara Bay (760.9 ± 456.3 ng g(-1)) is chronically contaminated by hydrocarbons, which is consistent with previous results. PAH profiles and diagnostic ratios suggested mixed petrogenic and pyrolitic sources for group (ii) and petrogenic sources for group (iii). The levels of PAH in the cultured and native mussels are below threshold values for safe food, even in Guanabara Bay, and thus in such cases other contaminants and pathogens should be considered in order to evaluate the quality of shellfish for human consumption.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Perna/metabolism , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/metabolism , Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism , Animals , Brazil , Risk Assessment , Water Pollution, Chemical/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Waters and sediments from the Potiguar Basin (NE Brazilian coast) were investigated for the presence and nature of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The region receives treated produced waters through a submarine outfall system serving the industrial district. The total dispersed/dissolved concentrations in the water column ranged from 10-50 ng L(-1) for ∑16PAH and 5-10 µg L(-1) for total aliphatic hydrocarbons. In the sediments, hydrocarbon concentrations were low (0.5-10 ng g(-1)for ∑16PAH and 0.01-5.0 µg g(-1) for total aliphatic hydrocarbons) and were consistent with the low organic carbon content of the local sandy sediments. These data indicate little and/or absence of anthropogenic influence on hydrocarbon distribution in water and sediment. Therefore, the measured values may be taken as background values for the region and can be used as future reference following new developments of the petroleum industry in the Potiguar Basin.