Assessment of the impact of pollution on the ecological aspects of species and functional groups of rocky shores

• Grant number: 18/14572-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti
• Grantee: Marcelo de Oliveira Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this study, we will investigate the relationship between the concentration of metals in the environment and organisms (species and functional groups) of rocky shores in areas under different levels of pollution impact. Metals constitute a complex group of chemical elements, with high resilience in the physical environment and in organisms. Its presence in organic and inorganic forms has consequences on bioavailability and toxicity to organisms. Organisms in rocky shores have been little used in this issue, despite the increasing anthropic impacts, such as the Samarco tragedy, which impact coastal environments. Thus, through an interdisciplinary evaluation through the quantification of metals in the tissues of organisms and in the population aspects of these animals (size, weight and abundance) we will evaluate the potential of different species and functional groups as bioindicators and biomonitors in coastal environments, contributing to aspects management of the coastal zone.