ASSESSMENT THE EFFECTS FROM PHENANTHRENE CONTAMINATION IN CORALS EXPOSED TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

• Grant number: 23/05390-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Augusto Cesar
• Grantee: Marina Cunha Passarelli
• Host Institution: Instituto do Mar (IMar). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Many studies have been performing in different countries around the world in order to understand the reasons associated with climate change and to seek measures to prevent the impacts caused by this phenomenon that among the main effects, the global warming, the ocean acidification and consequently the loss of biodiversity are highlighted. Simultaneously to the global climate crisis, technological and industrial expansion is taking place, which has put pressure on ecosystems and natural resources. In Brazil, offshore oil activities have increased significantly after the discovery of the new pre-salt fields, and despite presenting important economic and strategic aspects, it has several limitations to its expansion, with the environmental issue being the factors of great relevance. Both oil and produced water, have hydrocarbons in their composition. Among the main PAHs, phenanthrene is considered the third most abundant hydrocarbon in the petrogenic group. Recent studies have reported the importance of evaluating the possible synergistic effects associated with the combination of changes in the pH levels of seawater and other contaminants present in the environment. The present proposal intends to employ an integrated approach that considers different lines of evidence to assess the potential impacts of phenanthrene contamination on marine biodiversity associated with ocean acidification, with emphasis on coral reefs. For that, toxicity, biomarks and bioaccumulation assays will be performed. The obtained results will contribute to a better understanding of the possible impacts associated with these problems and will provide important information to National and International Environmental Agencies, generating subsidies for their decision-making.