Heavy metals and TPH effects on microbial abundance and diversity in two estuarine areas of the southern-central coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Author(s)

Pinto, Aline Bartelochi ^{[1, 2]} ; Pagnocca, Fernando Carlos ^{[1, 2]} ; Amaro Pinheiro, Marcelo Antonio ^{[3, 4]} ; Carelli Fontes, Roberto Fioravanti ^{[3, 4]} ; Fernandes Cardoso de Oliveira, Ana Julia ^{[3, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biol Sci, UNESP, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil

^[4] Sao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 96, n. 1-2, p. 410-417, JUL 15 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Coastal areas may be impacted by human and industrial activities, including contamination by wastewater, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of hydrocarbons (TPH) and metals on the microbiota composition and abundance in two estuarine systems in the coast of Sao Paulo: the Santos (SE) and Itanhaern (IE) estuaries. The SE was found to be chronically contaminated by heavy metals and highly contaminated by hydrocarbons. This finding was correlated with the increased density of cyanobacteria in sediments and suggests the possible use of cyanobacteria for bioremediation. These contaminants influence the density and composition of estuarine microbiota that respond to stress caused by human activity. The results are troubling because quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiota of estuarine sediments may alter microbiological processes such as decomposition of organic matter. Moreover, this pollution can result in damage to the environment, biota and human health. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)