Using a tiered approach based on ecotoxicological techniques to assess the ecological risks of contamination in a subtropical estuarine protected area

Author(s)

Campos, B. G. ^[1] ; Cruz, A. C. F. ^[1] ; Buruaem, L. M. ^[1] ; Rodrigues, A. P. C. ^[2] ; Machado, W. T. V. ^[2] ; Abessa, D. M. S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Praca Infante Dom Henrique, S-N, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fluminense Fed Univ Univ Fed Fluminense UFF, Dept Geochem, BR-24020141 Niteroi, RJ - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 544, p. 564-573, FEB 15 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

This study sought to assess the ecological risks of sediments from the northern portion of an estuarine protected area (Canania-Iguape-Peruibe Protected Area - CIP-PA). The CIP-PA is located on the southern coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil and is influenced by former mining activities along the Ribeira de Iguape River (RIR). We used a tiered approach based on multiple lines of evidence (geochemical analyses, toxicity tests, and whole sediment toxicity identification and evaluation) in order to assess environmental quality. The sediments presented a heterogeneous composition, but the samples collected close to the RIR exhibited higher concentrations of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb) and toxicity. Multivariate analysis showed that toxicity was associated with metals, mud, organic matter, and CaCO3 quantities. The whole-sediment toxicity identification evaluation approach indicated that ammonia and metals were responsible for sediment toxicity. Overall, we concluded that the sediments collected at depositional areas from the northern portion of the CIP-PA presented high levels of metals, which originated from former mining areas located in the upper RIR basin, and that this contamination had toxic effects on aquatic invertebrates. The tiered approach was useful for identifying the degradation of sediment quality and also for indicating the causes of toxicity. Because the CIP-PA is an important estuarine protected area that is ecologically at risk, large-scale measures are required to control the sources of contamination. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/15482-0 - Establishment of site-specific sediment quality guidelines for the Coast of São Paulo state: scientific basis for the creation of a national legislation
• Grantee: Lucas Buruaem Moreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/03939-3 - Quality study of natural sediments from the mouth of the Ribeira de Iguape river (APA marinha Litoral Sul, SP), based in ecotoxicological tests
• Grantee: Bruno Galvão de Campos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation