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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Reviewing the effects of contamination on the biota of Brazilian coastal ecosystems: Scientific challenges for a developing country in a changing world

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Author(s):
Martinez, Aline S. [1] ; Underwood, Tony [2] ; Christofoletti, Ronaldo A. [1] ; Pardal, Andre [1, 3] ; Fortuna, Monique A. [1] ; Marcelo-Silva, Joao [1, 4] ; Morais, Gisele C. [5] ; Lana, Paulo C. [5]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Fed Univ Sao Paulo IMar UNIFESP, Inst Marine Sci, Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Sydney, Marine Ecol Labs A11, Sch Life & Environm Sci, Sydney, NSW 2006 - Australia
[3] Fed Univ ABC CCNH UFABC, Ctr Nat & Human Sci, Rua Santa Adelia, 166, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil
[4] North West Univ, Unit Environm Sci & Management, ZA-2531 Potchefstroom - South Africa
[5] Univ Fed Parana, Ctr Estudos Mar, Lab Bentos, Av Beira Mar, S-N, BR-83255976 Ponta Do Grossa, PR - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Review article
Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 803, JAN 10 2022.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Pollution is a major worldwide problem that is increasing with urban growth, mainly along coastal areas. Pollution is often worse, governance is poorer and managerial strategies to improve environmental quality are less advanced in developing than developed countries. Here, we present an overview of the current scientific knowledge of the impacts of contamination on the biota of coastal ecosystems of Brazil and evaluate the scientific challenges to provide baseline information for local managerial purposes. We compiled data from 323 peerreviewed published papers from the extensive Brazilian coast. We critically evaluated the produced knowledge (target contaminants, sources, ecosystems, taxa, response variables) and the science behind it (rigour and setting) within its socioenvironmental context (land occupation, use of the coast, sanitation status, contamination history). Research was driven largely by environmental outcomes of industrial development with a focus on the single effects of metals on the biota. The current knowledge derives mainly from laboratory manipulative experiments or from correlative field studies of changes in the biota with varying levels of contamination. Of these, 70% had problems in their experimental design. Environmental impacts have mainly been assessed using standard indicators of populations, mostly in ecotoxicological studies. Benthic assemblages have mostly been studied using structural indicators in field studies. Future assessments of impacts should expand research to more taxonomic groups and ecosystem compartments, adding combined functional and structural responses. Furthermore, further investigations need to consider the interactive effects of contaminants and other environmental stressors. By doing so, researchers would deliver more robust and effective results to solve problems of pollution. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/26859-3 - Integration of ecological processes over different spatial scales: an intertidal predator-prey system
Grantee:Andre Luiz Pardal Souza
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 16/11947-7 - Coastal hardening: knowledge status, impacts and future projections
Grantee:Aline Sbizera Martinez
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 16/24551-4 - The strength of ecological interactions and the environmental mediation at coastal ecosystems
Grantee:Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants