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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.)

Paleolimnologically inferred eutrophication of a shallow, tropical, urban reservoir in southeast Brazil

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Author(s):
Costa-Boeddeker, Sandra [1] ; Bennion, Helen [2] ; de Jesus, Tatiane Araujo [3] ; Albuquerque, Ana Luiza S. [4] ; Figueira, Rubens C. L. [5] ; Bicudo, Denise de C. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Inst Bot, Dept Ecol, BR-04301012 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] UCL, Dept Geog, Environm Change Res Ctr, London - England
[3] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Engn Modelagem & Ciencias Sociais Aplicadas, Santo Andre, SP - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Fluminense, Dept Geoquim, Inst Quim, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil
[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Oceanog Inst, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF PALEOLIMNOLOGY; v. 48, n. 4, p. 751-766, DEC 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 17
Abstract

We studied the eutrophication history of a tropical shallow reservoir in the So Paulo metropolitan region, southeast Brazil. We analyzed grain size, geochemistry, diatom assemblages, and land-use records in a sediment core from the reservoir to infer its trophic state history during the last similar to 110 years (1894-2005). Eighty diatom species were observed in the core and shifts in the relative abundances of planktonic and benthic taxa indicate major limnological changes associated with complex interactions between hydrologic factors and eutrophication. Discostella stelligera was associated with deforestation and water physical changes whereas Aulacoseira granulata, a species abundant throughout the core, was mostly associated with high flux conditions and erosion events, regardless of trophic state. Eutrophication was triggered by construction of the city zoo (1958) and installation of the So Paulo State Department of Agriculture (1975) within the Gar double dagger as watershed, and increasing loads of untreated sewage from these institutions. The data suggest that deterioration in water quality began after similar to 1975 and markedly accelerated after similar to 1990. The reservoir has been hypereutrophic since 1999. Steady increases in geochemical proxies for trophic state, along with a decrease in C/N ratios, indicated higher nutrient concentrations and the prevalence of autochthonous production towards the core top. Appearance of Achnanthidium catenatum similar to 1993 highlighted the onset of a marked eutrophication phase. The subsequent dominance of Planothidium rostratum and Cyclotella meneghiniana suggested a sharp shift to a hypereutrophic state since 1999. Land-use history proved valuable for validating the chronology and interpreting anthropogenic impacts. Multi-proxy analysis of the sediment record provided an effective tool for tracking ecological shifts in the reservoir ecosystem. This study provides the first reconstruction of lake eutrophication history in Brazil and highlights the importance of hydrological/physical changes as drivers of diatom assemblage shifts in reservoirs, which may confound trophic state inferences based on shifts in the planktonic/benthic diatom ratio. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 04/08675-8 - History of eutrophication of Lago das Garças (PEFI, São Paulo) during the 20th century, based on the succession of diatoms in sediments
Grantee:Sandra Vieira Costa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)