Assessment of organotins and imposex in two estuaries of the northeastern Brazilian coast.

Butyltin compounds (BTs) were used worldwide, especially because of their properties as biocides. Due to its high toxicity, the use of tributyltin (TBT) in antifouling paints has been prohibited in most countries. The occurrence and impact of BTs were assessed in surface sediments and in Stramonita rustica populations of two tropical estuaries that host major ports in northeastern Brazil. ΣBT concentrations ranged from

Sources and distribution of aromatic hydrocarbons in a tropical marine protected area estuary under influence of sugarcane cultivation.

Goiana estuary is a well preserved marine protected area (MPA) located on the northeastern coast of Brazil. Despite its current state, human activities in the watershed represent a potential threat to long term local preservation. Dissolved/dispersed aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in water and sediments across the estuarine salt gradient. Concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons was low in all samples. According to results, aromatic hydrocarbons are associated to suspended particulate matter (SPM) carried to the estuary by river waters. An estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) was identified in the upper estuary, indicating that both sediments and contaminants are trapped prior to an occasional export to the adjacent sea. PAHs distribution in sediments were associated with organic matter and mud content. Diagnostic ratios indicated pyrolytic processes as the main local source of PAHs that are probably associated with sugarcane burning and combustion engines. Low PAH concentrations probably do not cause adverse biological effects to the local biota although their presence indicate anthropogenic contamination and pressure on the Goiana estuary MPA.

Shell alterations in limpets as putative biomarkers for multi-impacted coastal areas.

During the last years, shell alterations in gastropods have been proposed as tools to be used in monitoring programs. However, no studies were so far performed investigating the relationships among shell parameters and classical biomarkers of damage. The relationship between shell alterations (biometrics, shape and elemental composition) and biomarkers (LPO and DNA strand break) was evaluated in the limpet L. subrugosa sampled along a contamination gradient in a multi-impacted coastal zone from southeastern Brazil. Statistically significant differences were detected among sites under different pollution levels. The occurrence of shell malformations was consistent with environmental levels of several hazardous substances reported for the studied area and related to lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. In addition, considering the low mobility, wide geographic distribution, ease of collection and abundance of limpets in coastal zones, this putative tool may be a cost-effective alternative to traditional biomarkers. Thus, shell alterations in limpets seem to be good proxies for assessing biological adverse effects in multi-impacted coastal zones.

Hydrocarbons in sediments along a tropical estuary-shelf transition area: Sources and spatial distribution.

Estuaries generally act as sediment traps and may retain a range of contaminants associated to this matrix. Aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) were investigated in Capibaribe Estuarine System and adjacent shelf, Northeast of Brazil, to evaluate the contamination and to better understand its functionality related to the coast. Fourteen sediment samples were analyzed, using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Total AHs concentrations ranged from 7.5 to 190.3µgg-1 and n-alkanes ranged from below detection limit (

Sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a an urbanized tropical estuary and adjacent shelf, Northeast of Brazil.

Located in Northeastern Brazil, the Capibaribe Estuarine System is an important ecosystem that supplies food and protection for nursery of several species with ecological and economic importance. It is located inside an urbanized area, receives untreated domestic and industrial effluents, and houses some marinas and the Harbor of Recife, which are very important to national and international communities. The distribution and sources of PAHs were investigated in sediments from CES and adjacent shelf. Total PAH concentrations ranged from non-detectable to 497.6 µg g(-1). Pyrolytic sources predominated in most of sites, but petrogenic PAHs were also recorded. The concentration decrease of PAHs toward adjacent shelf suggests that the main source of these compounds is in the upper portion of estuary, where there is an intense discharge of sewage, but atmospheric input also seems to be relevant to the area. The results reinforce the important role of an estuary in contaminant retention.

Conhecimentos e práticas locais relacionados ao aratu Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) em Barra de Sirinhaém, litoral sul de Pernambuco, Brasil / Local knowledge and practices related to Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) in a coastal village in the State of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de registrar e avaliar os conhecimentos e práticas locais em relação aos aratus Goniposis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) junto a um grupo de catadoras em Barra de Sirinhaém, litoral norte de Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil. Para obtenção dos dados referentes ao conhecimento local, utilizou-se entrevistas abertas e semi-estruturadas. Observou-se entre as pessoas entrevistadas a existência de um conjunto de conhecimentos sobre o ecossistema manguezal e sobre aspectos biológicos e ecológicos do aratu, como habitat, hábito, ecologia trófica, morfologia externa, comportamento, desenvolvimento e reprodução. Este conhecimento local, que habilita as informantes a exercerem suas práticas cotidianas, mostrou-se, em alguns casos, compatível com o conhecimento científico publicado sobre os mesmos temas.

This work documents and analyses local knowledge and pratices on Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) among traditional gatherers in Barra de Sirinhaém, a coastal village in the State of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. Local knowledge was registered through open and semi-structured interviews. Many aspects of behavior, taxonomy, external morphology, reproduction and feeding habits of the crustacean under study are known by the women who participated as informants. This local knowledge, which gives the informants the ability to perform their daily gathering practices, seems to be, in some cases, compatible with published scientific knowledge about the same issues.