Applying enzymatic biomarkers of the in situ microbial community to assess the sediment risk from Sepetiba Bay (Brazil).

The Quality Ratio (QR) index was applied in Sepetiba Bay to integrate geochemical and microbiological parameters of the in situ microbial community in order to classify the ecological risk of sediments. Total concentrations (C) of Hg, Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn (indicators of the mixture of contaminants) were determined at 26 stations and at a background area (C0) to calculate the contamination factor (CF = C/C0) and the degree of contamination (ΣCF). Enzymatic biomarkers of energy production into cell (dehydrogenase - DHA) and hydrolase of organic matter outside the cell (esterases - EST) were determined. The QR, a function of the microbial term (DHA/EST) and the geochemical term (TOC × ΣCF/fine-grained content), was able to segregate stations into the internal sector (east of the bay with the largest continental contributions) and the external sector (west of the bay), proving its accessibility (low-cost and fast) and efficiency for assessing ecological risk.

Effects of aeration on the suspended matter from a tropical and eutrophic estuary.

A comprehensive understanding of the complex biogeochemical interactions between organic matter and persistent contaminants in the suspended matter is vital for eco-efficient estuary recovery. However, little is known regarding aeration effects in suspended particulate aggregates. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of aeration on the suspended matter from a Tropical and Eutrophic estuarine environment. Anoxic water with 60 g/L of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was collected from Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, transferred to experimental boxes and aerated for 61 days. SPM aggregates monitoring included abiotic variables measurements and, determination of total organic matter (TOM), biopolymers composition, bacterial activity, trace metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations. The aeration enhanced dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and the redox potential (Eh). However, from days 0 to 61 the predominant bacterial activities were denitrification and fermentation. Electron transport system activity increased after day 10, and aerobic activity was detected after day 19. In summary, aeration increased aerobic bacterial activity, lipids (LIP) and trace metal concentrations, although diminished protein/carbohydrate ratio and PAH concentration. Trace metals concentration (Ni, Pb, Cu, Cr, Mn, and Fe) were the highest on day 19 when the pH was 5.9. Copper presented toxic values (Cu > 20.0 µg/g). The pH showed a strong negative correlation with Eh (r = -0.94; p < 0.001). Acidic environment (pH ≤ 5.9) in marine ecosystems with high loads of toxic trace metals is unsafe for biota. Therefore, managers must be aware of the environmental and biological risks of introducing the aeration technique into a eutrophic marine environment.

Benthic foraminiferal and organic matter compounds as proxies of environmental quality in a tropical coastal lagoon: The Itaipu lagoon (Brazil).

Lagoons in the southeast coast of Brazil have experienced eutrophication due to the exponential increase of human population and sewage discharges. Living benthic foraminifera have demonstrated to be good bioindicators of such impacts. This study aims to evaluate the organic matter accumulation effects on the foraminiferal distribution in the Itaipu lagoon (Brazil). On the basis of the biotic and abiotic analyses, three sectors are identified. The Sector I, an inner area, is characterized by high dissolved oxygen values and foraminiferal species with preference for marine conditions, demonstrating the sea influence. The Sector II, in the mangrove margins, is associated to sandy sediment and biopolymers and mainly represented by euryhaline species. The Sector III is marked by low density or absence of living foraminifera and corresponds to a low quality organic matter enriched area (North, Southwest and Centre).

Assessment of the trophic state of a hypersaline-carbonatic environment: Vermelha Lagoon (Brazil).

Vermelha Lagoon is a hypersaline shallow transitional ecosystem in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). This lagoon is located in the protected area of Massambaba, between the cities of Araruama and Saquarema (Brazil), and displays two quite uncommon particularities: it exhibits carbonate sedimentation and displays the development of Holocene stromatolites. Due to both particularities, the salt industry and property speculation have been, increasingly, generating anthropic pressures on this ecosystem. This study aims to apply a multiproxy approach to evaluate the trophic state of Vermelha Lagoon based on physicochemical parameters and geochemical data for the quantification and qualification of organic matter (OM), namely total organic carbon (TOC), total sulfur (TS), total phosphorus (TP) and biopolymeric carbon (BPC), including carbohydrates (CHO), lipids (LIP) and proteins (PTN). The CHO/TOC ratio values suggest that OM supplied to the sediment is of autochthonous origin and results, essentially, from microbial activity. The cluster analyses allowed the identification of four regions in Vermelha Lagoon. The Region I included stations located in shallow areas of the eastern sector of Vermelha lagoon affected by the impact of the artificial channel of connection with Araruama Lagoon. The Region II, under the influence of salt pans, is characterized by the highest values of BPC, namely CHO promoted by microbiological activity. The Region III include stations spread through the lagoon with high values of dissolved oxygen and lower values of TP. Stromatolites and microbial mattes growth was observed in some stations of this sector. Region IV, where the highest values of TOC and TS were found, represents depocenters of organic matter, located in general in depressed areas. Results of this work evidences that the Vermelha Lagoon is an eutrophic but alkaline and well oxygenated environment (at both water column and surface sediment) where the autotrophic activity is greater than heterotrophic one. These particular conditions make this a special and rare ecosystem.

Seasonal variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations in urban streams at Niterói City, RJ, Brazil.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in water samples collected in two streams and a lake located at Niteroi City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil between October 2008 and September 2009. Samples were extracted using liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The limits of quantification were sufficiently low to accomplish PAH determination below the maximum concentration levels established by the Brazilian (50 ng/L) and USEPA legislations, with recoveries larger than 81.6%. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and benz[a]anthracene predominated among PAHs. Total concentrations of PAHs were well correlated with rainfall indicating a possible role of runoff to local pollution of water by PAHs and showed a seasonal variation in wet and dry seasons. Our results highlight the contribution of the widespread streams located around Guanabara Bay to the PAH burden found in its waters.

Superficial distribution of aromatic compounds and geomicrobiology of sediments from Suruí Mangrove, Guanabara Bay, RJ, Brazil.

The distribution of selected aromatic compounds and microbiology were assessed in superficial sediments from Suruí Mangrove, Guanabara Bay. Samples were collected at 23 stations, and particle size, organic matter, aromatic compounds, microbiology activity, biopolymers, and topography were determined. The concentration of aromatic compounds was distributed in patches over the entire mangrove, and their highest total concentration was determinated in the mangrove's central area. Particle size differed from most mangroves in that Suruí Mangrove has chernies on the edges and in front of the mangrove, and sand across the whole surface, which hampers the relationship between particle size and hydrocarbons. An average @ 10% p/p of organic matter was obtained, and biopolymers presented high concentrations, especially in the central and back areas of the mangrove. The biopolymers were distributed in high concentrations. The presence of fine sediments is an important factor in hydrocarbon accumulation. With high concentration of organic matter and biopolymers, and the topography with chernies and roots protecting the mangrove, calmer areas are created with the deposition of material transported by wave action. Compared to global distributions, concentrations of aromatic compounds in Suruí Mangrove may be classified from moderate to high, showing that the studied area is highly impacted.

Superficial distribution of aromatic compounds and geomicrobiology of sediments from Suruí Mangrove, Guanabara Bay, RJ, Brazil

The distribution of selected aromatic compounds and microbiology were assessed in superficial sediments from Suruí Mangrove, Guanabara Bay. Samples were collected at 23 stations, and particle size, organic matter, aromatic compounds, microbiology activity, biopolymers, and topography were determined. The concentration of aromatic compounds was distributed in patches over the entire mangrove, and their highest total concentration was determinated in the mangrove's central area. Particle size differed from most mangroves in that Suruí Mangrove has chernies on the edges and in front of the mangrove, and sand across the whole surface, which hampers the relationship between particle size and hydrocarbons. An average @ 10 percent p/p of organic matter was obtained, and biopolymers presented high concentrations, especially in the central and back areas of the mangrove. The biopolymers were distributed in high concentrations. The presence of fine sediments is an important factor in hydrocarbon accumulation. With high concentration of organic matter and biopolymers, and the topography with chernies and roots protecting the mangrove, calmer areas are created with the deposition of material transported by wave action. Compared to global distributions, concentrations of aromatic compounds in Suruí Mangrove may be classified from moderate to high, showing that the studied area is highly impacted.

A distribuição de compostos aromáticos selecionados e a microbiologia foram avaliados em sedimentos superficiais do Manguezal de Suruí, Baía de Guanabara. Amostras foram coletadas em 23 pontos e determinados a granulometria, matéria orgânica, compostos aromáticos, atividade microbiológica, biopolímeros e a topografia. A concentração dos compostos aromáticos foi distribuída em manchas por todo o manguezal e sua concentração total mais elevada foi encontrada na área central do manguezal. A granulometria diferiu da maioria dos manguezais, uma vez que no Manguezal de Suruí existem chernies nas bordas e na frente dos manguezais e areia através da superfície inteira, impedindo o relacionamento entre granulometria e os hidrocarbonetos. Uma média de 10 por cento p/p da matéria orgânica foi obtida e os biopolímeros apresentaram concentrações elevadas, especialmente na área central e fundo do Manguezal. Os biopolímeros se distribuíram em altas concentrações. A presença de finos sedimentos é fator importante na acumulação de hidrocarbonetos. Na concentração elevada de matéria orgânica e de biopolímeros, topografia com chernies e as raízes que protegem os manguezais, áreas mais calmas são criadas, com depósito do material transportado pela ação das ondas. Comparadas às distribuições globais, as concentrações das substâncias aromáticas neste manguezal podem ser classificadas de moderadas a elevadas, demonstrando que a área estudada está altamente impactada.

Geomicrobiology of cores from Suruí Mangrove--Guanabara Bay--Brazil.

The aim of this work was to quantify the biopolymers associated to esterase enzymes and identify bacterial respiratory activity in four cores collected in Suruí Mangrove, Guanabara Bay - RJ. Biopolymer concentration was 1000 times lower than previously reported in the literature, indicating the need for creating and establishing eutrophication indicative rates and records compatible with tropical coastal systems. The biochemical representative relationships in the cores were equivalent to those from studies on coastal marine environments made in the Northern Hemisphere. The esterase enzymes in the sediment proved efficient in the mineralization of biopolymers, even with preferentially anaerobic metabolic physiology. Despite the lack of incipient geomicrobiological studies, the results highlighted the possible application of microbiology to a better understanding of geological processes.

Estudo das propriedades mecânicas da ulna humana submetida a compressäo axial / Study of mechanical properties of the human ulna submitted to axial compression

Estudamos a variaçäo das propriedades físico-mecânicas: resistência a deformaçäo, área de secçäo, densidade óssea e suas interdependências ao longo da diáfise da ulna humana, quando submetida a ensaios de compressäo axial. A resistência óssea variou ao longo do comprimento da ulna, ao contrário da deformaçäo, que se manteve constante. A tensäo máxima média da diáfise ulnar fresca foi de 1.511Kgf/cm**2