Organotropism of methylmercury in fish of the southeastern of Brazil.

This is one of the first studies to evaluate the effect of biometric variables (total length and weight), diet, and abiotic matrices (sediment and water column) on the bioaccumulation of methylmercury in tissues (muscle, liver, and gills) of four fish (two carnivore-invertivores, Pimelodus fur and Pachyurus adspersus; one carnivore-piscivore, Oligosarcus hepsetus; and one omnivore, Pimelodella lateristriga) in the lower section of a river in southeastern Brazil. Samples of fish (n = 120), water (n = 5) and sediment (n = 5) were collected at five sites characterized by pollution with mercury due to the use of organomercury fungicides and stream bed gold mining, commonly carried out in that section of the river in the 1980s. The results show that biometric variables are strongly correlated with methylmercury levels in muscle (r = 0.61, p < 0.0005) of P. fur. As a rule, concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury did not vary considerably between the organs of the species of different food habits, because of the environmental conditions in the study area. Despite the low concentrations of mercury in sediments (<0.05 mg kg-1 wet. wt), this compartment is a representative source of this pollutant for the organisms investigated, due to the close contact these animals keep with it in view of the low water columns in that section of the river.

Seasonal hydrochemical variation in a tropical coastal lagoon (Açu Lagoon, Brazil)

Condições hidroquímicas da lagoa do Açu são descritas usando a variação espacial e temporal de algumas variáveis limnológicas (temperatura da água, oxigênio dissolvido (OD), condutividade elétrica, alcalinidade total, CO2, nutrientes dissolvidos e totais (N, P, Si) e clorofila a para entender a estrutura e funcionamento de uma lagoa costeira isolada e fortemente influenciada pela sazonalidade. Amostras de água foram coletadas mensalmente (novembro 1999 a dezembro 2000) em cinco estações de amostragem estabelecido ao longo da lagoa. Um gradiente espacial decrescente de condutividade elétrica foi observado da região da barra de areia, que separa a lagoa do mar, em direção a região que recebe entrada de água doce. A correlação positiva entre os valores de pH e oxigênio dissolvido, e negativa observada destes com o CO2, evidencia o acoplamento de processos biológicos, como o de produção primaria e de decomposição. A variação espaço temporal de nutrientes dissolvidos mostrou um rápido incremento e redução da concentração de nutrientes dissolvidos no inicio do verão, sugerindo que a entrada de nutrientes pelas chuvas é um fator que estimula o crescimento fitoplanctônico, refletido pelo aumento da concentração de clorofila a.

Seasonal hydrochemical variation in a tropical coastal lagoon (Açu Lagoon, Brazil).

Hydrochemical conditions in the Açu Lagoon are described using spatial and temporal variations of various limnological variables (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, total alkalinity, carbon dioxide, dissolved and total nutrients (N, P and Si), and chlorophyll a). Collected data was used in order to understand the structure and functioning of an enclosed coastal lagoon strongly influenced by climatic conditions. Water samples were collected monthly (November 1999-December 2000) in five sampling stations established along the lagoon. A decreasing spatial gradient of electrical conductivity was observed beginning from a sand bar region between the lagoon and the sea in the direction of the sweet-water input area. The positive correlation observed between the pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) values, and the negative one observed between pH values and those of carbon dioxide (CO2), evidenced coupled biological processes, e.g., primary production and decomposition. Both spatial and temporal variation of dissolved nutrients showed fast increase and decrease in the beginning of summer, suggesting that nutrient input resulting from rainfall stimulates phytoplankton production, as reflected by chlorophyll a concentration increase.

Sand bar opening in a coastal lagoon (Iquipari) in the northern region of Rio De Janeiro State: hydrological and hydrochemical changes.

The aim of this paper was to verify hydrological and hydrochemical changes in the Iquiparí Lagoon water column, during three months, as related to an artificial sand bar opening. A drastic reduction in water volume occurred 28 hours after the sand bar opening, exposing the bottom sediment. This was densely colonized by submerged aquatic plants, which were dominant in the ecosystem metabolism, specially near the sand bar. An increase in salinity values, and dissolved and total nutrient concentrations, was observed during the sand bar opening period. In contrast, chlorophyll a concentration decreased. These changes were associated with: 1) mix of remained brackish and marine waters; 2) nutrient release from sediments by physical processes; and 3) submerged plant death. After the sand bar closure, lagoon metabolism was completely regulated by a dense phytoplankton community. We observed that the sand bar opening resulted in an extensile replacement of the lagoon's water and a change in the community mainly responsible for the ecosystem metabolism.

Sand bar opening in a coastal lagoon (Iquipari) in the northern region of Rio de Janeiro State: hydrological and hydrochemical changes

The aim of this paper was to verify hydrological and hydrochemical changes in the Iquiparí Lagoon water column, during three months, as related to an artificial sand bar opening. A drastic reduction in water volume occurred 28 hours after the sand bar opening, exposing the bottom sediment. This was densely colonized by submerged aquatic plants, which were dominant in the ecosystem metabolism, specially near the sand bar. An increase in salinity values, and dissolved and total nutrient concentrations, was observed during the sand bar opening period. In contrast, chlorophyll a concentration decreased. These changes were associated with: 1) mix of remained brackish and marine waters; 2) nutrient release from sediments by physical processes; and 3) submerged plant death. After the sand bar closure, lagoon metabolism was completely regulated by a dense phytoplankton community. We observed that the sand bar opening resulted in an extensile replacement of the lagoon's water and a change in the community mainly responsible for the ecosystem metabolism

Effects of cytochalasin B and colchicine on the motility and growth of Yoshida sarcoma cells in vitro.

The effects of cytochalasin B (CB) and colchicine on the motility and growth of cultured Yoshida sarcoma cells are studied by cinematographic methods. CB was found to reduce the average locomotory rate of motile Yoshida sarcoma cells and to enhance the frequency of non-motile cells. On the other hand, colchicine enhanced only the frequency of non-motile cells and did not affect the locomotory rate of motile cells. CB inhibited the growth of Yoshida sarcoma cells at the concentration range of 0.6 to 5 microgram/ml.