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Use of an Integrated Geochemical and Ecotoxicological Approach to Evaluate Sediment Metal Contamination in Three Protected Estuarine Areas Along the Coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

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Abstract

We compared sediment quality in estuaries at three locations along the coast of São Paulo State, Brazil, using geochemical analyses and whole sediment toxicity tests, during the southern summer and winter of 2013. Each locality is afforded a distinct degree of legal protection, and exhibits a different level of metal pollution: overall, Rio Diana (RD, the most polluted, a Permanent Protection Area) > Rio Itapanhaú (RI, intermediate contamination, an Environmental Protection Area) > Rio Picinguaba (RP, pristine, a State Park). Chronic sediment toxicity tests evaluated reproductive rates of the copepod Nitokra sp. RI sediments showed the highest metal concentrations and toxicity in both seasons. Metal concentrations at RD were low but toxic in summer. RP sediments were not contaminated, suggesting effective legal protection from pollution at this locality. RI and RD, although provided some legal protection, showed clear signs of environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for more effective pollution control.

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Acknowledgements

This investigation received financial support from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (#2011/22537-0 to JCM) and from which MVC received a doctoral scholarship (#2011/08065-9). JCM (300662/2009-2) and DMSA (308649/2011) received Excellence in Research scholarships from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil. We are most grateful to Dr Gabriel Massaine Moulatlet (IKIAM) for preparing the site maps. Dr. Fernando Barbosa kindly provided access to the metal analysis facilities at the Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias de la Tierra y Agua, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, km 7 vía Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador

    M. V. Capparelli

  2. Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil

    J. C. McNamara

  3. Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião, SP, 11600-000, Brazil

    J. C. McNamara

  4. Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de São Vicente, São Vicente, SP, 11380-972, Brazil

    G. S. Araujo, A. C. F. Cruz & D. M. S. Abessa

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  1. M. V. Capparelli
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Correspondence to M. V. Capparelli.

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Capparelli, M.V., McNamara, J.C., Araujo, G.S. et al. Use of an Integrated Geochemical and Ecotoxicological Approach to Evaluate Sediment Metal Contamination in Three Protected Estuarine Areas Along the Coast of São Paulo State, Brazil. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 106, 355–362 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-03076-5

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