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The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of alien phytoplankton species transported through ballast water of ships that docked on the Amazon coast. Phytoplankton samples were collected from 25 ships between 2012 and 2014, revealing 215 identified species, mostly comprising oceanic planktonic marine species. However, several coastal and freshwater species not yet documented on the Maranhão coast were also observed. The identification of several coastal and freshwater species not yet recorded for Amazonian environments in the ballast water of the Ponta da Madeira Maritime Terminal (TMPM), as well as toxic microalgae genera such as the dinoflagellates Alexandrium and Gymnodinium and of some diatom species from the genus Pseudo-nitzchia , raises concerns regarding the possibility of introducing species. This indicates that ballast water can be responsible for the introduction of alien species in Amazonian aquatic environments, thereby highlighting the TMPM as a critical hotspot in the Amazonian region. [Display omitted] • Ballast water phytoplankton from Northern Brazilian port areas. • Cargo ships as the main pathway of species introduction. • Alien phytoplankton species hotspot for the Amazon littoral. • New records of non-indigenous phytoplankton species for the Amazon coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Rainfall level, turbidity and relative isolation limit the recreational activities. • Unplanned development affects the tourism industry. • Lack of public sanitation system results in prohibition of bathing on urban beaches. • Effective regulation and planning is required to reduce hazards and risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on international waste on the Amazon coast are lacking, leaving a substantial knowledge gap concerning the socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental repercussion of this issue. In this context, the objective of this study is to comprehensively characterize and trace the origins of allochthonous litter discovered on a beach situated within a Protected Area. Given this, the hypothesis of this study is that the international litters comes from vessels operating in the region. A total of 384 containers were collected, originating from 36 countries, with those located in Asia and Africa showing the highest prevalence. Among the bottles with identified expiration dates, 76 % are newly arrived, confirming our hypothesis. The presence of older waste may result from a combination of the absence of beach cleaning public services and local dynamic processes. While international engagement is necessary, local communities, along with the scientific community, have taken proactive measures to address the problem. • This study marks one of the initial investigations into macrolitter on the Amazon coast. • Allochthonous marine litter within a Protected Area along the Amazon Coast • Shipping activities are responsible for the existence of local allochthonous marine litter. • Plastic bottles are the most common item of local allochthonous marine litter. • Illegal dumping of foreign marine litter threatens local ecosystems and livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Human and natural forcings have similar consequences on the trophic status in mangrove estuaries. • Mangrove estuaries produce high trophic values, but do not imply the existence of "Poor Waters". • TRIX values should be reinterpreted in naturally nutrient-rich waters. • A a new re-assignment proposition of TRIX status is necessary in mangrove estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to determine the Recreational Carrying Capacity of three estuarine beaches (Colares, Marudá and Murubira) on the Amazon coast of Brazil, based on the combined assessment of natural conditions and visitor facilities. In the final analysis, the carrying capacity of Colares beach was estimated to be 1089 visitors per day, and that of Murubira beach, 238 visitors per day. At Marudá beach, however, the inadequate quality of the water resulted in an RCC of zero, indicating that the beach should not be visited for recreational use. The results of this study may provide a valuable diagnostic tool for the development of future state and municipal coastal management programs. We believe that the procedures adopted in this study are applicable to other estuarine beaches on the Amazon coast, as well as in other estuarine beaches elsewhere with similar natural characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Amazon coastal zone is characterized by high levels of hydrodynamic energy influenced by both marine and continental processes. This region commands a great deal of interest from economic, social, and environmental viewpoints, and is affected by the interaction of a number of natural and anthropogenic processes, which have a direct influence on the conditions found on local beaches. The present study analyzed the quality of the beaches of the Amazonian city of São Luís, considering natural (climatic, morphodynamic, and hydrological processes) and social (occupation of the land and types of services and infrastructure) conditions. A system of beach classification was also used to assess coastal quality regarding both natural and socioeconomic characteristics. The results of the study indicate that the local beaches are being occupied increasingly by urban development, which is affecting the equilibrium of depositional systems, primarily through the occupation of dunes and cliffs. In addition, the local water quality has been affected by the lack of an adequate public sanitation system and the presence of numerous illegal sewers on the beaches, which contribute to the elevation of thermotolerant coliform concentrations above the limit permitted under Brazilian legislation. These features contributed to the classification of the sites as regular quality beaches, according to the indices applied in this study. The lack of local urban planning has caused serious social and environmental problems and effective management plans for this sector of the Amazon coast are urgently needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes the environmental status and the social perception of Casa Caiada (bay 1) and Rio Doce (bay 2 and bay 3) as a consequence of the several impacts that these beaches have been suffering. The methodology adopted in this work was based on interviews with beach users and direct observations of the physical, biological and human aspects. The obtained result denotes that in Casa Caiada the better beach quality is a consequence of the better water quality, infrastructure and services permitting a higher investment in housing development, recreation, commercialization, fishing, tourism, amongst others. In contrast, northward of Rio Doce (bay 3), the beach has been considered of bad quality for the beach users. In Casa Caiada the users were the most demanding when describing the status of the beach and the necessary changes to mitigate the actual situation. On the other hand, in the most degradated area (bay 3) the users were less demanding when proposing possible changes to improve the beach/water and life quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The sandy beaches of the Brazilian Amazon coast have enormous touristic potential and attract thousands of visitors each year, principally in July, at the beginning of the summer vacation period. In 2020, beach going was affected worldwide by the Covid-19 pandemic, but how did the pandemic affect recreational beach use on the Amazon coast in the Brazilian state of Pará? Given this, the objective of this work is to identify public perception in compliance with health safety established by authorities due to COVID-19 pandemic in two popular beaches on the Brazilian Amazon. Recreational patterns on the beaches of this region were analyzed from the user's perspective in July, through semi-structured interviews and direct observations. Recreational activities were prohibited on the beaches located within protected areas. At other locations, however, including Ajuruteua and Atalaia, the beaches were reopened on July 1 st, and both sites received thousands of visitors in July, despite the fact that interviewees believed the pandemic to be dangerous, and considered the situation in Pará state to be at least as bad or worse than in previous months. Agglomerations were verified on both study beaches and social distancing and other protective measures were limited. The increase in the new cases recorded in August was due to the relaxation of restrictions on social, recreational, and economic activities by the local authorities in July 2020, including the reopening of public access to beaches. As Pará state has been hard-hit by the pandemic, prohibitions on recreational beach use should clearly not have been lifted during this period. A number of management measures were presented in this study. These measures should contribute to the prevention of the spread of the virus during the upcoming public holidays, as long as the pandemic continues. [Display omitted] • Restriction's flexibilization on Recreational activities during COVID-19 pandemic. • Does covid-19 pandemic peak affect summer vacation displacements? • Beachgoers low perception of risk in Amazon beaches. • Management strategies to prevent outbreaks during the upcoming public holidays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]