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PCBs and PBDEs were determined in two dolphin species, Sotalia guianensis and Steno bredanensis, from an upwelling system off the Central-northern coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PCB levels varied from 0.040 to 0.75 μg g(-1) lw in muscles and from 0.022 to 1.32 μg g(-1)lw in liver samples from S. guianensis. In S. bredanensis, values varied from 0.085 to 11.3 μg g(-1) lw in muscles and from 0.024 to 18.6 μg g(-1) lw in livers. PCB-138, -153 and -180 were the major PCB congeners detected in both species, while BDE-47 was the predominant PBDE congener found in both species. Higher concentrations in S. bredanensis were possibly related to the different feeding habits for both delphinid species. These results contribute to extend the database on organic contamination in cetaceans from the southern hemisphere, understanding their distribution and environmental fate in Southeastern Brazil.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and quantified in samples of superficial sediments of the Negro River, in the Amazon region of Brazil, through analyses performed by GC/MS. Total PAH concentration that includes parent and alkylated PAHs ranged from 6.5 to 5348 ng g-1 of dry weight. The Σ16 PAHs prioritized in environmental studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) ranged from 5.6 to 1187 ng g-1. The most contaminated places were those where muddy sediments were found, with the highest concentrations of organic matter, carbon and total nitrogen. The priority PAHs with high molecular weight represented 70% of the total abundance and showed that the main source of contamination of the sediments was pyrogenic. However, petrogenic PAHs coming from oil and derivatives input is also an important contamination source to be considered. ©2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

The clam Tivela mactroides is an important sandy-beach resource along the western Atlantic coast, and is widely harvested by both tourists and residents for recreational, subsistence and/or economic purposes. These clams are intensively exploited in Caraguatatuba Bay on the southeastern Brazilian coast. Similarly to most coastal areas around the world, this bay is subject to a variety of environmental threats derived from human occupation (e.g., sewage) and economic activities (e.g., oil spills). Considering the history of changes in this area and current plans for development, environmental pressures are expected to increase. This prospect raises concerns regarding food safety of members of the public, including clam harvesters, who consume local seafood. In order to provide baseline information to compare with future situations, this study analyzed the contamination of clam meat by microorganisms (fecal coliforms, Salmonella sp., Vibrio cholerae, and Staphylococcus aureus) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Preliminary evaluations revealed microorganism contamination levels above the maximum limits allowed under Brazilian legislation; with higher levels in the central portion of the bay. Temporal evaluations at three sampling points in this area revealed year-round contamination by all microorganisms, i.e., a continuous risk for clam consumers. Although the effectiveness of thermal processing used by consumers could not be formally tested in this study, it has the potential to reduce the contamination by fecal coliforms, Salmonella sp., and S. aureus to safe levels, as demonstrated in the two samples analyzed. However, although S. aureus can be totally eliminated, its heat-tolerant toxins may still affect consumers. Concentrations of individual compounds (congeners) and total PAHs were recorded, indicating contamination derived from oil spills. The results raise concerns regarding traditional small-scale fisheries, which can be threatened by the intensification of human activities in the coastal region, thus requiring continuous monitoring of the quality of seafoods, in addition to effective communication of the risks to consumers, and efficient measures to reduce both sewage and industrial pollution.

The Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(ghi)perylene) concentrations in fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) atmospheric particulate matter were measured at Sao Paulo city, Brazil. The dominant PAHcompounds were indeno(1,2,3- cd)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene and benzo(b)fluoranthene for both the fractions. The calculated ratios of some specific PAHs were in close agreement with those attributed to direct emissions of car exhaust. The factor analysis for PM2.5 produced four factors: Factor 1 was attributed to diesel emissions, Factor 2 was attributed to stationary combustion source, Factor 3 was attributed to vehicular emissions and Factor 4 to natural gas combustion and biomass burning. For PM2.5-10, Factor 1 was attributed to vehicular emissions and Factor 2 was attributed to a mixture of combustion sources such as natural gas combustion, incineration emissions and oil combustion. Also, vehicular emissions were assumed to be the major source of PAHs in the Sao Paulo city atmosphere. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aliphatic (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations were measured in marine surface sediments around the Brazilian station in Admiralty Bay, during the summers of 1997/98 and 1999/2000 using GC-FID and GC-MS. Total aliphatic hydrocarbons ranged from 0.15 to 13.28 μg·g−1 (dry weight) while n-alkanes varied between 0.10 and 9.63 μg·g−1. The highest concentrations were obtained at the sewage outfall, with decreasing levels away from the outfall. The distribution of n-alkanes showed significant quantities of long chain n-alkanes (n-C22 to n-C34) at sites near the Brazilian station that may be attributed to the station activities. A short chain n-alkanes sequence (n-C12 to n-C21) associated with diesel fuel arctic (DFA) was present in all the samples. Total PAHs varied from 9.45 to 270.5 ng·g−1. The higher PAHs level and the presence of an unresolved complex mixture only in sediment from the sewage outfall is an indication of oil contamination at this location. A slight increase in PAHs near the Brazilian station since 1993 may be attributed to an increase in the number of staff over recent years. In general, the concentration of AHs and PAHs was similar to that found in other Antarctic areas.

Urban effluents are rich in nutrients, organic matter, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, hydrocarbons, surfactants, and others. Previous studies have shown that oysters Crassostrea gigas accumulate significant levels of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) in sanitary sewage contaminated sites, but there is little information about its toxicological effects in marine bivalves. The aim of this study was to analyze the transcription of genes in two tissues of C. gigas exposed for 12, 24, and 36 h to LABs or sanitary sewage. Likewise, the activity of antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes was measured in oysters exposed for 36 h in all groups. Oysters exposed to LABs and oysters exposed to sanitary sewage showed different patterns of transcriptional responses. LAB-exposed oysters showed lower level of biological responses than the oysters exposed to sanitary sewage. Despite the ability of the oyster C. gigas to accumulate LABs (28-fold), the data indicate that these contaminants are not the cause for the transcriptional responses observed in oysters exposed to sanitary sewage. Possibly, the biological changes observed in the sanitary sewage-exposed oysters are associated with the presence of other contaminants, which might have caused synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects. The results show that FABP-like and GST-ω-like messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have a rapid response in tissues of oyster C. gigas exposed to sanitary sewage, suggesting a possible protective response and a role in maintaining homeostasis of these organisms.

Organic pollution was evaluated in surface sediments along the middle portion of the Rio de la Plata Estuary, SW Atlantic. A multi-molecular marker approach was performed to identify major sources of organic compounds using diagnostic indices. The relative contribution of different sources of hydrocarbons was quantified by source apportionment employing Principal Component Analysis/Multiple Linear Regression (PCA/MLR) as chemometric technique. All molecular markers indicated high chronic organic pollution in the stations of Montevideo Bay. Main sources of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were petroleum inputs and combustion, due to oil transport and refinement, harbour activities and vehicular emissions. Major sources of linear alkylbenzenes and steroids were industrial and domestic sewage. Although, significant anthropogenic inputs, a natural footprint of terrestrial higher plants contribution was recognized. Multi-molecular marker and comprehensive assessments can improve the establishment of more precise regulation actions to reduce pollution levels.

In the present study, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in 14 livers from specimens of the Brazilian sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii), which is an important economic resource for small-scale fisheries on the southeastern coast of Brazil. The following concentrations (lipid weight) of POPs were found: ∑PCBs: 1019 ± 267 ng g−1; ∑DDTs: 111 ± 40 ng g−1 and ∑PBDEs: 10.4 ± 4.78. PCB 153 made the greatest contribution to ∑PCB (21.4%), followed by PCB 138 (14.6%) and PCB 180 (9.94%). Among chlorinated pesticides, only the p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD isomers had concentrations above the detection limit. Moreover, levels above the detection limit were found only for PBDE congeners 47 and 100 (BDEs 47 > 99). On average, BDE 47 accounted for 88% of the total PBDE load. The feeding habits of the Brazilian sharpnose shark close to the Brazilian coastline are likely the most important difference regarding the accumulation of POPs in comparison to oceanic species that feed in deeper waters. Thus, this species may be used to evaluate the pollution of coastal areas as well as human exposure to contaminants, as the Brazilian sharpnose shark is a frequently used for human consumption. Further studies in other areas of Brazil and involving other species are needed to clarify the mechanisms and potential impact of POPs, which can affect the biology of different organisms and cause population declines.

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in albatrosses and petrels collected off southern Brazil were compared with concentrations of organochlorine contaminants (OCs). δ 13 C and δ 15 N values, as well as OCs concentrations, exhibited a high degree of variability among individuals and overlap among species. δ 13 C values reflected latitudinal differences among species, with lower values found in Wandering and Tristan Albatrosses and higher values found in Black-browed and Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses and White-chinned Petrels. Some relationships were found between OCs and stable isotopes, but in general a partial ‘uncoupling’ was observed between OCs concentrations and stable isotopes ratios (especially for δ 15 N). δ 13 C and δ 15 N values in Procellariiformes tissues during the non-breeding season appear to be a better indicator of foraging habitats than of trophic relationships, which may partially explain the high degree of variability between concentrations of OCs and stable isotopes ratios in birds with a diversified diet and wide foraging range.

The present investigation aimed to analyze PBDE and PCB contamination in mussels (Perna perna) and two commercially important fish species, croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and mullet (Mugil liza), in the Guanabara Bay, the most important Brazilian estuary, by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, in order to further knowledge regarding these compounds in the southern hemisphere. This is also the first report of PBDE in this mussel species in the Guanabara Bay. Fish were captured in September (dry season, winter) and March (wet season, summer) 2007 and September 2008. Mussels were collected in August (dry season, winter) 2006, in February (wet season, summer) 2007, and in August 2007 (winter). The results show that all samples showed higher PCB contamination when compared to other ecosystems around the world. On the other hand, PBDEs presented lower concentrations in 41 % of the samples. Croakers presented the highest PCB and PBDE levels, with mullet showing intermediary values and mussels, the lowest.

Plastic pellets have the ability to adsorb organic pollutants such as PAHs. This study analyzed the variability in the concentration and composition of PAHs on plastic pellets sampled up to 1 m deep in the sediment of a sandy beach. The toxic potential of PAHs was analyzed, and the possible sources of contamination are discussed. The total PAHs varied, with the highest concentrations in the surface layer; the priority PAHs showed a different pattern. PAHs at greater depths did not reach toxicity levels above the PEL. The composition of PAHs differed between pellets from the shallower and from deeper sediment layers, and was suggested a mixture of sources. These results provided the first information on the depth distribution of PAHs in sandy beaches, associated with plastic pellets; and evidenced the potential environmental risk. Similarly to the abundance of pellets, the toxic potential is underestimated in surface samples.

This study evaluated the occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 22 surface sediment samples and one core collected in Guaratuba Bay, a large and well-preserved estuary in Southern Atlantic, Brazil. The concentration of PCBs in the superficial sediment samples ranged fromLQ (below the limit of quantification) to 5.62 ng g⁻¹, while the concentration of OCPs ranged fromLQ to 0.74 ng g⁻¹. The spatial distribution of the organochlorine compounds (OCs) suggested that the sources of these contaminants are located outside the bay and are related to human activities on the margins of the two main rivers that discharge in the region. The OCs in the sediment core ranged fromLQ to 0.52 ng g⁻¹ and fromLQ to 1.52 ng g⁻¹ for PCBs and OCPs, respectively. Despite their usage worldwide, the low concentrations of OCs in Guaratuba Bay suggest low input levels, which may represent the background levels for this region.

Santos-Sao Vicente Estuarine System is a highly populated coastal zone in Brazil and where it is located the major port of Latin America. Historically, port activities, industrial and domestic effluents discharges have constituted the main sources of contaminants to estuarine system. This study aimed to assess the recent status of sediment quality from 5 zones of Port of Santos by applying a lines-of-evidence approach through integrating results of: (1) acute toxicity of whole sediment and chronic toxicity of liquid phases; (2) grain size, organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, linear alkylbenzenes and butyltins; (3) benthic community descriptors. Results revealed a gradient of increasing contamination for metals and organic compounds, alongside with their geochemical carriers. Sediment liquid phases were more toxic compared to whole sediment. Low number of species and individuals indicated the impoverishment of benthic community. The use of site-specific sediment quality guidelines was more appropriate to predict sediment toxicity. The integration of results through Sediment Quality Triad approach and principal component analysis allowed observing the effects of natural stressors and dredging on sediment quality and benthic distribution. Even with recent governmental efforts to control, pollution is still relevant in Port of Santos and a threat to local ecosystems.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been gaining much visibility in environmental chemical studies due to their similarity to PCBs and growing reports of harmful effects. The fact that these contaminants have not yet undergone bans or restrictions on the global level underscores the need for data on their occurrence. In the present study, fat samples from 26 White-chinned Petrels ( Procellaria aequinoctialis ) and 3 Spectacled Petrels ( P. conspicillata ) collected dead ashore or as bycatch of longline fisheries in southern Brazil were analyzed to determine concentrations of seven congeners (IUPAC #28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154 and 183). Concentrations of ΣPBDEs ranged from not detectable to 72.70 ng g −1 (wet weight), comparatively lower than concentrations reported for seabird samples in northern hemisphere. The most detected congeners were 153, 154 and 183. This pattern is close to that previously reported for birds of the same group, but not those from the same region.

The Paranaguá Estuarine System (PES) is an important estuarine environment on the Brazilian coast. The economic importance of the PES is mainly related to industries, fuel terminals, and the main South American grain-shipping port. The aim of this work was to determine the vertical distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in three sediment cores from the PES. The methods included Soxhlet extraction, clean-up, and quantification by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The concentrations of total PCBs ranged from lower than the detection limit to 6.65 ng g(-1). Low PCB concentrations were detected in P1 and P3, which were collected far away from direct human activities. In P2, the compositional pattern of PCB congeners showed greater concentrations of tetra- and penta-chlorinated congeners associated with urban and port activities near Paranaguá city. The differences in concentrations between the three sediment cores were attributed to the distance of the sampling points in relation to the possible sources of pollution, which are mostly related to Paranaguá city. The vertical distribution of PCBs in the sediment core P2 was related to historical anthropogenic activities. The highest PCB input was from 1970 to the early 1990s, which coincides with a period of greater use of PCBs in Brazil as well as their greater worldwide production.

The West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus is threatened with extinction in Brazil, and this study focused on nondestructive blood samples analyzed for metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), as well as biochemical and hematological biomarkers. Studied manatees were kept at Projeto Peixe-Boi headquarters in Pernambuco State, and at two natural areas in estuaries where they are released to the wild. Manatees kept at the natural estuary in Paraiba State have blood concentrations of Al, Pb, Cd, Sn that are 11, 7, 8 and 23 times greater, respectively, than the concentrations found in blood of animals from the same species in Florida, USA. An inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase in manatees kept at the two reintroduction sites in Alagoas and Paraiba States indicated possible exposure of the animals to cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides. PCBs and OCPs were not detected. Results from this study will help delineate conservation efforts in the region.

Florianopolis, a city located in the Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil, is the national leading producer of bivalve mollusks. The quality of bivalve mollusks is closely related to the sanitary conditions of surrounding waters where they are cultivated. Presently, cultivation areas receive large amounts of effluents derived mainly from treated and non-treated domestic, rural, and urban sewage. This contributes to the contamination of mollusks with trace metals, pesticides, other organic compounds, and human pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoan. The aim of this study was to perform a thorough diagnosis of the shellfish growing areas in Florianopolis, on the coast of Santa Catarina. The contamination levels of seawater, sediments, and oysters were evaluated for their microbiological, biochemical, and chemical parameters at five sea sites in Florianopolis, namely three regular oyster cultivation areas (Sites 1, 2, and oyster supplier), a polluted site (Site 3), and a heavily polluted site (Site 4). Samples were evaluated at day zero and after 14 days. Seawater and sediment samples were collected just once, at the end of the experiment. Antioxidant defenses, which may occur in contaminated environments in response to the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by organisms, were analyzed in oysters, as well as organic compounds (in oysters and sediment samples) and microbiological contamination (in oysters and seawater samples). The results showed the presence of the following contaminants: fecal coliforms in seawater samples (four sites), human adenovirus (all sites), human noroviruses GI and GII (two sites), Hepatitis A viruses (one site), JC Polyomavirus in an oyster sample from the oyster supplier, Giardia duodenalis cysts, and Cryptosporidium sp oocysts (one site). Among organochlorine pesticides, only DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) were detected in some sediment and oysters samples in very low levels; site 4 had the highest concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) found either in oysters or in sediment samples. The major concentration of fecal sterol coprostanol was found at site 4, followed by site 3. After 14 days of allocation in the four selected sites, there was a significant difference in the enzymes analyzed at the monitored spots. The detection of different contaminants in oysters, seawater, and sediment samples in the present study shows the impact untreated or inadequately treated effluents have on coastal areas. These results highlight the need for public investment in adequate wastewater treatment and adequate treatment of oysters, ensuring safe areas for shellfish production as well as healthier bivalve mollusks for consumption.

Seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri is a marine species that lives in shallow waters of coastal environments, often impacted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) pollution. In the present study, seabob shrimp were exposed for 96 h to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) at the nominal concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 microg-L −1 . Animals of the control groups were exposed either to clean water or to the BaP-carrier (DMSO). At the end of the exposures, muscle tissues were sampled for BaP uptake assessment and hepatopancreas and hemolymph for EROD enzyme activity and hemocytes DNA damage, respectively. EROD activity and DNA damage increased significantly as a function of BaP exposure concentrations. Significant correlations between BaP uptake and both EROD activity and DNA damage suggest that they can be used as suitable tools for integrated levels of study on the biomarkers of PAH exposure.

International audience; In the present work, fat, skin, liver and muscle samples from Leptonychotes weddellii (Weddell seal, n=2 individuals), Lobodon carcinophagus (crabeater seal, n=2), Arctocephalus gazella (Antarctic fur seal, n=3) and Mirounga leonina (southern elephant seal, n=1) were collected from King George Island, Antarctica, and analysed for POPs (PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and PBDEs) and stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N in all tissues but fat). PBDEs could be found in only one sample (L. weddellii fat). Generally, PCBs (from 74 to 523 ng g-1 lw), DDTs (from 14 to 168 ng g-1 lw) and chlordanes (from 9 to 78 ng g-1 lw) were the prevailing compounds. Results showed a clear stratification in accordance with ecological data. Nonetheless, stable isotope analyses provide a deeper insight into fluctuations due to migrations and nutritional stress. Correlation between 15N and pollutants suggests, to some degree, a considerable ability to metabolize and/or excrete the majority of them.

International audience; Vegetation samples from King George Island, Antarctica (62º05'S, 058º23'W) were collected in the austral summer of 2004-05. Lichens (Usnea aurantiaco-atra and Usnea antarctica), mosses (Sanionia uncinata, Syntrichia princeps and Brachytecium sp.), and one angiosperm (Colobanthus quitensis) species were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants as well as δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes. The following contaminants were found above the method detection limit (MDL): HCB (0.141 to 1.06 ng g-1 dry weight), HCHs (< MDL to 1.20 ng g-1 dw), DDTs (< MDL to 1.73 ng g-1 dw), PCBs (7.76 to 18.6 ng g-1 dw) and PBDEs (0.146 to 0.811 ng g -1 dw). In all cases, levels in mosses were higher than in lichens (one order of magnitude higher for OCs), suggesting that specific biogeochemical processes were involved in the transport, exposure and absorption for each group. Carbon stable isotope ratios showed clearly different ranges for lichens (δ13C from -21.13 up to -18.43‰) and mosses (-25.99 to -21.64‰). The only angiosperm species investigated exhibited 13C signature within the moss range. A large range of δ15N was found (-7.67 to 20.75‰) and seemed to be related to nitrogen uptake from different animal-derived sources. Pearson's correlation showed significant results for some contaminants (e.g. HCHs/HCB and PCBs/DDTs) and suggested the influence of the origin of both nitrogen and pollutants, notably taking secondary sources (animal excrements/remains, for instance) into consideration.

Chlorinated pesticides, PCBs and PBDEs were analysed in nine blubber samples of Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis, incidentally captured during fishing operations in southern and southeastern Brazil between 2005 and 2007. The majority of compounds analysed were detected, suggesting widespread contamination over the region. Although the samples came from a location far from main coastal industrial areas, the results revealed an influence from such sources. Therefore, levels of PCBs (774-23659 ng g(-1) lipid wt.) and PBDEs (23-1326 ng g(-1) lipid wt.) detected seem to be related to the movement of individuals throughout near-shore and offshore waters. The sample from a lactating female exhibited a lower level of contamination and a distinct pattern, indicating selective transfer favouring less lipophilic compounds.

Understanding the toxic mechanisms by which organisms cope to environmental stressful conditions is a fundamental question for ecotoxicology. In this study, we evaluated biochemical responses and hydrocarbons bioaccumulation of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea brasiliana exposed for 96 h to four sublethal concentrations of diesel fuel water-accommodated fraction (WAF). For that purpose, enzymatic activities (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, G6PDH, GST and GGT), HSP60 and HSP90 immunocontent and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were determined in the gill and digestive gland of oysters and related to the hydrocarbons accumulated in the whole soft tissues. The results of this study revealed clear biochemical responses to diesel fuel WAF exposure in both tissues of the oyster. The capacity of C. brasiliana to bioaccumulate aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in a dose-dependent manner is a strong indication of its suitability as a model in biomonitoring programs along the Brazilian coast, which was also validated by the response of the antioxidant defenses, phase II biotransformation and chaperones. HSP60 levels and GGT activity were the most promising biomarkers in the gill, while GST and GR activities stood out as suitable biomarkers for the detection of diesel toxicity in the digestive gland. The decrease of SOD activity and HSP90 levels may also reflect a negative effect of diesel exposure regardless the tissue. The present results provide a sound preliminary report on the biochemical responses of C. brasiliana challenged with a petroleum by-product and should be carefully considered for use in the monitoring of oil and gas activities in Brazil.

Submitted by Gisele Mara Hadlich (gisele@ufba.br) on 2019-05-14T17:36:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 apa.2014.070: 7170173 bytes, checksum: 313b74651054d4308b837a0de84344df (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Jessica Alves (alves.jessica@ufba.br) on 2019-05-31T13:31:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 apa.2014.070: 7170173 bytes, checksum: 313b74651054d4308b837a0de84344df (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2019-05-31T13:31:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 apa.2014.070: 7170173 bytes, checksum: 313b74651054d4308b837a0de84344df (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 Classic hydrographical parameters and dissolved nutrients were measured during the Antarctic summers from 2009 to 2012. Physical and biological processes control the nutrient levels in Admiralty Bay, as well as upwelling of deep water from Brans eld Strait. Additional data on summer land run-o and wind speeds and directions is needed to get a better model for the factors that control the primary production of the area.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the environment and subject of several studies due to their adverse effects as endocrine disruptors. Despite the concern over widespread distribution of PBDEs even in sparsely populated regions of the world, few studies have reported their occurrence in Brazil. In this study, PBDEs and PCBs levels were measured in selected fish species and dolphins from Paraiba do Sul River, Brazil. BDE 47 and 85 were the predominant congeners. Low chlorinated congeners showed the highest concentrations in fish; however dolphins presented the highest proportion of PCBs 153, followed by 138 and 180. The daily intake of PBDEs and PCBs was estimated for the population of this region. PCB daily intake through consumption of croaker was above the limits set by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, raising great concern over the existence of a source of PCB contamination in Brazil.

Sediments from Admiralty Bay, Antarctica were collected during the austral summers of 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 in order to assess the distribution and concentration of sewage indicators originating from Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station. Fecal sterols (coprostanol+epicoprostanol) and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) ranged from

The occurrence of plastic objects in the digestive tract was assessed in eight species of Procellariiformes collected in southern Brazil and the occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the ingested plastics pellets and plastic fragments was evaluated. PCBs were detected in plastic pellets (491 ng g(-1)) and plastic fragments (243-418 ng g(-1)). Among the OCPs, p,p'-DDE had the highest concentrations, ranging from 68.0 to 99.0 ng g(-1). The occurrence of organic pollutants in post-consumer plastics supports the fact that plastics are an important source carrying persistent organic pollutants in the marine environment. Although transfer through the food chain may be the main source of exposure to POPs to seabirds, plastics could be an additional source for the organisms which ingest them, like Procellariiformes which are the seabirds most affected by plastic pollution.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides are compounds that do not occur naturally in the environment and are not easily degraded by chemical or microbiological action. In the present work, those compounds were analysed in unhatched penguin eggs and whole krill collected in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica in the austral summers of 2004–2005 and 2005–2006. The compounds found in higher levels (in a wet weight basis) were, in most of the egg samples, the PCBs (2.53–78.7 ng g −1 ), DDTs (2.07–38.0 ng g −1 ) and HCB (4.99–39.1 ng g −1 ) and after Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA, the occurrence seemed to be species-specific for the Pygoscelis genus. In all of the cases, the levels found were not higher than the ones in Arctic birds in a similar trophic level. The krill samples analysis allowed estimating the biomagnification factors (which resulted in up to 363 for HCB, one order of magnitude higher than DDTs and chlordanes and two orders of magnitude higher than the other groups) of the compounds found in eggs, whose only source of contamination is the female-offspring transfer.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been detected worldwide, including in the Antarctic region. The Antarctic continent can no longer be considered pristine, as there has been a localized but considerable human impact on the region (UNEP, 2002). Local pollution caused by research stations, tourism and long-range transport account for the presence of these compounds in the biota (Risebrough and Carmignani, 1972; Lukowski,1983a,b; Montone et al., 2001b; Corsolini et al., 2002), atmosphere (Bidleman et al., 1993; Montone et al., 2005), water (Gupta et al., 1996; Bicego et al., 1996; Bicego et al., 2002) and sediment (Montone et al., 2001a; Martins et al., 2004; Curtosi et al., 2007) in Antarctica. Several organisms may be used to investigate local pollution. Birds have a number of advantages in this respect. The ecology and behavior of birds are particularly well understood and the background knowledge of their biology enhances their usefulness as biomonitors (Furness and Greenwood, 1993). Antarctica has over 40 species of nesting birds. Many are natives to this remote region of Earth (e.g., Adelie penguin, Antarctic petrel, Snow petrel) and others come to the Antarctic continent and sub Antarctic islands to breed and then migrate to lower latitudes the rest of the year (e.g., Southern fulmar, Cape petrel, South Polar skua). As long-range migratory and top predators, skuas can accumulate high concentrations of anthropogenic contaminants as they forage over large areas. In contrast, penguins show greater fidelity to the Antarctic and sub Antarctic region. This baseline report presents the concentration of selected chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) measured in archived fat samples from Brown skuas (Catharacta antarctica, n = 6) and three species of penguins [Adelie (Pygoscelis adeliae; n = 2), Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica; n = 2) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua; n = 3)] captured in the vicinity of a Brazilian and a Polish Antarctic Station on King George Island. Opportunistic samples of Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata; n = 2), Snowy sheathbill (Chionis alba; n = 1) and Blue-eyed shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps; n = 1) were also analyzed. Subcutaneous fat samples from these birds were collected near the Comandante Ferraz (62 050S–58 230W; Brazil) andH. Arctowski (62 090S–58 280W; Poland) Antarctic Stations, located in Admiralty Bay during the summer of 1997–1998 (Fig. 1), wrapped in aluminium foil and immediately frozen at 15 C. The analytical procedure followed that described by MacLeod et al. (1985). Briefly, after the addition of anhydrous Na2SO4, approximately 0.5 g of wet tissue was extracted withmethylene chloride using a tissumizer. Prior to extraction, 4,40-dibromooctafluorbiphenyl (DBOFB), 2,20,4,50,6-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 103); 2,20,3,30,4, 5,50,6-octachlorobiphenyl (PCB 198); d8-naphthalene, d10-acenaphthene, d10-phenanthrene, d12-chrysene and d12-perylene were added to samples, blanks and reference material (SRM 1945 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology) as surrogates for chlorinated pesticides, PCBs and PAHs, respectively. Extracts were initially cleaned by using partially deactivated silica:alumina column chromatography eluted with a 1:1 mixture of pentane and methylene chloride. The fraction was further purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to remove excess lipids and finally concentrated to a volume of 0.5 mL in hexane. Internal standards (2,4,5,6-tetrachlorometaxylene (TCMX) for chlorinated pesticides and PCBs; and d10-fluorene and d10-benzo[a]pyrene) for PAHs) were added prior to gas chromatographic analysis. Chlorinated pesticides and PCBs were analyzed through gas chromatography using an electron capture detector (ECD). PAHs were quantitatively analyzed through a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC–MS) in a selected ion mode (SIM). Table 1 displays mean concentrations (±standard deviation) on a lipid weight (lw) basis for HCHs, HCB, DDTs, chlordanes, dieldrin, mirex, total PCBs and total PAHs in the seabirds studied. Except for HCHs and HCB, the concentrations of most chlorinated pesticides were significantly higher in skuas than in the other species of birds (Fig. 2). In contrast, no significant differences in the concentrations of these compounds were found among the three species of penguins studied (Fig. 3). Lukowski (1983a) found a similar profile of DDTs in adipose tissue of the same three species of penguins collected in the proximity of the Arctowski Station in Admiralty Bay, but at significantly lower concentrations (0.548 ± 0.314, 0.340 ± 0.238, 0364 ± 0.155 ng g 1 w for P. adeliae, P. antarctica and P. papua, respectively). Average concentrations of oxychlordane, dieldrin, mirex and p,p0-DDE in skuas (408 ± 169, 254 ± 158, 2210 ± 1590 and 5840 ± 4020 ng g 1 lw, respectively) were approximately 15, 10, 25 and 30 times higher than in penguins. Lukowski (1983b) also found DDT contents approximately 15 times higher in skua than in penguins. This difference demon

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of contaminants in the mussel Perna perna from São Sebastião Channel, São Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate the effects of these contaminants on these organisms at biochemical (catalase [CAT], glutathione-S-transferase [GST], and cholinesterase [ChE]), cellular (neutral red retention time [NRRT] assay), and physiological (cardiac monitoring) levels. Two sampling surveys were performed (winter of 2001 and summer of 2002) at six stations along the channel: Cigarras, station 1; Iate Clube de Ilhabela, station 2; Oil Terminal, station 3; Toque Toque, station 4; Ponta da Sela, station 5 (reference station); and Taubaté, station 6. Differences in CAT activity were observed between mussels from stations 3 and 5 during the winter, but no differences were detected in the summer. No differences in GST activity were found among stations during the winter, although animals from station 3 showed higher activity during the summer. The ChE activity was significantly higher in the mussels from stations 1 and 2 during the winter and from stations 1 and 3 during the summer. Organisms from stations 1 through 4 showed statistically lower NRRT in both seasons. Similar heart rates were observed in the mussels from all stations. Hydrocarbons were detected in organisms from all the stations in both seasons. During the winter, higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels were observed in organisms from station 3, whereas during the summer, higher levels of metals were found in organisms from stations 1, 3, and 4. The multivariate analyses showed a strong influence of PAHs on the winter biological results, but metals showed higher influence on these responses in the summer, indicating multiple contaminant sources.

Human activity in the Antarctic requires the use of petroleum hydrocarbons as the main energy source for a variety of operations. In the current study, in situ soil microcosms were constructed in the proximity of the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, to analyse the effect of oil amendment on the indigenous bacterial community in contaminated and uncontaminated sites to assess the potential for bioremediation. Microcosms were sampled for heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-degrader bacterial counts, pH, temperature, moisture, nutrient levels and petroleum hydrocarbons. Total organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents were generally low in the Antarctic cryosols. According to statistical analysis based on Colony Forming Unit numbers, significant bacterial populations were present in all microcosms, with larger numbers observed in oil amended than in non-amended soils. Aliphatic and aromatic fractions of diesel fuel were detected in the soil microcosms, and significant quantities were removed during the experiment. These results strongly suggest that the cold-adapted bacterial community present in soils around the Brazilian Antarctic station has the potential to adapt and utilize the oil as a carbon source. This knowledge can contribute both to bioremediation technology and the goals of the the Antarctic Treaty which prohibits the introduction of foreign organisms into the region.

Volatile compound biodegradation analysis usually requires the time-consuming step of extraction of the analytes from the matrix using organic solvents or costly radioactive-compounds. Thus, it is desirable to have a simple and fast technique to generate a good evaluation of bacterial biodegradation. The goal of this research was to develop a methodology on the basis of static headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) to evaluate the level of volatile contaminant biodegradation. The effects of the following parameters were studied: temperature and time of equilibration. The biodegradation experiments were carried out with bacteria inoculation in mineral media in presence of volatile hydrocarbon compounds (toluene, p-xylene, nonane and naphthalene). Autoclaved inoculates were used as control and reference sample. The optimal headspace conditions were observed when the vials were heated at 80 degrees C for 20 min, the syringe at 81 degrees C and an injection volume of 0.4 mL was used. This methodology has the advantage of being relative free from matrix effects.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous anthropogenic compounds found even in the polar regions, mainly due to long-range atmospheric transport. In order to assess the occurrence of atmospheric PCBs in the vicinity of the Brazilian Antarctic Research Station (62 degrees 05'S, 58 degrees 23'W), a sampling survey was undertaken in the austral summer of 1995-1996. The concentrations of the PCB congeners in the air ranged from not detected to 33.2 pgm(-3). The lower chlorinated congeners (PCB-101 and below), which are more volatile and subject to long-range transport, predominated in the air samples and represented 66.7% of the total PCB concentrations. Atmospheric levels of PCBs were correlated with meteorological conditions and the highest levels were associated with the passage of the frontal systems coming from South America.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Polybrominated Diphenyls Ethers (PBDEs) are two highly lipophilic classes of persistent organic pollutants able to resist degradation and with the ability to bioaccumulate through the food chain. In Brazil, there are still few studies on PCBs and PBDEs in aquatic organisms. In this study, we determined the levels of PBDEs and PCBs in three different fish species from the Ilha Grande Bay, located in the southern state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PBDEs levels were very low, with values below the limit of quantification. PCBs concentrations ranged from 2.29 to 27.60 ng g(-1) ww in muscle and from 3.41 to 34.22 ng g(-1) ww in liver of the three investigated fish species. Significant positive correlations were established between PCBs concentration and fish biometric variables in mullet (length and lipid content) and a statistically significant change between seasons in croaker was observed.

Albatrosses and petrels (Procellariiformes) are migratory oceanic birds of considerable conservational interest. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were assessed in the subcutaneous fat, liver and muscle of 100 birds belonging to eight species of Procellariiformes collected during their migration period in southern Brazil, one of the most important feeding areas for these species. Although the profiles of PCBs and OCPs were similar among the individuals, with predominance of penta, hexa and heptachlorobiphenyls and p ′ p- DDE, organochlorine concentrations exhibited a high degree of intra-species variability. The influence of body condition during the migration period in the distribution of organochlorine contaminants was also evaluated, showing that it is a significant factor in the variation and redistribution of these compounds in the tissues of these birds. The intense use of lipid reserves associated to the contamination from organochlorine compounds could be a troubling factor for seabirds with extended breeding periods and that spend most of their lives at sea migrating long distances, such as most of Procellariiformes. Studies on contamination are necessary to improve the knowledge of the threats to these birds and their populations as well as to contribute with information about persistent organic pollutants in the South Atlantic marine environment.

Technical evaluation of analytical data is of extreme relevance considering it can be used for comparisons with environmental quality standards and decision-making as related to the management of disposal of dredged sediments and the evaluation of salt and brackish water quality in accordance with CONAMA 357/05 Resolution. It is, therefore, essential that the project manager discusses the environmental agency's technical requirements with the laboratory contracted for the follow-up of the analysis underway and even with a view to possible re-analysis when anomalous data are identified. The main technical requirements are: (1) method quantitation limits (QLs) should fall below environmental standards; (2) analyses should be carried out in laboratories whose analytical scope is accredited by the National Institute of Metrology (INMETRO) or qualified or accepted by a licensing agency; (3) chain of custody should be provided in order to ensure sample traceability; (4) control charts should be provided to prove method performance; (5) certified reference material analysis or, if that is not available, matrix spike analysis, should be undertaken and (6) chromatograms should be included in the analytical report. Within this context and with a view to helping environmental managers in analytical report evaluation, this work has as objectives the discussion of the limitations of the application of SW 846 US EPA methods to marine samples, the consequences of having data based on method detection limits (MDL) and not sample quantitation limits (SQL), and present possible modifications of the principal method applied by laboratories in order to comply with environmental quality standards.Avaliação técnica do resultado analítico é de extrema relevância, pois o mesmo será utilizado para comparação com legislações e tomadas de decisão, tais como, disposição adequada de sedimento dragado e avaliação da qualidade de água superficial salobra e salina frente à classificação da Resolução CONAMA 357/05. É fundamental que o gestor ambiental discuta com o laboratório contratado as recomendações e exigências técnicas da legislação em questão e do órgão ambiental, acompanhe o andamento das análises e solicite re-análise, quando há suspeita de resultados anômalos. As principais recomendações técnicas são: (1) limites de quantificação do método (LQs) inferiores aos padrões ambientais; (2) análises realizadas em laboratórios cujo escopo analítico esteja acreditado pelo Instituto Nacional de Metrologia (INMETRO) ou qualificado ou aceito pelo órgão ambiental licenciador; (3) cadeia-de-custódia para rastreabilidade das amostras; (4) cartas-controle para evidência de desempenho do método analítico empregado pelo laboratório; (5) análise com material de referência certificado ou, em sua ausência, ensaios realizados por adição padrão ou adição de reforço e (6) apresentação de cromatogramas para as análises realizadas por cromatografia. Dentro deste contexto, visando auxiliar o gestor ambiental na avaliação dos relatórios de ensaio, este trabalho tem como objetivo discutir as aplicações dos métodos SW 846 da US EPA usados para as matrizes marinhas, as implicações de basear os estudos em limites de detecção (LDM) e não nos de quantificação da amostra (LQA) e discutir modificações de metodologia propostas para atendimento aos padrões de qualidade.

CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO As bifenilas policloradas e os éteres difenílicos polibromados constituem duas classes de poluentes orgânicos persistentes (POPs), altamente lipofílicos, capazes de resistir à biodegradação e bioacumular através da cadeia alimentar. Os PCBs foram utilizados principalmente como fluidos isolantes em capacitores e transformadores, bem como em diversos equipamentos elétricos. Os PBDEs são retardantes de chamas, os quais são aplicados em computadores, televisores e aparelhos elétricos e eletrônicos em geral. As altas concentrações destes poluentes no meio ambiente ocorrem por diversos fatores, dentre os quais podemos citar o descarte de equipamentos eletrônicos obsoletos. Ambos os poluentes são interferentes endócrinos, provocam alterações reprodutivas, possuem efeitos carcinogênicos e são neurotóxicos. Os seres humanos, por ocuparem o topo da cadeia alimentar, estão sujeitos a elevado risco de contaminação por estes compostos. No presente estudo, foram determinados os níveis de PCBs e PBDEs em diferentes espécies de peixes oriundos da Baía da Ilha Grande, localizada ao Sul do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os PCBs foram os poluentes predominantes e os níveis de PBDEs estão abaixo do limite de quantificação. Os PCBs foram encontrados em três espécies de peixes e as concentrações variaram entre 2,29 e 27,60 ng g(-1) em peso úmido para amostras de músculos e entre 3,41 e 34,22 ng g(-1) também em peso úmido para amostras de fígados. O PCB-87 foi o congênere dominante, onde sua concentração média foi de 34,22 ng g(-1) em peso úmido nas amostras de corvinas. Foram estabelecidas correlações entre as concentrações de PCBs e variáveis biométricas dos indivíduos, tais como comprimento, peso e teor lipídico, bem como a diferenciação estatística em função da sazonalidade. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Polybrominated Diphenyls Ethers (PBDEs) are two highly lipophilic classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) able to resist degradation and with the ability to bioaccumulate through the food chain. PCBs were primarily used as insulating fluids in capacitors and transformers, as well as in several electrical equipments. The high levels of these pollutants in the environment can occur due to several factors, among which the disposal of obsolete electronic equipment. Both pollutants are endocrine disrupters that can cause reproductive alterations. They are neurotoxic and have carcinogenic effects. Humans, by occupying the top of food chain, are subject to a high risk of contamination by these compounds. In this study, we determined the levels of PBDEs and PCBs in different fish species from the Ilha Grande Bay, located in the southern state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PCBs were the predominant pollutants and PBDEs levels were below the limit of quantification. PCBs concentrations were found in the different tissues of fish at concentrations ranging from 2.29 to 27.60 ng g(-1) wet wt in muscles and from 3.41 to 34.22 ng g(-1) wet wt in livers. PCB-87 was the major congener detected, with a mean concentration of 34.22 ng g(-1) wet wt in croaker samples. Correlations were established between the concentration of PCBs and biometric variables of the fish individuals, such as length and fat content, and a statistical variation due seasonality was also observed.