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The pandemic of the new coronavirus in 2020 caused a serious global health and humanitarian crisis. In the case of the older people, the vulnerabilities were extremely deepened due to the expressive number of infected and dead people worldwide. The objective of this work was to evaluate older people aged 60 years or more in the pandemic of COVID-19, regarding issues of social withdrawal and isolation, fear, frailty, abandonment, and other feelings. The methodology used a broad bibliographic survey, an online questionnaire, with specific questions for locations in the Brazilian federation, in the period from July 06 to 25, 2021, with a quantitative and qualitative approach. A total of 108 people aged 60 to 97 years were interviewed. Through the answers obtained, some impacts on the mental and emotional health of the elderly were observed. The main feelings reported were: (38%) anxiety, (31%) helplessness (27%), fear (26%), and sadness (26%). The highest percentages observed were for the feelings of sadness (60%), anguish (56%), stress (52%) and anxiety (52%) respectively. Therefore, specific public policies for this segment of the population are essential for quality of life and physical and emotional well-being.

A população mundial encontra-se localizada principalmente em áreas costeiras, especialmente nas áreas de baías e estuários por conta de suas localizações estratégicas, abrigando instalações de atividades industriais, marítimas e de veraneio, bem como servindo como fonte de alimentos. Considerando este aspecto, os estuários e baías tornam-se receptores de diferentes elementos de origem antrópica oriundos da drenagem urbana, de efluentes industriais, despejos de embarcações e fontes pontuais poluidoras, vindas do continente. Sob a perspectiva global, os elementos traços são considerados contaminantes críticos para os ambientes costeiros. Dependendo do contaminante, da sua propriedade físico-química e das condições do meio o contaminante pode se manter na água, ser adsorvido no sedimento ou absorvido por organismos. Devido à baixa mobilidade da maioria dos organismos bentônicos, a presença de elementos traços nos sedimentos pode ser mais prejudicial para as comunidades de macroinvertebrados bentônicos do que para outras comunidades do ecossistema aquático. No presente estudo para caracterizar a distribuição de elementos traços e macroinvertebrados bentônicos e avaliar a relação entre a contaminação por metais e as estruturas das comunidades bentônicas, coletou-se 16 amostras superficiais no sistema estuarino de Paranaguá, abrangendo séries temporais ao longo do ano de 2018. Foram avaliadas também as características geoquímicas dos sedimentos (tamanho de partículas, nutrientes e matéria orgânica), parâmetros físico-químicos da coluna d’água (salinidade, pH, temperatura, OD e turbidez), a concentrações de metais em sedimentos, a diversidade (índice de Shannon), a riqueza e abundância das espécies identificadas. Nesse contexto os resultados indicaram que a concentração média dos elementos traços nos sedimentos durante o período seco seguiu a seguinte ordem: Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cd. Já no período chuvoso a concentração média decresceu da seguinte forma: Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As > Cd. A estrutura das comunidades de macroinvertebrados bentônicos também foi estudada, juntamente com a análise das correlações entre elementos traços e comunidades bentônicas. Foram identificados 12 filos e 12 classes, e os grupos dominantes foram anelídeos e moluscos. Os resultados da correlação entre as métricas da comunidade bentônica e as concentrações de elementos traços indicam que a riqueza e abundância são mais sensíveis à contaminação por elementos traços. As principais influências na comunidade bentônica podem ser o Cd > As > Mn. Os resultados encontrados sugerem que a comunidade bentônica também pode ser utilizada no biomonitoramento de áreas de relevância ambiental, como o Sistema Estuarino de Paranaguá, quanto a contaminação por elementos traços. Assim tem-se mais um balizador que possa orientar a tomada de decisões e atender as necessidades ecológicas e sociais de maneira sustentável.

Understanding the dynamics and spatial variation of subaquatic sediment contamination in the Santos Estuarine System has been of interest to the scientific community and environmental managers; the hazardous contaminant compounds, either individually or synergistically, can affect the health of the local community. In the present study, water column salinity and sediment geochemical properties (calcium and organic matter content, grain size) of the Santos Estuarine System were correlated with heavy metal concentrations (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe) in order to elucidate the relationship between the toxic elements and the dynamics of water mixing. To assess the potential relationships, Spearman’s correlation test and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) between were applied. The heavy metal concentrations were also evaluated by calculating Contamination Factor, Geoaccumulation index and Enrichment Factor. Results revealed extremely heterogeneous particle sizes within the sampling stations. Most of the heavy metal concentrations were not at critical levels. The only exception was arsenic, which reached levels above the threshold effect. The statistical analysis allowed the influence of organic matter and grain size on the dynamics of heavy metal accumulation to be demonstrated. The values between these binding matrices and metals were mostly significant. Bottom water salinity, on the other hand, showed no apparent influence on the distribution of metals. However, the various pollution indices used were contradictory, with certain cases presenting critical results. The Geoaccumulation Index presented the Mn as highly polluting at all sampling stations and classified the environment as moderately polluted by Zn. The same pollution pattern was not found by the other contamination indexes.

Dissolved nutrients, phytoplankton biomass and other ancillary variables, were obtained at two sub-embayments at the entrance of Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and a composite trophic status index (TRIX) was used to assess the water quality of the study area. The role of bottom sediments in nutrient dynamics was also investigated through the evaluation nutrients, phytoplankton biomass and other sedimentary variables, since this compartment acts as a geological record of anthropogenic input. Jurujuba Sound, at the east margin, and Flamengo-Botafogo Sounds, at the western margin, were sampled during neap and spring tides in the dry season. Signs of eutrophication were detected through the extreme variations of dissolved oxygen concentrations at both margins, being more accentuated at Jurujuba Sound (2.20-14.07 mg.l-1). Dissolved inorganic nitrogen was elevated at both margins and mostly composed of ammonium, surpassing 87% at Flamengo Botafogo Sounds, which suggests a continued input of raw sewage at the western margin of the bay. TRIX revealed poor water quality for most stations at the study area, varying from 4.53 to 7.29 at Jurujuba Sound and from 5.67 to 7.87 at Flamengo-Botafogo Sounds. The increase of TRIX from neap to spring tide was registered at both margins, revealing decrease of water quality. The differences in grain size between both margins played a key role in nutrient dynamics, with predominance of fine sediments at Jurujuba Sound and coarser particles at the opposite margin. Accumulation of high concentrations of TOC (0.87-6.57%) and inorganic phosphorus (154.34-1516.82 µg.g-1) were favored by the predominance of fine sediments at Jurujuba Sound. The assessment of eutrophication in water column and bottom sediments revealed the maintenance of this process at the entrance of Guanabara Bay sustained by the recurrent anthropogenic input, what demands urgent action from public policies to mitigate this situation.

The Earth’s oceans are the final resting place of anthropogenic wastes, mainly plastics, metals, rubber, and fabrics, in order of decreasing abundance. On reaching the sea and the benthos, most of these have assumed fragmented or particulate forms. They become colonized by marine microorganisms and later interact with macroorganisms, leading to potential problems with marine life and the ecosystem. Rapid biodegradation of the polluting materials is a possible, and desirable, result if harmful by-products are not produced or toxic constituents are released. Negative effects are the transport of organisms to other ecosystems, with possible disturbance of the natural biological balance, or transfer of pathogenic organisms. A microbial biofilm can mask unattractive anthropogenic materials, increasing ingestion by marine life, with potentially dangerous results. This article seeks to provide a synthesis of the interactions occurring between oceanic anthropogenic polluting matter in solid and particulate form, and the microbiota present in our seas. It discusses the most important solid and particulate pollutants in the oceans, their sources, adverse effects, interactions with living organisms, mainly microorganisms, and future research for their control. Pollutants included are marine litter (macrodebris), microplastics, engineered nanoparticles, metallic particles, and, finally, sinking particles (“marine snow”) as a potential biodegradation “hot spot”.

Contaminant substances consist of chemical elements that present the potential to adversely impact the ecology of the environment, thus representing a threat to local fauna and flora. In this context, heavy metals are critical agents that, depending on the nature and level, are potentially toxic to living organisms. In order to evaluate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the Santos estuary and to determine the potential influence of salinity gradient on the heavy metal bioconcentration, the present study measured the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn in two bivalve species (Crassostrea rhizophorae and Perna Perna) sampled at different sites of Santos Bay, in the southeastern region of Brazil. Throughout the study, the "sentinel species" used were effective in bioaccumulating contaminants. In oysters, based on the Brazilian legislation, critical limits were exceeded for As, Zn, Cu, and Cr. In the case of mussels, on the other hand, only for As, Zn, and Cr, the critical limits were overcome. In the present study, obtained data suggested salinity as a determinant parameter in As incorporation processes of bivalve mollusks. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The present study presents important results for the development of environmental management policies in estuarine environments. The present study points out differences between different organisms as biomonitors, providing subsidies for the decision of an effective biomonitoring program. The present study discusses values of contaminants as a danger to public health in Santos Bay, which can be extrapolated to other similar environments around the world.

The vegetation history and climate in southeastern Brazil, as well as the oceanic dynamics of the tropical Atlantic Ocean offshore, were reconstructed for the last 7.4 cal ka BP. This reconstruction was based on pollen, fern spores and dinoflagellate cysts identified in a marine core (CF10–04B). It was possible to verify the presence of an ombrophilous forest from 7.4 cal ka BP. Near the base of the PI zone low concentrations of pollen and fern spores are recorded, along with low frequencies of forest taxa and fern spores and an increase in pollen types of open vegetation, suggesting less humid climatic conditions than currently observed in the coastal regions of Southeastern Brazil. The assemblages of dinoflagellate cysts suggest a neritic zone with warm upper column temperature, high salinity and oligotrophic environment (evidenced by the presence of O. centrocarpum, Spiniferites spp. and L. machaerophorum). An increase in Tropical Waters (TW) and the approximation of the Brazilian Current (BC) in the middle shelf of southeastern Brazil in the mid-Holocene probably influenced the low accumulation of cysts, pollen grains, fern spores, and their associations. It is still possible to verify that at approximately 4.6 cal ka BP, an increase in the rainfall in the southeastern Brazilian region was probably the fundamental factor for the expansion of vegetation, mainly based on the considerable increases in hygrophytic and aquatic plants. The marked increase in the accumulation of dinoflagellate cysts, with the dominance of autotroph taxa (mainly O. centrocarpum, followed by Spiniferites spp), evidences the warmer waters of the BC and more intense surface upwelling of the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW).

This study aimed to characterize the dynamics of sheltered beaches in the Paraty area and their susceptibility to storm events. The adopted methodology consisted of 40 beach topographic profiles, collection of 38 samples for granulometric and morphoscopy analysis, and calculation of the emerged volume of sediments. The sheltered beaches in Paraty have low-energy waves, which reach about 0.5 m under stormy conditions. These beaches have different levels of exposure to storm events, which is directly associated with the direction of wave incidence, bay entrance orientation, and the presence of islands. There are records of wave transposition, damage to urban structures, and erosion, which point to the susceptibility of this coast to storm events. Washover deposits were observed at Sao Goncalo, Taquari, and Prainha. On Jabaquara, there is erosion, with a reduction in the sediment volume at the southern end of the beach, with concomitant destruction of buildings and fallen trees. The erosion process in Jabaquara is associated with the low sediment exchange; storm waves, responsible for removing sediment from the beaches, without subsequent replacement (post-storm); and the interventions carried out in the area, which may have altered the local hydrodynamics. The sediments of these beaches vary widely in size, from gravel and sands to mud in areas near mangroves, increasing from the backshore to the nearshore zone. The quartz grains of the sands are in general sub-angular, showing the low maturity of these materials, which is common on coasts subject to the offer of sediments from local fluvial influence.

Bottom sediment quality from the Niteroi harbor at Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) was evaluated based on concentrations of organic phosphorus (OP) and inorganic phosphorus (IP) and bioavailability of trace metals through BCR fractionation analysis (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd). The study area revealed elevated concentrations of fine sediments and organic matter (TOC: 2.26–7.31%). OP presented extremely elevated concentrations between 0.57 and 47.04 μmol/g, whereas IP reached a maximum concentration of 4.99 μmol/g. The anoxic bottom at the study area was confirmed by high TOC/OP values in most stations. Phosphorus enrichment index (PEI) varied between 0.07 and 2.57, pointing to ecological risk at some stations. Trace metals were mostly bonded to the bioavailable fractions (exchangeable, reducible, oxidizable), and decreasing order of mobility was Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd. The Risk Assessment Code (RAC) suggested a high risk of bioavailability for Zinc and a medium risk for the other metals. Overall, the Niteroi harbor revealed poor sediment quality suggesting a strong anthropogenic pressure in the area.

A screening for microcontaminants performed by gas chromatography detected several microcontaminants in 12 sediment samples from the eutrophic estuary Guanabara Bay (GB) in southeastern Brazil. Bisphenol A (BPA) ranged from 1.4 to 20.3 ng g

O Sistema Estuarino de Santos (SES), localizado no sudoeste do Brasil, apresenta importância econômica estratégica para o país devido à presença do maior porto brasileiro e por ser uma das áreas mais industrializadas. Por outro lado, este ambiente é prejudicado pelas atividades industriais e de dragagem, que podem causar o aumento de poluentes ambientais e a biodisponibilidade de compostos potencialmente perigosos. Neste contexto, os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) foram avaliados em quinze estações de amostragem distribuídas ao longo do estuário. As concentrações de HPA foram analisadas em amostras de sedimentos superficiais e em tecidos de duas espécies bivalves (Crassostrea rhizophorae e Perna perna). Além disso, analisou-se a salinidade da coluna d'água, a matéria orgânica dos sedimentos e o tamanho dos grãos para verificar sua influência sobre o acúmulo de contaminantes. As concentrações totais de sedimentos HPA variaram entre N.D. e 1711,79 ng g-1 de peso seco (p.s.). Os níveis de hidrocarboneto bivalve variaram entre 88,38 e 988,76 ng g-1 (p.s.). As taxas de HPA calculadas revelaram que os compostos de HPA encontrados na área estudada têm origem petrogênica e pirolítica. Uma comparação das concentrações de HPA encontradas neste estudo com aquelas listadas nas diretrizes de qualidade de sedimentos (SQGs) indicou que os efeitos biológicos adversos sobre a biota são eventualmente esperados. Palavras-chave: Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos; Contaminação; Atividades Iindustriais.

A Baía de Guanabara, um dos mais importantes sistemas costeiros do sudeste brasileiro, com os seus primeiros rasgos estruturais durante o pré-cambriano e instalação definitiva durante o Cenozoico, tem vindo a ser modelada por processos relacionados com alterações climáticas e mais recentemente pela forte atividade antrópica, na região. Este trabalho pretende efetuar uma síntese de registros sedimentares históricos relacionados com a ação antrópica no entrono da Baía de Guanabara e definir o início do Antropoceno neste sistema costeiro.Em adição, os resultados desta investigação permitem a divisão do Antropoceno em quatro periodos de sedimentação na Bia da Guanabara.A documentação e os dados analisados permitem considerar que a camada sedimentar que marca o início do Antropoceno, na Baía de Guanabara foi depositada em 1502 (Ano Domine), no decurso da “Pequena Idade do Gelo”, ano a partir do qual teve início o processo de ocupação colonialista dos Portugueses. Esforços de ocupação e defesa local após o descobrimento, em 1502, culminou com a criação da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, em 1565.A partir de então observam-se no registro sedimentar a redução granulométrica dos sedimento, em plena Pequena Idade do Gelo, aumento progressivo dos teores de matéria orgânica mudanças polínicas resultantes do desmatamento para extração do pau-brasil, para a cultura da cana-de-açúcar, que se estendeu dos séculos XVI ao XIX, e do café nos séculos XVIII e XIX. De meados do séc. XVIII ao início do séc. XX inicia o ciclo da mineração, seguida do começo do ciclo da industrialização e principia de forma incipiente a poluição danosa na Baía de Guanabara. O desenvolvimento industrial, a partir da invenção da máquina a vapor, associado à necessidade de matéria-prima, conseguida a baixo custo nos países colonizados à época, marcou a segunda fase do Antropoceno na Baía de Guanabara, a partir de meados do século XVIII e que terá durado até ao início do século XX. Esta fase é identificada em registros sedimentares onde ocorre aumento expressivo de metais.Início do séc. XX ao início dos anos 50 a alteração de mais de 10 Km da orla ocidental da baía próxima a desembocadura causa a alteração do padrão hidrodinâmico dando lugar a um aumento acentuado da acumulação de sedimentos finos em vastas áreas da Baía de GuanabaraA quarta fase do Antropoceno, após meados do século XX, teve lugar num cenário de grande crescimento demográfico e industrial. A Baía de Guanabara passou a recolher o excedente sedimentar provocado pelas intervenções antrópicas acrescido do aumento dos resíduos domésticos (lixo em geral e esgoto) e industriais (óleo, metais pesados, substâncias tóxicas e carga orgânica) oriundos da expansão das atividades no seu entorno, acarretando a aceleração da perda de sua área de superfície e de profundidade.

Changes in coastlines are considered one of the most dynamic processes in coastal environments. Therefore, the mapping of such variations has become important in the survey of coastal impacts. In the past years, remote sensing has been used in mapping the coastline. In this research, the coastline of Guanabara Bay, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was mapped in the years of 1938, 1974, 1984, 1997, and 2015, by using geo-referencing software and existing cartographic documents. To map the changes, the bay was divided into four sections, in which maps were produced in graphical format, using ArcGIS, in scales 1:175.000 and 1:250.000. The research used satellite images from Landsat 1 Multispectral Scanner System (MSS), Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM), and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), integrated under geographic information system database, for a visual analysis (qualitative), and statistical observation (quantitative) of orbital images. The data indicate more intense transformations between the years 1938 and 1974, with a total landing area of 15.220.000m². This area corresponds to 69.23% of the amount suppressed during the interval 1938-2015. As mudanças nas linhas costeiras são consideradas um dos processos mais dinâmicos em ambientes costeiros. Portanto, o mapeamento de tais variações tornou-se importante no levantamento dos impactos costeiros. Nos últimos anos, o sensoriamento remoto tem sido utilizado no mapeamento da linha de costa. Nesta pesquisa, o litoral da Baía de Guanabara, localizada no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, foi mapeado nos anos de 1938, 1974, 1984, 1997 e 2015, utilizando um software de georreferenciamento e documentos cartográficos. Para mapear as mudanças, a baía foi dividida em quatro seções, para as quais foram produzidos mapas em formato gráfico, usando ArcGIS, em escalas de 1:175.000 e 1:250.000. A pesquisa utilizou imagens de satélite de Landsat 1 Multispectral Scanner System (MSS), Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) e Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), integradas em base de dados de um sistema de informação geográfica, para uma análise visual (qualitativa) e observação estatística (quantitativa) de imagens orbitais. Os dados indicam transformações mais intensas entre os anos 1938 e 1974, com uma área total de desembarque de 15.220.000m2. Esta área corresponde a 69,23% da quantidade suprimida durante o intervalo entre 1938 e 2015.

A maioria do patrimônio cultural construído na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, é feito de gnaisse ou granito, e a exposição das fachadas ao ambiente poluído leva a uma forte degradação. Para entender estes processos meteorológicos, foram estudados cinco edifícios históricos na cidade. Estes exibiram manchas de ferro, desintegração granular, bolhas, fraturas incipientes e escamação de contornos e desenvolvimento de crosta negra. As amostras coletadas nestes edifícios foram examinadas na tentativa de compreender os mecanismos da meteorologia de superfície. Amostras de rochas foram coletadas em áreas que apresentavam sérios sintomas de decomposição de rochas. O conteúdo de ânions e cátions dos materiais de construção foi avaliado por espectrometria AA e análise cromatográfica de íons. As amostras também foram estudadas por microscopia de emissão de campo (SEM), análise petrográfica e pelo seu conteúdo biológico por SEM e análise de DNA usando Illumina Mi-Seq Next Generation Sequencing. Todas as análises químicas mostraram altas concentrações de sais solúveis, tais como halita e gesso, que desempenham um papel muito importante na resistência à intempérie da pedra. A FE-SEM com análise dispersiva de energia permitiu a detecção dentro da rocha de fungos filamentosos esparsos, grupos de células bacterianas, diatomáceas raras e bactérias filamentosas fotossintéticas especialmente interessantes incrustadas com gesso reprecipitado, mostrando a participação de microrganismos na degradação da pedra.

A análise isotópica tem se tornado uma ferramenta muito útil para os ecólogos e pesquisadores que estudam o ciclo da matéria. Os isótopos de C e N foram utilizados para demonstrar características ecológicas da espécie Podocnemis unifilis na região do Baixo Xingu, apresentando a análise isotópica como um método complementar em estudos ecológicos. Foram coletados amostras de tecidos de 63 indivíduos de P. unifilis, sendo 34 machos e 29 fêmeas em quatro áreas. Através da análise isotópica verificamos possíveis variações intraespecíficas (relacionadas ao sexo e massa corporal) nos níveis tróficos e fontes primárias de carbono de suas dietas. Não foram apresentadas diferenças significativas ou padrões de absorção de C e N em relação ao tamanho do corpo e sexo. Porém foram encontradas diferenças no valor isotópico entre áreas com diferentes fisionomias.

Micropaleontological and geochemical data were applied to sediments from southeastern Brazil to study the hydrodynamics associated with the Holocene sea level rise. Sediment cores were taken around Vitória Bay, examined for dinoflagellate cysts and subjected to isotopic analysis. The cyst assemblage mainly dominated by autotrophic species most notablyO. centrocarpum,L. machaerophorumandT. vancampoae. The influence of the marine transgression and subsequent regression observed during the Holocene along the coast of Brazil could have initially favored the establishment of an oligotrophic and higher energy environment. The inflow of continental water from tributaries combined with a higher inflow of saline water into the estuarine system could have favored the establishment and subsequent deposition of the dinocysts.

Aim: Tyre wear particles (TWPs) have been indicated as one of the main sources of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, yet they receive little attention in the published literature. They have never been reported in Guanabara Bay in spite of several published analyses of the abundance, distribution, type, chemical composition and color of MPs in this area. We aimed to develop a method to allow ready detection of these particles in sediments. Methods: Nine sediment samples were taken from locations over a wide geographic cover of the bay. They were collected from different depths using a Van Veen grab sampler. MPs were separated using peroxide degradation of organic matter followed by floatation and filtration. TWPs were identified using a binocular stereo microscope,Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Results: The combined use of these MP detection methods allowed the visualization and identification of high numbers of TWPs in the bay. Exact quantification was impossible because of the large size range of the particles and the use of a sedimentation system already shown to be sub-optimal. Conclusion: High levels of TWPs were detected in Guanabara Bay sediments. Future studies to quantify these particles in coastal environments will necessitate the development of more robust methods, possibly using specific TWP markers. Various options are discussed.

The biogeochemical cycles are responsible for the constant transfer and transformation of matter and energy between the biosphere and the other active reservoirs of the planet. During the progress of a biogeochemical cycle, a series of molecular species (ecological “nutrients”) are constantly transferred and chemically altered. Plastic, a new material, has now begun to participate in the biogeochemical cycles. More than just participating, microplastics are interfering with the normal flow of these processes insofar as they can block the transfer of some elements and serve as a shortcut for others. These new materials can increase the bioavailability of pollutants and thus interfere with physiological activities. The results of this interference have not yet been fully evaluated, but in view of the universal presence of these particles in the most varied ecosystems of the planet, urgent measures must be taken to mitigate the negative effects of this invasion. The present review seeks to establish a global view of the distribution of microplastics around the planet and their impact on the main biogeochemical cycles, thus emphasizing the need for the development of adequate management and remediation strategies in the coming years.

Freitas, A.S.; Aguiar, V.M.C., and Baptista Neto, J.A., 2021. Modern dinoflagellate cyst abundance and trace metals as biomonitoring tools in a tropical bay in Brazil. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(6), 1247–1259. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The spatial distribution of the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages in 11 surface sediment samples collected in Guanabara Bay embayments and associated trace metals revealed the applicability of dinocysts as bioindicators of environmental conditions in estuarine systems. The surface sediment samples presented coarse to fine granulometry. The dinoflagellate cyst analysis followed the standard methodology through the elimination of carbonates and silica. Trace metals were extracted by the evaluation of 1 g of sediment plus a mixture of HNO3 and HCl in a microwave digestion system. Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages were dominated by Operculodinium centrocarpum, Spiniferites spp., and Lingulodinium machaerophorum. Trace metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Ni) showed variations at the different sampling points. The values obtained were Cu (6.7–82.8 mg kg–1), Zn (29.5–355.4 mg kg–1), Pb (18.3–86.2 mg kg–1), Cr (5.1–196.2 mg kg–1), and Ni (19.6–286.0 mg kg–1). Several samples showed high pseudototal concentrations of trace metals, which were above the natural concentrations found in nature. Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between dinocysts species and some trace metals. Lingulodinium machaerophorum showed a high correlation with 4/5 analysed trace metals and is a eutrophication-sensitive species. However, Brigantedinium sp. presented a positive correlation with all trace metals analysed. The high frequency of L. machaerophorum cysts in all analysed samples associated with several trace metals is indicative of environmental eutrophication. The high availability of trace metals in the surface sediments of Guanabara Bay may be related to the untreated industrial wastes that are dumped directly into the bay.

Dimension stone is natural rock prepared for building use. It is rapidly colonised by microorganisms that cause discoloration (mainly cyanobacteria, algae and fungi) and structural damage. Microbial mobilisation of ions leads to new superficial or internal deposits, weakening the structure. Cyanobacteria and fungi may penetrate, filling pores or creating new spaces. Lichens, fungus/phototroph associations, colonise surfaces and damage stone through ingrowing rhizines and acid production. Initial degradation produces conditions suitable for germination of seeds of higher plants and further destruction. Emerging techniques to elucidate stone-cell interactions and control of initial biofilm formation that eventuates in stone disintegration are discussed.

The coastal areas, the most populated regions in the world, are those which have undergone the greatest human influence. In Brazilian southeastern coast, the region around Guanabara Bay (GB) is one of the most densely populated, with large cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi, and is highly industrialized. Due to anthropic activities tones of effluents, waste and sewage is daily released in GB. Despite, several works have been performed aiming to study the current and past human influence in GB, the sources of pollutants that have impacted this bay since the late nineteenth century. This work is a new contribution aiming to identify the main sources of pollution in the northern/northeast region of GB using stable isotopes of lead (Pb) and metal concentrations during the last decades. It analyses results obtained along the core T3 collected in the northeast region of Guanabara Bay, near the Guapimirim Environmental Protected Area (known as Apa de Guapimirim), a mangrove fringe. Twenty-two sediment samples collected along this core were submitted to grain size, total organic carbon content (TOC), elemental concentrations (Ag, Ca, Cu, P, Pb, S and Zn) and stable isotopes of lead (Pb) analyses. The sediment accumulation rate was estimated by 210 Pb. Results of core T3 were compared with similar data acquired in core T8, collected in Guanabara Bay, at north of Paqueta island. The comparison of the geochemical results allowed to verify that both cores recorded the same reality. Previous works have shown that the northern/northeast region of Guanabara Bay is low polluted by metals, however, since the ≈1950 a marked increase in eutrophication and metal contamination and another noticeable pulse after ≈1970, were recorded in both cores studied in this work. The 206 Pb/ 207 Pb values suggest that the main source of pollutants to northern/northeast region of GB since the second half of the 20 th century have been related to deforestation and landfill and embankment engineering works preformed around the GB, in addition to mineral products applied in industrial goods, as well as oil, agricultural and organic loads. FONTES DE POLUENTES NA AREA NORTE / NORDESTE DA BAIA DE GUANABARA (SE, BRASIL), DESDE O SECULO XIX, COM BASE EM ISOTOPOS DE CHUMBO E CONCENTRACOES DE METAIS Resumo As areas costeiras, as mais populosas do mundo, sao as que tem recebido a maior influencia humana. No litoral sudeste brasileiro, a regiao em torno da Baia de Guanabara (GB), uma das mais densamente povoadas, com grandes cidades, como Rio de Janeiro e Niteroi, e altamente industrializada. Devido as atividades antropicas toneladas de efluentes, residuos e esgoto sao liberados diariamente na GB. Apesar de varios trabalhos terem sido realizados com o objetivo de estudar a influencia humana atual e passada na GB, nao se sabe quais tem sido as fontes de poluentes mais impactantes nesta baia desde o final do seculo XIX. Assim, este trabalho tem como principal objetivo identificar as principais fontes de poluicao na regiao norte / nordeste da GB usando isotopos estaveis de chumbo (Pb) e concentracoes de metais nas ultimas decadas. Analisa os resultados obtidos ao longo do testemunho T3, coletado na regiao nordeste da Baia de Guanabara, proximo a Area Ambiental Protegida de Guapimirim (conhecida como Apa de Guapimirim), uma orla de mangue. Vinte e duas amostras de sedimentos coletadas ao longo deste testemunho foram submetidas a analises granulometricas, teor de carbono orgânico total (COT), concentracoes elementares (Ag, Ca, Cu, P, Pb, S e Zn) e isotopos estaveis de chumbo (Pb). A taxa de acumulacao de sedimentos foi estimada com Pb 210 . Os resultados do testemunho T3 foram comparados com dados semelhantes adquiridos no testemunho T8, coletado na Baia de Guanabara, a norte da ilha de Paqueta. A comparacao dos resultados geoquimicos permitiu verificar que os dois testemunhos registram a mesma realidade. Trabalhos anteriores mostraram que a regiao norte / nordeste da Baia de Guanabara e pouco poluida por metais, no entanto, observou-se nos dois testemunhos que desde 1950 aumentou acentuadamente a eutrofizacao e a concentracao de metais tendo ocorrido um outro pulso de contaminacao depois de 1970. Os valores de 206 Pb / 207 Pb sugerem que as principais fontes de poluentes na regiao norte / nordeste da GB, desde a segunda metade do seculo 20, estiveram relacionadas com o desmatamento e aterros em torno da GB, alem de minerais aplicados em produtos industrias, e ainda petroleo, produtos aplicados na agricultura e materia orgânica. Palavras-chave: Concentracao de metais. Isotopos de Pb. Contaminacao. Fontes de poluicao. Litoral. Registro antropogenico.

Since the mass production of plastics began in the middle of the last century, plastic waste and its accumulation in the marine environment is an issue of major current concern, with significant environmental and economic impact. These materials continue to accumulate in the environment, mainly in rivers and oceans, in the form of macro to nanoplastics. Over the past decade, increased scientific interest has produced an expanding knowledge base for microplastics. However, analysis of the plastic-associated microbial community (the plastisphere) in the intertidal zone is rare. The aim of the research presented here was to investigate the concentration of microplastic in the benthic sediment of Vitoria Bay estuarine system (SVB), SE Brazil. The microplastic concentrations in the Vitoria Bay bottom sediments ranged from 0 to 38 particles per sample, with a total of 247 particles. Synthetic fibers from fishing nets accounted for 77% of the microplastic observed in the studied area. The scanning electron micrographs revealed that, while bacteria were the main colonizers of the SVB microplastic particles, fungal filaments and spores were also apparent.

Here palynological assemblages are presented from channel surface sediment samples from the Caceribu, Guarai and Guapimirim-Macacu rivers located in an important area of the Brazilian coast (Guanabara Bay, State of Rio de Janeiro), in order to provide information relevant for the interpretation of palaeoecological records. The data indicate the predominance of pollen types from the Atlantic Forest in all samples and a relatively low representation of mangrove pollen, suggesting distant (regional) fluvial transport. Avicennia and Rhizophora were represented in those samples closer to the intertidal zone, Rhizophora being the most important. It was possible to verify a marked difference in pollen concentration/deposition among the three rivers, probably related to the different hydrodynamic pattern of each river. A low concentration of palynomorphs occurred in the Macacu-Guapimirim River, resulting from its higher flow, and there was a high deposition of palynomorphs in the sediments of Guarai River, in response to its isolation from the hydrographic Guanabara Bay basin. It was possible to verify other interesting data, such as low palynomorph concentration in samples from near the mouth and an increase of palynomorphs in the upstream samples, mainly due to the more active action of the tidal currents. Meanwhile, the increase in the total concentration of the palynomorphs in the upstream samples coincides with the maximum reach of the saline waters and their meeting with the internal flow of the rivers.

The present study focuses on the geomorphology and sedimentary facies of the Marica Lagoon, Southeastern Brazil. Bathymetric data and 72 samples were collected from the margins and floor of the lagoon. Grain size and morphology, composition and organic matter content analyses were conducted. The results show that the floor of the Marica Lagoon is mainly flat, reaching a maximum depth of 2 m in its central section. From the water line, depth gradually increases in different ways: the northern margin shows a flat gently inclined profile towards the bottom, whereas the southern margin is steeper. Five sedimentary facies were identified: sub-rounded sand facies that form the lagoon margins near the coastal barriers; angular sand facies found along the land-facing margins. Sand is composed by quartz, traces of feldspar, heavy minerals and shells. Silty sand facies occur along the transition between the coarser facies and the finer facies typical of the lagoon center. Sandy silt facies and silt/clayey silt facies cover most of the central lagoon floor, indicating areas of low hydrodynamic. Mud is rich in organic matter, with 13% on average. Fluvial input, strong winds and waves are the main processes responsible for the lagoon sedimentary dynamics.

Paint particles are part of the increasingly important microplastics (MPs) pollution of our oceans. They contain polyurethanes, polyesters, polyacrylates, polystyrenes, alkyls and epoxies. In spite of their prevalence, paint fragments are often excluded from MP audits. This review, citing 127 references, discusses detection, characteristics, sources and ecological effects of paint fragments in our oceans, as well as the abundance of paint fragments in MP samples around the world and their colonization by marine microorganisms, which differs from that of non-paint MPs. Paint MPs arise from shipping and boating activities, road markings and external surfaces of buildings. Many paint fragments come from antifouling paints used on commercial vessels and leisure boats; these may be regarded as particular pollutants, not only containing but also leaching heavy metals and biocides. Some effects of antifouling paint particles on aquatic biota are caused by these toxins. Paint particles are an understudied portion of marine MP pollution.

No mundo inteiro os estuarios estao perdendo a sua capacidade de navegacao, devido a deposicao gradual dos sedimentos carreados pelos cursos d’agua, ocasionando o assoreamento do sistema aquatico e dificultando a passagem das embarcacoes. A manutencao destes canais de navegacao que acessam os portos organizados por meio das operacoes de dragagens e posterior despejo destes rejeitos, constituem uma atividade onerosa para os portos e altamente impactante para o meio ambiente. Uma alternativa plausivel e capaz de apresentar resultados positivos, seria aplicar em areas escassas de nutrientes estes rejeitos de dragagens, os quais poderiam substituir total ou parcialmente os fertilizantes convencionais, de modo a repor as perdas nutricionais dos solos, alem de ocasionar o rejuvenescimento do estuario. Visando avaliar esta forma de disposicao do material dragado, analisou-se os sedimentos depositados na Enseada de Jurujuba e Porto de Niteroi (RJ), quanto aos seus riscos potenciais ao meio ambiente e a saude publica, tais como: classificacao do residuo, niveis de fertilidade, concentracoes de metais pesados, conteudo de agrotoxicos, presenca de organismos patogenicos, identificacao de derivados de petroleo e salinidade. Os resultados foram comparados com normas de referencia de modo a predizer sobre a potencialidade do emprego deste material como "fertilizante mineralizado" para fins agricolas. As analises inferidas mostraram-se promissoras quanto a utilizacao destes materiais clasticos como fonte de fertilizante para a finalidade a que se destina, o que, certamente contribuira para minimizar o problema de descarte de rejeitos contaminados em corpos d'agua, reduzindo drasticamente as implicacoes ambientais de sua disposicao inadequada no ambiente.