Urban expansion in Brazilian coastal zones has caused various anthropic impacts on coastal marine ecosystems that have resulted from unorganized use and the lack of infrastructure projects. The inadequate disposal of domestic and industrial effluents in coastal waterbodies is notable, which can cause severe environmental problems. For sandy beaches, the relationships between the contamination of groundwater with domestic sewage and the possible effects on spatial and temporal variations in the density and composition of benthic infauna are still poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith the objective of characterizing the composition and spatial distribution of plastic fragments in a subtropical lagoon system, five sample areas affected by various anthropogenic impacts were chosen in the southern part of the Estuarine Lagoon System in Laguna, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The total density of the floating meso- and microplastics encountered was 7.32/m, with the greatest density in the access channel and external area of the lagoon.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of our study is to estimate the abundance and sources of floating microplastics (MPs) along a coastal lagoon ecocline in a marine conservation unit (MCU) for implementing effective prevention and mitigation actions in South Brazil. MPs were sampled monthly, and the abundance and size were determined for hard solids, soft plastic, plastic filaments, and paint fragments. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis was performed, and the MPs were classified as polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, polybutadiene, and polystyrene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCooperation is generally the most advantageous strategy for the group; however, on an individual level, cheating is frequently more attractive. In a fishery, one can choose to cooperate by fishing only the regulated amount or not to cooperate, by fishing to maximize profits. Top-down management can help to emulate a cooperative result in fisheries, but it is costly and not always a viable alternative for development states.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim was to describe a methodology developed to study the relationship among the spatio-temporal patterns of habitat utilization, feeding ecology and microplastics (MPs) contamination across the different ontogenetic phases of fishes belonging to different trophic levels and living along the riverine-estuarine-coastal food web. The Goiana Estuary's water column was examined for the seasonal and spatial variation of MPs and their quantification relative to zooplankton, demersal fish species contamination following the same sampling design. The density of MPs in the water column determines their bioavailability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImproper management of plastic waste is an important contributor to the pollution in water bodies. However, how floating plastic debris is transported to coastal lagoons and marine conservation units is still poorly understood. This work determined the level of contamination due to floating plastic debris in Acaraí Lagoon by establishing density distribution patterns along the lagoon ecocline in the winter and summer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOne of the most recognized anthropogenic impacts in marine environments is solid waste pollution, especially plastic, which can be ingested by fish, thus interfering with their health. In this context, the aim of this study is to describe the ingestion of plastic fragments and to identify the possible effect of this contamination in the condition factor of Genidens genidens in the Laguna Estuarine System. The stomach contents of 92 G.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtlantic Bigeye (Priacanthus arenatus) is a demersal species from the Priacanthidae family with little literature relating to its biology and catch aspects. Due to this lack of research, the focus of this effort was to describe the feeding preferences of Atlantic Bigeye and to evaluate the influence of plastic debris derived from the local fisheries activities on its diet. The most important items were Corophiidae, Penaeidae, Actinopterygii, Isopoda, Cephalopoda, Policheta and plastic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
June 2018
Worldwide, the marine debris emissions have been provoking impacts in ecosystems, generating massive mortality of different species with commercial interest. In South America, we have a lack of studies to verify the marine debris composition in transitional environments such as adjacent regions of coastal jetties. These are hydraulic engineering constructions used to maintain the navigation channel access between the sea-estuarine interface and are also used by teleost fishes, crustaceans, and mollusks like artificial shelters (reefs), being excellent fishing grounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
February 2012
Introduction: Artisanal fisheries in tropical estuaries are an important economic activity worldwide. However, gear (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlastic marine debris is a pervasive type of pollution. River basins and estuaries are a source of plastics pollution for coastal waters and oceans. Estuarine fauna is therefore exposed to chronic plastic pollution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground, Aim, And Scope: At tropical latitudes, and especially on the semi-arid coasts of the Brazilian Northeast, the rainfall regime governs the water quality of estuaries due to the pronounced difference between the rainy and dry seasons. These changes may be responsible for seasonal changes in bioavailability of mercury (Hg) and other pollutants to the estuarine and coastal biota. Mercury bioaccumulates along estuarine-marine food chains usually result in higher concentrations in tissues of top predators and posing a risk to both marine mammals and humans alike.
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