Effects of recent urbanization on carbon and nitrogen burial rates of sedimentary records in a tropical coastal lagoon (Brazil).

Land use and land cover changes (LULCC) are a global environmental issue that has impacted biogeochemical cycles worldwide. Sedimentary records can demonstrate the effects of LULCC on aquatic ecosystems, where the recent urbanization has been linked to changes in carbon and nitrogen burial. In this study, we reconstructed long-term LULCC and sedimentary records of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sediment burial rates in a eutrophic tropical coastal lagoon affected by recent urban expansion.

Assessment of a coastal lagoon metal distribution through natural and anthropogenic processes (SE, Brazil).

The present study intends to assess the metal pollution of a eutrophic coastal lagoon, analyzing the long-term and actual metal content in surface sediments, suspended particles, aquatic macrophyte and fish species, and the loads emitted from natural processes and anthropogenic sources, including the relative emission of domestic untreated sewage. Distribution indicated contamination of suspended particles with Cd and the predominance of Pb in the bioavailable form in surface sediments which may explain Cd and Pb contamination in fish. Domestic untreated sewage was an important source of Cu and due to the lagoon's management, this source may be increasing the metal content in the lagoon's surface sediments.