Abstract
This study is part of the limnological monitoring undertaken by the Energy Company of the State of São Paulo (CESP) during the filling up process of the Porto Primavera Reservoir (Hydroelectric Power Plant Engenheiro Sérgio Motta). This reservoir, located in the high Paraná River between the States of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, is the fourth largest in the country. The first filling up phase started in December 1998 and the second phase in March 2001. Samples for benthic community and sediment characteristics analysis were quarterly collected between August of 1999 and November 2001 and also in August of 2002 (11 sampling campaigns). Samplings were carried out at 13 stations distributed in the reservoir, and at one point located downstream of the dam. 128 invertebrate taxa were identified, being Mollusca, Annelida, Insecta and Nematoda the dominant groups during almost the whole study period. Insecta was the best represented class (9 different orders), and Diptera contributed with higher number of taxa, 63. The exotic species of bivalve Corbicula fluminea was recorded in all sampling stations showing its great capacity to colonize new habitats in the neotropical region. Noticeable variations in the fauna density were observed, considering both different periods and locations. The maximum density of organisms (mean value of 7812 ind.m-2) was recorded in the center of the reservoir, and the minimum (mean value 9 ind.m-2) in the more lacustrine area near the dam. The greatest species richness per sample (24 taxa) was observed in the reservoir upstream (fluvial zone). The maximum diversity (Shannon-Wiener Index) per station/period, 3.82 and 3.86 bits.ind-1, were calculated in the transitional river/reservoir zone during the beginning (August 1999) and in the reservoir central zones in the end (August 2002) of the filling up period, respectively. There was no clear relation between the distribution of the different faunistic groups and the sediment granulometric characteristics. However, the decrease or even total absence of organisms was observed at stations with high organic matter concentration (>40%) in a low degradation state (coarse detritus). This fact may be related to the lack of sediment deposits, which would cause difficulties to the fixation of the benthic fauna. Additionally, in those conditions more reduced chemical conditions are expected in function of the intense decomposition process of the flooded vegetation.
Highlights
The construction of large reservoirs in a river results in major ecological transformations, including changes in its main channel and variations in the water flow pattern, such as the decrease of the current velocity in the areas next to the dams
The samples for zoobenthos and sediments analysis were quarterly collected between August 1999 and November 2001, and in August 2002 after the second filling up stage of the lake, performing eleven sampling campaigns
Wide variation of the local depth at the sampling stations was observed during the filling up of the reservoir
Summary
The construction of large reservoirs in a river results in major ecological transformations, including changes in its main channel and variations in the water flow pattern, such as the decrease of the current velocity in the areas next to the dams. The water quality coming into large reservoirs varies as a function of the biogeophysical characteristics present in the watershed. The variability in loads of dissolved or particulate solids, for example, typically reflect geological variations, use of the adjacent land and the precipitation – evaporation balance (Rice et al, 2001). These interferences change the system morphometry, its physical and chemical characteristics and the functioning of the aquatic biota with the substitution of the fauna and flora components (Tundisi et al, 1999; Bicudo et al, 2006). The authors concluded that dams lead to discontinuity and to considerable changes in communities along a longitudinal gradient
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