Abstract
The monitoring of water bodies means the attempt of protecting vulnerable groups of organisms inhabiting streams and rivers. Industrial and domestic discharges may worsen the water quality and affect biological balance, structure and the functioning of the ecosystem. Cubatão City, is one of the largest industrial centers in Brazil and in Latin America, where the constant discharge of effluents into Cubatão River and its tributaries caused a degradation scenario in the hydrographic basin of the region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of surface water from Cubatão River and two of its tributaries (Perequê and Pilões) by ecotoxicological assays. In addition, physical chemical parameters were analyzed. Ceriodaphnia dubia and Vibrio fischeri were exposed-organisms during the studied period. The study was conducted between 2010 and 2011 in four campaigns and nine sites along the basin of Cubatão River. The ecotoxicity was measured by Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence, EC50 values ranging from 31.25% to 71.61%. In contrast, based on a bioequivalence t-test statistical analysis, the results obtained with Ceriodaphnia dubia revealed no toxicity in the sampling sites. A critical analysis of raw data of luminescence was carried out showing higher values during the 2nd campaign. From the numbers obtained for physical-chemical parameters P5 was far the worst due to chlorides, hardness and conductivity. From the Pearson correlation analysis carried out with toxicity to V. fischeri and the physical chemical parameters, the dissolved oxygen in water resulted in a moderate positive correlation. Sediment contamination was also demonstrated in the region.
Highlights
Cubatão City is located in São Paulo State, Brazil, and it is part of the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista, being bordered by the municipalities of São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, Santos and São Vicente
Vibrio fischeri assays were very effective for evidencing potential of pollutants bad effects to biota in the region
Indicative of negative effects were demonstrated through the decreasing luminescence of V. fischeri exposed to waters from several sampled sites, especially in August/2010 and June/2011
Summary
Cubatão City is located in São Paulo State, Brazil, and it is part of the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista, being bordered by the municipalities of São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, Santos and São Vicente. Cubatão River basin is located in the area of Mata Atlântica, one of the richest and most expressive biomes in Brazil and in other countries, such as Paraguay and Argentina This expressive industrial center has discharged hundreds of toxic compounds in the environment since the 40’s, through discharges of industrial and domestic effluents. This center is one of the largest in Latin America with a variety of industrial fields such as petrochemicals, steel, fertilizer production and chemical industries. These are some of the reasons why Cubatão River has undergone dramatic changes over the years, what affected the aquatic biota
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
