Brazilian Water Bodies Research Articles

Competitive interactions between Salvinia auriculata Aubl., Limnobium laevigatum (Humb. and Bonpl. ex Willd.) Heine, and other free-floating aquatic macrophytes under varying nutrient availability

Competitive interrelationships between Salvinia auriculata Aubl. and Limnobium laevigatum (Humb. and Bonpl. ex Willd.) Heine, in combination with additional Brazilian free-floating aquatic macrophyte species, were studied using the De Wit replacement series method, under conditions of varying nutrient availability. The relative competitive success, measured as biomass production, relative yield total, and aggressivity, of the two target species with each other, with Pistia stratiotes, and (individually) with either Salvinia minima or Lemna minor, was determined in a series of five glasshouse experiments. The competitiveness of three free-floating species relative to S. auriculata was ranked as L. minor > P. stratiotes = L. laevigatum; and relative to L. laevigatum as P. stratiotes > S. auriculata > S. minima. The findings support observations in the literature on the co-existence of these species in Brazilian waterbodies.

Planktic Cyanobacteria from upper Tietê basin reservoirs, SP, Brazil

Considering the great ecological and sanitary importance of the cyanobacteria and the need of detailed information about these organisms in Brazilian water bodies, the present study aims at contributing towards the knowledge of the cyanobacterial flora of five reservoirs belonging to the upper Tiete Basin, Sao Paulo: Billings, Guarapiranga, Jundiai, Pirapora, Ponte Nova and Taiacupeba. In the past several years, these reservoirs have been submitted to severe environmental deterioration and have repeatedly presented cyanobacterial blooms, including those of toxic species. The samples were collected between 1997 and 2003 either with plankton net (20 µm mesh) or van Dorn's bottle, and preserved with lugol solution or formaldehyde. Some species were isolated and maintained in culture. Forty-eight species of cyanobacteria were identified, with predominance of the order Chroococcales (58%), followed by the orders Oscillatoriales (21%) and Nostocales (21%). Among the 48 studied species, 17 (35%) were considered potentially toxic. The occurrence and biodiversity of the cyanobacteria in each reservoir depend on the environmental conditions. Among the five water bodies, Billings Reservoir presented the most adequate situation for the development of a greater number of species (34), probably due to its high pH values (around 8). Pirapora Reservoir on the other hand, with highest conductivity (445.0 µS cm-1) and lowest Secchi depth values (0.2 m), presented the lowest cyanobacterial biodiversity (14 species).

Occurrence of saxitoxins and an anatoxin-a(s)-like anticholinesterase in a Brazilian drinking water supply

Blooms of toxic cyanobacteria are very common in Brazilian waterbodies, as a consequence of eutrophication processes. Our investigations were focused on the detection of neurotoxins during a cyanobacterial bloom in Tapacurá reservoir, which serves as a water supply for Recife city in northeastern Brazil. We also investigated the possible presence of neurotoxins in strains of Anabaena spiroides isolated from this environment. Samples were collected from March to May 2002 at the water surface and close to the dam. Limnological parameters (conductivity, pH, inorganic nutrients) and cyanobacterial abundance were measured. The samples were assayed for toxicity by mouse bioassay and acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting activity by a colorimetric method; saxitoxins (paralytic shellfish poisons) were quantified by a HPLC-FLD postcolumn derivatization method. The dominant cyanobacteria during the bloom were found to be A. spiroides, Pseudanabaena sp., Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Microcystis aeruginosa. The mouse bioassays showed the presence of neurotoxins during both A. spiroides and C. raciborskii dominance, whereas anticholinesterase activity was only observed during periods of A. spiroides dominance. The A. spiroides strains isolated during the study also exhibited an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. HPLC-FLD chromatograms of bloom material extracts revealed the presence of saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin and dc-saxitoxin, probably produced by C. raciborskii.

Experimental Measurement of Turbulent Diffusion, Initial Dilution and T90

The final disposal of sewage using submarine outfalls has become an actual solution for coastal cities all over the world. In order to get the best results it is necessary to carry out specific studies for the proper design of the outfall. Dilution and decrease in bacterial concentrations are two key aspects for the design. Radioisotope tracers have been used extensively in studies performed in some Brazilian waterbodies where outfall systems exist or are to be installed. As far as dilution measurement is concerned, both point and continuous radiotracer injections can provide useful results. The T90 measurements can be better accomplished using a combined tracer technique for sampling the sewage field, using the radiotracer for dilution measurement and rhodamine B as a visual aid. Typical results of dilution measurement using both techniques mentioned, as well as a summary of T 90 results obtained for the Santos, Fortaleza and Maceió outfalls are presented.