Lower Amazon Research Articles

Early impacts of the largest Amazonian hydropower project on fish communities

Hydropower is a threat to freshwater fishes. Despite a recent boom in dam construction, few studies have assessed their impact on mega-diverse tropical rivers. Using a before-after study design, we investigated the early impacts of the Belo Monte hydroelectric complex, the third-largest hydropower project in the world, on fishes of the Xingu River, a major clear-water tributary of the lower Amazon. We explored impacts across different river sectors (upstream, reservoir, reduced flow sector, and downstream) and spatial scales (individual sectors vs. all sectors combined) using joint species distribution models and different facets of diversity (taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic). After 5 years of the Belo Monte operation, species richness declined ~12% in lentic and ~16% in lotic environments. Changes in abundance were of less magnitude (<4%). Effects were particularly negative for species of the families Serrasalmidae (mainly pacus), Anostomidae (headstanders), Auchenipteridae, and Pimelodidae (catfishes), whereas no taxonomic group consistently increased in richness or abundance. The reservoir and downstream sectors were the most impacted, with declines of ~24–29% in fish species richness, overall reductions in fish body size and trophic level, and a change in average body shape. Richness and abundance also declined in the reduced river flow, and changes in size, shape, and position of fins were observed. Relatively minor changes were found in the upstream sector. Variation in functional and phylogenetic diversity following river impoundment was subtle; however, across sectors, we found a reduction in functional divergence, indicating a decline in the abundance of species located near the extremities of community functional space. This may be the first sign of an environmental filtering process reducing functional diversity in the region. Greater changes in flow and habitats are expected as hydropower operations ramp up, and continued monitoring is warranted to understand the full scope and magnitude of ecological impacts.

History of two islands: the colonial myths of the Brazil and Guayana Islands

En el mundo colonial americano existieron dos mitos relacionados con la insularidad de los territorios situados al norte y al sur del río Amazonas. Ambos mitos, como el resto de leyendas recogidas en las crónicas europeas, parecen encontrar su origen en el diálogo entre las expectativas medievales de los conquistadores y la compleja realidad de las sociedades amerindias al momento de la conquista. Por lo tanto, los mitos coloniales pueden leerse como documentos etnohistóricos y pueden ser empleados en la elaboración de nuevas narrativas históricas. En este artículo proponemos que la fijación de la frontera colonial portuguesa sobre el bajo río Amazonas en el siglo XVII se debió, en parte, a la pre-existencia de una frontera amerindia en dicho espacio. Los ecos de esta frontera pueden escucharse a través de los mitos coloniales de la Isla Brasil y la Isla Guayana.

The Legal Roundwood Market in the Amazon and Its Impact on Deforestation in the Region between 2009–2015

Brazil is one of the largest producers of tropical wood in the world. Much of this wood is extracted from the Amazon region, especially in the state of Pará. Despite empirical knowledge, there is little information in the literature about the selectivity of trade and how this production has been behaving in recent years. Is there any relationship between this legal timber trade and deforestation? In this work, we compile data reports from control agencies and analyze the dynamics of the legal timber market in the state of Pará between 2009 and 2015 in terms of species, volume, and monetary value. We also correlate changes in volume m−3 and value m−3 with deforestation increase in the same period and region. We find that only ten groups of species represent almost 50% of the total timber volume marketed in the State, mainly from the Massaranduba (Manilkara) group. According to our models, the supply of a species of wood on the market is defined by its monetary value and not by its availability or characteristics, which hinders the insertion of new species and increases selectivity. Since 2011 the volume of legally traded logs has been decreasing sharply. Traditional forest regions in the state already demonstrate depletion in forested areas. While others, such as the lower Amazon region, have been increasing production, showing that new forestry operations areas are being used for harvesting in the function of the lower availability in traditional areas. Our models show that the legal reduced impact logging timber volume has an inverse relationship with the deforestation increase. Otherwise, preference for a small group of timber types still predominates, which may lead local woods to the danger of extinction.

Local fisheries conservation and management works: implications of migrations and site fidelity of Arapaima in the Lower Amazon

Local fisheries conservation and management works: implications of migrations and site fidelity of Arapaima in the Lower Amazon

Ensino de História e Geografia em uma comunidade ribeirinha amazônica no Brasil

As comunidades tradicionais no Brasil demostram como a multiculturalidade brasileira é rica. No contexto amazônico são os moradores da várzea nomeados de ribeirinhos. Questiona-se se a escola municipal de Barreirinha situada às margens do rio Massauari, AM, contempla saberes ribeirinhos específicos que envolvem a floresta e os rios. Objetiva-se aqui analisar as práticas pedagógicas no ensino de História e Geografia no espaço escolar de uma comunidade ribeirinha do Baixo Amazonas, no município de Barreirinha. Com base nas entrevistas com as professoras e gestoras da referida comunidade, identifica-se que nas práticas didáticas de História e Geografia, as docentes se sentem despreparadas com as especificidades dessa comunidade tradicional - o ensino de História necessita ser contextualizado, pois a percepção do tempo é diferente; a necessidade de o aluno conhecer sua própria história e, por conseguinte, se situar dentro de um plano maior nacional ou mundial. Conclui-se que para ocorrer o aprendizado entre os alunos ribeirinhos, é necessária uma mudança na formação de professores no sentido de despertar nos futuros docentes a importância da identificação de especificidades culturais em comunidades tradicionais, possibilitando assim um ensino significativo para os alunos. Palavras-chave: ensino de geografia, ensino de história, escola do campo, formação de professores. Teaching History and Geography in an Amazon riverside community in Brazil ABSTRACT. The traditional communities in Brazil demonstrate how rich Brazilian multiculturalism is. For example, in this Amazon context are the inhabitants of the floodplain, which are called Riverines. It is questioned whether the municipal school of Barreirinha located on the banks of the Massauari River, in Amazonas, contemplates this specific riverside knowledge. The general objective is to analyze the pedagogical practices in the teaching of History and Geography in the school space of a Riverine community in the Lower Amazon, in the municipality of Barreirinha. Based on the primary data through open interviews with teachers and managers, it is identified that in the teaching practices, they don’t feel sufficiently prepared to deal with the specificities of a traditional Community – History teaching needs to be contextualized, as the perception of time and reality is different. The need for the student to know their own history and to place themselves within a larger national or global plan. It’s concluded that for the learning process to occur among riverside students, a change in the training of teachers is necessary in order to awaken in future teachers the importance of identifying cultural specificities in traditional communities, thus enabling meaningful teaching for students. Keywords: geography teaching, history teaching, rural education, teacher training. Enseñanza de la historia y la geografía en una comunidad ribereña del Amazonas en Brasil RESUMEN. Comunidades tradicionales en Brasil demuestran cuán rico es el multiculturalismo brasileño. Por contexto amazónico son los habitantes de las llanuras aluviales llamados riberiños. Se cuestiona si la escuela municipal de Barreirinha, ubicada a orillas del río Massauari, AM, incluye conocimientos ribereños específicos que involucran el bosque y los ríos. El objetivo es analizar los métodos pedagógicos utilizados para enseñar Historia y Geografía en ambiente escolar de una comunidad ribereña del Bajo Amazonas, en el municipio de Barreirinha. En entrevistas con los docentes y lideres de la referida comunidad, se identifica que, en la aplicación didáctica de Historia y Geografía, los docentes se consideran desprevenidos con las particularidades de esta comunidad tradicional - la enseñanza de la Historia necesita ser contextualizado, pues la comprensión del tiempo cronológico es diferente; es necesario que los estudiantes conozcan su propia historia, por tanto, se localizan en medio de un plan nacional o global más amplio. En conclusión, para que se llegue a un aprendizaje entre los estudiantes ribereños, es necesario cambios en la preparación del docente para así tener en el futuro docentes que sientan la importancia de identificar las particularidades culturales en las comunidades tradicionales, posibilitando así una enseñanza especial para los estudiantes. Palabras claves: enseñanza de la geografía, enseñanza de la historia, escuela de campo, formación de profesores.

Early development of two commercially valuable fish from the lower Amazon River, Brazil (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae)

Abstract We described the early development of Myloplus asterias and M. lobatus, two fish species of the Serrasalmidae using morphological, meristic, and morphometric characteristics. These herbivores serrasalmids are heavily fished because of their commercial importance in the Amazon. The individuals were collected between 2016 and 2020 in the limnetic zone of open water and macrophyte stands in the Lower Amazon River floodplain. We tested different growth models to identify the development pattern of these species. During the initial ontogeny, these two species can be differentiated mainly by the myomeres total number, 37 to 39 in M. asterias vs. 40 to 41 in M. lobatus, the pigmentation pattern, and dorsal-fin ray numbers. These characteristics are effective in distinguishing these species from other serrasalmids. The morphometric relationships were also different between these two species, showing distinct patterns in growth between the analyzed features. An identification key for larvae of some sympatric Serrasalmidae species from the Amazon basin is presented. Our expectation is that this study will contribute to the knowledge of the initial ontogeny and the biology of fish species in the Neotropical region.

Estimated richness and environmental correlates of miniature fish assemblages in the rio Jacundá, Brazil

Abstract South America is home to more miniature fishes (&lt;26 mm in standard length) than any other continent. Despite this diversity, the ecology of miniature fishes is poorly studied. To promote the study of miniature fish ecology, we investigated patterns in total richness, assemblage structure and environmental correlates for miniature fishes in the rio Jacundá drainage of the Lower Amazon River basin, Pará State. Based on multi-pass dip-netting of leaf litter at 20 locations distributed across two sites, we collected miniature species and used rarefaction to estimate 9 to 14 species might be present. The miniature fish assemblage at the upstream site was a nested subset of the downstream site, and water pH and canopy cover, two features known to be altered by deforestation, correlated most strongly with assemblage variation. Our work represents one of the first quantitative assessments of environmental correlates with miniature fish assemblages and highlights research topics that should be investigated further to promote conservation and preservation of the overlooked and understudied Amazonian diminutive freshwater fish fauna.

A PESCA ARTESANAL NA COMUNIDADE COSTA DO TAPARÁ (PA): SUBSÍDIOS PARA GESTÃO PESQUEIRA

Artisanal or small-scale fishing is one of the oldest extractive activities in the lower Amazon region, generating income and subsistence for a good part of the riverside population. In this sense, the objective of the research was to characterize the fishing activity and socioeconomic structure of artisanal fishermen in the Costa Tapará community, Santarém, Pará State. Data collection was carried out through interviews with semistructured forms to 82 fishermen out of a total of 302 registered fishermen, during the period from March to November 2019. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the average age of the fishermen was 37.6 (81.7%) years (± 11.5), 70.7% had incomplete primary education and 91.5% had fishing as their main source of income. The fishing activity is presented as artisanal and on a small scale, practiced in small wooden rowing and/or motorized boats, employing multiplicity of equipment highlighting the reed, mesh, and net. July and August stood out as the best fishing season. The biggest problems identified in the community were socioenvironmental conflicts. Understanding how this community dynamic works will directly contribute to the development of management alternatives and regional fishing sector planning.

Larvae of migratory Characiformes species in an archipelago in the Lower Amazon River

In the Amazon basin, most of the migratory Characiformes species represent an important fishing resource for local people. However, the lack of information about the main areas and periods of reproduction and the importance of certain environments for the maintenance of species may jeopardize the renewal of fish stocks. Thus, the aim was to examine the spatial and seasonal variation in the density of larvae of migratory Characiformes species in an archipelago in the Lower Amazon River and to assess the importance of this environment for the biological recruitment of the studied species. The capture of larvae was carried out in places close to restinga swamps, steep ruts, and inlet areas with a plankton net (300 µm) in monthly sampling from January to December 2013. An analysis of variance was used to verify differences in larval density between seasons and sampling months. A total of 30,997 larvae were captured and showed no significant differences in their distributions between habitats. However, a variation between the phases of the hydrological cycle was evident, in which the highest larval concentrations were observed during the flooding (17.72 larvae.10m-3) and the drought (1.33 larvae.10m-3). The study area has a great capacity to assist in the maintenance and renewal of regional fish stocks, as it is an important retention and nursery site for larvae of Characiformes that drift along the main channel of the Amazon River.

A New Species of Amazon Freshwater Toad-Headed Turtle in the Genus Mesoclemmys (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from Brazil

We describe a new extant species of freshwater turtle from Brazil: Mesoclemmys sp. nov., a medium-sized toad-headed turtle (mean carapace length = 189.5 ± 25.8 mm), which to date has only been found in the Brazilian Amazon Basin, western Pará State, Central Amazon, and the lower Amazonas River Basin. It is easily distinguished from its sympatric congeners by differences in body size, head size, carapace shape, and coloration. The head is triangular and completely black, with large red eyes positioned anteriorly and a pair of long, light yellow barbels positioned anteriorly close the mandible. The carapace is oval and colored dark reddish brown. The plastron is black in the central region and burnt-yellow along the edges and ventral aspects of the marginal scutes and bridge, with dark seams. The plastral formula is 3-5-7-4-1-6-2. The new species inhabits temporary rainwater ponds under closed-canopy rainforest and has a known geographic range of 2183 km2. Sequences of fragment mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S) of the new species were determined and compared with the available GenBank sequences. Our phylogenetic results indicate that the specimens represent a divergent taxon within Mesoclemmys and a robust analysis of morphological data corroborates the existence of a new distinct species of Mesoclemmys, described herein.

Risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in a region of the Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian Northern region registered a high incidence of COVID-19 cases, particularly in the state of Pará. The present study investigated the risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in a Brazilian Amazon region of 100,819 cases. An epidemiological, cross-sectional, analytical and demographic study, analyzing data on confirmed cases for COVID-19 available at the Brazilian Ministry of Health's surveillance platform, was conducted. Variables such as, municipalities of residence, age, gender, signs and symptoms, comorbidities were included and associated with COVID-19 cases and outcomes. The spatial distribution was performed using the ArcGIS program. A total of 100,819 cases were evaluated. Overall, patients had the mean age of 42.3 years, were female (51.2%) and with lethality reaching 4.79% of cases. Main symptoms included fever (66.5%), cough (61.9%) and sore throat (39.8%). Regarding comorbidities, most of the patients presented cardiovascular disease (5.1%) and diabetes (4.2%). Neurological disease increased risk of death by nearly 15 times, followed by obesity (5.16 times) and immunodeficiency (5.09 time). The municipalities with the highest incidence rate were Parauapebas, Canaã dos Carajás and Jacareacanga. Similarity between the Lower Amazon, Marajó and Southwest mesoregions of Pará state were observed concerning the highest morbidity rates. The obtained data demonstrated that the majority of cases occurred among young adults, females, with the classic influenza symptoms and chronic diseases. Finally, data suggest that the highest incidences were no longer in the metropolitan region of the state. The higher lethality rate than in Brazil may be associated with the greater impacts of the disease in this Amazonian population, or factors associated with fragile epidemiological surveillance in the notification of cases of cure.

Larval development of the freshwater croaker Pachypops fourcroi (La Cépède 1802) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

The larval development of Pachypops fourcroi from the lower Amazon River was described through morphological, meristic and morphometric features. Sixty-five larvae were examined and present a moderate body, slightly elliptical eyes and head ranging from moderate to large. The mouth is initially terminal and becomes subterminal throughout development with three barbels in the mentonian region. The larvae of P. fourcroi can be differentiated from other Sciaenidae in the Amazon basin by the pigmentation pattern, the presence of barbels, head depth, body depth and diameter, and shape of the eye.

Towards an understanding of the socio-political organization of the Tapajó during late precolonial times, Lower Amazon

Archaeological research conducted in the Lower Amazon has demonstrated that this region was populated by one of the largest Amazonian polities during late precolonial times. This article presents a reflection on the socio-political organization of the Tapajó society based on the comparison between the well-studied Santarém site located at the mouth of the Tapajós River and new data collected at Cedro site located in the Belterra plateau. Until recently, archaeological sources on the Santarém region came from ethnohistorical accounts and archaeological research conducted at the mouth of the Tapajós River. Based on these data, archaeologists concluded that the Tapajó were organized into a hierarchical chiefdom. Based on new data, this work concludes that the Tapajó organization was heterarchical.

Optical Classification of Lower Amazon Waters Based on In Situ Data and Sentinel-3 Ocean and Land Color Instrument Imagery

Optical water types (OWTs) were identified from an in situ dataset of concomitant biogeochemical and optical parameters acquired in the Amazon River and its tributaries, in the Lower Amazon region, at different hydrological conditions from 2014 to 2017. A seasonal bio-optical characterization was performed. The k-means classification was applied to the in situ normalized reflectance spectra (rn(λ)), allowing the identification of four OWTs. An optical index method was also applied to the rn(λ) defining the thresholds of the OWTs. Next, level-3 Sentinel-3 Ocean and Land Color Instrument images representative of the seasonal discharge conditions were classified using the identified in situ OWTs as reference. The differences between Amazon River and clearwater tributary OWTs were dependent on the hydrological dynamics of the Amazon River, also showing a strong seasonal variability. Each OWT was associated with a specific bio-optical and biogeochemical environment assessed from the corresponding absorption coefficient values of colored dissolved organic matter (aCDOM) and particulate matter (ap), chlorophyll-a and suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations, and aCDOM/ap ratio. The rising water season presented a unique OWT with high SPM concentration and high relative contribution of ap to total absorption compared to the other OWTs. This bio-optical characterization of Lower Amazon River waters represents a first step for developing remote sensing inversion models adjusted to the optical complexity of this region.

Images of transformation in the Lower Amazon and the performativity of Santarém and Konduri pottery

This article analyses Amazonian objects of the Santarém and Konduri styles (1100–1600 AD), many of them with images of beings in transformation, adopting a framework that goes beyond an emphasis on the visual to recuperate pragmatic aspects of the rituals in which the objects were involved, apprehended through the formal properties and affordances of the artifacts themselves. Different rules are identified in the construction of these artifacts, some displaying anthropomorphic beings that transmute into zoomorphic beings, others that are revealed through the manipulation of artifacts or through a change in perspective enabled by a change in viewing angle. Composite bodies also constitute an important focus of attention. While the Santarém objects are distinguished by the standardization and reproduction of their design, suggesting a social intensification of a set of practices, the chimerical Konduri figurations point to a relationship closer to the paradoxical dynamic of ritual art, which works to reveal and conceal simultaneously.

LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF THE SIX MOST ABUNDANT FISH SPECIES IN PRAWN FISHERY SEMI-FIXED TRAP BYCATCHES IN THE LOWER AMAZON REGION (PARÁ, BRAZIL)

In this study, the length-weight relationships (LWR) were estimated for six fish species captured during prawn fishing in the Lower Amazon region (Pará, Brazil). Prawn fishing boosts the socioeconomic development of riverine communities and is a relevant activity as a source of income and subsistence in this region. In addition, we registered new LWRs for the species Ossancora punctata and Hypoptopoma elongatum. The samplings were performed in prawn catches monthly from February 2018 to January 2019, using a "matapi" which consists of a semiâ€"˜fixed trap that has a galvanized iron structure (2.5 m height by 2.0 m in length) and nylon mesh (1.40 x 1.60 mm mesh), and has two tapered openings to facilitate the entry and trapping of the prawn. The results show that 75% of the fish caught as prawn bycatches had not yet reached sexual maturity. Thus, it is clear that fisheries need to develop fishing gear that allow small fish to escape from the traps during the prawn fishery.

Partial revision of the genus Robinsonia Grote 1866: description of five new species for the Neotropical fauna (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Phaegopterina).

The genus Robinsonia Grote, 1866 is partially reviewed following a large DNA barcode campaign. In the Robinsonia praphoea Dognin, 1906 group three new species are described: R. simulans sp. n. from French Guiana, up to now confused with R. praphoea itself and then R. decaensi sp. n. and R. maranhensis sp. n. both from the lower Amazon. R. drechseli sp. n. is described from Paraguay and R. inexpectata sp. n., a species close to R. mera (Schaus, 1910) from Costa Rica, is described as new from Peru and Bolivia. Finally the full species status is confirmed for R. flavicorpus Dognin, 1910 which is found to be differentiable from R. marginata Rothschild, 1909. All types are figured along with the male genitalia for most and some female genitalia for all studied species.

Early development of the Neotropical fish known as long sardine Triportheus auritus (Valenciennes 1850) (Characiformes, Triportheidae)

Larvae and juveniles of long sardine, Triportheus auritus, from the lower Amazon river was described, evaluating ontogenetic changes in their external mor­phology, pigmentation, fin development, morphometry, and meristics. A total of 93 individuals, 83 larvae and 10 juveniles were analyzed, they were captured monthly between 2014 and 2019 in the Amazon river channel and in macrophytes aquatic stands in the alluvial plains located in the lower Amazon River. From each specimen, morphometric and meristic data were measured and then the growth pattern between morphometric variables was analyzed. The larvae have an elongated body in a fusiform shape, superior mouth, simple nostril, pigmented spherical eyes and long intestine, surpassing the median region of the body. Initial pigmentation is scarce, but intensifies through development forming a pattern composed of three longitudinal bands concentrated in the ventral, cephalo-dorsal and lateral line regions. There are also pigments in the mandible, surrounding the mouth, under the swim bladder, intestine and fins. The sequence of complete fin formation is: caudal, anal, dorsal, pectoral and pelvic. The total number of myomeres ranged from 45 to 48 (25–29 preanal and 17–22 postanal). Morphometric relationships indicated differential growth for measurable morphometric parameters, with abrupt growth of snout length, head length and body height in the transition from flexion to postflexion stages. The pre-dorsal distance showed a decrease in the growth rate at the threshold from the larval to the juvenile period. The pre-pectoral and pre-anal distances showed negative allometric growth. In conclusion, the combination of body shape pigmentation pattern and, the formation sequence of fins allow the identification of the genus and coupled with the number of myomeres, morphometric relationships, and ray numbers of the anal fin ensure the differentiation of T. auritus from the other congeneric species. The metamorphosis occurred mainly at the end of the larval period and it is related to changes in the physiological and ecomorphological characteristics of the species.

Impact of pollen genetic origin on compatibility, agronomic traits, and physicochemical quality of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) beans

Incompatibility within and between cocoa trees or cocoa clones is incontestably one of those factors which reduce cocoa yield in fields. Indeed, the traceability of raw materials is one of the major challenges that agro-industries face today. Improvement of cocoa and cocoa products’ quality passes through the identification of cocoa genetic and geographic origin as well as the farm where cocoa is produced and harvested. Hand-pollination was used to assess compatibility between clones, to select interested agronomic traits (pod length, pod cortex thickness, average beans number, average beans weight, average weight of fresh or dry beans) and to improve specific cocoa beans quality through physicochemical parameters after post-harvest practices. Three different parents were used as female-clones: ICS40 (higher Trinitario), SNK16 (Trinitario), SCA12 (Lower Amazon Forastero) and four clones added to the female ones as pollen donors: SNK16, SNK13 (Trinitario), UPA134 (Upper Amazon Forastero), T79/467 (Amelado, Forastero), T60/877 (Amelado, Forastero), ICS40 and SCA12. Crosses within Trinitario clones showed a low level of compatibility (0–18%) whereas the general combination ability between Trinitario×Forastero (59–81%) and within Forastero (84–88%) and between Forastero×Trinitaro (78–88%) was very promising. SCA12 showed a high level of compatibility efficiency compared to the two Trinitario female-clones studied. The pollen grains from SCA12 increased the pod length and average weight of fresh beans in ICS40 female-clone meanwhile those of T60/877 also increased the pod cortex thickness and average weight of fresh/dry beans in SNK16 female-clone. The genetic description of each pollen clone donor played a key role in the resulting hybrids. The pH values of fermented dried beans, ranged from 5.31 to 6.26 and was female-clone dependent. A strong negative correlation was observed between the average beans weight (fresh or dry) and pH. These results highlighted that the genetic origin of pollen grains could increase compatibility between clones, agronomic traits and consequently the physicochemical parameters of beans.

Modeling pollutant dispersion scenarios in high vessel-traffic areas of the Lower Amazon River

Large ships are efficient in transporting oil and its derivatives. However, they can cause spills in the event of accidents. The aim of the study is to simulate oil dispersion processes in scenarios of likely accidents with ships traveling on sea routes interconnected with Amazonian ports and with the Atlantic Ocean. Navigation routes were based on traffic data to identify risk areas, as well as to compare them to data from the environmental (oil) sensitivity index and to results of numerical simulations of plumes dispersion. These three approaches were integrated to each other in order to assess potential environmental impacts of plumes on coastal biota and human populations. Scenarios results have indicated that the rainy season is the most critical period for plumes dispersion. But, depending on the emission point, plumes tend to remain close to the coast, extend up to 132 km within 72 h, affecting the biodiversity, protected areas and water supply systems from the urban areas.