RESUMO
This study evaluated in the dry and rainy periods, the anthropogenic influence and the hydrodynamics in the distribution of plastic items in surface waters and bottom and beach sediments of the Jurujuba (Guanabara Bay, low and medium hydrodynamic) and Itaipu (oceanic region, high hydrodynamics) embayments; places of cultivation and extraction of mussels. Microplastics were 83% of the wastes collected, with a higher average concentration (138.41 items.kg-1) in beach sediments. High density polyethylene (HDPE) (38%), polypropylene (21%), and styrene (10%) were the most frequent polymers. There was no difference between the water and bottom sediment samples in the different embayments, in the studied periods, different from that observed in the beach sediment samples, with higher concentrations in the rainy season in Jurujuba. The results suggest that beach sediments are the best compartment to understand the dynamics of the distribution of plastic waste over time.
Assuntos
Plásticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Brasil , Monitoramento Ambiental , Sedimentos Geológicos , Microplásticos , Oceanos e Mares , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Analyses of thermotolerant coliform and heterotrophic bacteria as well as Escherichia coli and Vibrio species were carried out on plastic samples and in the surrounding waters of Guanabara Bay to evaluate plastic debris as vehicles of bacterial dispersal. Chemical characterizations of plastics were performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Plastic debris with high coliform contents were found, while their respective water samples had only low titers. No correlations were observed, however, between the amounts of bacteria and the chemical compositions of the plastic debris. Forty-four bacterial strains were PCR-confirmed as E. coli pathotypes, and 59 strains of Vibrio spp. (with 12 being identified as Vibrio cholerae [6], Vibrio vulnificus [5], and Vibrio mimicus [1]). These findings suggest these plastics can function as a substrate for bacterial biofilms (including pathogens). These debris, in turn, can be dispersed in aquatic environments not otherwise showing recent fecal bacterial contamination.
Assuntos
Baías/microbiologia , Escherichia coli/isolamento & purificação , Plásticos/análise , Vibrio vulnificus/isolamento & purificação , Biofilmes , Brasil , Enterobacteriaceae/patogenicidade , Escherichia coli/genética , Escherichia coli/patogenicidade , Processos Heterotróficos , Plásticos/química , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier , Vibrio/genética , Vibrio/patogenicidade , Vibrio vulnificus/genética , Vibrio vulnificus/patogenicidade , Resíduos/análise , Águas Residuárias/microbiologia , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/químicaRESUMO
Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil, is known as the diving capital due to its clear waters and great biodiversity, a consequence of the upwelling phenomenon. This feature attracts tourists tripling their population during holidays, causing increase in the amount of debris on beaches and waters endangering marine biodiversity. To evaluate the amount of solid waste found on beaches in two different holiday period, eight people in each beach collected macrodebris (≥2â¯cm) in a transect covering an 20â¯m wide area, during 20â¯min, in winter/2015 and summer/2017. The materials were weighed, quantified and characterized. In the summer, when the number of tourists is greater, a larger total amount of waste in units were found. Plastic and cigarette butts were the most abundant. The results show that the city does not have adequate planning to receive a large amount of tourists, being vulnerable to socioeconomic and environmental damages.
Assuntos
Praias/estatística & dados numéricos , Resíduos/estatística & dados numéricos , Brasil , Cidades , Monitoramento Ambiental , Plásticos , Estações do AnoRESUMO
Once non-biodegradable, microplastics remain on the environment absorbing toxic hydrophobic compounds making them a risk to biodiversity when ingested or filtered by organisms and entering in the food chain. To evaluate the potential of the contamination by microplastics in mussels cultivated in Jurujuba Cove, Niterói, RJ, waters of three stations were collected during a rain and dry seasons using a plankton net and later filtered. Microplastics were quantified and characterized morphologically and chemically. The results showed a high concentration of microplastics in both seasons with diversity of colors, types and sizes. Synthetic polymers were present in all samples. The presence of microplastics was probably due to a high and constant load of effluent that this area receives and to the mussel farming activity that use many plastic materials. Areas with high concentrations of microplastics could not be used for mussel cultivation due to the risk of contamination to consumers.
Assuntos
Bivalves/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Plásticos/análise , Água do Mar/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Animais , Aquicultura , Bivalves/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil , Plâncton/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Plásticos/toxicidade , Chuva , Estações do Ano , Frutos do Mar , Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidadeRESUMO
In many areas of the world, studies of marine debris are conducted with an emphasis on analyzing their composition, quantification and distribution on sandy beaches. However, in Brazil, studies are still restricted to some areas of the coast, and the quantities and the spatial and temporal patterns are unknown. To enhance the marine debris information in these areas, we selected the Itaipu and Itacoatiara beaches in Niterói, RJ, to collect, quantify and qualify the solid residues present in their sands. We collected 12 samples and recorded 118.39 kg of residues in Itaipu and 62.94 kg in Itacoatiara. At both beaches, the largest portion of debris was located on the upper part of the beach. Several debris items were related to food and drink consumption on the beaches, which indicated the contribution of beach users to pollution. Most of the debris was plastic. The greatest amount of debris was found at Itaipu in January and February and at Itacoatiara in January and March, months related to both the holiday season and abundant rainfall. The results demonstrated the necessity to implement an Environmental Education project for these areas to reduce its degradation.