Avaliação da macrofauna bêntica em áreas com influência de efluentes domésticos tratados no estuário do rio Ariquindá (Tamandaré - Pernambuco)

Abstract

The release of effluents, with or without treatment, in aquatic environments isthe most common form of pollution in coastal areas, altering the ideal conditions for the survival of organisms and affecting the human health. This study evaluates changes in the structure of the macrobenthic community near a domestic sewage discharge (after treatment) released in the estuary of Ariquindá river, south coast of Pernambuco. Samples were taken from 10 points (triplicates), five upstream and five downstream of the release point. To each side the points were distributed according to the distance, in meters, from the launch point: P0, P50, P100, P200 and P350, totaling 30 samples collected with a cylinder of 10 cm radius 20 cm length, and sieved through a 0.3 mm mesh opening. Taxa were identified to the lowest possible level and trophic groups were analyzed. Particle size data were analyzed, organic matter and abiotic parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a and turbidity) recorded with a probe type CTD. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed to describe and compare differences between the test and the results obtained. The environmental parameters did not show a gradient over the sample points, only a few specific changes near the discharge of effluents. There was high salinity in the study area, low levels of organic matter, sand predominance and dissolved oxygen above the minimum value of contamination in aquatic environments. 33 taxa were identified in a total of 151 individuals of benthic macrofauna, with annelids represented in 70% of samples highlighting the polychaete Aricidea , followed by Scoloplus, Heteromastus and Prionospio. No pattern was also observed for the environmental and biotic parameters. The deposit-feeders predominated in sample points followed in smaller numbers of suspension-feeders and carnivores. In the present study it was found that even if the dumping of waste has contributed to change some environmental parameters close to the launch point, community resident macrofauna did not appear influenced by the load of organic matter introduced, and therefore not clearly modifying the structure of this community. But in the long term this interference can enhance the effect of organic enrichment leading to an imbalance in the structure of local communities.