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Nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes (NAE) were taken as biomarkers in the catfish Cathorops spixii (Ariidae) sampled in an estuary little affected by human activity (Cananéia) and in three regions (Santos Channel: SC, Santos Bay: SB and São Vicente Channel: SVC) of the Santos-São Vicente estuary impacted by various anthropogenic activities. Increases in NAE were observed in fish from SC and SVC sampled in the summer period as compared with specimens from the Cananéia estuary. These results suggest the presence of genotoxic compounds in these regions. However, the absence of significant differences in micronuclei frequency reflects slight mutagenic effects in these individuals. It is possible that the lower NAE frequency in specimens from SB might be associated with the greater remobilization and dilution of chemicals in this region. The low frequency of NAE in C. spixii from the Cananéia estuary is in accordance with the slight anthropogenic influence in this system, and may be suggestive of the absence of genotoxic and mutagenic effects in these organisms.
Alterações nucleares eritrocitárias (ANE) foram consideradas como biomarcadores nos bagres Cathorops spixii (Ariidae) amostrados em um estuário com baixa influência humana (Cananéia) e em três regiões (Canal de Santos: CS, Baía de Santos: BS e Canal de São Vicente: CSV) no estuário de Santos-São Vicente, impactado por diversas atividades antropogênicas. Aumentos nas ANE foram observados nos peixes amostrados no CS e CSV durante o período de verão, quando comparados com os espécimes do estuário de Cananéia. Estes resultados sugerem a presença de compostos genotóxicos nessas regiões. Entretanto, ausência de diferenças significativas na freqüência de micronúcleos refletem baixos efeitos mutagênicos nesses indivíduos. As menores freqüências de ANE nos espécimes amostrados na BS podem estar associado à maior remobilização e diluição dos compostos químicos na região. A baixa freqüência de ANE em C. spixii do estuário de Cananéia corrobora a menor influência antropogênica nesse sistema, e pode estar sugerindo ausência de efeitos genotóxicos e mutagênicos nos organismos

The living foraminiferal fauna and associated environmental factors were examined using shallow-water sediment and bottom-water samples collected in the Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) during the austral summer of 2004-05. Admiralty Bay has similar environmental characteristics to other Antarctic coastal areas, with bottom water rich in inorganic nutrients and heterogeneous bottom sediments with high concentrations of mud and sand. We found 45 foraminiferal species, including 28 agglutinated and 17 calcareous species. The dominant species were the calcareous Bolivina pseudopunctata and the agglutinated Pseudobolivina antarctica and Portatrochammina antarctica. Only the agglutinated Spiroplectammina biformis was found in all samples. Admiralty Bay contained a typical Antarctic foraminiferal fauna, mainly distinguishable by the type of bottom sediment. We detected two distinct assemblages: (a) from the entrance of the bay area with a main channel, we found an assemblage with relatively high species richness, abundance and diversity, and with abundant Bolivina pseudopunctata and Fursenkoina fusiformis; and (b) in the inner parts of the three inlets of the bay (Ezcurra, MacKellar, and Martel inlets), mud-and sulfur-rich sediments contained relatively few foraminifers dominated by a few species, mainly of Globocassidulina and Cassidulinoides.

This investigation attempts to determine which environmental parameters of the bottom water and sediment control recent foraminifera fauna at Ezcurra Inlet (King George Island, Antarctica), using data collected during four summers (2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2006/07). The study revealed that Ezcurra Inlet contain typical Antarctic foraminifera fauna with three distinct assemblages and few differences in environmental parameters. The species Bolivina pseudopunctata, Fursenkoina fusiformis, Portatrochammina antarctica, and Adercotryma glomerata were abundant in the samples. An elevated abundance, richness and diversity were common at the entrance of the inlet at depths greater than 55 m, where the inlet was characterized by low temperatures and muddy sand. In the inner part of the inlet (depth 30-55 m), richness and diversity were low and the most significant species were Cassidulinoides parkerianus, C. porrectus, and Psammosphaera fusca. Shallow waters showed low values of richness and abundance and high temperatures coupled with coarser sediment. In areas with high suspended matter concentrations and pH values associated with low salinity the most representative species were Hippocrepinella hirudinea and Hemisphaerammina bradyi.

Amostras de sedimentos de fundo foram coletadas e analisadas para o mercúrio no Estuário de Santos-SP. Os resultados analíticos foram revistos para contaminação antropogênica de alguns setores da área estuarina como resultado de resíduos petroquímico e metalúrgico derivados do distrito industrial de Cubatão, das atividades siderúrgicas do Estado de São Paulo (COSIPA), do porto de Santos e, finalmente, das descargas dos efluentes do emissário submarino dentro da baía de Santos. Os valores para o fator de contaminação médio (FC) obtidos para os sedimentos de fundo variam de 1 a 3, principalmente para os canais de Santos e São Vicente; entretanto, na baía de Santos, os valores de FC (abaixo de 1) indicam baixa contaminação, exceto na área de descarga do emissário submarino.
Bottom sediment samples were collected and analyzed for mercury in the Estuary of Santos-SP. The analytical results reveal anthropogenic contamination for some sectors of this estuarine area as a result of petrochemical and metallurgical residues derived from the Industrial District of Cubatão, from the activities of the State of São Paulo Siderurgy (COSIPA), from the Santos harbor and, finally, from effluents discharged by the submarine emissary into the Bay of Santos. The values for the factor of contamination (FC) found in the bottom sediments range from 1 to 3, mainly for the channels of Santos and São Vicente; however, in the Bay of Santos the FC values (below 1) indicate low contamination except in the discharge area of the submarine emissary

SUMMARY: Benthic foraminifera were sampled monthly during a one-year period in order to examine their biological response to the environmental factors in the Ubatuba Bay (northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil). The area is a popular tourist destination with a population that varies during the year, as does the untreated sewage carried into the bay by the rivers. Four sites were analysed. Each station is near one of the rivers that discharge into the bay. Biological data were analysed with multivariate and univariate techniques. The influence of the abiotic parameters on the foraminiferal fauna was inferred through statistical methods and time correlation functions. Geochemical and populational parameter differences allowed the sites to be separated into two groups according to their stress conditions. One group was dominated by Ammonia tepida-a herbivore species-and showed higher densities indicating a more productive and less contaminated location. The other one was dominated by Buliminella elegantissima-a detritivore species. Species diversity did not seem to be a good indicator of environmental health in this area due to the low densities and the high dominance of few species. Nevertheless, density and richness were used as evidence of local productivity and environmental conditions. Quasi-azoic moments related to the high degree of contamination were observed. Anthropogenic effects were stronger in the austral summer period, when sewage input through the rivers increases due to mass tourism.Keywords: benthic foraminifera, time series, environmental quality, monthly scale, organic pollution, Ubatuba, Brazil. RESUMEN: ESTUDIO DE FORAMINÍFEROS BENTÓNICOS EN ESCALA MENSUAL EN UNA BAHÍA SUBTROPICAL MODERADAMENTEAFECTADA POR EFLUENTES URBANOS. -Fueron analizados foraminíferos bentónicos en cuatro estaciones muestreadas mensualmente con la intención de investigar la respuesta biológica a los factores ambientales en la Ensenada de Ubatuba (costa noreste de São Paulo, Brasil). El área es un importante local turístico cuya población fluctúa a través del año y recibe efluentes no tratados a través de los ríos que en ella desembocan. Fueron analizados cuatro locales. Cada estación se encuentra localizada próxima a uno de los cuatro ríos que desembocan en la bahía. Los datos biológicos fueron analizados con técni-cas uni y multivariadas. La influencia de los parámetros abióticos sobre la fauna de foraminíferos fue inferida a través de métodos estadísticos y de funciones de correlación temporal. Parámetros geoquímicas y poblacionales permitieron distinguir dos grupos de estaciones que reflejan las condiciones de estrés local. Uno de los grupos estuvo dominado por Ammonia tepida -especie herbívora-y se mostró más productivo y menos contaminado. El otro local estuvo dominado por Buliminella elegantissima -especie detritívora. La diversidad especifica no se mostró un buen indicador de la salud ambiental en esta región debido a las bajas densidades y a la alta dominancia de unas pocas especies. Sin embargo, la densidad y ...

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Authors GWS and FA designed the study, participated of the samples collection, wrote the protocol and performed the statistical analysis.