This study aims to analyse the influence of a cascade of reservoirs on the density, richness and functional groups of phytoplankton in the Contas River, a tropical river of Brazil. This river has two dams along its course, forming the Pedra and Funil reservoirs. Samples were collected over three consecutive years (Dec., 2007 to Dec., 2010 at 28 sampling stations along the river. We identified 198 species and the stretches downstream from the reservoirs showed greater richness. Chlorophyceae, followed by Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae were the dominant groups and highest density was recorded during the rainy season. Overall, a longitudinal pattern in algal densities was found for both seasons, with the lowest values recorded in sections of the Pedra and Funil reservoirs and the highest densities in the downstream sections. Nine functional groups were identified (C, F, J, MP, S1, Sn, Td, Y, Ws); of these, F and J grouped the species with the highest relative abundance during the dry season, while the S1 group, represented by the cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii, was dominant in the rainy season. The present study showed a high longitudinal variation in the phytoplankton richness and density, attributed to the hydrological change between the lotic and lentic stretches. Furthermore, the effects of the cascade of reservoirs on phytoplankton, such as reduced density, increased richness and changes in algal associations, were strongly influenced by habitat heterogeneity found in this environment, as well as the rainfall in the region.Keywords: spatial heterogeneity, functional groups, potamoplankton, reservoirs, seasonality.O papel da cascata de reservatórios e da sazonalidade na variação da estrutura fitoplanctônica em um rio tropical ResumoEste estudo tem como objetivo analisar a influência da cascata de reservatórios sobre a riqueza, a densidade e os grupos funcionais do fitoplâncton em um rio tropical, o Rio de Contas, Bahia, Brasil. Este rio apresenta dois barramentos ao longo do seu curso, os Reservatórios de Pedra e Funil. As coletas foram realizadas durante três anos consecutivos (2007 a 2010), compreendendo os períodos seco (dezembro e março) e chuvoso (junho e setembro), em 28 estações. Foram identificadas 198 espécies fitoplanctônicas, sendo observada maior riqueza nos trechos a jusante dos reservatórios. Chlorophyceae, seguida pelas Bacillariophyceae e Cyanophyceae, foram os grupos dominantes. Maior densidade foi registrada durante o período chuvoso, com 630.388 org.L -1 , enquanto, no período seco, foi de 233.121 org.L -1 . De maneira geral, foi verificado que houve um padrão longitudinal nas densidades das algas em ambos os períodos sazonais, tendo os menores valores sido registrados nos trechos que correspondem aos Reservatórios de Pedra e Funil e as maiores densidades, nos trechos a jusante. Nove grupos funcionais foram identificados (C, F, J, MP, S1, Sn, Td, Y, Ws); destes, os grupos F e J agruparam as espécies com maiores abundâncias relativas durante o período seco, enquanto o grupo S...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytoplankton–zooplankton interaction, using phytoplankton morphology-based functional groups, in two reservoirs that have different trophic state indices (TSIs). We hypothesised that the herbivorous relationships of zooplankton with the phytoplankton community would differ between reservoirs with different TSIs. In order to test this hypothesis, field collections to study the phytoplankton, zooplankton and abiotic variables were undertaken between July 2016 and April 2017 from the subsurface layer and in situ experiments were conducted using biomanipulation of the micro- and mesozooplankton. In situ experiments consisted of 18 microcosms in 5-L transparent plastic bottles (in triplicate). The mesotrophic reservoir showed predominance of chlorophytes (Group IV) and mesozooplankton during the study period. In the presence of zooplankton, all phytoplankton groups showed negative growth rates and higher ingestion values, mainly Group IV. In the supereutrophic reservoir, ingestion rates showed that micro- and mesozooplankton reduced the biomass of colonial (Group VII) and filamentous (Group III) cyanobacteria respectively. The findings of the present study reveal that Copepoda Calanoida, as well as small cladocerans, may be the most suitable zooplankton groups for biomass biomanipulation of different morphofunctional phytoplankton groups in mesotrophic reservoirs, and for the control of cyanobacteria in supereutrophic reservoirs.

The influence of temperature and nutrients on the co-occurrence of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Microcystis panniformis in Mundaú reservoir was investigated. Samples were collected bimonthly from September 2008 to March 2009 with a Van Dorn bottle at two depths (surface and bottom) (n = 16). Water temperature was greater than 22.50 °C; pH values ranged from 6.09 to 8.42; and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios were low (0.11-1.46). The low N:P ratios indicated high phosphorus input, and an eutrophic to hypereutrophic condition in the reservoir. A significant positive correlation of spatial and temporal distribution of C. raciborskii with M. panniformis was observed. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) results revealed significant association of the biomass of most cyanobacterial species with temperature and nutrients concentration. However, these factors did not explain the co-occurrence of C. raciborskii and M. panniformis. On the other hand, morphological and physiological adaptations such as the possession of aerotopes and production of mucilage, and co-operation between the two species permitted niche overlap, and consequently the co-occurrence of C. raciborskii and M. panniformis in Mundaú reservoir.

The installation of dams causes changes to the integrity of rivers and to the water cycle, performing an instrumental role in the organization of biological communities, including that of phytoplankton. In the present study, we analyzed the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton in two hydroelectric reservoirs on the São Francisco River, Itaparica and Xingó reservoirs. Samples were collected at quarterly intervals between December 2007 and September 2009, at 12 sampling stations in each reservoir, totaling 92 samples. We identified 110 species in the Itaparica reservoir and 136 in the Xingó reservoir, of which diatoms followed by green algae, played a major contribution to both reservoirs. Most of the species is rare and/or occasional. In the Itaparica reservoir, there were no very frequent species, although in the Xingó this category was represented by the diatoms Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg) Simonsen and Fragilaria crotonensis Kitton. These results show that, despite the similarity in the composition of phytoplankton, the reservoirs studied certainly differed regarding their environmental conditions. Keywords: check list, freshwater, hydroelectric reservoir, microalgae, Northeast. Composição fitoplanctônica dos reservatórios de

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) have become increasingly frequent and intense in public supply reservoirs as a result of eutrophication and global climate change. The semi-arid region of Brazil has a well documented history of CyanoHABs but the underlying factors that control the excessive proliferation of these organisms and the production of their bioactive secondary metabolites are not comprehensively understood. This study aimed to identify the environmental factors that explain the spatial and temporal variations in the abundance of cyanobacteria and the concentration of cyanotoxins (microcystins, saxitoxins, and cylindrospermopsin) in semi-arid reservoirs. The following hypotheses were tested: (a) the largest biovolumes of potential toxin producing cyanobacteria occur when cyanotoxin concentrations are highest; and (b) the environmental factors that explain variations in biovolume of cyanobacteria also explain changes in cyanotoxins concentrations. Samples were taken from four reservoirs located in the Northeast region of Brazil, over a three-month period (October 2016 and February and June 2017). Of the 24 species of cyanobacteria identified, 13 were potentially toxin-producing. Physicochemical variables such as water volume of the reservoir, water transparency, soluble reactive phosphorus, and total phosphorus explained the abundance of cyanobacteria and the levels of cyanotoxins. These results corroborate the hypothesis that similar physicochemical conditions influence the abundance and diversity of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. Cyanobacterial blooms composed of more than one potential toxin producing species were observed in the studied reservoirs, where potential microcystin-producing species were the most common. Microcystins and saxitoxins were detected in all the reservoirs studied, while cylindrospermopsin and the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii were simultaneously recorded in only one reservoir (Camalaú Reservoir). Cylindrospermopsin was only detected in a reservoir for the first time in the State of Paraíba. Canonical redundancy analysis showed that the cyanotoxins were related to potential toxin producing species. These results corroborate the proposed hypothesis that there is a correlation between cyanotoxins and the biomass of potential producers. Also, there were situations where cyanotoxins were detected without the presence of potential producers. These results demonstrate the need for reassessment of potential toxin producing species of cyanobacteria in semi-arid reservoirs. This may lead to the identification and characterization of novel producers of these bioactive secondary metabolites.

The actions of the research aimed at making elementary students aware of the importance of raising the concern for the environment, facilitating the construction of knowledge about birds and their biomes through playful environmental education. A total of 18 students, aged between 8 and 9 years, participated in the study. The research included stages that had theoretical and playful activities within the classroom, a semi-structured form with discursive and objective questions was applied at the beginning and end of the activities. As a result, it was seen that the lectures associated with the playful ones contributed to a better learning of the students in the construction of knowledge about the topics studied. Thus, the use of playful activities as a tool within the classroom helps in the construction of knowledge of the elementary school students about the topics seen in the classroom.