AMMONIA-ELPHIDIUM INDEX AS A PROXY FOR MARINE POLLUTION ASSESSMENT, NORTHEAST BRAZIL / O uso do índice Ammonia-Elphidium como proxy para a avaliação da poluição marinha do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

The Ammonia-Elphidium Index (IAE) allows to assess the oxygenation levels of coastal regions. Both genera used in this index are resistant to oxygen reduction conditions. The genus Ammonia has a greater resistance than the genus Elphidium to low oxic conditions, and both are abundant in the coastal zones, which makes possible the use of this index to access the impact caused by organic matter pollution in these regions. Hence, this index has been used in the literature to study polluted regions by large contribution of organic carbon. The Petrobras Polo Atalaia Production complex is responsible for the outfall of treated petrochemical effluents, called PAP-1, which introduce pollutants in the coastal area of Sergipe State, northeast Brazil. In view of the environmental complexity of the region, the objectives of this work were: 1) to analyze the dimension and diversity of living foraminifera assemblages in surface sediment samples collected in February 2014 around the Sergipe-Mar Subsea Outfall of Active Production (SMP); and 2) to apply the Ammonia-Elphidium index in this region as a proxy of environmental impact. The results allowed to evaluate the impact caused by the contribution of the effluents released by the SMP outfall of the Petrobras Polo Atalaia Production complex and their influence on the density and diversity of living benthic foraminifera in the study area. ResumoO índice de Ammonia-Elphidium (IAE) permite avaliar os níveis de oxigenação das regiões costeiras. Ambos os gêneros são resistentes às condições de redução de oxigênio. O gênero Ammonia apresenta uma resistência maior que o gênero Elphidium à escasses de oxigénio, sendo ambos abundantes em zonas costeiras, o que possibilita a utilização deste indice na avaliação do impacto causado pela poluição por matéria orgânica nessas regiões. O complexo denominado Polo Atalaia, da Petrobras, é responsável pelo emissário de efluentes petroquímicos tratados, denominado PAP-1, o qual é responsável pela introdução de poluentes na zona costeira do Estado do Sergipe, no nordeste brasileiro. Diante da complexidade ambiental da região, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: 1) analisar os foraminíferos da região situada ao redor do emissário submarino do ativo de Produção Sergipe-Mar (PSM), coletados em fevereiro de 2014; e 2) calcular o índice Ammonia-Elphidium. Os resultados permitiram avaliar o impacto causado pelo aporte de efluentes e sua influência na densidade e diversidade de foraminíferos bentônicos na área estudada.

Statistical assessment of background levels for metal contamination from a subtropical estuarine system in the SW Atlantic (Paranaguá Estuarine System, Brazil)

“…Mobility, partitioning and reactivity of elements are affected by physical and chemical gradients that occur in this mixing environment (Machado et al 2016). Moreover, due to their nature and strategic position between terrestrial and marine environments, estuaries have been a center of attention for a variety of human activities including urban, industrial and port developments (Ridgway and Shimmield 2002;Pregnolato et al 2018). Consequently, effective management of such environments is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nation, and in particular SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (UN 2015).…”

Foraminiferal paleodiversity and paleoenvironments at the NE coastal plain of Buenos Aires province (Argentina) during the Mid-Holocene sea level highstand

“…The Ammonia - Elphidium index (AEI) also illustrates oxygenation levels of coastal environments, since both genera are resistant to oxygen reducing conditions (Pregnolato et al, 2018; Sen Gupta et al, 1996; Sen Gupta and Platon, 2006). Nevertheless, the genus Ammonia has greater resistance than the genus Elphidium to tolerate low oxygen conditions, and both are abundant in the coastal zone (Pregnolato et al, 2018). Here, we find high values of the Ammonia - Elphidium index, which suggest low oxygen conditions.…”

“…The Ammonia - Elphidium Index (AEI) has been used in the literature to study regions affected by hypoxia due to large contribution of organic matter (Eichler et al, 2012; Pregnolato et al, 2018; Sen Gupta et al, 1996; Sen Gupta and Platon, 2006). Both of these genera are resistant to hypoxic conditions, but Ammonia genus is more resistant than Elphidium .…”

Opportunities and challenges in incorporating benthic foraminifera in marine and coastal environmental biomonitoring of soft sediments: from science to regulation and practice

“…Macrofauna is traditionally employed in such evaluations. Foraminifera, on the other hand, is not included in the official guidelines, but its potential to evaluate impact caused by pollution was demonstrated in the Environmental Monitoring Program of Potiguar Basin, in the northeastern Brazilian continental margin (Disaró et al, 2006), and in the Environmental Monitoring Project for the Sergipe-Mar Subsea Outfall of the Active Production (Pregnolato et al, 2018).…”