Changes in biomass, chemical composition and nutritive value of Spartina alterniflora due to organic pollution in the Itanhaém River Basin (SP, Brazil)

Abstract

We compared the values of the biomass, chemical composition and nutritive value of the emergent aquatic macrophyte S. alterniflora in a river affected by the discharge of domestic sewage (Guaú River) and in an unpolluted river (Itanhaém River). S. alterniflora, water and sediment samples were obtained in the two rivers in November, 2001. The Guaú River presented the highest levels of Total-N and Total-P in the water (415 and 674 µg.L-1, respectively) and in the sediment (0.25 e 0.20% of the Dry Mass, respectively), when compared to the water (TN = 105 µg.L-1; TP = 20 µg.L-1) and the sediment (NT = 0.12% DM; PT = 0.05% DM) of the Itanhaém River. Aerial (316 g DM.m-2) and subterraneous (425 g DM.m-2) biomass of S. alterniflora were significantly higher in the Guaú River than in the Itanhaém River (146 and 115 g DM.m-2, respectively). In addition, the values of TN, protein, TP, lipids and soluble carbohydrates were significantly higher in S. alterniflora biomass from the Guaú River. On the other hand, the values of the polyphenols and the cell wall fraction were significantly higher in the biomass of S. alterniflora from the Itanhaém River. We concluded that domestic sewage discharge in water bodies may increase the biomass and change the chemical composition of S. alterniflora. The high N and P availability in the water of the Guaú River is probably the cause of the higher biomass, TN, TP, protein, lipids and soluble carbohydrates measured in S. alterniflora in this river.

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“…According to Galvez-Cloutier and Sanchez (2007), chlorophyll a indicates algal biomass and is positively related to the phosphorous concentration of an environment, indicating the trophic state of an aquatic ecosystem. Aquatic communities can change quantitatively and qualitatively in response to eutrophication (Biudes and Camargo, 2006) In the present study, the environment has a high level of trophic status considering the results of Cunha et al (2009) andEskinazi-Sant'Anna et al (2007) in the same watershed. Nevertheless these characteristics did not significantly interfere in protozoan distribution.…”

Spatial and temporal distribution of free-living protozoa in aquatic environments of a Brazilian semi-arid region

“…According to Galvez-Cloutier and Sanchez (2007), chlorophyll a indicates algal biomass and is positively related to the phosphorous concentration of an environment, indicating the trophic state of an aquatic ecosystem. Aquatic communities can change quantitatively and qualitatively in response to eutrophication (Biudes and Camargo, 2006) In the present study, the environment has a high level of trophic status considering the results of Cunha et al (2009) We cataloged 65 protozoan taxa (Table 2). Twenty-nine were identified in 36 species and genera.…”

Decomposition and nutrient dynamics in a Spartina alterniflora marsh of the Bahia Blanca estuary, Argentina

“…FRASCO;GOOD, 1982;WILSON et al, 1986;BENNER et al, 1991). In South America, the ecological behavior of salt marshes is not well understood due not only to the sparse information available on S. alterniflora itself, especially regarding belowground tissues (DA CUNHA LANA et al, 1991;BIUDES;CAMARGO, 2006;GONZÁLEZ TRILLA et al, 2009;PELÁEZ et al, 2009;MONTEMAYOR et al, 2011), but also on the distribution of organic matter and nutrients in environments where it grows (NEGRIN et al, 2011). Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate aboveground and belowground decomposition rates in a S. alterniflora salt marsh located on the Bahía Blanca estuary (Argentina) and evaluate C, N and P dynamics during this process.…”