Chemical and Biological Indicators of Environmental Pollution in the Canal do Cunha (Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): Analysis and Determination of Toxins

Abstract

Pollutants and biological data were assessed in surface sediments from an urbanized and hypereutrophic bay in Brazil. The surface sediment samples contained coarse to fine grains. The samples were analysed using four tools that followed standard methodologies. Pollutants were observed in several sediment samples, as was observed with the pseudototal trace elements. Dinoflagellate cysts showed an indication of a eutrophic environment with the presence of L. machaerophorum. On the other hand, the Vibrio fischeri bioassay demonstrated high toxicity in this area. The obtained data demonstrate the high level of pollution in the area due to a high input of untreated sewage and a large number of industries close to the collection points. Therefore, the Canal do Cunha basin can be considered an outflow area for different pollutant residues being transported into Guanabara Bay.