Effects of a shipwreck on the zooplankton community in a port region of the Amazon

Abstract

The port regions of the Amazon are subject to environmental impacts high shipping traffic. In October 2015, a cargo ship containing 5000 oxen sank in the Port of Vila do Conde, northern Brazil, releasing large amounts of organic matter and diesel oil into the aquatic environment. We evaluated the consequences of this shipwreck on the zooplankton community. Sampling was carried out using a phytoplankton net (64 μm) at two locations close to the port. We calculated the frequency of occurrence, relative abundance, and trophic state index and performed a canonical redundancy analysis of zooplankton in this area. Total density values ranged from 371 to 8600 organisms/m 3 , with minimum values being recorded during the period of the shipwreck and maximum values after the shipwreck. The areas categorized as super eutrophic had the lowest density values. The most abundant species/groups were nauplii and copepodites of the orders Cyclopoida and Calanoida. Of the environmental variables, only biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total dissolved solids were selected by the redundancy canonical analysis. The environmental conditions of the region and the ongoing environmental impacts might substantially influence the structure of the zooplankton community. The predominance of these organisms, in addition to the high densities of nauplii and copepodites, was likely related to the large amounts of nutrients generated by the shipwreck.

Zooplankton diversity in Acre state, Amazon, Brazil: an overview of previous studies

“…These groups are the main source of food for species, including fish, acting as a link between producers and consumers at higher levels in the food chain (Iskın et al 2020). These organisms, which play a fundamental role in nutrient cycling, are sensitive to environmental changes and have rapid responses, which can be used as indicators of the quality and trophic status of aquatic systems (Cardoso et al 2008, Pinheiro et al 2019, Karpowicz et al 2020.…”

Biodiversity and interannual variation of cyanobacteria density in an estuary of the brazilian Amazon

“…In 2015, a wreck involving a cargo ship carrying 5000 oxen resulted the release of both biological material (carcasses, bones and fluids), and fuel (approximately 700,000 L of diesel oil) into the Pará River. The spill caused fluctuations in the structure of the zooplankton community, species composition, density and abundance and facilitated the emergence of opportunistic species (Pinheiro et al 2019).…”

Benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of environmental quality of Pará River estuary, a wetland of Eastern Amazon

“…As a result of these activities, the region had its economy modified, which caused an intense and disordered population growth (BORDALO; SILVA; SANTOS, 2012; HAZEU; COSTA; NA-SCIMENTO, 2019). Given this scenario, recurring accidents and environmental crimes were recorded in the region, which includes: leakage/spillage of petroleum-based fuels; spillage of ores and live cargo; overflows of waste from mineral tailings dams, and releases of urban and mineral effluents (IEC, 2018;FAIAL et al, 2009;FER-REIRA, BELTRÃO, 2016;LIMA et al, 2018;PINHEIRO et al, 2019).…”

“…Effects of environmental impacts on aquatic biota at the Vila do Conde Industrial Pole were evaluated by some studies addressing plankton (phyto-and zooplankton) and ichthyofauna. Regarding plankton, changes in density of organisms, and a higher frequency of impacting species were observed in the areas closest to the port system (SENA et al, 2015;COSTA et al, 2016a;2016b;PINHEIRO et al, 2019). In the ichthyofauna, in places close to the IPC, there was a reduction in the diversity of species and food guilds (VIANA; FRÉDOU; FRÉDOU, 2012; VIANA; FRÉDOU, 2014), in addition to a higher incidence of individuals with histopathological damage (VI-ANA et al, 2013).…”