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Part of the contaminants that reach the estuaries are deposited in sediments. These compounds may affect survival, fecundity and development of benthic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of the surface sediments from the Capibaribe Estuarine System (CES) on benthic copepod Tisbe biminiensis. Sediment samples were collected in five stations of the CES. Dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPHs) was measured in bottom water samples from the same sites, to estimate the recent input of such compounds. Sub-lethal effects on T. biminiensis were observed for samples collected in front of the Harbor of Recife, in the northern mouth of the Capibaribe River and in the upper portion of the estuary. The DDPHs concentrations recorded in the CES suggest chronic contamination and pointed out the domestic and industrial effluents, and harbor activities, as the main source to this system.

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