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Algal growth potential was used to quantify the degree of eutrophication of three coastal regions in São Paulo, Brazil which are subject to sewage disposal. Surface water was collected in Praia Grande, Santos, Guarujá and São Sebastião during two surveys (low tourist season—October 1997 and high tourist season—March 1998). Water was filtered and used in chlorophyll-a and nutrient analyses and in bioassays. Samples were inoculated with the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, and then subdivided into seven replicates. During a ten days experiment, in vivo fluorescence was performed and algal growth potential was calculated. Values were expressed as absolute in vivo fluorescence, as well as with a ratio of in vivo fluorescence of sample in relation to the fluorescence of control sea water for each treatment which defines the trophic status. The results of these bioassays showed a growing degree of eutrophication among regions: Praia Grande ∼ São Sebastião → Guarujá → Santos. It also identified sewage disposals and estuarine discharges as the main sources causing eutrophication. This bioassay technique is an important tool for environmental pre-monitoring studies, giving useful results in a short time.

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. Abstract: The liquid eftluent from an oil maritime terminal, with produced water as the main component, had its toxicity evaluated through toxicity tests with the diatom Skeletonema costatum. Two previously treated eftluent samples (eftluents A and B), were provided by PETROBRAS for the experiments. Both samples presented high salinity (67%0for eftluent A and 62%0for eftluent B) and low pH values (6.2), whereas total sulphide, phenol and nutrient content, dissolvedldispersed petroleum hydrocarbon concentration, BOD and COD values were quite different from each other. During the toxicity experiment, three replicate flasks with samples for each treatment were exposed to a light radiation of 266).tEm-2S-Iand maintained under a 10 h/l4 h light/dark cycle, at a temperature of 24 :t 2°C. The ECSOvalues could not be accurately estimated for eftluent A: 60 h and 132 h afier starting the experiment they were below 3% and between 3-6% eftluent concentration, respectively. Synergistic effects between eftluent toxicity and salinity on the growth of S. costatum were detected. The eftluent B showed higher toxicity: the ECSOvalues were 0.17% and 0.40% of eftluent concentrations, afier 48 h and 96 h, respectively. These results evidenced the deleterious effects of residual organic compounds contained in the aqueous eftluents from the oil terminal under the present pretreatment on S. costatum. ln the light of the present data, the direct disposal of these eftluents into São Sebastião Channel waters might be very hazardous to its indigenous biota.. Resumo: A toxicidade do efluente líquido do "Outos e Terminais Centro-Oeste São Paulo" (OTCS)terminal marítimo de petróleo da PETROBRAS, em São Sebastião (SP, Brasil), cujo principal componente é a água de produção, foi avaliada através de testes de toxicidade com a diatomácea Skeletonema costatum. Amostras de dois efluentes (A e B), previamente tratados pela PETROBRAS, foram utilizadas nos experimentos. As duas amostras apresentaram alta salinidade (A=67%0;B=62%0)e baixo valor de pH (6,2), enquanto que as suas concentrações de sulfetos, fenóis e hidrocarbonetos de petróleo dissolvidos/dispersos, bem como os seus valores de OBO e OQO, foram bastante distintos. Nos experimentos de toxicidade, os frascos experimentais, em triplicata, para cada tratamento foram expostos à radiação luminosa fluorescente de 266 Ilm-2S-I e mantidas em um ciclo luz/escuro de 10 h/l4 h, a uma temperatura de 24 :t 2°C. Os valores de CEso não puderam ser determinados com precisão para o efluente A: após 60 h e 132 h do início dos experimentos esses valores estavam abaixo de 3% e entre 3-6% da concentração de efluente, respectivamente. Foi observado sinergismo entre a toxicidade e a salinidade do efluente sobre o crescimento de S. costatum. O efluente B apresentou uma toxicidade mais elevada: os valores de CEso foram 0,17% e 0,40% da concentração do efluente, após 48 h e 96 h, respectivamente. Estes resultados evidenciaram claramente os efeitos deletérios dos compostos orgânicos residuais contidos no efluente l...

Abstract:The species of Chaetognatha, commonly called arrow-worms, are considered one of the most taxonomically isolated animal groups, with obscure phyletic origin. They are deuterostomes of small size, between 2 and 12 mm, with bilateral symmetry and transparent torped-shaped body, although some species have pigmentation. The body consists of the head, the trunk and the tail. The head bears a ventrally placed mouth, surrounded by two sets of rigid hooks and rows of small teeth, both used in prey capture. There are two dorsal eyes, which are absents in some deep living species. The trunk bears paired lateral fins and the tail a single fin. They are protandrous hermaphrodites with direct development, being the cross-fertilization probably typical in this phylum. Fertilization is internal and the eggs released directly into the water. Although chaetognaths are eaten by numerous larger carnivorous organisms, in the food web they are important predators and a significant trophic link between small herbivores and larger predators, including important commercial fish species. Cannibalism is known, particularly in some species. They have been recognized as important producers of large quantities of fecal pellets, which must play a significant role in the flux of organic carbon in the oceans. Chaetognaths are also considered good indicators of potentially important fishery areas, and more recently, they gained recognition as vectors in the life cycles of various parasite groups. They are exclusively marine and can be found in all oceans from surface to great depths and in estuarine regions. Resumo: O filo Chaetognatha é constituído de um pequeno número de animais marinhos deuterostomados, filogeneticamente isolados, de simetria bilateral e corpo alongado em forma de torpedo ou seta, cujo comprimento pode variar de 2 a 120 mm. O corpo é dividido em três regiões: cabeça, tronco e cauda. A cabeça apresenta um par de olhos e a boca situada no vestíbulo ventral, a qual é circundada por uma coroa de espinhos fortes e por uma ou duas fileiras de dentes. O tronco possui um ou dois pares de nadadeiras laterais e a cauda uma nadadeira na extremidade posterior. São hermafroditas protândricos sendo em geral a fecundação cruzada, interna, e o desenvolvimento direto. São predadores que se alimentam de uma grande variedade de organismos. O canibalismo também é observado no grupo. Os quetógnatos desempenham papel fundamental na teia trófica marinha, como carnívoros primários e item alimentar de organismos planctófagos especialmente peixes de interesse comercial. São considerados bons indicadores de áreas de pesca, potencialmente importantes, grandes produtores de matéria orgânica particulada e peça chave no fluxo do carbono nos oceanos. Mais recentemente, foram reconhecidos como hospedeiros intermediários no ciclo de vida de vários grupos de parasitas marinhos. Os quetógnatos são encontrados em todos os mares, oceanos e regiões estuarinas, sendo mais abundantes entre os 100 e 200 m de profundidade. Com exceção dos componentes da famíl...