“…Subsequently, a continuous process of pollution of river waters began, from mineral extraction, industrial activities such as steel mills, pulp mills, sugar and alcohol plants, refrigerators, tanneries and domestic sewage, causing the loss of the quality of the water of the Doce river and its main tributaries [4]. From the second half of the 20 th century, several dams were built on the main rivers, mainly for the installation of hydroelectric plants, modifying the lotic systems and causing several impacts to the aquatic biota [4,5]. On November 5, 2015, the Fundão tailings dam (property of the Samarco Company, joint venture between BHP Billiton Brazil Ltd. and Vale S.A. Companies), located in Mariana, in the state of Minas Gerais burst, unloading approximately 60 million cubic meters of iron mining tailings over the Gualaxo River, flowing into the Doce River and affecting the entire length downstream, up to Espírito Santo state in the estuarine region in the municipality of Linhares [6,7].…”