Sediment quality assessment of Santos shoreline trough toxicity assays and characterization of macrobenthic community structure

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.2012364625634

Abstract

This study evaluated the toxicity of the sediment on 7 points located in front of drainage canals river on the beaches of Santos-
SP, together with the characterization of the community structure of benthic macrofauna. Were performed campaign
summer (February 2008) and the campaign winter (July 2008). The toxicity tests with sea-urchin Lytechinus variegatus
treatments were performed in elutriate and sediment-water interface, as ABNT NBR 15350/2006. The benthic macrofauna
wasidentified as Mollusca, Crustacea and Polychaeta, and it was calculated mean density (ind/0,026m²) and Polychaeta
dominance. In campaigns for summer and winter treatment sediment-water interface showed toxicity at all points, while
the treatment elutriate showed toxicity at points 6 and 7. Polychaeta dominance was negatively correlated (r = -0,56) with
granulometry and positively correlated with organic matter for the winter campaign, being some of these species indicators.
of polluted and anoxic environments