The implementation of a regional biomonitoring program in northeast Brazil

Authors

  • T. Watanabe Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
  • R.A. Coler Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58051-900 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
  • R.J. Paz Programa Regional de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Caixa Postal 5063, 58051-970 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

Keywords:

Bioassay, Toxicity, Water quality, Indicator organisms, Pesticide pollution, Watershed management

Abstract

A methodology to inventory water quality in northeast Brazil through biomonitoring is described. Essentially the methodology is based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency protocol supplemented by benthic macroinvertebrate diversity data. To date six test species have been selected to represent the overall aquatic biota response to different pollutants: the snail (Pomacea linetata), fish (Molienesia sp.), prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum), zooplankton (Daphnia similis), macrophytes (Lemna sp.) and periphytic algae (Selenastrum capricornutum). These organisms will be exposed to test waters and evaluated with regard to acute toxicity (survival) and chronic toxicity (photosynthesis, respiration, excretion, growth and reproduction).

An extensive training program has been set-up. Regional governmental laboratories and staff will be equipped with the capacity to conduct bioassays routinely. Training and research activities are housed in the Environmental Management laboratories at the Federal Technical School of Paraíba, as well as at the Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I, Systematic and Ecology Department.

References

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Eaton, A.D., Clesceri, L.S. and Greenberg, A.E., eds. 1995. Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wasterwater 19, Washington: APHA, AWWA, WEF.

Macek, K.J. 1984. “Effluent evaluation”. In Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology: Methods and Applications, Edited by: Rand, G.M. and Petrucelli, S.R. 636–636. New York: Hemisphere. In

Molle, F. 1991. Caracteristiques et potencialités des “aÇudes” du Nordeste Brasilien, Montpellier, , France: University of Montpellier II. PhD Thesis

Pratt, J.M., Coler, R.A. and Godfrey, P. 1981. Ecological effects of urban stormwater on benthic macroinvertebrates inhabiting the Green River, Massachusetts. Hydrobiologia, 83: 29–42.

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Published

1999-01-01

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (1999): Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management

Section

Research article

License

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