Sedimentary sterols as indicators of environmental conditions in Southeastern Guanabara Bay, Brazil

Santos, Elisamara Sabadini; Carreira, Renato da Silva; Knoppers, Bastiaan Adrian

Abstracts

The interconnected Icaraí and Jurujuba embayments, set within the lower south-eastern portion of Guanabara Bay, SE-Brazil, have been subject to the direct input of domestic effluents and other associated contaminants from human activities in their watersheds. This study addresses the composition of carbon, nitrogen and molecular steroid markers of surface sediments (n = 24) and a short core (L = 47 cm), in order to evaluate the impact by sewage, the contribution between allochthonous and autochthonous derived organic matter and eutrophication of the embayments. Coprostanol concentrations revealed, when compared to other regions in Guanabara Bay, high contamination by sewage close to the point of sewage discharge in Icaraí embayment. In contrast, the more enclosed and eutrophic Jurujuba embayment exhibited a larger contribution of autochthonous organic matter, as shown by the combination of cholesterol, dinosterol and, partially, also brassicasterol. The presence of stigmasterol and b-sitosterol also indicated a minor contribution of organic matter from terrestrial plants, as revealed by principal component analysis. The sedimentary record of the Jurujuba embayment exhibited highest concentrations of all sterol markers in the top layer, corroborating the recent increase in the accumulation of sewage, plankton derived organic carbon and also eutrophication. Trend in degradation of organic matter was evidenced by sterol/stanol ratios and the behavior of dinosterol indicated that the embayment has been dominated by the accumulation of phytoplankton derived organic matter since earlier times.

Organic matter; Sterols; Sediments; Sewage; Eutrophication; Tropical estuary; Guanabara Bay; Brazil

As enseadas de Icaraí e Jurujuba, localizadas na porção sudoeste da Baía de Guanabara, são sujeitas a impactos ambientais decorrentes da ocupação humana nas suas bacias de drenagem. No presente trabalho foi determinada a composição elementar (C e N) e molecular (esteróides) da matéria orgânica em amostras de sedimentos superficiais (n = 24) e de um testemunho curto (c = 47 cm) nas enseadas. As concentrações de coprostanol, em comparação com outras áreas da Baía de Guanabara, indicaram elevado nível de contaminação por esgotos nas estações mais próximas ao ponto de lançamento de efluentes, na Enseada de Icaraí. A Enseada de Jurujuba, mais enclausurada e eutrófica, apresentou uma maior contribuição de matéria orgânica autóctone, conforme evidenciado pelos marcadores colesterol, dinosterol, e parcialmente, também , brassicasterol. A presença de estigmasterol e b-sitosterol indicaram leve contribuição de matéria orgânica oriunda de vegetação terrestre, conforme revelou a análise por componentes principais. No registro sedimentar, foram observados maiores teores de matéria orgânica e esteróis na camada superior, corroborando a acumulação recente de esgotos e de matéria orgânica fitoplanctônica, como conseqüência do processo de eutrofização do sistema. A presença de processos de degradação da matéria orgânica foi evidenciada pelas razões entre esteróis/estanóis, e o perfil do dinosterol indicou que na Enseada predomina o acúmulo de material fitoplanctônico anteriormente ao processo de eutrofização.

Matéria orgânica; Esteróis; Sedimentos; Esgoto; Eutrofização; Estuário tropical; Baía de Guanabara; Brasil

BAPTISTA-NETO, J. A., SMITH, B.J. ; MCALLISTER, J. J. Sedimentological evidence of human impact on a neashore environment: jurujuba sound, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Appl Geochem, v. 19, p. 155-177, 1999.
BAPTISTA-NETO, J.A.; SMITH, B. J.; MCALLISTER, J. J. 2000. Heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments in a neashore environment, Jurujuba Sound, southeast Brazil. Environ Pollut, v. 109, p. 1-9, 1999.
BARTLETT, P.D. Degradation of coprostanol in an experimental system. Mar. Pollut. Bull., v. 18, n. 1, p. 27-29, 1987.
BUDZINSKI, H., LETELLIER, M., GARRIGUES, P.; LE MENACH, K. J. Microwave-assisted extraction in open cell of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soils sediments study of moisture effect. J. Chromatog, v. 837, p. 187-200, 1999.
CANUEL, E. A. Relations between river flow, primary production and fatty acid composition of particulate organic matter in San Francisco and Chesapeake Bays: a multivariate approach. Org. Geochem, v. 32, p. 563-583, 2001.
CARREIRA, R. S.; WAGENER, A. L. R.; FILEMAN, T.; READMAN, J.; MACKO, S.A.; VEIGA, A. Changes in sedimentary organic carbon pool of a fertilized tropical estuary, Guanabara Bay, Brazil: an elemental, isotopic and molecular marker approach. Mar Chem, v.79, n. 3-4, p. 207-227, 2002.
CARREIRA, R. S.; WAGENER, A. L. R.; READMAN, J. W. Sterols as markers of sewage contamination in a tropical urban estuary (Guanabara Bay, Brazil): space-time variations. Estuar. coast Shelf Sci, v. n. 60, n. 4, p. 587-598, 2004.
CHALAUX, N.; TAKADA, H.; BAYONA, J. M. Molecular markers in Tokyo Bay sediments: sources and distribution. Mar. environ. Res, v. 40, n. 1, p. 77-92, 2002.
COUNTWAY, R.E.; CANUEL, E.A.; DICKHUT, R.M. Sources of particulate organic matter in surface waters of the York River, VA estuary. Organ. Geochem, v. 38, p. 365-379, 2002.
EGANHOUSE, R.P.;SHERBLOM, P.M. Anthropogenic organic contaminants in the effluent of a combined sewer overflow: impact on Boston Harbor. Mar. environ. Res, v. 51, p. 51-74, 2001.
FATTORE, E.; BENFENATI, E.; MARELLI, R.; COOLS, E. ;FANELLI, R. sterols in sediment samples from Venice Lagoon, Italy. Chemosphere,v. 33, n. 12, p. 2383-2393, 1996.
FERNANDES, M. B.; SICRE, M.-A.; CARDOSO, J. N.; MACEDO, S. J. sedimentary 4-desmethyl sterols and n-alkanols in an eutrophic urban estuary, Capiberibe River, Brazil. Science total Environment, v. 231, p. 1-16, 1999.
GOÑI, M. A.; TEIXEIRA, M. J.; PERKEY, D. W. Sources and distribution of organic matter in a river-dominated estuary (Winyah Bay, SC, USA). Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci., v. 57, n.5-6, p. 1023-1048, 2003.
GRIMALT, J. O., FERNANDEZ, P., BAYONA, J.M. ALBAIGES, J. Assessment of fecal sterols and ketones as indicators of urban sewage inputs to coastal waters. Environ. Sci. Technol, v. 24, p. 357-363, 1990.
HEDGES, J. I. Global biogeochemical cycles: progress and problems. Mar. Chem,v. 39, p.67- 93, 1992.
HOBBIE, J.E. (Ed.). Estuarine practice - a synthetic approach to research and practice. Covelo: Island Press, 2000. 245 p.
ISOBE, K. O.; TARAO, M.; CHIEM, N.H.; MIN, L.Y.; TAKADA, H. Effect of environmental factors on the relationship between concentrations of coprostanol and fecal indicator bacteria in tropical (Mekong Delta) and temperate (Tokyo) freshwaters. Appl. environ. Microbiol, v. 70, n. 2, p. 814-821, 2004.
ISOBE, K. O.; TARAO, M.; ZAKARIA, M. P., CHIEM, N.; MINH, L.Y.; TAKADA, H. Quantitative application of fecal sterols using gas-chromatography - mass spectrometry to investigate fecal pollution in tropical waters: western Malaysia and Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Environ. Sci. Technol., v. 36, p. 4497-4507, 2002.
JAFFÉ, R.;GARDINALI, P. R.; CAI, Y.; SUDBURRY, A.; FERNANDEZ, A.; HAY, B.J. organic compounds and trace metals of anthropogenic origin in sediments from montego bay, jamaica: assessment of sources and distribution pathways. Environ. Pollut., v.123, n.2, p. 291-299, 2003.
JAFFÉ, R., MEAD, R., HERNANDEZ, M .E., PERALBA, M. C. ; DIGUIDA, O. A. Origin and transport of sedimentary organic matter in two subtropical estuaries: a comparative, biomarker-related study. Org. geochem, v. 32, p. 507-526, 2001.
JENG, W.-L.; HAN, B.C. 1996. Coprostanol in a sediment core from the anoxic Tan-Shui estuary,Taiwan. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci, v. 42, p. 727-735, 1996.
JENG, W.-L., WANG, J. AND HAN, B.-Coprostanol distribution in marine sediments off southwestern Taiwan. Environ. Pollut, v.94, n. 1, p. 47-52, 1996.
KNOPPERS, B., CARMOUZE, J. P.; MOREIRA-TURCQ, P. F. Nutrient dynamics, metabolism and eutrophication of lagoons along the east fluminense coast, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In: KNOPPERS, E. D.; BIDONE AND J.J. ABRÃO (Ed.). Environemtal geochemistry of coastal lagoons systems of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Niteroi: UFF/ Programa de Geoquímica Ambiental, 1999. p. 123-154.
LAUREILLARD, J. ;SALIOT, A. Biomarkers in organic matter produced in estuaries: a case study of the Krka estuary (Adriatic Sea) using the sterol marker series. Mar. Chem, v. 43, p: 247-261, 1993.
LEEMING, R., BALL, A., ASHBOLT, N.; NICHOLS, P.C Using faecal sterols from humans and animals to distinguish faecal pollution in receiving waters. Wat. Res, v.30, n. 12, p. 2893-2900, 1996.
LEEMING, R. ; NICHOLS, P. D. Concentrations of coprostanol that correspond to existing bacterial indicator guideline limits. Wat. Res, v. 30, n. 12, p. 2997-3006, , 1996.
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MANNINO, A. ; HARVEY, H. R. Lipid composition in particulate and dissolved organic matter in the Delaware Estuary: sources and diagenetic patterns.Geochem.Cosmochim. Acta, v. 63, n. 15, p. 2219-2235, 1999.
MARTINS, C.C., FILLMANN, G. ; MONTONE, R.C. Natural and anthropogenic sterols inputs in surface sediments of Patos Lagoon, Brazil. J. Braz. Chem. Soc., v.18, n.1, p. 106-115, 2007.
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Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
23 June 2008
Date of issue
June 2008

History

Accepted
29 Nov 2007
Reviewed
13 Nov 2007
Received
17 May 2007

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[1] BAPTISTA-NETO, J. A., SMITH, B.J. ; MCALLISTER, J. J. Sedimentological evidence of human impact on a neashore environment: jurujuba sound, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Appl Geochem, v. 19, p. 155-177, 1999.

[2] BAPTISTA-NETO, J.A.; SMITH, B. J.; MCALLISTER, J. J. 2000. Heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments in a neashore environment, Jurujuba Sound, southeast Brazil. Environ Pollut, v. 109, p. 1-9, 1999.

[3] BARTLETT, P.D. Degradation of coprostanol in an experimental system. Mar. Pollut. Bull., v. 18, n. 1, p. 27-29, 1987.

[4] BUDZINSKI, H., LETELLIER, M., GARRIGUES, P.; LE MENACH, K. J. Microwave-assisted extraction in open cell of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soils sediments study of moisture effect. J. Chromatog, v. 837, p. 187-200, 1999.

[5] CANUEL, E. A. Relations between river flow, primary production and fatty acid composition of particulate organic matter in San Francisco and Chesapeake Bays: a multivariate approach. Org. Geochem, v. 32, p. 563-583, 2001.

[6] CARREIRA, R. S.; WAGENER, A. L. R.; FILEMAN, T.; READMAN, J.; MACKO, S.A.; VEIGA, A. Changes in sedimentary organic carbon pool of a fertilized tropical estuary, Guanabara Bay, Brazil: an elemental, isotopic and molecular marker approach. Mar Chem, v.79, n. 3-4, p. 207-227, 2002.

[7] CARREIRA, R. S.; WAGENER, A. L. R.; READMAN, J. W. Sterols as markers of sewage contamination in a tropical urban estuary (Guanabara Bay, Brazil): space-time variations. Estuar. coast Shelf Sci, v. n. 60, n. 4, p. 587-598, 2004.

[8] CHALAUX, N.; TAKADA, H.; BAYONA, J. M. Molecular markers in Tokyo Bay sediments: sources and distribution. Mar. environ. Res, v. 40, n. 1, p. 77-92, 2002.

[9] COUNTWAY, R.E.; CANUEL, E.A.; DICKHUT, R.M. Sources of particulate organic matter in surface waters of the York River, VA estuary. Organ. Geochem, v. 38, p. 365-379, 2002.

[10] EGANHOUSE, R.P.;SHERBLOM, P.M. Anthropogenic organic contaminants in the effluent of a combined sewer overflow: impact on Boston Harbor. Mar. environ. Res, v. 51, p. 51-74, 2001.

[11] FATTORE, E.; BENFENATI, E.; MARELLI, R.; COOLS, E. ;FANELLI, R. sterols in sediment samples from Venice Lagoon, Italy. Chemosphere,v. 33, n. 12, p. 2383-2393, 1996.

[12] FERNANDES, M. B.; SICRE, M.-A.; CARDOSO, J. N.; MACEDO, S. J. sedimentary 4-desmethyl sterols and n-alkanols in an eutrophic urban estuary, Capiberibe River, Brazil. Science total Environment, v. 231, p. 1-16, 1999.

[13] GOÑI, M. A.; TEIXEIRA, M. J.; PERKEY, D. W. Sources and distribution of organic matter in a river-dominated estuary (Winyah Bay, SC, USA). Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci., v. 57, n.5-6, p. 1023-1048, 2003.

[14] GRIMALT, J. O., FERNANDEZ, P., BAYONA, J.M. ALBAIGES, J. Assessment of fecal sterols and ketones as indicators of urban sewage inputs to coastal waters. Environ. Sci. Technol, v. 24, p. 357-363, 1990.

[15] HEDGES, J. I. Global biogeochemical cycles: progress and problems. Mar. Chem,v. 39, p.67- 93, 1992.

[16] HOBBIE, J.E. (Ed.). Estuarine practice - a synthetic approach to research and practice. Covelo: Island Press, 2000. 245 p.

[17] ISOBE, K. O.; TARAO, M.; CHIEM, N.H.; MIN, L.Y.; TAKADA, H. Effect of environmental factors on the relationship between concentrations of coprostanol and fecal indicator bacteria in tropical (Mekong Delta) and temperate (Tokyo) freshwaters. Appl. environ. Microbiol, v. 70, n. 2, p. 814-821, 2004.

[18] ISOBE, K. O.; TARAO, M.; ZAKARIA, M. P., CHIEM, N.; MINH, L.Y.; TAKADA, H. Quantitative application of fecal sterols using gas-chromatography - mass spectrometry to investigate fecal pollution in tropical waters: western Malaysia and Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Environ. Sci. Technol., v. 36, p. 4497-4507, 2002.

[19] JAFFÉ, R.;GARDINALI, P. R.; CAI, Y.; SUDBURRY, A.; FERNANDEZ, A.; HAY, B.J. organic compounds and trace metals of anthropogenic origin in sediments from montego bay, jamaica: assessment of sources and distribution pathways. Environ. Pollut., v.123, n.2, p. 291-299, 2003.

[20] JAFFÉ, R., MEAD, R., HERNANDEZ, M .E., PERALBA, M. C. ; DIGUIDA, O. A. Origin and transport of sedimentary organic matter in two subtropical estuaries: a comparative, biomarker-related study. Org. geochem, v. 32, p. 507-526, 2001.

[21] JENG, W.-L.; HAN, B.C. 1996. Coprostanol in a sediment core from the anoxic Tan-Shui estuary,Taiwan. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci, v. 42, p. 727-735, 1996.

[22] JENG, W.-L., WANG, J. AND HAN, B.-Coprostanol distribution in marine sediments off southwestern Taiwan. Environ. Pollut, v.94, n. 1, p. 47-52, 1996.

[23] KNOPPERS, B., CARMOUZE, J. P.; MOREIRA-TURCQ, P. F. Nutrient dynamics, metabolism and eutrophication of lagoons along the east fluminense coast, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In: KNOPPERS, E. D.; BIDONE AND J.J. ABRÃO (Ed.). Environemtal geochemistry of coastal lagoons systems of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Niteroi: UFF/ Programa de Geoquímica Ambiental, 1999. p. 123-154.

[24] LAUREILLARD, J. ;SALIOT, A. Biomarkers in organic matter produced in estuaries: a case study of the Krka estuary (Adriatic Sea) using the sterol marker series. Mar. Chem, v. 43, p: 247-261, 1993.

[25] LEEMING, R., BALL, A., ASHBOLT, N.; NICHOLS, P.C Using faecal sterols from humans and animals to distinguish faecal pollution in receiving waters. Wat. Res, v.30, n. 12, p. 2893-2900, 1996.

[26] LEEMING, R. ; NICHOLS, P. D. Concentrations of coprostanol that correspond to existing bacterial indicator guideline limits. Wat. Res, v. 30, n. 12, p. 2997-3006, , 1996.

[27] MACKENZIE, F. T.; VER, L.M.; SABINE , C., LANE M.; LERMAN, A. C, N, P, S global biogeochemical cycles and modeling of global change. In: WOLLAST, R.; MACKENZIE, F.;. CHOU, L. (Ed.). Interactions of C, N, P and S biogeochmical cycles and global change. Berlin; Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, 1993. p 2-61, 1993. (NATO ASI Series).

[28] MANNINO, A. ; HARVEY, H. R. Lipid composition in particulate and dissolved organic matter in the Delaware Estuary: sources and diagenetic patterns.Geochem.Cosmochim. Acta, v. 63, n. 15, p. 2219-2235, 1999.

[29] MARTINS, C.C., FILLMANN, G. ; MONTONE, R.C. Natural and anthropogenic sterols inputs in surface sediments of Patos Lagoon, Brazil. J. Braz. Chem. Soc., v.18, n.1, p. 106-115, 2007.

[30] McCALLEY, D.V.; COOKE, M.; NICKLESS, G. Effect of sewage treatment on faecal sterols. Wat.Res, v.15, p. 1019-1025, 1981.

[31] MEYERS, P. A. Organic geochemical proxies of paleoceanographic, paleolimnologic, and paleoclimatic processes. Org.geochem, v. 27, n.5/6, p. 213-250, 1997.

[32] MEYERS, P.A.; ISHIWATARI, R. The early diagenesis of organic matter in lacustrine sediments. In: ENGEL, M. H.; MACKO, S. A. (Ed.). Organic geochemistry. topics in geobiology New York: Plenum Press, 1983. p. 185-210.

[33] MUDGE, S. M.; LINTERN, D. Comparison of sterol biomarkers for sewage with other measures in Victoria Harbor, B.C. Canada. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci, v. 48:, p. 27-38, 1999.

[34] NETTO, A. D. P.; MOREIRA, J .C.; DIAS, A. E. X. O.; ARBILLA, G.; FERREIRA, L.F.V.; OLIVEIRA, A.S. ; BAREK, J. Avaliação da contaminação humana por hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA's) e seus derivados nitrados (NHPA's): uma revisão metodológica. Química nova, v. 23, n. 6, p. 765-773, 2000.

[35] NICHOLS, P. D.; LEEMING, R.; RAYNER, M. S.; LATHAM, V.; ASHBOLT, N.; TURNER, A. Comparison of abundance of the fecal sterol coprostanol and fecal bacterial groups in inner-shelf water and sediments near Sydney, Australia. J. Chromatog, v. 643, n. 1-2, p. 189-195, 1993.

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