Different trophodynamics between two proximate estuaries with differing degrees of pollution

SOUZA, IARA DA C.; ARRIVABENE, HIULANA P.; AZEVEDO, VINICIUS C.; DUARTE, IAN D.; ROCHA, LIVIA D.; MATSUMOTO, SILVIA T.; FRANCO, ANITA; ELLIOTT, MICHAEL; WUNDERLIN, DANIEL A.; MONFERRÁN, MAGDALENA V.; FERNANDES, MARISA N.

THE SCIENCE OF TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

Elsevier B.V.

Año: 2021 vol. 770

0048-9697

angroves are complex ecosystems with widely varying abiotic factors such as salinity, pH, redox potential, substratum particle size, dissolved organic matter and xenobiotic concentrations, and a high biodiversity. This paper presents the trophodynamic pathways of accumulation and transfer of metals and metalloids (B, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Pb and Hg), in three trophic chains (plant-crab-fish, plankton-shrimp-fish and plankton-oyster) of similar food webs, corresponding to two mangrove estuaries (Santa Cruz and Vitória Bay, separated by 70 km) in the Espírito Santo State (Brazil). Although the trophic transfer patterns are affected by physical variables, metal and metalloids were found in all trophic levels. We observed similar trophodynamics between both estuaries with some elements, but unequal transfer patterns in other cases, thus questioning the effectiveness of 15N to determine the food chain when the aquatic biota is affected by anthropogenic contamin