Abstract:

Mangroves are dynamic environments under constant influence of anthropic contaminants. The correlation between environmental contamination levels and possible changes in the morphology of plants, evaluated by multivariate statistics helps to highlight matching between these variables. This study aimed to evaluate the uptake and translocation of metals and metalloids in roots and leaves as well as the changes induced in both anatomy and histochemistry of roots of Laguncularia racemosa inhabiting two estuaries of Espírito Santo (Brazil) with different pollution degrees. The analysis of 14 elements in interstitial water, sediments and plants followed by multivariate statistics, allowed the differentiation of studied sites, showing good match between levels of elements in the environment with the corresponding in plants. L. racemosa showed variations in their root anatomy in different collection areas, with highest values of cortex/vascular cylinder ratio, periderm thickness and air gap area in Vitória Bay, the most polluted sampling area. These three parameters were also important to differentiate the mangrove areas by linear discriminant analysis. The development stage of aerenchyma in roots reflected the oxygen availability in the water, being found a negative correlation between these variables. The combined use of chemical and biological analyses responded quite well to different pollution scenarios, matching morphological responses to physical and chemical parameters, measured at different partitions within the estuary. Thus, L. racemosa can be confirmed as a reliable sentinel plant for biomonitoring of estuaries impacted by anthropic pollution.

Author affiliation: da Souza, Lara. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Author affiliation: Marques Bonomo, Marina. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Morozesk, Mariana. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Dorsch Rocha, Livia. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Drumond Duarte, Ian. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Furlan, Larissa Maria. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Pereira Arrivabene, Hiulana. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Monferran, Magdalena Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina

Author affiliation: Matsumoto, Silvia Tamie. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Dias Milanez, Camila Rozindo. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina

Author affiliation: Narciso Fernandes, Marisa. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Abstract:

Espírito Santo estuaries (Brazil) are impacted by industrial activities, resulting in contamination of water and sediments. This raise questions on biological uptake, storage and consequences of metal contamination to mangrove plants. The goal of this work was evaluating accumulation and translocation of metals from sediment to roots and leaves of Avicennia schaueriana, growing in areas with different degrees of contamination, correlating bioaccumulation with changes in its root anatomy. Highest bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were observed in plants growing in less polluted areas. Conversely, highest translocation factors were found in plants from highest polluted area, evidencing an adaptive response of A. schaueriana to less favourable conditions. Namely, the absorption of metals by roots is diminished when facing highest levels of metals in the environment; alternatively, plants seem to enhance the translocation to diminish the concentration of toxic metals in roots. Root also responded to highly polluted scenarios with modifications of its anatomy.

Author affiliation: Souza, Iara da C.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Author affiliation: Rocha, Lívia D.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Morozesk, Mariana. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Author affiliation: Bonomo, Marina M.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Author affiliation: Arrivabene, Hiulana P.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Duarte, Ian D.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Furlan, Larissa M.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Monferran, Magdalena Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina

Author affiliation: Mazik, Krysia. University of Hull; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Elliott, Michael. University of Hull; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Matsumoto, Silvia T.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Milanez, Camilla R.D.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fernandes, Marisa N.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Abstract:

Background and aims The Bragança Peninsula, in northern Brazil is characterized by macrotides (4 m) and specific edaphic conditions, which determine the local mangrove forest’s development. This study, conducted during the dry season evaluated the spatial patterns of Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans species across an inundation gradient. Methods Along a transect of 700 m, measurements of structure forest, soil moisture, porewater salinity, extractable phosphorus (extr.-P) in sediments, and phosphorus in the leaves (leaf-P) were conducted. Result The A. germinans (100 %) occurred in high intertidal (HI) zone. A. germinans (59 %) and R. mangle (41 %) co-occurred in mid intertidal (MI) zone, while R. mangle (58 %) predominated in low intertidal (LI) zone, followed by A. germinans (37 %) and Laguncularia racemosa (5 %). Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) indicated that salinity and soil moisture means are significantly different between the mangrove forests, but do not correlate with inundation frequency (IF). The means of extr.-P were significantly different in mangrove forests and correlated with IF and leaf-P. Conclusion The inundation frequency, the availability of P in the sediments, phosphorus in the leaves and interstitial salinity are all important factors contributing to the distribution of the mangrove tree species A. germinans and R. mangle on the Bragança Peninsula.

Author affiliation: Cruz, Cleise Cordeiro Da. Federal University of Pará. Institute of Geosciences; Brasil

Author affiliation: Mendoza, Ursula Neira. Fluminense Federal University. Department of Environmental Geochemistry; Brasil. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Departamento de Geoquímica Ambiental; Brasil

Author affiliation: Queiroz, Joaquim Barbosa. Federal University of Pará. Institute for Statistics and Mathematics; Brasil

Author affiliation: Berrêdo, José Francisco. Goeldi Museum. Department of Earth Sciences and Ecology; Brasil

Author affiliation: Costa Neto, Salustiano Vilar Da . Amapá State Institute for Scientific and Technological Research; Brasil

Author affiliation: Lara, Ruben Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Zentrum für Marine Tropenökologie; Alemania

Abstract:

Aims and methods We examined porewater salinity, soil redox potential (Eh), soil extractable phosphate (extr.-P), leaf phosphorus (leaf-P) and plant growth in relation to inundation frequency (IF) and mangrove species distributions along a 600 m transect in the Bragança Peninsula, North Brazil. Results The forest species composition changed across the tidal zone with Avicennia germinans dominating (99.1%) the high intertidal (HI) zone where the IF was 41–67 d.y−1 , Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa and A. germinans co-occured in the mid intertidal (MI), and a mixed R. mangle (47.1%) - A, germinans (41.2%) stand occupied the low intertidal (LI) zone with an IF of 124–162 d.y−1 . Low IF resulted in high Eh levels (200 mV) in the HI zone relative to the LI where Eh ranged from 0–100 mV. The IF showed a significant positive correlation with extr.-P (r=0,89; p=0.05) and a negative association with Eh (r=−0,75; p=0.05). Conclusion An ANCOVA confirmed that Eh and extr.P were influenced by flooding. Variations in these factors were reflected in patterns of P leaf tissue concentrations across the gradient; however, a MANCOVA showed that leaf-P was not related to tree height, tree volume or basal area. Waterlogging conditions, porewater salinity, and P dynamics in the sediment appear to influence the forest structure. We suggest that P availability plays an important role in controling mangrove species distributions but not their growth.

Author affiliation: Mendoza, Ursula N.. Zentrum für Marine Tropenökologie; Alemania

Author affiliation: Cruz, Cleise Cordeiro da. Universidade Federal Do Pará; Brasil

Author affiliation: Menezes, Moirah. Universidade Federal Do Pará; Brasil

Author affiliation: Lara, Ruben Jose. Zentrum für Marine Tropenökologie; Alemania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

Anthropogenic activities including metal contamination create well-known problems in coastal mangrove ecosystems but understanding and linking specific pollution sources to distinct trophic levels within these environments is challenging. This study evaluated anthropogenic impacts on two contrasting mangrove food webs, by using stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, 87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb) measured in sediments, mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia schaueriana), plankton, shrimps (Macrobranchium sp.), crabs (Aratus sp.), oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) and fish (Centropomus parallelus) from both areas. Strontium and Pb isotopes were also analysed in water and atmospheric particulate matter (PM). δ15N indicated that crab, shrimp and oyster are at intermediate levels within the local food web and fish, in this case C. parallelus, was confirmed at the highest trophic level. δ15N also indicates different anthropogenic pressures between both estuaries; Vitória Bay, close to intensive human activities, showed higher δ15N across the food web, apparently influenced by sewage. The ratio87Sr/86Sr showed the primary influence of marine water throughout the entire food web. Pb isotope ratios suggest that PM is primarily influenced by metallurgical activities, with some secondary influence on mangrove plants and crabs sampled in the area adjacent to the smelting works. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the effect of anthropogenic pollution (probable sewage pollution) on the isotopic fingerprint of estuarine-mangrove systems located close to a city compared to less impacted estuarine mangroves. The influence of industrial metallurgical activity detected using Pb isotopic analysis of PM and mangrove plants close to such an impacted area is also notable and illustrates the value of isotopic analysis in tracing the impact and species affected by atmospheric pollution.

Author affiliation: Souza, Iara da C.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Author affiliation: Arrivabene, Hiulana P.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil

Author affiliation: Craig, Carol-Ann. James Hutton Institute; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Midwood, Andrew J.. James Hutton Institute; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Thornton, Barry. James Hutton Institute; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Matsumoto, Silvia T.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; Brasil

Author affiliation: Elliott, Michael. University of Hull; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina

Author affiliation: Monferran, Magdalena Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fernandes, Marisa N.. Universidade Federal do São Carlos; Brasil

Abstract:

This study evaluated the decomposition process of leaf litter from the main Brazilian mangrove species Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle. Senescent leaves were collected, dried and placed in nylon bags with different mesh sizes (fine: 2 × 2 mm and coarse: 8 × 8 mm). The bags were distributed over the sediment, and replicates of each species and mesh size were collected periodically over 4 months. In the laboratory, the dry weight of the samples was measured, and the decomposition coefficient (k) for each species and mesh size was obtained over time. All species showed a rapid decomposition rate at the beginning of the experiment, followed by a slower but steady rate of decomposition over time. The rate of leaf litter decomposition was highest in A. schaueriana, intermediate in L. racemosa and lowest in R. mangle. The difference was mainly linked to the activity and abundance of detritivores, together with the different litter quality of the species, which determined their palatability and probably influenced the decomposition process.

Author affiliation: Lima, René G.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil

Author affiliation: Delevati Colpo, Karine. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción y Crecimiento de Crustaceos Decapodos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

The Bengal delta coast harboring the famous Sundarban mangroves is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Already, salinity intrusion, increasing cyclones and anomalies in rainfall, and temperature, are causing many social and livelihood problems. However, our knowledge on the diversified climate change impacts on Sundarban ecosystems services, providing immense benefits, including foods, shelters, livelihood, and health amenities, is very limited. Therefore, this article has systematically reviewed the major functional aspects, and highlights on biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and services of the Sunderban mangroves, with respect to variations in climatic factors. The mangrove ecosystems are highly productive in terms of forest biomass, and nutrient contribution, especially through detritus-based food webs, to support rich biodiversity in the wetlands and adjacent estuaries. Sundarban mangroves also play vital role in atmospheric CO2 sequestration, sediment trapping and nutrient recycling. Sea level rise will engulf a huge portion of the mangroves, while the associated salinity increase is posing immense threats to biodiversity and economic losses. Climate-mediated changes in riverine discharge, tides, temperature, rainfall and evaporation will determine the wetland nutrient variations, influencing the physiological and ecological processes, thus biodiversity and productivity of Sundarban mangroves. Hydrological changes in wetland ecosystems through increased salinity and cyclones will lower the food security, and also induce human vulnerabilities to waterborne diseases. Scientific investigations producing high resolution data to identify Sundarban‟s multidimensional vulnerabilities to various climatic regimes are essential. Sustainable plans and actions are required integrating conservation and climate change adaptation strategies, including promotion of alternative livelihoods. Thus, interdisciplinary approaches are required to address the future climatic disasters, and better protection of invaluable ecosystem services of the Sunderban mangroves.

Author affiliation: Neogi, Sucharit Basu. Coastal Development Partnership; Bangladesh. Osaka Prefecture University; Japón. Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology GmbH; Alemania

Author affiliation: Dey, Mouri. University of Chittagong; Bangladesh

Author affiliation: Lutful Kabir, S. M.. Bangladesh Agricultural University; Bangladesh

Author affiliation: Masum, Syed Jahangir H.. Coastal Development Partnership; Bangladesh

Author affiliation: Kopprio, Germán Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology GmbH; Alemania

Author affiliation: Yamasaki, Shinji. Osaka Prefecture University; Japón

Author affiliation: Lara, Ruben Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina

Abstract:

Mangrove species are adapted to grow at specific zones in a tidal gradient. Here we tested the hypothesis that the archaeal and bacterial ammonia-oxidizing microbial communities differ in soils dominated by the mangrove species Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle. Two of the sampling locations were tidal locations, while the other location was impounded. Differences in the community compositions of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of amoA genes and by MiSeq 16S rRNA gene-sequencing. The abundances of AOA and AOB were established by quantitative PCR of amoA genes. In addition, we analyzed the total microbial community composition based on 16S rRNA genes and explored the influence of soil physicochemical properties underneath Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle on microbial communities. AOA were always more abundant than AOB, but the effect of mangrove species on total numbers of ammonia oxidizers was location-specific. The microbial communities including the ammonia oxidizers in soils associated with A. germinans and R. mangle differed only at the tidal locations. In conclusion, potential site-specific effects of mangrove species on soil microbial communities including those of the AOA and AOB are apparently overruled by the absence or presence of tide.

Author affiliation: Marcos, Magalí Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina. Netherlands Institute of Ecology; Países Bajos

Author affiliation: Barboza, Anthony D.. Universidade Federal do Pampa; Brasil. Netherlands Institute of Ecology; Países Bajos

Author affiliation: Keijzer, Rosalinde M.. Netherlands Institute of Ecology; Países Bajos

Author affiliation: Laanbroek, Hendrikus J.. Utrecht University; Países Bajos. Netherlands Institute of Ecology; Países Bajos

Abstract:

Mangroves are the dominant type of vegetation along many tropical coasts. Organic matter (OM) derived from mangrove leaf litter and root material is stored in sediments and is a major contributor to the amount and chemical composition of sedimentary OM. A set of organic biomarkers in sediments was applied as a palaeo-indicator for the Holocene dynamics of a mangrove Estuary (Rio Caeté, Pará, Brazil). Six sediment cores were collected perpendicular to the present coast line and analysed for triterpenols and sitosterol. The influence of microbial biomarker degradation was implemented from a previous study. Biomarker profiles were validated with pollen data and multivariate statistics to test whether these compounds were suitable indicators for the palaeo-vegetation. Sediments deposited up to 2 Ma BP showed biomarker assemblages similar to those of recent surface sediment. In two cores, the biomarker composition revealed a transition from marsh to mangrove vegetation. Taraxerol, germanicol and b-amyrin provided the most significant chemotaxonomical information and, especially in combination, served as reliable proxies for OM from Rhizophora mangle in northern Brazil. The maximum age of the mangrove system ranged between 1000 and 5100 yr depending on the topographic elevation of the drilling location.

Author affiliation: Koch, Boris Peter. Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research; Alemania. University of Applied Sciences; Alemania

Author affiliation: Souza Filho, Pedro. Federal University of Pará; Brasil

Author affiliation: Behling, Hermann. University of Göttingen; Alemania

Author affiliation: Cohen, Marcelo C. L.. University of Pará; Brasil

Author affiliation: Kattner, Gerhard. Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research; Alemania

Author affiliation: Rullkötter, Jürgen. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg; Alemania

Author affiliation: Scholz Böttcher, Barbara. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg; Alemania

Author affiliation: Lara, Ruben Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Center for Tropical Marine Ecology; Alemania