A Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) é uma boa espécie indicadora da qualidade ambiental? Estudo de caso da Área de Proteção Ambiental do Rio Mamanguape PB.

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Areas (APA) has features that allow rural activities, conditioned by the rules presented in its definition. The diagnosis of emission of pollutants is essential where there are such activities. This study focuses on the APA Barra do Rio Mamanguape, one of the areas considered by the Ministry of Environment as priority for conservation in Brazil. In that APA concentrate the sewage of some cities in Paraíba, sugar cane plantations and shrimp farms whose production process generates chemical compounds, among these are heavy metals that when cars to water bodies can compromising environmental quality. To contribute to scientific and technical information about this topic in the APA study, this study aimed to quantify the overall levels of Cr, Pb and Ni on the guts of sediment and oysters. We analyzed 72 samples collected between Julys to December 2009, encompassing collection points to the line of the river adjacent reef. We evaluated the parameters pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature and levels of metals Cr, Pb and Ni. The metals analysis was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry and flame. From the results and taking into account the variables measured, it was found that there is presence of traces of various metals studied, but at concentrations within the limits established by Brazilian legislation in force. Environmental parameters were in accordance with the law, only dissolved oxygen that was not in compliance. Additional studies are needed to better evaluate the occurrence of heavy metals in the area, by other agencies and expanding the sample period.