Considerations on the effects of tidal regimes in the movement of floating litter in an estuarine environment: Case study of the estuarine system of Santos-São Vicente, Brazil.
Floating litter in the estuarine system of Santos-São Vicente is common and is part of day-to-day activities of various users of the area. The objective of the present study was to carry out a quali-quantitative evaluation of the occurrence of floating litter, to infer their sources, and to identify environmental factors that are likely to control occurrence and distribution, with particular emphasis on the effects of tidal regimes. Six sampling stations were selected along the aforementioned estuary and visited monthly between July 2010 and January 2012. Floating litter was counted from a fixed sampling station. Plastics prevailed (89.64%) and their main source was domestic activities (55.41%). More litter was found during ebb spring tides, with higher concentrations obeying confluence patterns of the estuary's channels. Results indicated that occurrence can be attributed to the deficiency in basic sewage system in the area and the deliberate disposal into the estuary by the local population.
Postgraduate Program in Geology, Núcleo de Estudos Hidrogeológicos e do Meio Ambiente - NEHMA, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. Electronic address: gerson.fernandino@yahoo.com.br.
Gerson
G
Fernandino
Postgraduate Program in Geology, Núcleo de Estudos Hidrogeológicos e do Meio Ambiente - NEHMA, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
Carla Isobel
CI
Elliff
Geography Undergraduate, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
Gabriela Amado
GA
Frutuoso
Geography Undergraduate, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
Eric Vinícius Nascimento Malaquias da
EVNMD
Silva
Geography Undergraduate, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
Guilherme Santiago
GS
Gama
Geography Undergraduate, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
João Henrique de Oliveira
JHO
Sousa
Postgraduate Program in Geology, Núcleo de Estudos Hidrogeológicos e do Meio Ambiente - NEHMA, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
Iracema Reimão
IR
Silva
D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D063366:Estuaries; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D055871:Tidal Waves; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D010969:Plastics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Estuary; Floating litter; Port of Santos; Visual census