title: Differences in the structure of copepod assemblages in four tropical estuaries: Importance of pollution and the estuary hydrodynamics.
abstract: We examined the relationship between pollution and structure of copepod assemblages in estuaries, using sampling standardization of salinity range to reduce the effects of "Estuarine Quality Paradox". Copepod assemblages were analyzed in four Southeast Brazilian estuaries with different water quality levels and different hydrodynamic characteristics. The pollution negatively impacted the descriptors of the assemblage structure. The distribution of structure of copepod assemblages also showed a main separation trend between the most polluted estuaries and those less polluted. Temperature was the main factor affecting the assemblage structuring in the four estuaries. This factor acted in synergism with the effects of pollution impact and physical characteristics of the estuaries on the structure of copepod assemblages, supporting the potential vulnerability of coastal environments due to nutrient enrichment associated with climate change. Our study demonstrated the importance of sampling standardization of the salinity range in estuaries for reliable analysis of pollution effects on biota.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia. Laboratório Integrado de Zooplâncton e Ictioplâncton, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Museu Nacional, Programa de pós-graduação em Zoologia. Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro 20940-040, Brazil. Electronic address: adriana.valente@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Adriana V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia. Laboratório Integrado de Zooplâncton e Ictioplâncton, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristina O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Zoologia. Laboratório Integrado de Zooplâncton e Ictioplâncton, Prédio do CCS, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sérgio L C
authors.initials: SLC
authors.lastname: Bonecker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D057231:Climate Change; D033342:Copepoda; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D054712:Salinity; D013696:Temperature; D014876:Water Pollution
keywords: Copepod assemblage; Estuarine pollution; Estuary hydrodynamics; Southeast Brazil; Water quality status