Microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems has drawn attention not only because microplastics are likely to accumulate anywhere but also because they cause negative impacts both to aquatic biota and, indirectly, to public health, as a result of their presence. The understanding of the distribution and accumulation patterns of this “new contaminant” is fundamental for the calibration of environmental risk studies. However, research on its migration pattern and consequent distribution is still limited. The present study has focused on the peculiar physical characteristics of plastic microparticles and the response to environmental factors such as hydrodynamics and physical chemistry of water on the diffusion dynamics of these pollutant agents. Therefore, we examined information about the vertical abundance distribution, the composition, and the sizes of microplastics, along with the varied aquatic environments existing on Earth. This study provides valuable evidence for the accumulation trend of microplastics across the environment and the peculiar particle characteristics that dictate their distribution patterns. The present study concluded that detailed studies should be carried out in order to add information about the behavior of plastic microparticles in aquatic environments and thus subsidize the calibration of existing information, thus increasing its accuracy in understanding the diffusion patterns of these polluting agents.

Environmental pollution management combined with food safety represents two of the main challenges of the last decades. Soil and water contamination has historically threatened food safety. As ubiquitous pollutants, microplastics (MPs) have attracted increasing attention over the last few years. These particles can affect the balance of terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial ecosystems. Their negative impacts are intensified when they adsorb and carry toxic chemicals. They can circulate through organisms and accumulate in human beings via food and water. Physiological dysfunctions in all species continue to be reported, both in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This article considers how this might be affecting the global production of food. It reports the adverse effects induced by MPs in soils, their properties and organisms growing within and upon them, including livestock and the pollinating agents necessary for plant growth. A separate section discusses the effects of MPs on aquaculture, mentioning effects on wild species, as well as farmed fish. The growing concern of the food production sector with MPs mimics that of the world with global warming; the danger is real and requires urgent attention.

Port sites represent one of the most impacted coastal areas; this impact is due to intensive anthropogenic pressures. In addition to the port complex itself, associated activities, such as indiscriminate disposal of pollutants, including trace metals, affect the local ecosystem. Macroinvertebrate benthic communities are one of the most effective bioindicators of environmental health because of their importance as a primary food source for many fish, birds, and mammals, as well as their influence on sediment stability and geochemical composition. This article evaluates the benthic macrofauna in the Santos Estuarine System (SES), the location of the Santos Port Complex (SPC), linking trace metal levels to differences in microbenthic community structure and pollutant bioavailability. The distribution of Cd, Ni, and Pb was directly related to organic matter deposits, while Cu and Zn appeared to result from port activities. The SES contained a poor benthic macroinvertebrate community, resulting from the contaminated muddy sediments. A significant negative correlation was found between the macrobenthic diversity and concentrations of Cu in the soluble phase; this implied the pollution-induced degradation of the macrobenthos in SES.

Groundwater pollution is a current issue that may result in considerable negative effects on human health and the ecological balance. In the present study, the authors evaluated pollutants in groundwater in Maricá Municipality, located on the east side of Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil. The evaluated parameters were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, Eh, dissolved oxygen, chlorides, nitrates, dissolved organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, phosphates, and total and thermotolerant coliforms. Due to the large number of evaluated points, they were divided into zones according to the respective hydrographic basin. The local accelerated urbanization accompanying income from oil production has led to uncontrolled population growth and associated groundwater pollution. The results of the present study suggest that sewage pollution of Maricá groundwater is already a significant issue. The lack of investment in basic sanitation has led to an imbalance in the local groundwater reservoir. In certain locations of the municipality, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrient, and bacteria concentrations increase and spread in the aquifers because of domestic waste disposal. As aquifers are the main source of freshwater for the residents, contamination of them represents a potential threat to local public health.

The Santos Estuarine System (SES), located in southwest Brazil, presents strategic economic importance for the country due to the presence of the biggest Brazilian Port and for being one of the most industrialized areas. On the other hand, this environment is adversely impacted by industrial and dredging activities, which can cause environment pollutants enrichment and potential hazard compound bioavailability. In this context, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) were assessed in fifteen sampling stations distributed along the estuary. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations were analyzed in surface sediment samples and two bivalve species’ tissues (Crassostrea rhizophorae and Perna Perna). In addition, water column salinity, sediment organic matter, and grain size were analyzed to check their influence on the contaminant accumulation. Total PAH sediment concentrations ranged between N.D. and 1711.79 ng g-1 dry weight (d.w.). Bivalve hydrocarbon levels varied between 88.38 and 988.76 ng g-1 (d.w.). The calculated PAH ratios revealed that the PAH compounds found in the studied area has both petrogenic and pyrolytic origins. A comparison of the PAH concentrations found in this study with those listed in the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) indicated that adverse biological effects on the biota are eventually expected. Keywords: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon; Contamination; Industrial Activities. O Sistema Estuarino de Santos (SES), localizado no sudoeste do Brasil, apresenta importância econômica estratégica para o país devido à presença do maior porto brasileiro e por ser uma das áreas mais industrializadas. Por outro lado, este ambiente é prejudicado pelas atividades industriais e de dragagem, que podem causar o aumento de poluentes ambientais e a biodisponibilidade de compostos potencialmente perigosos. Neste contexto, os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) foram avaliados em quinze estações de amostragem distribuídas ao longo do estuário. As concentrações de HPA foram analisadas em amostras de sedimentos superficiais e em tecidos de duas espécies bivalves (Crassostrea rhizophorae e Perna perna). Além disso, analisou-se a salinidade da coluna d'água, a matéria orgânica dos sedimentos e o tamanho dos grãos para verificar sua influência sobre o acúmulo de contaminantes. As concentrações totais de sedimentos HPA variaram entre N.D. e 1711,79 ng g-1 de peso seco (p.s.). Os níveis de hidrocarboneto bivalve variaram entre 88,38 e 988,76 ng g-1 (p.s.). As taxas de HPA calculadas revelaram que os compostos de HPA encontrados na área estudada têm origem petrogênica e pirolítica. Uma comparação das concentrações de HPA encontradas neste estudo com aquelas listadas nas diretrizes de qualidade de sedimentos (SQGs) indicou que os efeitos biológicos adversos sobre a biota são eventualmente esperados. Palavras-chave: Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos; Contaminação; Atividades Iindustriais.

A área de influência do Porto do Mucuripe, Fortaleza (CE), é sítio de extensa atividade pesqueira artesanal, cujo valor socioeconômico demanda um diagnóstico no contexto da gestão da pesca regional. No intuito de fornecer subsídios à gestão socioambiental das atividades do porto, elaborou-se um diagnóstico do dia a dia da pesca artesanal. Para tanto, foi utilizada a metodologia de Diagnóstico Rápido Participativo (DRP) com pescadores artesanais distribuídos nas comunidades de Barra do Ceará, Goiabeiras, Arpoador, Porto da Marinha, Mucuripe, Praia Mansa e Serviluz. Os resultados evidenciam grande diversidade de embarcações, com destaque para os paquetes e as jangadas que são as mais comumente utilizadas na pesca artesanal. As artes de pesca mais utilizadas entre os pescadores artesanais são a linha e o anzol e a rede de emalhar, distribuída em toda a área onde a pesca é praticada. Em relação ao pescado, observou-se que uma diversidade de espécies é capturada pelas comunidades pesqueiras, que são comercializadas de diferentes maneiras de acordo com seu valor de mercado.