Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Nov 9;197(12):1317. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14710-2.
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the geochronology, distribution, and environmental fate of chemical stressors in a tropical estuarine ecosystem using sediment core analysis. Sediment cores were sampled from two distinct locations in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil, separated by approximately 12 km. The cores revealed differential contamination profiles over time (1990-2016), with low levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), but slight higher concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exhibited the highest concentrations among the analyzed compounds, with signatures indicating both pyrolytic sources and degraded petrogenic inputs, particularly during the mid-2000s, coinciding with regional industrial expansion. The core located in the coastal area, displayed higher continental inputs, while the core situated in the bay center, reflected average estuarine contamination levels. Fuzzy K-means statistical analysis highlighted distinct contamination processes for each core during overlapping periods, underscoring the complexity of pollutant behavior in tropical coastal systems influenced by multiple drainage basins. These findings emphasize the need for spatially comprehensive sampling strategies to accurately assess environmental risks in complex estuarine ecosystems. The study provides critical insights into the behavior and fate of anthropogenic pollutants in marine and estuarine environments, supporting the development of effective monitoring programs and pollution management strategies in tropical regions impacted by industrial and urban pressures.
PMID:41206388 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14710-2
