Mariana Vellosa Capparelli, John Campbell McNamara, Giuliana Seraphim Araujo, Ana Carolina Feitosa Cruz, Denis Moledo Abessa

We compared sediment quality in estuaries at three locations along the coast of São Paulo State, Brazil, using geochemical analyses and whole sediment toxicity tests, performed during the southern winter and summer of 2013. Each locality is afforded a different degree of legal protection, and shows a distinct level of pollution: overall, Rio Diana (RD, most polluted, Permanent Protection Area) > Rio Itapanhaú (RI, intermediate contamination, Environmental Protection Area) > Rio Picinguaba (RP, pristine, State Park). Chronic sediment toxicity tests were performed by evaluating reproductive rates of the copepod Nitokra sp. RI sediments exhibited the highest metal concentrations and toxicity in both seasons. Metal concentrations for RD were low but toxic in summer. RP sediments were not contaminated, suggesting effective legal protection from pollution at this locality. RI and RD, although afforded mild legal protection, showed clear signs of environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for more effective pollution control.