Newsletter - Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences

ISSUE 55

AABC - volume 94 Suppl. 2 2022

Everyone is aware of one of the worst environmental disasters that has affected the Brazilian coast recently: the 2019 oil spill. With many questions still unanswered, the researchers Jailson Bittencourt de Andrade and Ricardo Coutinho, both from the Department of Chemistry at the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), gathered a total of 17 papers for this special issue of the Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (AABC) which they edited. In what can be regarded a true multidisciplinary approach, the articles published here cover the following scientific fields: Geosciences (Geosci -7), Ecosystems (Ecosy - 5), Social Sciences (SocSci - 2), Chemical Sciences (ChSci - 1), Health Sciences (HeSci - 1), and Animal Science (AnSci - 1). I will not give any highlights, as they all are tremendously important in each discipline they address, as very well presented in the foreword by De Andrade and Coutinho.

Being an open access journal, all papers published in this issue can be accessed for free on the SciELO platform, as are all articles published by the AABC since 2000. Previous editions of the Newsletter are also available at theABC website - please sent them to your students and colleagues.

Alexander W. A. Kellner
Editor-in-Chief

CHEMICAL SCIENCES

1- Community-based assessment of marine resources contamination after a large-scale oil spill

CLÁUDIA HAMACHER, CÁSSIA O. FARIAS, MICHELLE P. ARAÚJO, JOÃO PEDRO M.P. PITTA,  CARLOS ALBERTO P. DOS SANTOS & MÁRIO LUIZ G. SOARES

This study aimed to assess fish quality at the Canavieiras Extractive Reserve (RESEX), Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, by determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in local biota following the 2019 oil spill. It was designed and carried out in a participatory manner, involving RESEX fishers, shellfish and crab gatherers, managers and university researchers. A total of 72 biota samples were analyzed, and the concentrations of Total PAHs ranged from 3.53 to 360.75 ng g^-1 (w.w.), with no suggestive level of human consumption risks. This initiative demonstrated the feasibility of participatory construction resulting in a study concerning important species to local communities.

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HEALTH SCIENCES

2- Oil in Northeast Brazil: mapping conflicts and impacts of largest disaster on the country’s coast

MARIANA OLÍVIA S. DOS SANTOS, CAROLINE P.S. SANTOS, MARIA JOSÉ C.F. ALVES, JOSÉ ERIVALDO GONÇALVES & IDÊ G.D. GURGEL

The 2019 crude oil spill on the Brazilian coast had important repercussions on the environment and on the living and health conditions of the coastal population, particularly artisanal fishermen, intensifying the vulnerability process, as well as causing situations of injustice and environmental conflicts with negative repercussions on the territories. This article analyzes the impacts on the environment and health of the population, applying the method proposed by the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice to characterize the spill, identifying socioeconomic, environmental and population’s health impacts, in order to be published on the Global Environmental Justice Map website.

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ECOSYSTEMS

3- A big data approach to identify the loss of coastal cultural ecosystem services caused by the 2019 Brazilian oil spill disaster

ANNA KAROLINE AZEVEDO, FELIPE A.S. VIEIRA, JHONATAN GUEDES-SANTOS, JOÃO ARTHUR GAIA, BARBARA R. PINHEIRO, CHIARA BRAGAGNOLO, RICARDO A. CORREIA, RICHARD J. LADLE & ANA C.M. MALHADO

The Northeast coast of Brazil was impacted by an oil spill in 2019 with negative effects on marine and coastal ecosystems, tourism, and food security. By using a big data approach, we analyzed digital images taken before and during the disaster and mapped the loss of cultural ecosystem services (CES). Results showed a decline in the number of: users posting photos of locations affected by oil spill and photos representing landscape and cultural appreciation. Our methodology provides a fast and automated way to assess CES and can be used to monitor the impacts of environmental disasters at large scales.

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4-Oil Spill Disaster in Southwest Atlantic Coast: an Evaluation of Short-Term Effects on Coral Reef Benthic Assemblages

RICARDO J. MIRANDA, TACIANA K.O. PINTO, ROSY V.R. LOPES, JANISSON W. SANTOS, CLÁUDIO L.S. SAMPAIO, ROBSON G. SANTOS, PEDRO H.C. PEREIRA, ANDREI T.C. CARDOSO, ANA C.M. MALHADO & RICHARD J. LADLE

In 2019 occurred the worst oil spill disaster ever recorded in Brazil when at least 5,000 tons were found along >3,000 km of coast. We reported oil stains contacting coral Siderastrea stellata, sponges, crustose coralline algae and macroalgae species in relevant coral reefs MPA Costa dos Corais. However, we did not detect coral healthy deterioration or benthic assemblage changes associated to oil spill indicating minimal acute effects. Future studies should investigate oil effects on biological aspects which can deteriorate over longer time frames. We recommend long-term coral reef monitoring to support a robust assessment and mitigation of chronic oil impacts.

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5- Assessing the actions of the Brazilian Federal Government to respond to the 2019 mysterious oil spill: a perpective of the national environmental agency

PHILIPE P. BARBEIRO & FERNANDA C.P. INOJOSA

On August 30, 2019,  an oil spill of unprecedented characteristics reached Brazil, eleven states in the upcoming months. The objective of this paper is to present a description of the incident scenario from the perspective of the Federal Environment Agency (Ibama). Management tools were added to help the standardization, speed, and consolidation of the information collected in the field. Considering the specificities and limitations imposed by this event, we conclude that the Federal management of the spill was adequate, although opportunities for improvement were identified.

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6- Public awareness and engagement in relation to the coastal oil spill in northeast Brazil

JOÃO A.G.R. ALMEIDA, JHONATAN GUEDES-SANTOS, FELIPE A.S. VIEIRA, ANNA K. AZEVEDO, CAROLINA N. SOUZA, BARBARA R. PINHEIRO, RICARDO A. CORREIA, ANA C.M. MALHADO & RICHARD J. LADLE

We used social media data to understand how the 2019 Brazilian oil spill affected social attitudes. Data was collected from Instagram between 2019 and 2020. First, the 5 most popular Brazilian hashtags related to the phenomenon were identified. Second, we obtained data from a total of 7,413 posts which were grouped into topics. Posts on all topics peaked in the third month of the disaster. Results illustrate the potential of using social media data for monitoring human engagement with environmental disasters. And suggest that environmental groups have a limited time to mobilize public support for remediation and restoration efforts.

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7- Marine fish and benthic biota before the 2019 oil spill: A baseline dataset for monitoring programs and impact assessments at Rio Grande Norte state, Northeastern Brazil

MARINA G. VIANA, MAURO S.P. LIMA,  ALINE S. MARTINEZ,   ALINA R.P.  BARBOZA, CLARA S. MELO,  JANAINA F. CALADO, GUIDO G. GRIMALDI, THAISA A. SOUZA, TATIANA S. LEITE & LIANA F. MENDES

We compiled fish and benthic species data from different habitats from the Rio Grande do Norte state before the 2019 oil spill and overlapped these with the areas affected by the oil spill. The evaluated habitats showed high diversity of fish (175 species) and benthic species (285 species). Nearly half of the fish (52%) and some benthic species (2%) are threatened, and 72,8% of fish and 7,9% of benthic species are of commercial interest. We discussed the potential impacts on local diversity  and proposed  monitoring programs based on our dataset that can contribute to managerial strategies towards environmental conservation.

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GEOSCIENCES

8- Dose conversion coefficients to marine biota due to natural radionuclides in an oil spill accident using Monte Carlo simulation

LAIANNE S. PROTÁSIO, JOSÉ M. LOPES, LUÍS FELIPE F. MENDONÇA, ADEMIR X. SILVA & CARLOS ALESSANDRE D. LENTINI

Many harmful effects arise after an oil spill accident. One of the harmful effects is the dose rate in the biota due to the radiation from the oil, since the crude oil is rich in natural radionuclides. This investigation evaluated the impact of an oil spill accident using the principles of environmental radiation protection. Marine biotas (fish, crab and seaweed) were evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. The intention is to know from what time the biota undergoes the first harmful effects. This study can be used as a tool in an action plan in case of oil spill accidents.

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9- Multispectral Remote Sensing for mapping the areas affected by the techno-industrial disaster of the oil spill on Brazilian beaches

NEISON C.F. FREIRE, LUIS HENRIQUE R. CAMPOS, VINICIUS D’LUCAS BEZERRA E QUEIROZ, LUCAS B.V. SOUZA & MAYARA C. SILVA

Since the emergence in August 2019 of portions of varying sizes of crude oil on several beaches in the Northeast region of Brazil, various studies have been conducted to identify the source of the disaster and estimate the damage caused. The article aims to contribute to this scientific effort in order to describe an extensive mapping that used Remote Sensing data of the 201 impacted areas  and its correlation with socioeconomic typology of the municipalities directly affected. This mapping is unprecedented and it becomes important for the environmental monitoring of these areas.

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10- Temporal monitoring of contamination in three sandy beaches from the 2019 oil spill near Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Northeastern Brazil

EDUARDO B. BONTEMPO FILHO, ROBERTO Q. COUTINHO, JOSÉ ANTONIO BARBOSA, ROBERTO L. BARCELLOS, HERALDO LUIZ GIACHETI & GERMANO MÁRIO S. RAMOS

In 2019, a massive oil spill impacted coastal ecosystems in eleven Brazilian states; these ecosystems were diverse with regard to their different geological settings being impacted. Here, we present a temporal analysis on the occurrence of remaining contaminants on three beaches of the Cabo de Santo Agostinho City, Pernambuco State. The approach focuses on the systematic mapping of residues, collection of sediment samples, photographic documentation, and qualitative microscopic analysis. The objective was to verify the relationship between the remaining contaminants and the geological setting. The results showed intense weathering of the remaining oil residues due to the high energy environment.

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11- Chronic oil spills revealed by the most important set of samples from the incident in northeastern Brazil, 2019

MÁRCIO M. LOBÃO, FERNANDA F. THOMAZELLI, EMANUELE P.M.P. BATISTA, RAFAELLA F. DE OLIVEIRA, MONIQUE D.C. DE SOUZA & NÍNIVE A.V. DE MATOS

In 2019, an oil spill of unprecedented dimensions and unknown source reached the Brazilian coast. Oily residues that did not match with the product involved in that incident, found in different places during the response actions, evidence the occurrence of unrelated discharges. Such occurrences suggest that irregular discharges of oil occur more regularly than initially expected, consisting in chronic events. This study documents the extension of the affected coastline during the incident and assesses the possible origin of such oils from their geochemical characteristics.

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12- Comparison between oil spill images and look-alikes: an evaluation of SARderived observations of the 2019 oil spill incident along Brazilian waters

CARLOS ALESSANDRE D. LENTINI, LUÍS FELIPE F. DE MENDONÇA, MARCOS REINAN A. CONCEIÇÃO, ANDRÉ T.C. LIMA, RODRIGO N. DE VASCONCELOS & MILTON JOSÉ PORSANI

Three SAR-derived observations of dark surface patches along the Northeastern Brazilian coastline by the end of 2019 were misreported in the Brazilian media as oil spill-related. Unfortunately, these observations were misled by false positives or look-alikes. Therefore, this paper aims to technically evaluate these look-alike classes by analyzing image attributes found to be helpful to the identification of ocean targets, including oil spills, rain cells, biofilms, and low wind conditions. We use image augmentation to extend our dataset size and create the probability density function curves. The processing includes image segmentation, optimal attribute extraction, and classification with random forest classifiers.

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13- Citizen science as a tool for collaborative site-specific oil spill mapping: the case of Brazil

RAQUEL DEZIDÉRIO SOUTO & ANDRÉ C.S. BATALHÃO

Oil pollution occurs due to maritime disasters, which generate negative impacts on the environment, harming the ecosystem balance, human health, as well as the prosperity of coastal areas. This study investigates a method of managing contaminated coastal areas, aiming to contribute to the management of the environmental crisis caused by disasters through the use of collaborative online mapping by volunteer collaborators. Georeferenced data and photographs of places affected by pollution were used. Findings can contribute to participatory monitoring during and after oil spills, promoting guided preservation of marine ecosystems through citizen science.

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14- The 2019 northeast Brazil oil spill: scenarios

PAULO NOBRE, ANGELO T. LEMOS, EMANUEL GIAROLLA, ROSIO CAMAYO, LAERCIO NAMIKAWA, MILTON KAMPEL, NATÁLIA RUDORFF, DIEGO X. BEZERRA, JOÃO LORENZZETTI, JORGE GOMES, MANOEL B. DA SILVA JR, CARLA P.M. LAGE, RAFAEL L. PAES, CARLOS BEISL, MÁRCIO M. LOBÃO, PEDRO A. BIGNELLI, NAJLA DE MOURA, WOUGRAN S. GALVÃO & PAULO S. POLITO

In 2019, beaches, mangroves, and estuaries of Northeast Brazil received an unprecedented volume of crude oil from the sea. In this article we investigate possible origins of the oil and whether it could have been detected from space. Using combined techniques of backward Lagrangian trajectories and forward oil dispersion simulations, an area of highest probability of the oil spill is indicated. Also, from the chemical analyzes of oil samples and the dispersion simulations done, it is suggested that the oil was advected sub-superficially, making its detection from space unlikely. Lessons learned and suggestions for future developments are presented.

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ANIMAL SCIENCE

15- PAHs impacts on aquatic organisms: contamination and risk assessment of seafood following an oil spill accident

PAMELLA TALITA S. MELO, JOÃO PAULO M. TORRES, LEONARDO R.V. RAMOS, FABÍOLA HELENA S. FOGAÇA, CARLOS G. MASSONE & RENATO S. CARREIRA

Oil spills, intrinsically related to the petroleum production chain, represent a risk to the marine environment and a potential threat to humans through seafood consumption. We revised the NE Brazil oil spill and other accidents along the Brazilian coast, with a focus on seafood contamination, covering topics such as bioaccumulation, bioaccessibility, and risk analysis. Comprehensive knowledge of the impacts of spills helps in the interpretation of the dynamics of hydrocarbons released into the sea, contributing to actions to control their negative impacts. Currently, no legal limits have been established permanently in Brazil for PAHs in seafood edible tissues.

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SOCIAL SCIENCES

16- Lessons learned from a mystery oil spill that hit the Brazilian coast in 2019

FERNANDA C.P. INOJOSA, LUCIENE F. PEDROSA, MARIA CECILIA T. DE CASTRO, MARCELO N. DE AMORIM, MARIANA R. FRANÇA & RAPHAEL N. MOURA

This paper discusses the lessons learned from the 2019 mysterious oil spill that hit over 1,000 km of the Brazilian coastline. The incident led to the first activation of the National Contingency Plan, when the Federal Government had to respond to an unprecedented oil spill. This study organizes and assesses anonymous and voluntary feedback form 150 professionals, as well as official documents, to propose improvements to policies and procedures related to oil spills.  

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17- Socio-environmental disasters and their impacts: socioeconomic consequences of the oil spill in the northeast region of Brazil

BEATRIZ M.P. FERREIRA, CRISTINE V. DO BONFIM, ISABEL P.A. RAPOSO, TARCISIO S. QUINAMO & LUÍS HENRIQUE R. DE CAMPOS

2019 oil spill was the biggest in Brazilian history. Oil was found along Northeast Brazilian coastline. Joaquim Nabuco Foundation (MEC) responds with social research, interviewing 2,000 impacted agents. The impacts were not homogeneous. Localities specialized in tourism and fishing were the most affected. Fishers and beach hawkers populations suffered the most severe impacts in terms of sales and income reduction. A negative impact on their work activities was reported by 73% (fishers) and 65% (beach vendors), while the lodging and food sectors reported less impacts (38%). Health indicators pointed to damage due to oil spill clean- up exposure.

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All abstracts of the publications were provided by the respective authors.

Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences
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