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, during the southern summer and winter of 2013. Each locality is afforded a distinct degree of legal protection, and exhibits a different level of metal pollution: overall, Rio Diana (RD, the most polluted, a Permanent Protection Area) > Rio Itapanhaú (RI, intermediate contamination, an Environmental Protection Area) > Rio Picinguaba (RP, pristine, a State Park). Chronic sediment toxicity tests evaluated reproductive rates of the copepod Nitokra sp. RI sediments showed the highest metal concentrations and toxicity in both seasons. Metal concentrations at 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 provided some legal protection, showed clear signs of environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for more effective pollution control.

我们使用地球化学分析和整体沉积物毒性测试，比较了巴西南部圣保罗州海岸三处河口在2013年夏季和冬季的沉积物质量。每个地区均受到不同程度的法律保护，并展示不同级别的金属污染：总体而言，里约热内卢（RD，污染最严重的一个永久性保护区）>里约Itapanhaú（RI，中度污染，一个环境保护区）>里辛皮瓜巴（RP，原始的州立公园）。慢性沉积物毒性测试评估了pe足类动物Nitokra的繁殖率sp。RI沉积物在两个季节均显示出最高的金属浓度和毒性。RD处的金属浓度较低，但在夏季有毒。RP沉积物未受到污染，表明该地区有效的法律保护免受污染。尽管RI和RD提供了一些法律保护，但仍显示出环境恶化的明显迹象，强调需要更有效地控制污染。