Elaboração de termo de referência do estudo ecotoxicológico do Rio Potengi-Jundiaí

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to demonstrate how the "Preparation of the Draft Terms of Reference for the Ecotoxicological Study of the Potengi-Jundiaí River" was conducted, which encompasses ecotoxicology and the importance of assessing the environmental impacts of effluents on estuarine ecosystems. These ecosystems are highly productive and play a crucial role in biodiversity. The Potengi River, in particular, faces challenges due to the discharge of effluents, which can compromise its quality and the health of aquatic organisms. The need for ecotoxicological assessments is highlighted as essential to ensure environmental protection. This draft Terms of Reference for the ecotoxicological study of the Potengi River focuses on the toxicity of effluents from the Jaguaribe Treatment Station. The research is guided by the main directives of CONAMA Resolutions 357/2005 and 430/2011 and aims to better understand the impacts of effluents on the aquatic ecosystem. The methodology used for its development first focuses on evaluating the characteristics of the study area, followed by identifying the most suitable test organism based on the aquatic characteristics of the environment, the trophic level of the test organism, and its sensitivity to the tested toxicant. In this study, the toxicant to be tested is the effluents from the Jaguaribe Treatment Station. Thus, we determined all methodologies for bioassays at two distinct levels: acute and chronic toxicity bioassays, aiming to evaluate not only the survival of organisms in toxic environments but also their reproductive capacity, thereby maintaining the trophic web of the water body. Therefore, it is concluded that ecotoxicology, in identifying the deleterious effects of chemical substances on aquatic organisms, serves as a crucial tool for environmental management. This allows effective measures to be implemented to minimize risks associated with pollutant discharges, ensuring not only structural growth in public sanitation services in Natal but also providing protection for biodiversity and water quality to guarantee the sustainability of water resources.