Assessment of Water Quality in Coastal Waters of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Biomarker Analyses in Amphistegina Lessonii

A study assessing water quality in the coastal waters of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, revealed that populations of the symbiont-bearing foraminifer Amphistegina lessonii exhibited significant biomarkers of stress outside the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park (FNNMP). Higher bleaching frequencies (up to 25%), lower antioxidant capacity, and elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation were observed in individuals from non-protected sites, correlating with high concentrations of zinc, copper, and lead. In contrast, foraminifers within the FNNMP showed minimal stress indicators (<2% bleaching) and stronger antioxidant defenses. The research demonstrates that biomarkers in A. lessonii can serve as reliable ecological indicators for water quality, effectively identifying impacted areas and underlying causes of environmental stress.

de Freitas Prazeres, M., Martins, S. E., & Bianchini, A. (2012). ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN COASTAL WATERS OF FERNANDO DE NORONHA, BRAZIL: BIOMARKER ANALYSES IN AMPHISTEGINA LESSONII. The Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 42(1), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.42.1.56