Comunidade zooplanctônica da água da Praia de Barreira, Icapuí/CE

Abstract

Zooplankton are an essential component of marine ecosystems, important for the transfer of energy between primary producers and higher trophic levels, exerting great ecological, biogeochemical and socioeconomic impact. This study aimed to analyze the zooplankton community present at Barreiras Beach in Icapuí/CE, as well as to verify the presence of bioindicators of water quality and to analyze the salinity, pH, transparency, temperature, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and ammonia levels in the beach water. Monthly collections were carried out between July and December 2024 and January 2025, always at low tide, with 100 liters of water filtered with a 25 μm mesh net and 25 cm mouth diameter. The collected material was concentrated to 10 mL, fixed in 4% formalin in a 1:1 ratio, and 10 subsamples of 0.1 mL were analyzed under a Callmex® microscope. In situ data were obtained on water temperature and transparency, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and phosphate levels. The results revealed ammonia levels, with an average value of 1,300 mg.L-1 and phosphate, with an average value of 0.102 mg.L-1, above ideal levels, which together with the trophic state index, TSI (PSR) 59 and TSI (DS) 56, showed an environment under strong environmental impact. Regarding the zooplankton community, it was composed of four main groups of organisms: rotifers, copepods, protozoa and crustacean larvae, with emphasis on the dominance of Keratella sp., and the presence of Brachionus sp., Vorticella sp., Centropyxis aculeata e Filinia terminalis, as bioindicators of eutrophication and/or pollution conditions. These results reveal the need for continuous monitoring of the beach, with the aim of evaluating the evolution of environmental quality and assisting in the implementation of public policies to minimize the impacts of anthropogenic actions and preserve the water quality of Barreira Beach, Icapuí/CE.