Análise da comunidade recifal da foz do Rio Doce após o desastre de Mariana

Abstract

The collapse of the Mariana dam has dumped millions of tons of toxic mud in the Rio Doce, and consequently to Espirito Santo’s sea. This incident is already considered the biggest ecological disaster in Brazil. On the north of the river mouth is localized the Abrolhos bank, one of the greatest ecological sanctuaries on the country. Initially was thought that the tailings would go southward, toward the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, but new evidences indicate that part of the waste reached Abrolhos bank, exactly where newly discovered reefs are located. The coralline system near the mouth of the Rio Doce presents several species of corals in danger of extinction, and presents ecological index that could indicate signs of vitality. In this work, based on sampled data, an analysis of the reef community located near Rio Doce mouth was developed through models of statistical learning, which are being more used in biological studies as information disponibility increases, especially for capacity of identification of non-linear relations. The results pointed out the relevance of other groups of species, especially the negative influence of the combination of epilithic algae and cyanobacteria mattresses for healthy coral cover. Also, evidences were found that for certain levels, the concentration of sponges and CCA could benefit coral species.