Conservações e áreas afins - Comunicações orais

Coastal pollution impacts highly sensitive coral reefs worldwide, threatening the survival of this ecosystem. Human land-based activities, such as mining, may damage downstream terrestrial systems with water contaminated by waste material. Discharges of mining tailings in streams can reach coral reefs, carrying sediments with metal composition which impairs coastal water quality. Pollution impacts may affect not only coral cover itself, but also the abundance of an array of coral-associated reef fish. Reef fish rely on sensory cues to locate habitats for their ontogenetic development. From settlement to recruitment, the use of structurally complex habitats, such as mangroves, macroalgae and seagrass beds, is necessary for the survival of early stages of fish, before they reach adult habitats: the reefs. Metal contamination can alter fish social behavior, such as agonistic and territorial behavior, which may be crucial for resource acquisition and predator defense during juvenile stages. To better understand how metal pollution may impact juvenile reef fish, we exposed juvenile individuals of the damselfish Stegastes fuscus to different concentrations of iron (important trace element contaminant from mining activities). We found that juvenile damselfish are not affected by iron contamination, showing a potential resistance to pollutants even in extreme conditions. The resistance of certain fish species to marine pollution brings a positive expectation for the survival of reef ecosystems amid human impacts. Recent research shows that some fish species are developing resistance to pollution, allowing them to tolerate higher levels of contaminants and detoxify harmful chemicals. This resilience is promising for reef recovery and conservation efforts. However, it should not diminish the urgency to reduce pollution and protect marine biodiversity. Striving for a sustainable balance between human activities and reef preservation remains crucial.