Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X3726
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Thematic Section: Neotropical Zooplankton Symposium

The effect of sugarcane vinasse on the dormant forms of aquatic invertebrates

O efeito da vinhaça da cana-de-açúcar nas formas dormentes de invertebrados aquáticos

Caroline Nogueira Marcelino; Claudia Bonecker; Eneida Eskinazi-Sant’Anna; Jonathan Rosa; Larissa Ferreira Brandão; Maria Florencia Gutierrez; Raquel Moreira; Jorge Laço Portinho

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X3726 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e102, 2026
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Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the impacts of vinasse on the hatching of dormant forms of aquatic invertebrates, through ex-situ experimental units.

Methods: Sediment samples were collected from three ponds in Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo, located in Teodoro Sampaio (SP), Brazil. Each experimental unit consisted of 100 g of sediment and vinasse solutions at concentrations of 10% and 50%, plus control groups without the byproduct addition. Three replicates were used for each treatment and pond. The experiment lasted 28 days, with filtrations performed every six days along with monitoring of pH and dissolved oxygen. Additionally, unexpected fungal growth was observed in the experimental units, which was removed weekly and subsequently identified.

Results: Vinasse induced significant reductions in dissolved oxygen (normoxic control: 5.62±0.95 mg/L; 10% hypoxic: 1.97±1.77 mg/L; 50% anoxic: 0.78±0.58 mg/L), pH variations with distinct patterns: in Pond 1, the 50% treatment reduced the pH; in Pond 2, it increased the pH; and in Pond 3, the 10% treatment showed a higher pH than the others; and an unexpected fungal proliferation was also recorded in the vinasse treatments, with a higher occurrence at the 50% concentration. All of these changes possibly contributed to the low abundance, richness, and diversity of hatched organisms.

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that vinasse addition reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations in all ponds, creating potentially unfavorable conditions for the hatching of organisms emerging from dormant egg banks, accompanied by intense fungal proliferation, particularly at the highest vinasse concentrations. The biological effects were most evident in Pond 3, where reductions in abundance, taxon richness, and diversity were observed, together with changes in the taxonomic composition of the emerging community. The contrasting responses observed among ponds also indicate that the effects of vinasse depend on local environmental characteristics, highlighting the importance of considering ecological context when assessing the impacts of this effluent on aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords

agriculture; Collembola; Fungi; sediment; zooplankton

Resumo

Objetivo: Avaliar os impactos da vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar sobre a eclosão de formas dormentes de invertebrados por meio de experimentos conduzidos em unidade experimental.

Métodos: Amostras de sedimento foram coletadas em três lagoas do Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo, localizado em Teodoro Sampaio (SP). Cada unidade experimental foi constituída por 100 g de sedimento e 350 mL de solução de vinhaça nas concentrações de 10% e 50%, além de grupos controle, sem adição do subproduto. Para cada tratamento foram utilizadas três réplicas de cada lagoa. O experimento teve duração de 28 dias, com filtragens realizadas a cada seis dias, juntamente com o monitoramento do pH e do oxigênio dissolvido. Adicionalmente, observou-se um crescimento inesperado de fungos nas unidades experimentais, que foram removidos semanalmente e posteriormente identificados.

Resultados: A vinhaça induziu reduções significativas no oxigênio dissolvido (controle normóxico: 5,62±0,95 mg/L; 10% hipóxico: 1,97±1,77 mg/L; 50% anóxico: 0,78±0,58 mg/L), variações de pH com padrões distintos: na Lagoa 1, o tratamento com 50% reduziu o pH; na Lagoa 2, aumentou o pH; e na Lagoa 3, o tratamento com 10% apresentou pH mais elevado que os demais; e uma proliferação fúngica inesperada também registrada nos tratamentos com vinhaça, apresentando maior ocorrência na concentração de 50%. Todas essas mudanças possivelmente favoreceram a baixa abundância, riqueza e diversidade de organismos eclodidos.

Conclusões: Os resultados demonstram que a adição de vinhaça reduziu as concentrações de oxigênio dissolvido em todas as lagoas, criando condições potencialmente desfavoráveis à eclosão de organismos dormentes, acompanhadas por intensa proliferação de fungos, especialmente nas maiores concentrações de vinhaça. Os efeitos biológicos foram mais evidentes na Lagoa 3, onde houve redução da abundância, riqueza e diversidade, além de alterações na composição taxonômica da comunidade emergente. As diferentes respostas observadas entre as lagoas indicam que os efeitos da vinhaça também dependem das características ambientais locais, destacando a importância de considerar o contexto ecológico na avaliação dos impactos desse efluente sobre ecossistemas aquáticos.

Palavras-chave

agricultura; Collembola; Fungi; sedimento; zooplâncton

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Submitted date:
04/22/2026

Accepted date:
09/22/2026

Publication date:
10/27/2026

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