METAGENOMIC AND TRADITIONAL DIVERSITY OF CYANOBACTERIA IN EUTROPHICATED AERIALS OF BRAZILIAN SEMIARID: CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENTIFIC LETTER
phytoplankton; Cyanobacteria; Metagenome; Scientific literacy; environmental education
The objective of this study was characterized by the limnological and community scenario, based on potentially toxic chemicals, as well as the presence of cyanotoxin producing genes through traditional and molecular techniques. In addition, we investigate a contribution of the research and CTSA approach to the scientific document of elementary school public school students in the region where one of the reservoirs is located. Samples of water were collected in five resevoirs in the RN semiarid region for analysis of physical physic, identification and quantification of phytoplankton, detection of microcystin by traditional methods (ELISA). In addition to traditional techniques, a diversity of cyanobacteria in one of the reservoirs for analysis of molecular methods, where a sample had its DNA extracted, sequenced and the metagenome obtained and compared with genes from genomic libraries. The presence of genes that can express a production of microcystin was also analyzed in this same metagenome. A workshop with the theme eutrophication and applied in a public school in Acari, place where one of the reservoirs is located. The action was designed in the research approach according to the educational model BSCS 5E, contemplating stages of Involvement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration and Evaluation. The reservoirs showed an increase in the eutrophic state for hypereutrophy, total phytoplankton biovolume and high cyanobacteria density, with a mean increase in relation to previous studies of 350% and 150%, respectively. The concentration of microcystin presented values above acceptable levels for drinking water according to Brazilian legislation. We have shown the presence of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Anabaena variabilis, Nodularia spumigema, Planktothrix agardhii and Microcystis aeruginosa, which are also reported in studies carried out by traditional methods. No genes were found for the expression of cyanotoxin production in the metagenome of this reservoir. The students at the school obtained 80% utilization in the initial activity when compared to an end and reach the level of understanding, proving an efficiency solution for scientific literacy. Therefore, the severe drought that affected the Brazilian semi-arid region in the last years impacted these reservoirs in a negative way, changing the trophic level from eutrophic to hypereutrophic, which caused an increase in biovolume of phytoplankton. Molecular techniques are quite effective without surveying the diversity of microorganisms in reservoirs and complements of studies of traditional techniques. The Brazilian semi-arid reservoirs have suffered from eutrophication for a long time and educational actions are intended to be informed about opinion about the life in which they live.