Negative Impacts of Trace Metal Contamination on the Macrobenthic Communities along the Santos Port Complex—Brazil

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear Authors!

This manuscript presents important research in the field of geoecology. The authors conducted large-scale studies using classical methods for determining pollution. However, the text needs to be improved, in particular the "methodology" section, it should contain a description of the formulas, statistics of the determination, information on reference materials, etc. The manuscript lacks a "recommendations" section. Literature should be reduced, no more than 40–50 sources. As a recommendation, I suggest that the authors additionally calculate heavy metals using geochemical indices, including enrichment (EF) and contamination (Cf) factors, contamination degree (Cd).

As a sample for editing, I suggest that the authors familiarize themselves with this work https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147441

After these corrections, the article can be published.

Kind regards, Reviver.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

1. Reviewer suggestion:

However, the text needs to be improved, in particular the "methodology" section, it should contain a description of the formulas, statistics of the determination, information on reference materials, etc.

Response:

The methodology section has been improved with the addition of details such as data quality control and certified standards used.

2. Reviewer suggestion:

The manuscript lacks a "recommendations" section.

Response:

The section referring to the conclusions was improved with a paragraph containing recommendations based on the results obtained.

 

3. Reviewer suggestion:

Literature should be reduced, no more than 40–50 sources.

Response:

To compensate the relative high existence of old references, a greater number of titles were added in order to give greater credibility to the article produced.

 

4. Reviewer suggestion:

As a recommendation, I suggest that the authors additionally calculate heavy metals using geochemical indices, including enrichment (EF) and contamination (Cf) factors, contamination degree (Cd).

Response:

The suggested indices have already been addressed in another article, so replications were avoided in the present study.

 

The authors greatly appreciate the recommendations. They certainly resulted in the improvement of the submitted article.

Reviewer 2 Report

Please see the attached document

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

1. Reviewer suggestion:

The values of heavy metals should be separated from the units with a space.

Response:

Done

 

2. Reviewer suggestion:

What was the reference standard for ICP?

Response:

The methodology section has been improved with the addition of details such as data quality control and certified standards used.

 

 

3. Reviewer suggestion:

I suggest putting the Table 1 in the supplementary material

Response:

Another article is still being produced with part of the data collected in this study. It would not be safe for the authors involved in this study to make available the raw data of this article at this time.

 

 

4. Reviewer suggestion:

What % hydrogen peroxide was used?

Response:

Organic matter was first degraded with hydrogen peroxide (30%). Information added to the article

 

 

5. Reviewer suggestion:

A relevant citation of trace elements in sediments is suggested for citation: Bussan, D., Harris, A., & Douvris, C. (2019). Monitoring of selected trace elements in sediments of heavily industrialized areas in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Microchemical Journal, 144, 51-55.

Response:

The reference has been added.

 

The authors greatly appreciate the recommendations. They certainly resulted in the improvement of the submitted article.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

All comments have been corrected.

Minor English correction required

Reviewer 2 Report

The article is fine.