Revista Ambiente & Água

The deleterious effects of salts on plants exposed to high solar radiation tend to be more accelerated due to the increase of toxic ions in the aerial plant part. Consequently, the physiological and biochemical processes will be affected. These effects can be minimized, however, with the use of management strategies, such as the use of a shading screen and a protected environment. In this sense, the objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological responses of sugar beet cultivated in different environments and irrigated with saline water. The experiment was conducted in an experimental design entirely randomized, using the factorial scheme 3 × 2, equivalent to three environments (FS = full sun; SSOS = shading screen open on the sides and PE = protected environment) and two electrical conductivities of the irrigation water (0.5 and 6.2 dS m-1), with four repetitions. At 45 days after sowing (DAS) the following variables were analyzed: stomatal conductance, liquid photosynthesis, transpiration, internal CO2 concentration, leaf temperature, instantaneous water use efficiency, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, intrinsic water use efficiency, and relative chlorophyll index. Irrigation with water of higher salinity negatively affected stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, leaf temperature and instantaneous water use efficiency of sugar beet plants grown in a full sun environment. The protected environment and open shading on the sides partially mitigated the deleterious effects of salinity.

The increasing demand for water in food production highlights the need to seek alternative sources of supply. Treated domestic sewage is a way to mitigate this problem, but it must comply with legislation to be used safely in agriculture. Ozone has been used for disinfection of domestic effluents due to its strong oxidizing character, allowing the adjustment of its parameters for agricultural reuse. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the sanitary and agricultural viability of domestic effluent treated with ozone. The experiment was carried out on laboratory benchtops and doses of 0, 8, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg L −1 of ozone were applied. The application time for each dose was 0, 14, 27, 54, 81, and 108 seconds, respectively. Microbiological, physical, and chemical parameters were evaluated: total coliforms, Escherichia coli, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. Ozonation did not significantly alter the physical and chemical composition of wastewater, indicating an important advantage in terms of potential agricultural reuse. However, the pathogenic load of E. coli was not reduced enough for the effluent to be used in agriculture. The results suggest an investigation of the effects of ozone on the efficiency of sewage treatment, seeking to understand these interactions to identify ideal doses and exposure time, making wastewater safe for agricultural reuse.

Man has profoundly modified the upper valley of the Uruguay River and its basin. The plains of these valleys and the lower areas of the hills have been modified for agricultural production, leaving small patches of wild forest on the tops of the hills, where wildlife takes refuge. These less modified sectors generally lack water. Therefore, the wild mammals must descend to the bottom of the valleys to drink. However, there are numerous fence lines between the hills and the rivers and streams which prevent the fauna access to these watercourses, so they ingest water from artificial ponds present in the agricultural establishments instead, which is reflected in the high values of δ 18 O observed in the bone bioapatite of local wild mammals. This finding highlights the importance of artificial reservoirs distributed in the agricultural landscape of Santa Catarina for the preservation of wildlife and the importance of their sanitary monitoring to prevent the transmission of diseases from livestock to wildlife.

This study characterized and evaluated the potential of a combination of treatment strategies for the removal of phenolic compounds, color, and ecotoxicity of an effluent generated by a laminated wood industry. The characterization of a sample of the effluent generated by the pine lamination process collected in an industry in the Southwest region of the state of Paraná confirmed the potential impact of the effluent, with emphasis on the high content of phenolic compounds (1,530 ±50 mg/L), color (2,159 ±30 units), significant acute toxicity (63% mortality of microcrustaceans Artemia salina) and low biodegradability (BOD/COD=0.53), which, if eventually released into receiving bodies, can cause irreversible and harmful effects to the aquatic microbiota. The treatment processes studied in this work involved catalytic ozonation mediated by ferrous catalytic material based on steel scale and biological process with Pleurotus Florida fungi, evaluated in an individual way and sequentially integrated as follows: Catalytic ozonation>>biological process and vice-versa. The best results were obtained by applying the sequence "catalytic ozonation>>biological process", which resulted in reductions of 96.2% in soluble lignin concentrations, 93.3% in color units and more than 99% reduction in total phenols, in addition to a low mortality rate of A. salina (≈10%). In the integrated process, the application of catalytic ozonation before the biological process presents greater advantages because of the pre-decomposition process of recalcitrant compounds by the chemical action of catalytic ozonation, which can convert these compounds into biodegradable, facilitating the action of the biological process for the remediation of the effluent.

The conversion of riparian forests into agricultural land results in the loss of water quality and aquatic biota health. The objectives of this study were therefore to determine the proportion of land use with emphasis on the type of vegetation cover; evaluate the limnological parameters and concentration of inorganic elements in the water of the São José stream in the Dourados River Basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; correlate land use with the concentrations of inorganic elements in water; and evaluate the risk to preservation aquatic biota and in situ toxic effect on Astyanax lacustris. We collected samples from the São José Stream in 2020 and evaluated land use with high resolution aerial images. The inorganic elements in water samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In the surroundings of the São José stream, a reduction in riparian forest was observed with a proportion of only 16.32% of the area and the predominance of agricultural areas with 75.06%. The concentrations of dissolved oxygen (1.510 mg L-1) and P (> 0.235 mg L-1) in the water did not comply with the national legislation. In addition, Al and P indicated risks regarding the conservation of aquatic biota (risk quotient >1). The in situ evaluation of A. lacustris also revealed toxicity in the water. The results indicate environmental imbalance in the São José stream, requiring mitigation measures for its restoration and the sustainable use of its resources.

This study evaluated the efficiency of electrocoagulation in removing chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, and apparent color from the incineration effluent generated in a gas cleaning system (GCS). Modeling and optimization of the variables electric current (I), hydraulic retention time (HRT), and electrode distance (ED) were also performed in a batch reactor using iron electrodes. A 2 3 rotatable central composite design CCRD was used, with a total of 19 trials, with electric currents ranging from 1A and 5A, a retention time of the effluent in the reactor from 15 to 40 minutes, and electrode distance of 1 and 3 centimeters. An algorithm with the desirability function was created to optimize simultaneously the parameters studied. The treatment of GCS by electrocoagulation was satisfactory in removing turbidity, apparent color, and COD, with maximum removal efficiencies above 70% for all parameters, using HRT of 27.5 minutes, ED of 2 centimeters, and electric current of 1 A. The statistical analysis showed a good fit of the model, with a coefficient of determination of R 2 > 0.9. The optimum operating condition was observed at 1A electric current, 27 minutes HRT, and 2 centimeters of electrode distance, with removals of 82.07, 86.86, and 70.82% of COD, turbidity, and apparent color, respectively. The simulated trials showed that lower electrolysis times can be used without impairing the treatment efficiency. Therefore, electrocoagulation may be a potential tool in the treatment of GCS.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass was activated chemically, and its ibuprofen (IBP) biosorption capabilities were assessed regarding IBP removal from an aqueous solution. The effects of pH (2-10), contact time (0-90 min), IBP concentration (5-35 mg L-1), and temperature (20, 30, 40°C) were evaluated in batch studies. Higher removal rates of IBP were found at pH 2.0. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the experimental data. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models described the equilibrium data satisfactorily. The maximum biosorption capacity for IBP onto chemically activated Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass (CA-YB) was estimated at 13.39 mg g-1 at 40°C. The activation energy calculated by the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model was 9.129 kJ mol-1 , indicating that a chemical process mediated the biosorption of IBP onto CA-YB. According to thermodynamic studies, IBP biosorption is spontaneous and endothermic. FTIR analysis revealed that the carboxyl, hydroxyl, phosphoryl, and amino groups were involved in the biosorption process of IBP. These findings indicated that CA-YB could be an alternative biosorbent for IBP removal from aqueous media.

This study compares physical and chemical parameters of water samples collected in a marginal lake (Castelo Bay) in the Paraguay River Basin in southern Pantanal during a significant natural phenomenon of hypoxia, locally called decoada, and shortly after it. Limnological parameters were analyzed from four sampling sites along the bay. Comparisons of the physical and chemical parameters between decoada and post-decoada periods were performed by Student's t-test, principal component analysis and multivariate permutational analysis of variance (permanova). During the period of the decoada, there was a significant reduction in mean values of water transparency and concentrations of dissolved oxygen, sodium and nitrite compared to the post-decoada period. On the other hand, water temperature and conductivity, and concentrations of orthophosphate, total nitrogen and total iron have all had higher values during the decoada period. An effect of connectivity between lake and river was found to generate a gradient of water characteristics at Castelo Bay. The limnological characteristics that differed the most between decoada and post-decoada periods are those associated with the reduction of dissolved oxygen that could cause natural death of fish and the increase in nutrients during the decoada, yet they vary on temporal and spatial scales.

Sediments containing high concentrations of heavy metals in reservoirs, lakes and rivers, can resuspend into aquatic environments and negatively impact water quality. The concentrations of 10 elements were studied in surface sediments and water from the Aguada Blanca Reservoir, Peru, an important water source to 1,080,000 people in the arid province of Arequipa. Sediment and water samples were collected from nine points in 2019. The enrichment, accumulation, ecological risk and distribution of metals in sediment were determined, and the information on heavy metals in water was used to assess the quality of the aquatic system. Spatially, heavy metals showed variations throughout the study area, with an increase for most elements near the deepest part of the reservoir. The average concentration of Cd in sediment was 4 times higher than the natural background. In water, As was the only element that exceeded Peruvian regulations (As > 10 μg L-1). The Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) of metals in sediment presented the following order: Cd> As> Pb> Zn> Cu> Ni> Cr, with Ni and Cr being the only elements that did not present enrichment. The most considerable Igeo was Cd (1.21 ± 1.45), presenting a classification of moderately to heavily contaminated. The integrated potential ecological risk (RI) of Cd presented high values in 5 points of the reservoir. The information developed will assist in establishing effective control strategies for the quality of the aquatic system.

This study evaluated the effect of HS extracted from mineral coal on the growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and melon (Cucumis melo) plants to determine the role that humic substances (HS) play as promoters of plant growth. Three concentrations of HS were evaluated in 200 grams of soil. The fertilizer (urea 0.3%) and humic acid in concentrations of 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% were added directly and at the same time to the amount of soil, using a control sample without the addition of humic acid. Increase measurements were made at three-day intervals up to 45 days. Plants treated with high concentrations of HS demonstrated a significant increase in roots (p>0.05). In both plants, the concentration of 0.2% in HS showed the greatest increase in growth, with the melon plant showing the greatest variation as time passed, with its highest peak in 36 days (13.1 ± 0.05cm) of the experiment, while in the tomato plant the maximum growth occurred in 30 days (9.2 ± 0.01 cm). The Dunnett test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the control and the concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% (p>0.05), while among the control and the soil sample with a concentration of 0.2% there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The results show a notable influence of humic acid on the growth of the studied plants, especially at high concentrations.

Chlorination is the most widely used method for disinfecting water for human consumption. While the chlorinated water travels through a distribution system, the concentration of free residual chlorine (FRC) declines depending on the natural water characteristics. This study investigated FRC decay in two types of water sourcesground and surface waterwith varied concentrations of organic compounds. The travel time variable depended on water consumption patterns of both distribution systems which attend low density populations and their initial project needs. Based on mathematical simulation techniques of water quality models, the study also investigated the effects of water temperature and total organic carbon (TOC) on the kinetic constants (kb) of chlorine decay. Results show that travel time in the most critical locations in the water networks and the minimum disinfectant concentrations required at the entry points were 40 hours and 0.27-0.28 mg L-1 at Vale dos Pássaros housing complex, and 144 hours and 0.30-0.36 mg L-1 at Terras Alphaville housing complex.

This study characterized and analyzed the physiographic factors of the Atibaia River Basin and their influence on flooding processes and evaluated the susceptibility to flooding in the municipality of Campinas during the years 1985 and 2019. At first, geoprocessing techniques and indices defined in the literature were used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Atibaia River Basin regarding its geometric, relief, and drainage attributes and its influence on flooding processes, to provide decision-making support regarding preventive and mitigating actions for the socioeconomic and environmental impacts in the region. The pedogeomorphological characteristics and land use and occupation of Campinas were applied to the Analytic Hierarchy Process using geoprocessing techniques to generate the specific mapping of the municipality's susceptibility to flooding. The mapping allowed us to identify the critical sites of the municipality of Campinas, choosing priority areas for government action and programs regarding urban and environmental management. It can also guide new studies on the detail scale aiming to prevent and mitigate flooding events.

The Billings Reservoir is an important water body for public supply of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil, and water captation for public supply is located in the Rio Grande environmental compartment. This article evaluates the water quality of the environmental compartment Central Body I of the Billings Reservoir, which receives the reversed waters from the polluted Pinheiros River, at four sampling points with different contributions from the surroundings, seeking to verify the influence of seasonality on water quality and whether there was a difference in water quality between the sampling points. Water sampling was carried out on the surface at four points, in a longitudinal profile, covering two periods (dry and rainy) distributed in six samplings between 2016 and 2019. Analyzed variables included temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity, chlorophyll-a and nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen). Space-Time Interaction tests revealed that physicochemical variables did not vary due to the interaction between sampling periods and points, but several variables varied significantly during the sampling period. The results of the Trophic State Index show that waters of Central Body I are classified as Hypereutrophic, highlighting the degradation of water quality in this compartment. This research will better inform public managers and assist their efforts to minimize and mitigate the effects of progressive water quality degradation in this reservoir.

Reused water is produced from treated effluents, and can be an alternative source of water for agriculture. However, its quality must be assessed to avoid causing damage to human and environmental health. This study evaluated the sanitary quality (bacteriological and physicochemical) of reused water samples for agricultural irrigation, compared with those described in Brazilian and international regulations. Bacteriological analyses were performed, and the results were compared with the norm of the Brazilian Association of Technical Norms (ABNT) NBR nº 13.969/1997. Physical and chemical analyses of the reused water samples were carried out, and the results were compared with the standards described by regulations: Resolution of the State Council for the Environment of Ceará No. 2 of 2017; Resolution of the Bahia State Water Resources Council No. 75 of 2010; and “Guidelines for Water Reuse” from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - EPA. According to Brazilian regulations, bacteriological analyses showed that the "chlorinated" and "polished" samples were suitable for agriculture. However, the “biological" sample was unsuitable for use, and showed a high level of thermotolerant coliforms (25.800 CFU / mL). According to bacteriological and physical-chemical analyses, the “polished” sample was only proper for agriculture irrigation. Therefore, the work suggests the creation of federal law regarding agricultural reuse to control the sanitary quality of water for human and environmental health.

Guava is a popular Brazilian fruit that is widely produced in Northeastern Brazil, a region with water sources that commonly have high concentrations of salts. Thus, searching for techniques that allow the management of these waters is extremely important for the expansion of irrigated agriculture. In this context, salicylic acid is a phytohormone that can contribute to reducing the effects of salt stress on plants. Given the above, this study evaluated the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid at different concentrations in the mitigation of salt stress on gas exchange, growth, and quality of 'Paluma' guava seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in Campina Grande-PB, Brazil, using a randomized block design in a 5 × 5 factorial arrangement, corresponding to five levels of electrical conductivity of water (0.6, 1.5, 2.4, 3.3, and 4.2 dS m-1) and five concentrations of salicylic acid (0-Control; 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 mM), with four replicates and two plants per plot. Foliar application of salicylic acid at a concentration of up to 1.4 mM reduced the deleterious effects of salt stress on the instantaneous water use efficiency of 'Paluma' guava seedlings at 180 days after sowing. The concentrations of salicylic acid applied via foliar did not mitigate the harmful effects of irrigation water salinity on the growth and quality of 'Paluma' guava seedlings.

This study evaluated the water and sediment quality of samples collected from different points in organic (O1, O2, O3, and O4) and conventional (C1, C2, and C3) pre-germinated rice fields located in Viamão/RS. Quality indicators such as phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, manganese, iron, turbidity, and BOD5 reduced water quality beyond Classes 3 and 4, as defined by CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. Based on the aluminum levels, the water samples collected from all the points were categorized as Class 4; furthermore, the IQA classified the quality of water samples from Points O4 and C1 as "bad." The COD/BOD ratio was high, demonstrating that the biodegradable fraction was considerably low. The conductivity of water at points O4, C1, C2, and C3, exceeded 100 µS/cm, as defined by CETESB, indicating impacted environments. The levels of zinc in C1 and nickel in O2, C2, and C3 in the sediment exceeded the quality reference values established by the FEPAM Ordinance 85/2014. In general, the lowest water quality was observed in the samples collected from Points O2 and O4, and the lowest sediment quality was observed in the samples collected from all points in the conventional rice fields and from Point O2 in the organic rice field.

This research evaluated the wastewater treatment system of the Punta Carnero sector, in relation to pollutant efficiency load removal, final effluent quality and impact on the ecosystem, and finally to determine if the final discharge can be reused for agricultural irrigation. The research was based on the affluent and effluent characterization of the system, carried out in three phases: i) Taking of simple samples, analyzed in an accredited water laboratory and analysis of the contaminant loads efficiency; ii) Review of results compared to the Table of "Discharge limits to a freshwater receiving body"; iii) Examination of results based on the "Water Quality Criteria for Agricultural Irrigation" Table of the Ecuadorian regulation TULSMA (2015). BOD (62.42%), COD (62.41%) and FC (53.58%) removal efficiencies did not comply with current Ecuadorian regulations. The quality of the effluent with respect to the parameters evaluated for discharges to a freshwater receiving body denoted a non-optimal quality of final discharge, negatively impacting the ecosystem. Finally, the evaluation determined parameters that exceed the water quality criteria for agricultural irrigation allowed: Oils-Fats (5.65 mg/l), FC (62,900 NMP/100ml), Hg (0.00141 mg/l), OD (8.86 mg/l). After evaluating the wastewater treatment system, it was determined that the pollutant load removal efficiency and effluent quality is not optimal for discharge into a receiving water body, so it's not suitable for reuse in agricultural irrigation.

Many substances of plant origin are extracted for use in the primary treatment of domestic wastewater. In most cases, they are used as coagulating and flocculating agents and are derived from seeds, leaves, bark or sap, roots, and fruits of trees and plants. In this research, the use of Cassia fistula seed was evaluated for the removal of turbidity and color in domestic wastewater from a pumping station in the city of Cartagena (Colombia). The optimal dose of C. fistula seed powder was determined by jar test using an E&Q F6-300 digital flocculator. Physicochemical parameters such as turbidity and color were determined, following the recommendations of APHA (Standard Methods for Water and Wastewater), expressing the results in UNT (Total Nephelometric Units) for turbidity, and UPt-Co (Platinum-Cobalt Units) for the color. The results obtained show that with a dose of 160 mgL-1 of the coagulant extracted from the C. fistula seed, a value of 34.14 NTU is reached for removal of 62.18% with respect to the initial turbidity value. The color decreases reaching a minimum value of 88.59 UPC for removal of 64%, at a dose of 160 mgL-1 of natural coagulant. The seed C. fistula exhibited good coagulating properties at low doses and can be an important alternative for the removal of color and turbidity in wastewater.

Studies concerning the debris flows in mountain areas are relevant because of their potential negative effects on the human communities and infrastructure in their areas of influence. To advance the understanding of the theoretical basis, this study qualitatively analyzes the effect of lithological characteristics and soil type on the generation of debris flows in the arid basin of Mirave, in southern Peru, as a consequence of extensive rainfall. Two debris flow events are evaluated, which occurred in the studied area in March 2015 and February 2019. The method used to achieve the objective combines the use of satellite images, field data collection, and lab tests results to estimate the relative importance of the abovementioned characteristics in the generation of debris flows. The results suggest that the poor presence of clay and the predominance of sandy-loamy structured soils in the Mirave Basin make them unstable when erosion occurs. In addition, the features of broken down materials generated from residual and colluvial soils in the primary area of study are one of the main causes of debris flows in the region.

Caffeine is used worldwide as a chemical tracer to identify anthropic pressures on urban water resources. Nevertheless, its quantification demands great financial investments. This research created a model that would indirectly determine a range of possible caffeine concentrations along an urban river, without the need for extensive laboratory work. The model is based on Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), which can correlate two sets of differentsized independent and dependent variables in order to generate a single empirical equation. This equation takes as input the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and orthophosphate, as well as the total population and the population inhabiting irregular housing areas. From the model's results, it was possible to elaborate a spectrum of possible concentrations of caffeine along the Atuba River (Curitiba-Brazil). The tendency of water quality degradation of this river was also predicted. This model could become a useful preliminary analysis for water resource managers and researchers alike.

This research (1) analyzed the content of Pb and Cd in water and sediment; (2) analyzed physical and chemical parameters in water; (3) determined the enrichment factor and accumulation index of Pb and Cd in sediments; and (4) to identified water quality based on the Pollution Index (IP) and STORET. The analysis was carried out using PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and Pearson's correlation, and was conducted in the downstream section of the Musi River, Palembang, using a random sampling technique. Based on the analysis, it was found that the content of Pb and Cd in the waters had surpassed the quality standard whereas the contents of both heavy metals found in the sediment still met the quality standard. It was also found that several variables of the physical and chemical parameters did not meet the criteria. Based on the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Accumulation Index (Igeo) of Pb and Cd, the river had not been defiled. The pollution index values of both IP and STORET indicated that the water had been heavily polluted. Based on the PCA, three factors which affected the quality of the river water were found.

Litter dynamics is one of the fundamental processes for the growth and maintenance of native forest fragments, being considered the main pathway for nutrient cycling in forests. Studies on litter production and nutrient content therefore provide insights that provide a better understanding of nutrient dynamics. This study identifies the seasonality and meteorological conditions that influence the quantity and return of nutrients through litter in an Atlantic Forest fragment. Litter sampling was carried out monthly in 12 permanent plots. Each plot contained 5 littertraps distributed systematically. The litter was classified, and the dry mass and nutrients in the leaves and branches and miscellaneous fractions was quantified. Seasonal behavior was observed, with the highest depositions in the winter season. The average annual production was 6.78 Mg ha-1, with 64.9% being composed of leaves. The mean annual nutrient intake was 135.1, 115.7, 39.7, 23.5, 17.6 and 4.6 kg ha-1 for Ca, N, K, Mg, S and P, respectively. The meteorological variable precipitation influenced the deposition pattern. The increase in nutrient-use efficiency in the second year compared to the first indicates that plants strategically may be re-translocating relative amounts of their nutrients under water stress conditions.

The Spill, Transport and Fate Model (STFM) is a new computational tool for modeling oil spills in Brazilian waters, developed at the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of São Paulo. The STFM was designed to assist in the analysis of environmental impact and water quality, for academic purposes and for environmental licensing studies. This work presents the formulation of the model, performance evaluations and validation of the results. These are necessary phases for the model to be made available to the public.

There are gaps in our knowledge of important fish consumed by people in tropical countries. Small-scale fisheries are difficult to regulate, especially in countries with no species monitoring. At Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro), we observed 490 individuals of badejo (Comb grouper) (Mycteropeca acutirostris in 2013-2014 and in 2018-2020. The average catch was 1.36 kg (n=466 individuals). A pattern of decreasing catches was observed for Comb grouper.

In a scenario of increasingly frequent water crises, the use of treated wastewater is an important water management tool, with quality standards being developed worldwide to ensure safety in such practices. In this context, it is necessary to guarantee the reliability of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Reliability has been used to predict the probability of reaching the established standards or determine the design concentrations required to achieve them. This study associated the reliability concept with the study of WWTP in the steel industry, focusing on water use. The method developed by Niku et al. (1979) and used by Oliveira and Von Sperling (2008) was used to determine the coefficient of reliability, the mean project concentrations, and the percentage of compliance with the parameters required by the legislation of 3 WWTPs that treat industrial effluents and 1 WWTP that treats sanitary effluent. The percentages of compliance with legislation for most parameters were equal to or close to 100%, indicating an excellent performance of the 4 WWTPs, which could even allow the adoption of even higher levels of reliability. Therefore, the reliability studies together with a modeling of the contaminants' dispersion in the soil proved to be a very interesting approach for projects related to non-potable uses of treated wastewater in steel industries.

Changes in precipitation and air temperature may produce different impacts on the hydrological regime, compromising water supply. This study focuses on climate change impacts in the Verde River Basin (VRB), a tropical headwater basin in southeast Brazil, located in the state of Minas Gerais. The Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC) was calibrated and validated in the Verde River Basin. The downscaling (Eta Regional Climate Model, at 20-km resolution) of three Global Circulation Models (CanESM2, HadGEM2-ES and MIROC5) were used to drive the VIC for a historical baseline (

Water treatment and reuse are fundamental because of the increasing demand for freshwater, especially in agriculture. Accordingly, this study evaluated the effects of turbidity of wastewater processed at the Effluent Treatment Station (ETE) of the UFSCar/Araras and of UV dose on microbial inactivation. The ETE treats up to 2000 L of wastewater daily from toilets and a university restaurant and has five components (grease box, septic tank, microalgae tank, upflow anaerobic filter, and wetlands). Pretreated effluents were used in the experiments, and sampling sites consisted of inspection boxes located after the wetlands. Sample collection, inspection, preservation, and analyses were performed according to standard methods. Sample turbidity was adjusted to 5, 50, 100, 200, and 300 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), and UV doses of 7.2-28.8 mWs cm-2 were used. A 5 x 5 factorial design (five turbidity levels and five radiation doses) was used, totaling 25 treatments. Each treatment was performed in triplicate. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey's test. The results showed that the increase in turbidity significantly decreased disinfection efficiency in samples with turbidity levels higher than 50 NTU. The microbial inactivation coefficients obtained here can be extrapolated to disinfection of wastewater with turbidity up to 300 NTU to eliminate thermotolerant coliforms. The UV sterilizer is feasible for wastewater treatment and its reuse in agriculture.

In this study, the ecotechnology artificial floating islands (AFIs), colonized by Eichhornia crassipes, have been tested as a tool for water quality improvement of fishponds. The experiment was carried out in semi-intensive production during the grow-out period of Nile tilapia, comprising one production cycle. It was completely randomized with two treatments (with and without AFIs) and three replications. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), transparency (Secchi) and concentrations of chlorophyll a (CL a), total nitrogen (TN), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total phosphorus (TP) and orthophosphate (PO43--P) were analyzed fortnightly in the fishponds. Two groups ordered based on environmental characteristics were formed by applying the Principal Component Analysis (70.68% of explicability). The fishponds with AFIs were assigned to higher values of Secchi and lower values of pH, turbidity, TDS and concentrations of nutrients. On the other hand, the fishponds without AFIs were assigned to the highest values of these variables, except for Secchi. In 30 days, the AFIs showed the lowest concentrations of TP and PO43--P, and for CL a, TN and TAN, the differences were recorded after 90 days. The use of AFIs has demonstrated potential to conserve water quality in fishponds, notably for biologically assimilable elements (PO43--P  and TAN) and for those directly related to eutrophication (P and N). Artificial floating islands should be encouraged for small and medium-sized farmers as tool to improve water quality in fishponds. However, new AFIs coverage rates must be evaluated, as well as the control of hydraulic retention rates.

Given that atmospheric deposition is the first source of nutrient input into forest ecosystems, and that the precipitation partition serves as a nutritional source mainly when there is an interaction with the forest canopy, the objective of the present study was to quantify the nutrients input into rainfall, throughfall and stemflow in Eucalyptus urophylla stands with partial exclusion (E) and without exclusion (WE) of throughfall. The experiment was conducted in the northeast of the state of Paraná-Brazil, in the municipality of Telêmaco Borba. The partial precipitation exclusion system (E) is formed by a system of gutters that conduct 30% of throughfall out of the experiment. The nutrient input in rainfall was 55.7 kg ha-1 yr-1 , while the sum of throughfall and stemflow was 64.1 kg ha-1 yr-1 in treatment (WE) and 39.8 kg ha-1 yr-1 in treatment (E). Interaction with the canopy of the trees enriched the rainfall with nutrients, mainly the elements potassium and chlorine, due to leaching of the vegetal tissues. The reduction of the water treatment system in partial exclusion of precipitation (E) reduced representative nutrient input. Although stemflow represents on average only 2.6% of the water volume, it is responsible for 6.7% of the amount of nutrients in relation to precipitation. Therefore, stemflow cannot be neglected in the balance of nutrient cycling. With a rotation of 7 years, the application of significant amounts of fertilizers can be avoided, considering the inputs of 449 and 277 kg ha-1 year-1 .

Aquaculture plays an important role in providing protein-rich foods, meeting the growing demand for fish. However, aquaculture is a potentially polluting activity, especially with regard to water pollution, due to the improper disposal of wastewater from the production process. Aquaculture wastewater is rich in nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphorus) and organic matter, and is commonly discharged into the environment without proper treatment. This can cause a series of environmental impacts and aggravate the current water crisis. Due to the importance and need to reduce environmental impacts, plan the use of water resources and achieve an efficient and sustainable production process, many researchers have focused their studies on effluent treatment techniques designed to remove these nutrients. This article therefore presents an updated review of the main physicochemical and biological techniques used in the removal of nutrients, which can mitigate environmental problems arising from aquaculture activities and contribute to the sustainability of the activity.

The paper shows the results of the combustion in an enclosed flare of the biogas collected from an automotive shredded residues landfill. The results demonstrate that at 1,000°C and long combustion, several synthesis reactions lead to the formation of 4 to 6 rings of PAHs. This formation also involves the formation of compounds such as benzo(g,h,i)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene not present in raw biogas. However, the compounds most likely to form in combustion are benzo (a) anthracene and benzo (b) fluoranthene. The only exception is chrysene which is significantly destroyed. The experience has proved the total lack of formation of PAHs with only 2 and 3 aromatic rings.

RESUMO A região metropolitana de Belém (RMB) concentra 1/3 da população do estado do Pará, Brasil, e sua recente expansão tem causado uma série de problemas sociais e ambientais, que comprometem o acesso à infraestrutura e serviços, e também impactam outros fatores que influenciam a sustentabilidade urbana. Nos últimos anos, várias metodologias de avaliação da sustentabilidade das cidades têm sido propostas, porém os desafios ainda são enormes, no sentido de incorporar uma visão pluridimensional na avaliação da sustentabilidade urbana. No presente trabalho aplicou-se o Sistema de Índices de Sustentabilidade Urbana (SISU) para a RMB, com o objetivo de analisar os níveis de sustentabilidade dos municípios que compõem essa região metropolitana e verificar as limitações e os desafios em aplicar esse método de mensuração na Amazônia. Foram empregados 7 indicadores para o índice de qualidade ambiental (IQA), 4 para o índice de capacidade político institucional (ICP) e o índice de desenvolvimento humano municipal (IDHM). Os resultados obtidos mostram que há pouca variação nos índices IQA e IHDM, sendo que os municípios menos populosos, como Santa Bárbara e Benevides apresentam melhor IQA, e os de maior porte, como Belém e Ananindeua, o melhor IDHM. Entretanto, é em relação ao ICP que esta região metropolitana apresenta a maior desigualdade intermunicipal, refletindo assim, a necessidade do fortalecimento institucional e político dessa região. ABSTRACT The metropolitan area of Belém (RMB) contains 1/3 of the population of Pará State, Brazil, and its recent expansion has caused a number of social and environmental problems that undermine access to infrastructure and services and also impact other factors that influence urban sustainability. In recent years, various methodologies for assessing the sustainability of cities have been proposed, but the challenges of incorporating a

RESUMO As características estruturais e ecológicas da vegetação herbácea fazem com que ela seja sensível às alterações do ambiente, atuando como indicador da qualidade ambiental. No entanto, o estudo dessa comunidade ainda é incipiente em regiões neotropicais. Este estudo descreve a florística e os aspectos fitossociológicos da vegetação herbácea terrícola na mata ciliar de sete rios, no município de Urussanga, sul do estado de Santa Catarina, além de analisar e quantificar o status do conhecimento científico relacionado às herbáceas terrícolas no Brasil. Foram levantadas 320 unidades amostrais de 4 m², nas quais todos os indivíduos foram identificados e dados relacionados aos parâmetros fitossociológicos foram coletados. A amostragem resultou em 58 táxons, 38 pertencentes às angiospermas e 20 às samambaias, distribuídos em 25 famílias botânicas. Poaceae apresentou maior riqueza, com 11 espécies. Estruturalmente, destacaram-se Goeppertia monophylla (Vell.) Borchs. e S. Suárez, Blechnum brasiliense Desv. e Heliconia farinosa Raddi. A forma de vida mais frequente foi a hemicriptófita reptante. Os resultados revelam uma elevada riqueza de herbáceas terrícolas adaptadas às condições climáticas das matas ciliares, contribuindo para a diversidade da flora regional. Quanto à produção científica, foram encontrados 50 trabalhos indexados nas bases de dados eletrônicas (1990 a 2015), com destaque ao ano de 2011, que teve maior produção científica enfocando as herbáceas terrícolas. Embora com baixo número, a quantidade de indexações tende a crescer, em virtude do avanço da tecnologia de acesso às bases de dados e pela crescente adesão de periódicos em portais de busca. ABSTRACT The structural and ecological characteristics of herbaceous vegetation make it sensitive to environmental changes, acting as environmental quality indicator. However, studies of the herbaceous community are as yet rare in neotropical regions. This paper describes the

Estatística espacial para avaliar a relação entre saneamento básico, IDH e remanescente de cobertura vegetal no estado de Goiás, Brasil RESUMO Neste trabalho buscou-se estabelecer uma relação proveniente das análises espaciais de agrupamentos dos 246 municípios do estado de Goiás, Brasil, considerando os dados de saneamento básico, índice de desenvolvimento humano e cobertura vegetal. Os dados de E. coli, turbidez e cor aparente de 140 mananciais goianos também foram coletados mensalmente entre 2005 e 2009 e comparados com a cobertura vegetal e o regime de precipitação. Para a elaboração de análises espaciais de agrupamento, utilizou-se o índice de Getis-Ord, aplicado aos dados de saneamento, IDH e índice de cobertura vegetal (imagens Landsat7 ETM+ obtidas em 2002). Notou-se uma forte correlação (p<0,05) entre as áreas que possuem maior índice de saneamento com as regiões que tem maior IDH, e relação inversa com o índice de remanescente vegetal. Foi possível observar a alteração da qualidade da água dentre os municípios que possuem maior intervenção e modificação do meio ambiente, sendo que o Norte Goiano, que possui maior remanescente vegetal, apresentou um dos melhores valores para cor aparente, turbidez e E. coli, dentre os demais municípios. Ainda, foi observada elevação nas concentrações destes parâmetros, influenciada pela precipitação, que no estado de Goiás, Brasil, ocorrem primordialmente nos meses de novembro a abril. Palavras-chave: degradação ambiental, recursos hídricos, vegetação ripária. ABSTRACT This study presents the results of the spatial clustering of the 246 towns of the State of Goiás, Brazil, considering basic sanitation data, human development index and land use. Monthly data related to E. coli, turbidity and apparent color from 140 local sources between 2005 and 2009 were also analyzed and compared with the vegetation cover and precipitation. For the preparation of spatial clustering analysis, the Getis-Ord index was used and it was applied to sanitation, Human Development Index (HDI) and vegetation cover index

Among the anthropic activities generating potentially toxic residues are those involved with bovine hide processing (tannery industries). However, knowledge is scant regarding the damage caused to the health of various organisms by tannery waste and studies are rare, especially in mammalian experimental models. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the physical and behavioral effects of the exposure of female Swiss mice to tannery effluent. To accomplish this, for a period of 15 days the animals were fed tannery effluent diluted with water in the following concentrations: 0% (control group, received only potable water), 5% and 10%. The body mass of the animals was evaluated at the beginning and end of the experiment, as well as the daily consumption of water and food. After 15 days of exposure to the effluent, the animals were submitted to the elevated plus maze (predictive of anxiety) and the forced swim test (predictive of depression). The treatments did not affect the animals' body mass, either in eating behavior or in consumption of water. However, it was found that the animals that ingested tannery effluent concentrations of 5% and 10% exhibited an anxiolytic (lower level of anxiety, greater percentage of time in the open arms, longer time and frequency in the diving behavior, less time of lurks and less frequency of freezing) and an antidepressant effect (more time in climbing behavior and less time of immobility) when compared to the control group. It was concluded that the exposure of female Swiss mice to tannery effluents (5% and 10% diluted with water) causes behavioral changes, possibly related to the neurotoxicity of this waste, without causing physical changes in the animals.

Mercury is a major pollutant in the Amazon River system, and its levels in fish and human hair are usually above the limit recommended by health agencies. The objective of this study was to analyze the methylmercury (MeHg) concentration in fish tissue from the Roosevelt River. The river's water velocity, depth, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen and substrate type were measured, and fifty specimens distributed in 14 fish species were collected. A total of 64.3% of the sampled species were of the order Characiform and 71.4% of the species were carnivores. Fifty percent of the species had MeHg concentrations above threshold limit (Hg-T 0.5 mg kg-1) established for food by the World Health Organization. Cichla monoculus had the highest value of MeHg (2.45 mg kg-1). The MeHg concentration in fish varied according to dietary habits. The study also found bioaccumulation of MeHg in fish tissue in the following descending order: carnivorous > detritivorous > frugivore. Low significant correlations were found between fish weight or length and MeHg. Further studies on MeHg contamination are recommended in tissues of fish consumed in human riverine communities in the Roosevelt River Basin. Bioacumulação de metilmercúrio em tecidos de peixes no rio Roosevelt, Sudoeste da Bacia Amazônica RESUMO O mercúrio tem sido um dos principais poluentes no sistema do rio Amazonas, cujos níveis em peixes e cabelo humano são geralmente acima dos limites recomendados pelos órgãos de saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a concentração de metilmercúrio (MeHg) em tecidos de peixes do rio Roosevelt. Os atributos medidos do rio foram a velocidade da água, profundidade, pH, temperatura, condutividade elétrica, oxigênio dissolvido, e profundidade. Cinquenta espécimes distribuídas em 14 espécies de peixes foram coletadas. A ordem Characiformes representou 64,3% das espécies amostradas e os carnívoros representaram 71,4%. Cinquenta por cento das espécies apresentaram concentrações de MeHg acima do limite (Hg-T 0,5 mg kg-1) estabelecido para os alimentos pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. Cichla monoculus apresentou o maior valor de MeHg (2,45 mg kg-1). A concentração de MeHg variou por hábitos alimentares. Este estudo demonstrou bioacumulação de MeHg em tecidos de peixes, como segue: carnívoros > detritívoros > frugívoros. Baixas correlações entre peso ou cumprimento de peixe e MeHg foram encontradas. Recomenda-se um estudo mais aprofundado de contaminação do MeHg em tecidos de peixes consumidos nas comunidades ribeirinhas na bacia do rio Roosevelt. Palavras-chave: biomagnificação, contaminação química, poluição aquática.