Repositório RCAAP

Resumo Algumas áreas de Terra Preta Arqueológica na Amazônia vêm sendo utilizadas com pastagem o que tem gerado grande preocupação quanto às alterações dos atributos físicos e o estado de agregação do solo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial e as possíveis modificações dos atributos físicos e agregados do solo em terra preta arqueológica sob pastagem. Uma grade de 80 x 56m foi usada e a amostragem realizada em 88 pontos em disposição de 8 x 8m. Nas camadas de 0-0,05, 0,05-0,10 e 0,10-0,20m foram avaliados: a densidade do solo (Ds), carbono orgânico total (COT), estoque de carbono (Est C), diâmetro médio ponderado (DMP), macroporosidade (Macro), microporosidade (Micro) e volume total de poros (VTP). Pelo exame de semivariogramas constatou-se a ocorrência de dependência espacial. Mesmo a área de estudo sendo em pastagem observou-se que os valores de Ds, Macro e VTP, estiveram acima ou abaixo dos valores de referências que podem causar restrição ao crescimento radicular de plantas e à infiltração de água no solo. O DMP e Ds foram dependentes do COT, pois os valores de ambos aumentam ou diminuem de acordo com a camada. Com o aumento da camada do solo, houve o acréscimo do estoque de carbono.

Abstract Rainfall is a meteorological variable of great importance for hydric balance and for weather studies. Rainfall estimation, carried out by satellites, has increased the climatological dataset related to precipitation. However, the accuracy of these data is questionable. This paper aimed to validate the estimates done by the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite for the mesoregion of Southern Amazonas State, Brazil. The surface data were collected by the National Water Agency - ANA and National Institute of Meteorology - INMET, and is available at both institutions’ websites. The satellite precipitation data were accessed directly from the NASA webpage. Statistical analysis of Pearson correlation was used, as well as the Willmott’s “d” index and errors from the MAE (Mean Absolute Error) and RMSE (Root Mean Square Error). The GPM satellite satisfactorily estimated the precipitation, once it had correlations above 73% and high Willmott coefficients (between 0.86 and 0.97). The MAE and RMSE showed values that varied from 36.50 mm to 72.49 mm and 13.81 mm to 71.76 mm, respectively. Seasonal rain variations are represented accordingly. In some cases, either an underestimation or an overestimation of the rain data was observed. In the yearly totals, a high rate of similarity between the estimated and measured values was observed. We concluded that the GPM-based multi-satellite precipitation estimates can be used, even though they are not 100% reliable. However, adjustments in calibration for the region are necessary and recommended.

Abstract This study analyzed histopathological (gill lesions) and hematological (erythrocyte abnormalities) changes in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) in order to evaluate the water quality of fish farms in the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Maracanã, Maranhão, Brazil. Specimens of tambaqui were captured in two areas of EPA: A1) Serena Lagoon, and A2) River Ambude, in two seasonal periods, rainy and dry. For the hematological analyses, slides were made from the blood smear collected from the branchial arch of the fish. In the laboratory, the gills of each specimen were fixed in 10% formalin and maintained in 70% alcohol until the usual histological technique. The branchial changes were more frequent during the dry season in both areas. In the fish collection in A2, the following changes were noted: mucosal cells (78%), lamellar fusion (90%), lamellar disorganization (100%), lamellar narrowing (100%), and epithelial displacement (96%). In the fish collection in A1, the main lesions were: aneurysm (88%), dilation of the capillaries (82%), rupture of the capillaries (60%). In addition, nuclear alterations, such as binucleate cells (BC), cells with an evaginated nucleus (CEN) and cells with a lobulated carved nucleus (CLCN), were observed in the fish from both areas. The frequency of abnormalities was higher in the fish from A2 (74%) when compared to the fish from A1 (26%). In conclusion, we found that these alterations proved to be sensitive biomarkers capable of differentiating water quality and fish health status in the two systems in the Maracanã EPA.

Abstract Environmental conservation of river basins in general is essential for water quality and ecological maintenance, especially in spring areas. Despite being characterized as a Conservation Unit (CU) of Sustainable Use (SU), the Uberaba River Basin highlands are highly influenced by anthropic activities. The aim of this study was to determine different levels of conservation required to maintain environmental quality. The Multicriteria evaluation method was used as follows: i) applied fuzzy membership functions to standardization of the continuous data values or reclassified when categorical criteria; (ii) established criteria ranking through the pairwise relative importance comparison approach by the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and; (iii) performed Weighted Linear Combination (WLC). The selected criteria were maps of the: land cover obtained by supervised classification of a satellite image, with 94% of Kappa Index of Agreement (KIA); soil types, slope; distances from rivers, roads; railways and urban limits. A main outcome of the criteria evaluated is a map of continuous data values expressing distinct levels of environmental conservation requirements. The highest values that express the need for conservation occurred near the ridgetop, corresponding to forest land cover, high slope and hydromorphic soils. The lowest values were observed in the peri-urban areas, in more stable soil and soil cover with a higher degree of occupation. It is concluded that the resulting map can assist in decision-making regarding proper management of the area, to achieve sustainability in the application of occupation policies.

Abstract Dilúvio Stream flows through an area with a great population density in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. The anthropogenic influence in the surroundings impacted negatively the quality of the sediments of Dilúvio Stream and Lake Guaíba. This study evaluated the physico-chemical variability of surface sediments in a non-channeled section of Dilúvio Stream. Additionally, we compared the concentration of several heavy metals in this section with data from previous studies in the margins of Lake Guaíba near the outflow of Dilúvio Stream in order to evaluate the impact of urbanization on sediment pollution. The pH, bulk density, particle-size distribution, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, assimilable phosphorus, total nitrogen, mineralogical composition (X-ray diffractogram) and pseudo total concentration of several metals (Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Ba, Zn, V, As, Pb, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd, Mo, and Se) were evaluated. The results showed that the sediments in the non-channeled section of Dilúvio Stream are predominantly sandy, with heavy metal contents below the quality reference values. Quartz and feldspar predominated in all sites. The concentration of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Ni were lower than that observed in the margins of Lake Guaíba near the outflow of Dilúvio Stream, possibly due to pollution input throughout the channeled section. The Dilúvio Stream shows indications of an anthropogenic influence in the heavy metals concentration through the channeled area.

Abstract Currently in Brazil, the main form of erosion is caused by the impact of raindrops on the soil surface, triggering the process of water erosion and causing serious damage to agricultural areas. This study evaluated losses of soil, water, organic carbon and nutrients in different cultures, bare soil and savanna under natural rain. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments (bare soil - BS, cowpea bean - CB, Brachiaria brizantha - BB, corn - CO and natural savanna - SN) with three replications; The treatment of bare soil (BS), followed by the treatment cultivated with cowpea bean (CB) showed higher losses of soil, water, organic carbon and nutrients; The highest losses of soil, water, organic carbon and nutrients in the treatment of bare soil (BS) occurred during the period of greatest erosivity; but for treatments CB, BB and CO, the highest losses occurred during the establishment of the crop, in view of the lower soil cover. Soils cultivated with Brachiaria brizantha - BB, corn - CO and in the Natural Savana - SN area were more efficient in reducing soil and water losses during all months evaluated. Plant cover produced by the (SN) treatment and by the (BB) and (CO) treatments acted to reduce the harmful effects of erosion, minimizing losses of nutrients and organic carbon. The soil should be well protected during periods when rainfall presents the highest values of erosivity index.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the water quality of Carahá River in Lages (Brazil), using the concept of pollutant load and comparing the results with the water quality index. Thirteen points along the river were selected and eight collections were carried out over a period of 16 months. The parameters analysed were those required for the calculation of the water quality index (WQI). Flow measurements were also carried out, which enabled the calculation of the polluting load. The results showed that the WQI score ranges between 24.95 at the source and peaks at 40 at the outlet. The water classification, therefore, ranges from “very bad” to “bad”. The calculation of the pollutant load showed a constant disposal of contaminants into the river, which demonstrates that the quality of the water is continuously degraded. This information could not be obtained by analysing only the WQI, which presented a nearly constant quality at point 4 and beyond. The use of the calculation of pollutant load for Carahá River is, therefore, a tool for assessment of pollution that can provide more appropriate information for the water resources management.

Abstract In this study, baker’s yeast-MnO2 composites, produced by direct oxidation of yeast with KMnO4 under acidic conditions, were used as biosorbent to remove the triphenylmethane dye Malachite green (MG) from an aqueous solution. Parameters that influence the adsorption process, such as pH, contact time, temperature, initial dye concentration and biosorbent dosage, were evaluated in batch experiments. The optimum removal of MG was found to be 86.7 mg g-1 at pH 10, 1.0 g L-1 of biomass dosage and 45°C. The kinetic data of dye removal was better described by the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum biosorption capacity was estimated to be 243.9 mg g-1 (at 25°C). The negative values of ∆G° and the positive value of ∆H° indicated that the MG biosorption onto yeast-MnO2 composites is spontaneous and endothermic. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that the nano-MnO2 particles deposited on yeast-MnO2 composites surface facilitated the MG adsorption. It was concluded that baker’s yeast-MnO2 composites have potential for application as adsorbent for removal of MG from aqueous solution.

Abstract Water is essential for life, important for the ecosystem and it is in great demand due to its scarcity. This study explored the reuse of the wastewater of the Water Treatment Plant in Gramame for agricultural purposes. A qualitative and quantitative investigation of the effluent was carried out through the characterization of its physical and chemical parameters, comparing the results to what is allowed by the current legislation, CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. After this process, the activated charcoal of coco-da-baia mesocarp, adsorbent material, was prepared and tested in a filter system in a column with a continuous flow and ascendant entrance, in which the kinetic effect was evaluated. This technique was evaluated by correlating the reduced values in the adsorption material, respecting the initial effluent concentration, obtaining a reduction of 50% in the hardness, 87.5% in chloride and 66.6% in acidity. These results verified the adequacy of the technique in potential hydrogenation (pH) and abrupt reduction of color and turbidity. This treatment is suggested to qualify the effluent for use in agricultural, safe for humans and the environment. The adsorbent substrate efficiency was verified by correlating it with the Thomas isothermal model.

Abstract Some classes of drugs represent greater criticality as environmental contamination; antibiotics in general represent the most potent contaminants and cause greater damage to the environment. The purpose of this work is to quantify the percentage of soil contamination by Azithromycin in presentations of 500 mg, through the application of Infrared Spectroscopy with Fourier Transform. It was verified that the drug exerts significant impacts to the environment, even in the characteristic of micropollutant, and that its extraction when performed with Pure Acetonitrile allows its residues in soil samples to be satisfactorily quantified.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) in the morphometric characterization of a basin located in a transitional region between the São Francisco Plateau, São Francisco Depression and Espinhaço Range reliefs. For the study, four DEMs were generated by interpolation of the SRTM data and topographic maps, using the Topo To Raster interpolator with and without mapped hydrography support, available in ArcGIS® 9.3 software. Another DEM was obtained from the SRTM original data. From the generated DEMs, the morphometric characteristics of the basin were determined and compared to those obtained from topographic maps, denominated reference (REF), by means of percentage errors. The evaluation was also performed in a qualitative way, comparing the drainage and the basin delineations. In general, the DEMs obtained with the support of the mapped hydrography (SRTM-TRH and CT-TRH) provided the best results, with small errors, mainly for the main morphometric characteristics of the basin, drainage area and main river length, which ranged from 0.38 to 1.12% and 5.28 to 7.07%, respectively. On the other hand, the DEMs generated without the support of the mapped hydrography (SRTM-O, SRTM-TR and CT-TR) presented major errors mainly in determining the drainage area and length of the main river, which varied from 18.1 to 26.6% and 26.7 to 34.4%, respectively. These occurred due to a deviation of the main river in the São Franciscana Depression region, which allows us to conclude on the necessity and importance of evaluating DEMs before their use.

Abstract Water quality issues are a growing concern due to the the recent intensification of urbanization and industrialization. This paper evaluates and compares the surface water quality of the ten sub-basins of the Pará River, located in the São Francisco River Basin, Minas Gerais, and evaluates the impact of seasonality and the compliance with the current limits of state legislation. The surface water quality monitoring database of the Institute of Water Management of Minas Gerais (Igam) was used, and 18 parameters were analyzed from a historical series from 2008 to 2016, totaling 16,651 observations. First, the descriptive statistics of the parameters were calculated, considering each sub-basin separately. Then, for the temporal and spatial analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric statistical tests were applied, followed by the multiple comparison test, with an alpha level of 5%, due to the asymmetric behavior of the data. Thus, it was possible to compare water quality of the sub-basins in rainy and dry seasons and to identify which parameters were responsible for the greater degradation. In the compliance analysis to the current limits of state legislation, it was identified that all of the sub-basins were out of the specified range for at least one of the evaluated parameters. Finally, the seasonality analysis exposed significant differences in the parameters of dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total suspended solids, total solids and water temperature, where it was shown that there was a worsening of water quality in the rainy season for most sub-basins.

Abstract The Maxakali is the second largest indigenous population in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil; and parasitic diseases are its main cause of death. Problems related to the quality of water consumed by this population, added to the absence of public sanitation services, aggravate the risk of illnesses due to several water-borne pathologies. Thus, the main purpose of this paper was to evaluate the water quality consumed in natura by the Maxakali community, quantifying toxic metals in relation to the maximum values allowed by Brazilian law. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with samples of water collected in surface- and groundwater in the Maxakali villages, including three seasonal periods. Villages with the greatest number of altered measures of metals in water were Aldeias Pradinho (100%) and Água Boa (92%). The smallest number of changes were found in Aldeias Verde and Rafael (27%). The metals that appeared in the largest number of collections with values higher than recommended were Iron (50%), followed by Arsenic (46%), Aluminum (36%), Cadmium (22%) and Mercury (20%), respectively. The study identified high concentrations of toxic metals in the water consumed by the Maxakali indigenous community in Brazil.

Abstract Several factors may contribute to changes in monitoring parameters of drinking water quality, especially climatic characteristics. Behavioral studies of these characteristics are relevant to the rational and sustainable use of water resources and better monitoring of the quality of water available for the population. To assess the association between water quality and climate, this research explored physical-chemical and microbiological characteristics considered important for the monitoring of water quality, analyzed in casual samples collected daily from the distribution system of a city, and considered monthly data of climatic characteristics from 2007 to 2011. The associations between these two sets of variables were assessed by the multivariate procedure of the canonical correlation analysis. The results indicate a positive correlation between the canonical variable formed by the linear combination of climatic variables and the canonical variable formed by the linear combination of water quality variables.

Abstract The objective of the study was to analyze the concentration of Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and As in river water suitable for aquaculture in the watershed of the Mantaro River using multivariate statistical methods, during the period 2011-2013. The determinations of total heavy metals in water collected during two different climatic periods were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, according to the methodology recommended by FAO. The results obtained show that, in the seven rivers evaluated, the average concentration of Pb, Fe and Cu exceeded the quality standards of Peru's continental water for the extraction and cultivation of hydrobiological species and USEPA standards for the protection of fish and aquatic life. The average concentration of Zn only exceeded USEPA standards. While the concentrations of Pb and Cu also surpassed those of the WHO. The cluster analysis suggests that the evaluated rivers, in which fish farming activity is intensively developed, have similar characteristics in relation to the concentration of heavy metals. According to the analysis of main components, in Component 1, there are moderate loads for arsenic; in Component 2, there is a strong load for zinc and relatively low loads for iron; and, in Component 3, there is a moderate load for iron. The discriminant analysis revealed that two of the five variables were significant predictors of the season; in this case, copper and lead were sufficient to discriminate the variables between the rainy or dry season.

Abstract This study evaluated whether the use of composted sewage sludge in zoysia grass sod production can partially or completely substitute fertilization based on urea. The experiment was conducted on a sod farm located in Itapetininga, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental design was a complete randomized block design with five replications and experimental plots of 5 m2 in a 2x6 factorial scheme. The first factor was the method of application (single or split), and the second factor was composted sewage sludge fertilization and two controls (no fertilization and a standard dose of conventional fertilizer). The conventional fertilizer (urea) dose corresponds to 300 kg N ha-1 and the sewage compost doses correspond to 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg N ha-1. The experiment began with the liming of the total area at 60 days after the previous harvest of zoysia grass sod. Three methods were used to evaluate sod production: soil cover rate, green color intensity, and leaf analysis. At 212 days after the beginning of the experiment, the compost treatment of 30 Mg ha-1 (300 kg ha-1 of N), applied in a single dose, allowed for complete sod formation (100% soil cover rate).

Abstract The pulp and paper industry is one of world’s largest water consumers, generating high volumes of effluents. The Kraft process produces effluents with high BOD, COD, suspended solids, lignin and a myriad of potentially toxic compounds, which require treatment before discharge into the aquatic environment. Advanced oxidation processes, such as UV/H2O2, have been applied as treatment alternatives because they can destroy many compounds before they mineralize. However, when the oxidation process is incomplete, occurs could be produced by products with high toxicity. This study evaluated the acute toxicity on Daphnia magna of two effluent samples of Kraft pulp mill (KE1 and KE2) treated by UV/H2O2 process. The effects of the pH variation and oxidant concentration on the removal of DOC, total UV-vis spectral area and apparent color were considered to adjust the experiments’ conditions with diluted effluent KE1. Both samples were treated at pH 4.0 and 70 mg L-1 of H2O2 for 40 min, achieving removals of up to 69.4% in apparent color, 73.7% of phenolic compounds and 68.9% of lignin compounds. When the reaction was applied in undiluted effluent samples, the acute toxicity for Daphnia magna decreased for KE1 after 780 min of treatment, whereas KE2 became four times more toxic. The data showed that although the treatment had been efficient considering physics and chemicals parameters, it is necessary follow the oxidative processes with ecotoxicological bioassays to guarantee their safety, since different effluents of the Kraft pulp mill could present different levels of organic compound mineralization.

Abstract Starting in the 1970's, the Pampa Arenosa sub-region experienced an increasing water regime that generated an increased area for dryland farming. With increasing agricultural activity, examining the land is an essential strategic tool for its planning. The objective of this work was to highlight the importance of considering several climate scenarios when setting the productivity index in the sector of longitudinal dunes in the Pampa Arenosa sub-region in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The climate scenarios were set in relation to the shifts in average rain values, according to the Pettitt Test. The land were classified according to their productivity index. It was found that the productivity index of the land increased with the rain, reaching its highest value in the period right after the abrupt shift. Land of moderate productive capacity whose productivity index values are between 65 and 51 comprised the majority of the area of our study.

Abstract Domestic effluent reuse is an alternative for irrigated agriculture in situations of reduced water availability. However, as there is the presence of pathogens in wastewater, the disinfection process is necessary before use. This research evaluated the sanitary and agricultural viability of treated wastewater at a pilot-scale station composed of a septic tank, Wetlands and an ultraviolet radiation (UV) disinfection system. The Sewage Treatment Station (STS) is installed in the Agricultural Sciences Center, UFSCar, in Araras city, SP, and receives 2000 L of sewage daily, which was monitored in terms of pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), magnesium (Mg), total organic carbon (TOC), total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR).The removal efficiency of the parameters was calculated based on the input and output means of each treatment unit. Results indicated removal efficiency for K (68.2%), TN (54.1%) and TP (36.1%). The levels of Na (26.7%) and Ca (22.9%) demonstrated the contribution of these salts to the wastewater; however, SAR did not present any risks for soil sodification. Microbiologically, the STS presented removal efficiency of 4 and 5 log-cycles for TC and E. coli, respectively. Therefore, results of monitoring indicate that the treated wastewater presents sanitary and agricultural viability, and conforms with the current legislation.

Abstract This research evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of water resource preservation areas in the Hydrographical Basin of Andreas Stream, county of Vera Cruz, RS, Brazil, established through Payment for Environmental Services (PES), using an environmental monitoring program to assess physical, chemical and microbiological variables. The PES is linked to the "Water Guardian" project, which aims to ensure the preservation of water resources by paying farmers for providing the environmental services to protect the springs and riparian areas that lie within their properties. Twenty sampling stations were selected for collecting water samples monthly during the period July 2012 to June 2014 (460 samples) to evaluate the following variables: water temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, ammonia nitrogen, phosphate, total dissolved solids and thermotolerant coliforms. The evaluation was made based on decree 357/2005 of the National Environmental Council (CONAMA) and by applying the Water Quality Index (WQI). The results indicated a significant improvement in the water quality when comparisons were made between the periods before and after the installation of the preservation areas. The sampling points classified as “good” (CONAMA and WQI), which indicates water of good quality that is appropriate for multiple uses, increased from 52.0% to 72.0%. In this sense, promoting the preservation of headwaters and riparian zones becomes of fundamental importance and highlights the role of PES as an operational tool for water resource preservation.