Assessment of the genotoxicity of two agricultural residues after processing by diplopods using the Allium cepa assay

Agroindustrial by-products and residues from treatment of sewage sludge have been recently recycled as soil amendments. This study was aimed at assessing toxic potential of biosolid, obtained from a sewage treatment plant (STP), vinasse, a by-product of the sugar cane industry, and a combination of both residues using Allium cepa assay. Bioprocessing of these samples by a terrestrial invertebrate (diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi) was also examined. Bioassay assembly followed standards of the Brazilian legislation for disposal of these residues. After adding residues, 20 diplopods were placed in each terrarium, where they remained for 30 days. Chemical analysis and the A. cepa assay were conducted before and after bioprocessing by diplopods. At the end of the bioassay, there was a decrease in arsenic and mercury. For the remaining metals, accumulation and/or bioavailability varied in all samples but suggested bioprocessing by animals. The A. cepa test revealed genotoxic effects characterized by different chromosome aberrations. Micronuclei and chromosome breaks on meristematic cells and F1 cells with micronuclei were examined to assess mutagenicity of samples. After 30 days, the genotoxic effects were significantly reduced in the soil + biosolid and soil + biosolid + vinasse groups as well as the mutagenic effects in the soil + biosolid + vinasse group. Similar to vermicomposting, bioprocessing of residues by diplopods can be a feasible alternative and used prior to application in crops to improve degraded soils and/or city dumps. Based on our findings, further studies are needed to adequately dispose of these residues in the environment. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Marine Protected Areas in Brazil: An ecological approach regarding the large marine ecosystems

The objective of this study was to address the importance of implementing Coastal and Marine Protected Areas in Brazil and to examine their distribution, based on the delimitation of Large Marine Ecosystems. Out of a total of 336 protected areas identified in Brazilian coastal and marine areas, the North Platform has the largest protected area, but the ecosystem with the largest number of protected area, predominantly sustainable areas, was the East Coast followed by the South Platform. One of the reasons the eastern coast of Brazil to have more protected areas is the fact that there is a largest amount of coral reefs. Additionally there was political opportunities for the creation of protected areas for sustainable use. The coastal region of Brazil has achieved the goal proposed by the Seventh Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity - 7, but only then through the category V of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which is not the best efficient means of conserving resources. The goal for marine conservation shows only the area above the recommended under protection in North Platform. The Marine portion of the East Coast and the South Platform has few protected areas, regardless of category management. We consider the coastal region the range of 12 nautical miles from baselines determined in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. As for the number of strategies permitted by law and used for the conservation of coastal and marine systems, coastal systems show a higher number when compared with the marine system. We suggest that the Brazilian government should specify strategies for the protection of marine systems and expand the protected areas of all Large Marine Ecosystems. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Impacts of agricultural activities in remaining forest: Campinas/SP, Brazil

Forest fragmentation occurs normally in an area around the city or with high agricultural influence, such as the Forest of Quilombo that lies in Metropolitan Campinas/SP- Brazil. This forest is one such example since it is separated from the other forest fragments in the region for several types of human action. The objective of this study is to analyze the macro and micronutrients and soil edaphic insect fauna in the forest, pasture and sugar cane and inferring the impacts caused by the Mata do Quilombo cattle farming and urban expansion in chemical aspects of soil. Samples were collected in June/11, according to the procedure of method traps pitfall traps. In addition, at each sampling point four composite samples were collected for soil fertility analysis. Samples were collected at six points: pasture, degraded forest (near pasture), preserved forest (near pasture), degraded forest (near cane sugar), preserved forest (near cane sugar), and sugar cane sugar. The samples thus prepared were analyzed Ca, P, K, Mg, pH, organic matter, H + Al, Sum of Base (SB), Base Percentage Saturation (V%), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and trace elements (S, B, Cu, Fe, Mg and Zn). Generally it can be seen that the group of organisms of soil fauna presented with little biodiversity. The number of individuals also shows little species, taxonomic groups showing the highest degree of impact that the remaining forest has suffered. Regarding the analysis of fertility it can be observed that the soil of the surrounding areas of the forest is under direct influence of agriculture. © 2013 WIT Press.