Antimicrobial resistance of heterotrophic marine bacteria isolated from seawater and sands of recreational beaches with different organic pollution levels in southeastern Brazil: evidences of resistance dissemination

Antimicrobial resistance of marine heterotrophic bacteria to different antimicrobials agents were evaluated in seawater, dry and wet sands from three marine recreational beaches with different pollution levels. In all studied beaches, the greatest frequencies of resistance were found in relation to penicillin. on Gonzaguinha, the most polluted beach, 72.3% of all isolated strains showed simple resistance, whilst 8.33% had multiple resistance. The values found on Ilha Porchat beach, were 70.8% and 6.9% for simple and multiple resistances, respectively. on GuaraA(0), the less polluted beach, only 35.3% of isolated strains had simple resistance. Multiple resistance was not observed. While samples from Gonzaguinha and Ilha Porchat beach showed isolated strains resistant to seven and six different antimicrobial agents, respectively, samples from GuaraA(0) beach were resistant only to penicillin and erytromicin. The positive correlations obtained between the degree of seawater contamination and frequency and variability of bacterial resistance indicate that polluted marine recreational waters and sands are sources of resistant bacteria contributing thus, to the dissemination of bacterial resistance.

Nitrous oxide production and potential denitrification in soils from riparian buffer strips: Influence of earthworms and plant litter

Vegetated riparian buffer strips have been established in Southern Quebec (Canada) in order to intercept nutrients such as nitrate (NO(3)(-)) and protect water quality near agricultural fields. Buffer strips may also favour denitrification through a combination of high soil moisture, NO(3)(-) and carbon supply, which could lead to the production of nitrous oxide (N(2)O), a greenhouse gas. Denitrification could be further amplified by the presence of earthworms, or by plant species that promote earthworm and bacterial activity in soils. Soils from four farms, comprising maize fields and adjacent buffer strips, were sampled in the fall of 2008. A total of six earthworm species were found, but average earthworm biomass did not differ between buffer strips and maize agroecoecosystems. Nitrate concentrations and net nitrification rates were higher in the maize fields than in the buffer strips: there was no difference in N(2)O production in soils collected from the two sampling locations. Potential denitrification, measured by acetylene inhibition, varied by two orders of magnitude, depending on experimental conditions: when amended with H(2)O or with H(2)O + NO3-, potential denitrification was higher (P < 0.05) in soils from buffer strips than from maize fields. Potential denitrification was highest in soils amended with H(2)O+glucose, or with H(2)O+ NO(3)(-) + glucose. Using microcosms, we tested the effect of litter-soil mixtures on earthworm growth, and the effect of earthworm-litter-soil mixtures on potential denitrification. Based on four categories of chemical assays, litters of woody species (oak, apple, Rhododendron) were generally of lower nutritional quality than litter from agronomic species (alfalfa, switchgrass, corn stover). Alfalfa litter had the most positive effect, whereas apple litter had the most negative effect, on earthworm growth. Potential denitrification was 2-4 times higher in earthworm-litter-soil mixtures than in plain soil. Litter treatments that included corn stover had lower potential denitrification than those that included alfalfa or switchgrass, whereas litter treatments that included oak had lower potential denitrification than those that included apple or Rhododendron. Results suggest that potential N(2)O emissions may be higher in riparian buffer strips than in adjacent maize fields, that N(2)O emissions in buffer strips may be amplified by comminuting earthworms, and that plant litters that reduce earthworm growth may not be best at mitigating N(2)O emissions. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantitative variations in heterotrophic plate count and in the presence of indicator microorganisms in bottled mineral water

Quantitative variations in heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and in the presence of indicator microorganisms in 0.5, 1.5 and 20-L bottles of different brands of Brazilian mineral water were analyzed during their shelf life. No variations were identified in the presence of indicator microorganisms, but quantitative variations in HPC were observed in some brands, which suggests that changes may be occurring in the water quality during storage. The aim of this study was also to evaluate the quality of the bottled mineral waters and the presence of enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were verified in six and two bottles, respectively, which is in disagreement with the microbiological quality criteria established in the current legislation. Although no limit is set for HPC in mineral water, this study relies on the limit of 500 colony-forming units per mL of sample (CFU/mL). Seventy-two bottles presented levels above 500 CFU/mL and up to 560,000 CFU/mL. This study showed that the control of HPC (<500 CFU/mL) for non-returnable packaging seems to be adequate to ensure the quality of mineral water during storage. The high values of HPC and its variations detected during storage seem to fully justify the need for a reevaluation of the use of HPC in bottled mineral water quality management. More detailed studies on the potential health risk of HPC and its variations in mineral water are also needed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Microbiology quality in continuous water flow fish ponds

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Atividade e população microbiana envolvida nas transformações do enxofre em solos com diferentes vegetações

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Can seasonal differences influence food web structure on preserved habitats? Responses from two Brazilian streams

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação em escala laboratorial da utilização do processo eletrolítico no tratamento de águas

Water treatment uses chlorine for disinfection causing formation of trihalomethanes. In this work, an electrolytic water pre-treatment was studied and applied to the water from a fountainhead. The action against microorganisms was evaluated using cast-iron and aluminum electrodes. Assays were made in laboratory using the electrolytic treatment. After 5 min of electrolysis the heterotrophic bacteria count was below 500 cfu/mL and complete elimination of total and fecal coliforms was observed. Using electrolytic treatment as a pretreatment of conventional tap water treatment is proposed.

Avaliação (em escala laboratorial) da aplicação do processo eletrolítico em efluente de lagoa de estabilização de esgoto urbano

Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters were evaluated before and after applying an electrolytic process to effluents of a stabilization lagoon, in the presence or absence of salt. Chlorine generation and bactericidal properties of the treatments were studied following two experiments. Effluent pH increased with electrolysis time. In the absence of salt, 20 min electrolysis resulted in a COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) reduction of 44%, along with ca. 99.9% (3 log10 cfu/mL) reduction in total coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria and Escherichia coli. These results indicated that the electrolytic process is a promising complementary technology to improve effluent quality for stabilization lagoons.

Ultrasound efficiency in relation to sodium hypochlorite and filtration adsorption in microbial elimination in a water treatment plant

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Microbiological and physicochemical treatments applied to metallurgic industry aiming water reuse

Estudou-se o reuso de água de um sistema composto por estação de tratamento de esgoto (ETE) com aeração prolongada e lodo ativado, e em uma estação compacta de tratamento de água (ECTA) de uma indústria metalúrgica. Os processos para obtenção da água de reuso foram: microbiológico e físico-químico. O esgoto doméstico foi bombeado para a ETE, onde houve formação de flocos biológicos e água clarificada. Avaliou-se a eficiência do processo microbiológico da ETE mediante a remoção de demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO), demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) e sólidos sedimentáveis (SS). A eficiência do processo físico-químico de clarificação e desinfecção foi avaliada mediante análises de pH, turbidez, cor, contagem de bactérias heterotróficas aeróbias, cloro livre, dureza, alcalinidade, cloretos, sulfatos, sólidos totais dissolvidos (STD). Na água de reuso além desses parâmetros avaliou-se a toxicidade aguda ao microcrustáceo Daphnia similis.

Monitoramento de indicadores geoquímicos e avaliação de biodegradação em área contaminada com óleo diesel

A biorremediação natural da água subterrânea contaminada com óleo diesel em um posto de combustíveis foi avaliada mediante o monitoramento de indicadores geoquímicos e ensaios laboratoriais de biodegradação. Durante um período de dois anos foram realizadas quatro coletas de água subterrânea para a avaliação de diversos parâmetros físico-químicos e a concentração de hidrocarbonetos. As análises microbiológicas consistiram na contagem de bactérias heterotróficas totais, na verificação da presença de bactérias hidrocarbonoclásticas e no teste de biodegradabilidade utilizando o indicador redox DCPIP. Foi possível identificar fatores que corroboram o emprego da técnica de biorremediação natural para o tratamento da água subterrânea, contudo, a presença de hidrocarbonetos retidos no solo representa uma fonte contínua de contaminação, por isso se faz necessário o monitoramento a longo prazo.

Microbiological quality of salmon (Salmo salar) sold in cities of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efficiency of bioaugmentation in the removal of organic matter in aquaculture systems

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Tratamento de efluente de abatedouro de tilápia com adição de manipueira na fase anóxica

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a desnitrificação de efluente de abatedouro de tilápia, em reator em batelada. Para isto, foi avaliado o efluente gerado por uma indústria processadora de mandioca (manipueira) como fonte de carbono. Também foram avaliadas as condições de agitação do sistema. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em escala de laboratório, em que foram testados cinco níveis de agitação (20; 32; 60; 88 e 100 rpm) e cinco níveis de relação DQO/N (0,1; 1,0; 3,2; 5,4 e 6,3), configurando-se um planejamento do tipo Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR), com quatro ensaios nos níveis +1 e - 1; quatro ensaios nos níveis dos pontos axiais (-1,414 e +1,414) e mais uma triplicata no ponto central (0), totalizando 11 ensaios. Avaliaram-se o desempenho da desnitrificação através da remoção de nitrato (%) e a remoção de nitrito (%). Durante o processo, também foram monitorados temperatura (ºC), pH e alcalinidade (mgCaCO3.L-1). Os resultados mostraram que a relação DQO/N teve influência significativa, com intervalo de confiança de 95%, sobre o processo de remoção de nitrato e nitrito, com faixa ótima de operação entre 3,2 e 5,4, cujas eficiências de remoção de nitrogênio foram de 100%.

Tratamento de águas residuárias de suinocultura em reatores anaeróbios horizontais seguidos de reator aeróbio em batelada sequencial

Avaliou-se o desempenho de um sistema combinado anaeróbio-aeróbio para o tratamento de águas residuárias de suinocultura, com concentrações médias de sólidos suspensos totais (SST) de 18.624 e 11.395 mg L-1. Foram utilizados quatro reatores anaeróbios horizontais com volume total de 49,5 L cada, um com manta de lodo (RAHML) e três de leito fixo (RAHLF), instalados em série e seguidos de um reator aeróbio operado em batelada sequencial (RBS) com volume total de 339 L e com alimentação contínua. Nos RAHLF, foram utilizados como meios suporte de anéis de bambu, anéis plásticos de eletroduto corrugado e anéis de bucha (Luffa cillyndrica), respectivamente. Os tempos de detenção hidráulica (TDH) e as cargas orgânicas volumétricas (COV) aplicadas no RAHML foram de 12 e 10 h e 53 e 61 g DQO (L d)-1, respectivamente. O RBS foi operado com ciclo de 24 h e COV de 0,34 e 0,50 g DQO (L d)-1. As eficiências médias de remoção de DQOtotal e SST para o conjunto de reatores anaeróbios horizontais, em série, foram de 96 e 99%, e de 96 e 95%, respectivamente. As maiores produções volumétricas de metano ocorreram nos RAHLF, com valores médios de até 0,744 m³ CH4 (m³ reator d)-1. A inclusão do RBS permitiu melhorar a qualidade do efluente e a estabilidade do sistema de tratamento, atingindo eficiências de remoção de DQOtotal e SST de 99 e 99%, e de 98 e 99%, respectivamente. No RBS, ocorreu nitrificação e desnitrificação, com remoções de N-amoniacal de até 65%.