Utilização de geotecnologias no monitoramento de processos erosivos e movimentos de massa em trecho da faixa de dutos Rio de Janeiro - Belo Horizonte

The transportation of oil through pipelines raises a concern related to safety and environmental impacts they may cause, especially when exposed to risks that affect their integrity. Among the natural phenomena that can affect the pipelines are erosion and landslides. Considering the large territory involving the pipelines, remote sensing tools have a great applicability for data acquisition. For this, visual analysis techniques were applied to perform change detection in order to monitor erosion features and landslides along a stretch of pipeline Rio de Janeiro – Belo Horizonte, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The work involved the characterization of the study area as well as the erosion and landslide processes, through bibliographical data. The satellite image processing and the application of change detection techniques were developed in two scenes for the years 2002 and 2010. It was noted a small increase in the number of the identified features, however with regard to their area, a decrease of 21.7% was observed

Natural and anthropogenic influence on soil erosion in a rural watershed in the Brazilian southeastern region

Human activities have been driven land cover, provoking acceleration of the erosive process and alteration on the soil characteristics. To explore the effects of human disturbance, we investigated the influences of natural and anthropogenic features on soil quality and soil erosion indicators (EI) within a Brazilian rural watershed located in Bauru Municipality, State of So Paulo. A pre-established set of soil EI was used to evaluate the influence of anthropogenic land cover categories on the presence and severity of erosion, related with spatial variations of soil attributes. On-site visits were carried out to measure the occurrence and the intensity of eleven separate EI values and to collect undisturbed topsoil samples for subsequent analyses. We registered 17 occurrences of EIs, distributed in ten locals. Occurrence and intensity of EIs were related to degree of sheet erosion. The EI qualities were more strongly associated with land cover management practices than to local topographic features. The occurrence of EIs and characteristics of soil and soil organic matter (SOM) were not significantly self-correlated. Although land cover class seems to influence soil properties and SOM attributes, we observed that the granulometric composition of the soils also contributes to the structural characteristics of the soil and consequently to the dynamic loss and gain of soil carbon. Sites covered with natural remnant vegetation (NRV) store 96.5 Mg ha(-1) of C and grassy and tilled soils stored more C than NRV, 100.1 and 142.4 Mg ha(-1), respectively. Due to the influence of soil texture over the soil C dynamic, we observe that in Bauru, pastured areas have high potential for sequestration of C if factors such as fire and/or erosion were avoided or effectively controlled. Results from this study show that human disturbance substantially affects soil properties within of southeastern region of Brazil.

Using landscape metrics to analyze micro-scale soil erosion processes

Methods of recording soil erosion using photographs exist but they are not commonly considered in scientific studies. Digital images may hold an expressive amount of information that can be extracted quickly in different manners. The investigation of several metrics that were initially developed for landscape ecology analysis constitutes one method. In this study we applied a method of landscape metrics to quantify the spatial configuration of surface micro-topography and erosion-related features, in order to generate a possible complementary tool for environmental management. In a 3.7 m wide and 9.7 m long soil box used during a rainfall simulation study, digital images were systematically acquired in four instances: (a) when the soil was dry; (b) after a short duration rain for initial wetting; (c) after the first erosive rain; and (d) after the 2nd erosive rain. Thirteen locations were established in the box and digital photos were taken at these locations with the camera positioned at the same orthogonal distance from the soil surface under the same ambient light intensity. Digital photos were converted into bimodal images and seven landscape metrics were analyzed: percentage of land, number of patches, density of patches, largest patch index, edge density, shape index, and fractal dimension. Digital images were an appropriate tool because they can generate data very quickly. The landscape metrics were sensitive to changes in soil surface micro-morphology especially after the 1st erosive rain event, indicating significant erosional feature development between the initial wetting and first erosive rainfall. The method is considered suitable for spatial patterns of soil micro-topography evolution from rainfall events that bear similarity to landscape scale pattern evolution from eco-hydrological processes. Although much more study is needed for calibrating the landscape metrics at the micro-scale, this study is a step forward in demonstrating the advantages of the method.

Biological features of a puzzling symbiotic association between the hermit crab Dardanus insignis and the porcellanid crab Porcellana Sayana (Crustacea)

The symbiotic lifestyle is widespread among porcellanid crabs, which maintain ecological and co-evolutionary associations with annelid polychaetes, poriferans, cnidarians, echinoderms, gastropod. mollusks, and other crustaceans such as shrimps and hermit crabs, among others. We investigated the ecological association between the hermit crab Dardanus insignis and the porcellanid Porcellana sayana, in southeastern Brazil. Porcellanid crabs, hermit crabs, and available shells were collected monthly from July 2001 to June 2003, with a shrimp boat equipped with two double-rig trawl nets. The majority of P. sayana specimens were collected in shells occupied by D. insignis (96.6%); a few were found in empty shells (3.4%). The catch of both symbionts and hosts increased with increasing depth, with the highest occurrence at 35 m. The F. sayana crabs of various sizes could be found solitary or forming aggregations of up to 14 individuals per host, showing no sex or size segregation. In spite of the high diversity of shell species occupied by the hermit crabs and also available in the field, only a few of them were also utilized by P. sayana. The majority (93%) of shells utilized by P. sayana also hosted other symbiont species, constituting the basis of extensive symbiotic complexes. Thus, the ecological relationship between D. insignis and P. sayana may be classified as a non-obligate and non-specific symbiosis that may also involve other facultative organisms such as sea anemones. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural features of the epididymal region of the domestic duck (Anas plathyrynchos)

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

New features of Cuban endemic Pinguicula filifolia (Lentibulariaceae) and considerations on its habitat and ecology

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Microscopic features of tick-bite lesions in anteaters and armadillos - Emas National Park and the Pantanal region of Brazil

The naturally occurring wildlife host associations between ticks and tick-borne pathogens found in the neotropics are poorly described. Understanding tick-bite lesions is important as these are the site of host reaction to and pathogen delivery by ticks. As part of a comprehensive study concerning established and emerging tick-host relationships. The present work describes some aspects of tick-bite lesions in anteaters and armadillos captured at the Emas National Park and the Pantanal region of Brazil. Biopsies were of skin were taken and examine. Tick feeding sites of all animals displayed an eosinophilic homogeneous mass, the cement cone, and, occasionally, a feeding cavity underneath the tick attachment site. At these locations the epidermis was usually thickened due to keratinocyte hyperplasia. The main dermal changes included tissue infiltration with a varying number of inflammatory cells, edema, hemorrhage. and vascular dilatation. Cellular infiltration of the dermis was predominantly composed of mononuclear cells, neutrophils. and eosinophils. Mast cells were also seen in both non-parasitized and parasitized skin but were found in higher numbers at perivascular sites and in parasitized skin. Basophils were not seen at tick attachment sites of anteaters or armadillos.

Soil, water and nutrient losses by interrill erosion from green cane cultivation

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

Erosion factors and magnetic susceptibility in differet compartments of a slope in Gilbués-PI, Brazil

A erosão é a forma de degradação do solo com efeitos na produtividade das culturas e na poluição do meio ambiente. Para compreender a variabilidade espacial desse fenômeno, técnicas geoestatísticas e conceitos da relação solo-paisagem podem ser utilizados para identificar compartimentos da paisagem com diferentes potenciais de erosão. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer elementos para a compreensão dos fatores de erosão em compartimentos da paisagem e das relações com a suscetibilidade magnética (SM) dos solos de uma vertente no município de Gilbués -PI. Foram montadas malhas de amostragem nos compartimentos I e II, com 121 pontos, e compartimento III, com 99 pontos, espaçados a cada 10 m. Houve diferença significativa para erodibilidade (K) e risco de erosão (RE); a variabilidade espacial da SM foi menor do que a dos fatores de erosão do solo. As perdas de solo (A), potencial natural de erosão (PNE), RE e SM tiveram relação espacial com o fator topográfico, indicando dependência da erosão ao relevo. Concluiu-se que as perdas de solo, o potencial natural de erosão e o risco de erosão apresentaram relação espacial com o fator topográfico, comprovando a dependência dos fatores de erosão ao relevo. A suscetibilidade magnética do solo pode ser utilizada como variável auxiliar na quantificação indireta do fator erodibilidade e do risco de erosão do solo.

Soil erosion fragility assessment using an impact model and geographic information system

A study was taken in a 1566 ha watershed situated in the Capivara River basin, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. This environment is fragile and can be subjected to different forms of negative impacts, among them soil erosion by water. The main objective of the research was to develop a methodology for the assessment of soil erosion fragility at the various different watershed positions, using the geographic information system ILWIS version 3.3 for Windows. An impact model was created to generate the soil's erosion fragility plan, based on four indicators of fragility to water erosion: land use and cover, slope, percentage of soil fine sand and accumulated water flow. Thematic plans were generated in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. First, all the variables, except land use and cover, were described by continuous numerical plans in a raster structure. The land use and cover plan was also represented by numerical values associated with the weights attributed to each class, starting from a pairwise comparison matrix and using the analytical hierarchy process. A final field check was done to record evidence of erosive processes in the areas indicated as presenting the highest levels of fragility, i.e., sites with steep slopes, high percentage of soil fine sand, tendency to accumulate surface water flow, and sites of pastureland. The methodology used in the environmental problems diagnosis of the study area can be employed at places with similar relief, soil and climatic conditions.

Comparison of Botryosphaeran production by the ascomyceteous fungus Botryosphaeria sp., grown on different carbohydrate carbon sources, and their partial structural features

The influence of glucose concentration and other carbohydrates (monosaccharides: fructose, galactose, mannose; polyols: mannitol and sorbitol; disaccharides: lactose, sucrose and commercial sucrose; and industrial sugarcane molasses) were compared as sole carbon sources for the production of Botryosphaeran, an exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Botryosphaeria sp. The optimum glucose concentration for EPS production was 50 g 1(-1). With the exception of mannitol, the fungus produced EPS on all carbon sources studied, with highest yields occurring with sucrose followed by glucose. All EPS showed exclusively glucose after acid hydrolysis and monosaccharide analysis. FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of beta-anomers indicating that all the EPS produced by Botryosphaeria sp. on the different carbon sources were essentially of the beta-D-glucan type.

Ultrastructural features in the epididymis of the dog (Canis familiaris, L.)

The ultrastructure of the epididymal duct of the dog is described in this paper. The epididymis was divided into three morphofunctional segments: initial, middle and terminal. The cellular population of the lining epithelium is formed from principal, apical, basal and clear cells. The peritubular stroma and the tubular interstitium surrounding the epithelium are also described. The outcome is compared to the description made in other species of mammals.

Histoarchitectural Features of the Hepatopancreas of the Amazon River Prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Impact of the in situ formed salivary pellicle on enamel and dentine erosion induced by different acids

Objective. To investigate and compare the protective impact of the in situ formed salivary pellicle on enamel and dentine erosion caused by different acids at pH 2.6. Methods. Bovine enamel and dentine samples were exposed for 120 min in the oral cavity of 10 healthy volunteers. Subsequently, enamel and dentine pellicle-covered specimens were extraorally immersed in 1 ml hydrochloric, citric or phosphoric acid (pH 2.6, 60 s, each acid n=30 samples). Pellicle-free samples (each acid n=10) served as controls. Calcium release into the acid was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The data were analysed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). Results. Pellicle-covered samples showed significantly less calcium loss compared to pellicle-free samples in all acid groups. The mean (SD) pellicle protection (% reduction of calcium loss) was significantly better for enamel samples [60.9 (5.3)] than for dentine samples [30.5 (5.0)], but revealed no differences among the acids. Conclusion. The efficacy of the in situ pellicle in reducing erosion was 2-fold better for enamel than for dentine. Protection of the pellicle was not influenced by the kind of acid when enamel and dentine erosion was performed at pH 2.6.

Morphological Features of the Apical Region in the Principal Cells of Mongrel Dog Epididymis

The epithelial principal cells are the predominant cell type of the epididymis. These cells have been shown to be both secretory and endocytic cells. The apical region of the cytoplasm of principal cells in the mongrel dog are located close to the cell apex and tubular lumen, and shown microvilli at the luminal border and present a endocytic apparatus, that consists of coated pits and vesicles, endosomes of varying size, multivesicular bodies, and lysosomes. The endosomes, multivesicular bodies and lysosomes contained the electron-dense patches. These results suggest that principal cells of the epididymis in the dog as possess a highly developed endocytic apparatus play a role in endocytosis. These cells function are similarly to the related in other mammals, in performing endocytosis.