Concentração de flúor nas águas de abastecimento público de municípios da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

It may be difficult for small and medium cities to obtain information about the fluoride content of public water, because of the lack of equipments and technicians. This study aimed to analyze the fluoride levels of the water supplied by the public treatment stations of 40 cities situated in the northwest region of São Paulo State, during a period of 6 months, to verify if fluoridation occurs in a continuous manner and if the fluoride levels are within the recommended. Maps of the water distribution system were obtained from the water treatment companies and utilized to randomize the addresses of the collection sites, so that they included all regions with treated water sources. One water sample by month was collected and analyzed in duplicate using an ion-specific-electrode. Samples with 0.6 to 0.8 mgF/L were considered acceptable. In the 38 cities that regularly provided the samples in the 6 months of the study, water from 144 collection sites was collected and a total of 864 samples were analyzed, of which 61.81 percent were classified as unacceptable. It was observed that 33 cities performed fluoridation but in 78.79 percent of these cities there were variations in the fluoride level among the sites and in the same site during the period of study. One can conclude that most of these cities do not control the fluoride levels in the public water, since fluoridation occurs in a discontinuous manner and in most of the situations not within the recommended concentrations.

Utilização do primeiro ciclo ovulatório da estação reprodutiva para produção de embriões em éguas sob condições tropicais

The efficacy of the first ovulation of the breeding season was determined through the response of first pre-ovulatory follicle of the breeding season to hCG, embryo recovery rate, viability of recovered embryos, serum concentrations of progesterone, and response of first CL to PGF 2α. Thirteenth mares that were in vernal transition were accompanied until the first pre-ovulatory follicle was detected. At this moment, the ovulation was induced with 2,500 IU hCG (IV) and the mares were inseminated every other day until ovulation. Seven days after the ovulation, embryo recovery was performed and the progesterone concentration was determined. After detection of the first pre-ovulatory follicle of breeding season with ≥ 25mm, it took 14.92 ± 10.80 days for the follicle to reach the preovulatory size and 18.00 ± 11.08 days to ovulation. After administration of hCG, 11/13 mares ovulated in 48 hours. These follicles growth 2.19 ± 0.86 mm/day on average. Nine of 13 mares (69.2%) produced embryos and all were considered viable after morfological evaluation and fluorescence exams. The CL appeared competent producing 7.39 ± 2.11 ng/ml P 4 on average, and responding to PGF 2α. According to these results the first ovulatory cycle of the year can be utilized to produce viable embryos.

Ocorrência do peixe-pescador-branco, Lophiodes beroe Caruso, 1981 (Lophiiformes: Lophiidae), em águas brasileiras

One specimen of the lophiid white anglerfish, Lophiodes beroe was collected for the second time in Brazilian waters, which far extends the limit distribution of the species to southeastern region (25°00'08).

Comportamento exploratório de potros e éguas mediante a introdução de novos objetos em seu meio

Exploratory behavior is done by animals to increase their interaction to the environment after be stimulated by curiosity, when animal feels that is in a secured place. The objective of this study was to evaluate exploratory behavior of foals front of introduction of new objects in their environment. Four foals and mares were observed in seven day sections of 60 minutes each one, always with a new object. No differences were verified about frequencies of looking, going to or touching into foals and mares. Total time of touching was 45,6 minutes, divided in 64 touches, mainly in first 20 minutes of each observation. However there is no statistical difference into solitary or impaired approaches and in impaired approaches there is no differences into foals or mares initiatives, foals done more solitary approaches than mares. Four animals touched the objects in first place, suggesting predisposition to this position based in individual differences. So, we concluded that new objects can stimulate similarly foals and mares to exhibit exploratory behavior, but foals show more manipulation activity, suggesting that are more curious than mares and predisposition to touch objects first depends of individual differences.

Influência do arcabouço hidroestratigráfico nas ocorrências de arsênio em águas subterrâneas ao longo do corredor termal do rio Uruguai (Argentina - Brasil - Uruguai)

The Thermal Corridor of Uruguay River is located in the triple border of Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay, and shows an intense economic thermal tourism activity, mainly based on groundwaters from Guarani Aquifer System (GAS). Recent studies have pointed out the occurrence of high concentrations of arsenic (>10 μg/L) in GAS groundwater in this area. The complex geological and hydrogeological framework in the area is associated to the Paraná Basin geological evolution south of the Assuncion-Rio Grande Arch; it encompass paleozoic marine sequences and continental sequences permian/eotriassic to mesozoic in age, which are covered by basaltic lavas of Serra Geral Formation. Iron oxide coatings have been described in sandstones of Buena Vista and Sanga do Cabral formations, which underlie GAS units. Arsenic occurrence is associated to sodium bicarbonate groundwater with pH values over 8.0. Arsenic is released to groundwater by desorption from iron oxides/hydroxides, as result of the higher pH of these waters, indicating that arsenic is released from the units that underlie GAS units. Increase in chromium and uranium concentrations are also related to high pH groundwaters, thus indicating special care on using groundwater from this region.

Guías prácticas para situaciones específicas: manejo de riesgos y preparación para respuestas a emergencias mineras

Incluye Bibliografía

Comparação entre metodologias para avaliar a idade à primeira concepção em éguas puro-sangue inglês

In Brazil, due to the breeding season for Thoroughbred, the reproductive data are normally truncate, since the breeders try to get animals that were born at the beginning of the breeding season in order to take their competitive advantages (more developed, mature and trained animals) compared to animals born later in the same breeding season. To analyze these data suitable methods should be used. Then, this paper aims to compare three methodologies: the method of maximum restricted likelihood, using MTDFREML, bayesian analysis without censured data by software MTGSAM and bayesian analysis with censured data by software LMCD, to evaluate age at first conception in thoroughbred mares, in order to verify its impact on the choice of stallions during selection. The database contained 3509 records for age at first conception (months) for thoroughbred mares. The heritability estimates were 0.23, 0.30 and 0.0926 (log scale), for MTDF, MTGSAM and LMCD, respectively. Considering all animals in the pedigree (6713), ranking correlations varied from 0.91 to 0.99. When only stallions were considered (656), those varied from 0.48 to 0.99 (considering different percentages of selected males) between evalua-tion methods. The highest changes in the general classification were observed when LMCD was compared to the other two methods. As the linear censured model is the most suitable for trait analysis with censured data, it was observed that censure information would lead to the choice of different animals during the selection process, when compared to the two other methodologies.

Contaminação das águas por resíduos de medicamentos: Ênfase ao cloridrato de fluoxetina

The objective of this paper was to review data on residues of medical products in aquatic environments and at wastewater treatment plants. Secondarily the paper presents a discussion about the need for a good management of drugs residues and effluents generated by this sector. Bringing the evidences of environmental possible damages reported by ecotoxicity data on the effects of fluoxetine to Vibrio fischeri and H. azteca, aquatic organisms daily exposed to environmental contaminants. From the results we observed that 0.3 mg.l-1 of fluoxetine hidrochloride induced lethality to H. azteca and 30 mg.l-1 reduced the luminescence of Vibrio fischeri. This assay evidenced higher toxicity when we used the generic product.

Densidade de Enterococcus sp em águas recreacionais e areias de praias do município de São Vicente-SP, Brasil e sua relação com parâmetros abióticos

Coastal cities attract a large number of tourists for their beautiful landscape and recreational activities, increasing the municipalities' income source. Thus, a need is clear for the establishment of beach quality monitoring programs to ensure bathers health. Although there is an effective monitoring program for recreational waters in Brazil there are no programs to certify the quality of beach sands. In this sense, the aim of this work was to analyze the density of bacteria from the genus Enterococcus in both sand and water from two beaches from São Vicente, São Paulo (Brazil) and correlate these densities to abiotic parameters such as: temperature, salinity, particle size, organic matter and tides). Water and sand samples were collected during February 2006 on the beaches of Gonzaguinha e Ilha Porchat and bacterial densities were determined by membrane filter technique. Temperature and salinity were measured in situ with a thermometer and a refractometer while particle size and organic matter were determined according to methods described by Suguio and Dean. There were significant differences between densities found in water and sand (p=0.004), being approximately 20 times higher in Gonzaguinha's beach sands. Similar results were found for Ilha Porchat beach samples, being the densities found in sand 3 times greater than those found in water. Both beaches showed a negative correlation between bacterial densities and salinity and temperature, suggesting a deleterious effect of these parameters on the bacterial community. On the other hand, no correlation was found between organic matter and particle size and bacterial densities. This work demonstrates that there is a great necessity for monitoring beach sand since the evaluation of beach quality is an important part of integrated coastal management programs.

Toxicidade de águas e sedimentos em um rio afetado por atividades mineradoras pretéritas

The Ribeira de Iguape River basin received intense mining activities for lead exploiting and, as a result, the river received the discharges of estimated amounts of 5.5 tons/month of material rich in As, Ba, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn. In this article, the toxicity of waters and sediments collected in Ribeira de Iguape River was assessed aiming to estimate environmental quality. Three sampling campaigns were conducted, from 2009 to 2010. Toxicity tests with the cladoceran Daphnia similis were done for water samples and for sediments, in this case using sediment-water interface exposure. Results showed in general absence of toxicity for sediments and waters, and only eventually were acute effects registered (marginal toxicity). Results are consistent with the conditions indicated by the literature, of low concentrations of metals in waters and sediments; however they differ from the monitoring made by the state environmental agency, which registered chronic toxicity. The occurrence of eventual acute toxicity indicates that although Ribeira de Iguape River quality is being restored, conditions still are not totally under control.

Espacialização das estimativas de contaminação de águas subterrâneas por Tebuthiuron

Improper use of pesticides can lead to significant environmental impacts such as, contamination of environmental compartments, being the aquatic compartments the most vulnerable. In this context, the spatialization of pesticides concentrations estimative in groundwater provides important insights for decision making in managing and monitoring pesticides use. This study aimed to spatialize estimatives of groundwater contamination by Tebuthiuron, from different irrigation depths in the Rio Pardo basin, Pardinho-SP, Brazil. The simulations were performed using the ARAquá computer system, considering 0mm, 200 mm and 400 mm annual irrigation depths. Geostatistical techniques were used to obtain the spatial distribution of the simulated estimative. Tebuthiuron maps estimating concentration in groundwater were obtained by Kriging interpolation method, and indicated the areas with high potential for groundwater contamination. Considering all the simulations, it was concluded that there was no risk of groundwater contamination by Tebuthiuron in the study area.

Crescimento, comportamento ingestivo e desempenho reprodutivo de novilhas mestiças holandês x zebu, em pastejo, submetidas à suplementação protéica durante a época das águas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental protein during the rainy season on body growth, ingestive behavior and reproductive performance of crossbred Gir x Holstein dairy heifers, with mean age of 21 ± 4.1 months and average initial body weight of 296.7 ± 57.3 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates per treatment. Heifers remained on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture, managed according to a rotational grazing system and, as treatment, it was supplemented with protein concentrate (34%, 43%, 56% and 66% BW) and level of supply of 0.30% body weight (BW). The animals were weighed and the mean weight of the lot was used for the calculation of adjustment of the amount of concentrate offered. Heifers that reached 330.0 kg of live weight were artificially inseminated and, 45 days after insemination, pregnancy diagnosis was performed for the calculation of pregnancy rate and age at conception. No significant difference of protein levels was observed on grazing, eating behavior, productive performance and age at conception of dairy heifers on pasture. The average daily weight gain of BW and age at conception were, on average, 0.907 kg/animal and 24.03 months, respectively.

Geotermometria das águas hipertermais do Sistema Aquífero Guarani no estado de São Paulo

Several geothermometers have been employed to determine the expected temperature in the groundwater reservoirs, most part of them based on the chemical equilibrium between thermal groundwaters and minerals which constitute the aquifer framework. Based on this principle, groundwater from Guarani Aquifer System, which presents temperatures upon to 38°C, classified as hyperthermal by the Brazilian Mineral Water Code, had their chemical composition evaluated with the main purpose to determine the expected temperatures in the reservoir based on the application of several geothermometers. These groundwaters can be classified as Na-HCO3 type evolving to Na-HCO3-Cl-SO4 type due the increase in sulphate and chloride concentrations. Measured groundwater temperatures show a good correlation with the depth of the aquifer, indicating an average geothermal gradient of 27.7°C/km. The lowest geothermal gradients, bellow 25°C/km, are observed in the central portion of the study area; meanwhile the highest gradients are observed in NE and W portions of the study area. Quartz equilibrium based geothermometers return temperature over the measured temperatures, meanwhile chalcedony geothermometer returns temperatures near the measured in the wells, except for the wells located in the area which presents the lowest geothermal gradients. The geothermometers based on the equilibrium between Na/K have returned temperatures diverse from the measured at the field, meanwhile the geothermometer based on the equilibrium between Na/K/Ca has presented good match with groundwater which present temperatures under 50°C, due the thermodynamic equilibrium between these waters and feldspars. Geothermometers show evidences about mixtures between groundwaters from GAS and underlying units, especially in wells located in the SW portion of the study area.

Contaminação das águas subterrâneas por nitrogênio devido à irrigação com efluente do tratamento de esgoto

Agriculture is an activity in which there is the possibility of using lower quality water and reuse appears as an alternative for irrigation. However, the negative environmental effects of reuse must be understood. The objective of the present work was to verify the potential of groundwater contamination by nitrogen duo to drip irrigation with effluent from domestic wastewater treatment. Three crop cycles of lettuce cv. Raider were conducted, the first between October and November 2009, the second in April and May 2010 and the third one in June and July 2010. The use of effluents was compared with potable water at accumulated water depths of 98.8 mm for the first, 98.4 mm for the second and 119 mm for the third cycle. Soil percolate concentrations of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia were studied at 0.25 m and 0.50 m depths in a completely randomized design. Percolate concentrations of nitrite and ammonia in soil irrigated with effluents showed no groundwater contamination risk. Nitrate however, caused concern, albeit with similar concentrations for both effluent and potable water.

Desenvolvimento corporal de novilhas leiteiras suplementadas com minerais inorgânicos e orgânicos em pastejo na época das águas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)