Comparação de dois tipos de amostragem de chuva: deposição total e deposição apenas úmida em àrea costeira tropical

In a tropical coastal area. During 6 months the composition of rain samples collected simultaneously over 24h with an open collector and with an automatic opened collector (KFA - J¸lich Type) at 500m of the Atlantic coastline of Salvador were compared. All average concentrations were higher for the "total" samples than for the "wet only" samples, except for hydrogen ions, nitrate and ammonium.

O papel dos sulfetos volatilizados por acidificação no controle do potencial de biodisponibilidade de metais em sedimentos contaminados de um estuário tropical, no sudeste do Brasil

Measurements of acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) were combined in order to verify the ecological hazard of contaminated sediments from the Santos-Cubatão Estuarine System (SE Brazil), which is located in one of the most industrialized areas in the Latin America. Intertidal sediments from the Morrão River estuary were collected seasonally in short cores. The redox conditions, organic matter contents and grain-size were the main controlling factors on SEM distribution. However, clear relationships among these variables and AVS were not observed. The molar SEM/AVS ratios were frequently > 1 especially in the summer, suggesting major metal bioavailability hazard in this humid hot season.

Influência da temperatura, umidade e profundidade do solo na persistência do diurom e sulfato de endossulfam em um solo tropical

The influence of temperature (30 and 40 ºC) and soil humidity (20, 50 and 70% of water holding capacity) on the degradation of the herbicide diurom and the endosulfan metabolite, endosulfan sulfate was studied under laboratory conditions, in different soil layers (0-30, 30-38 and 38-83 cm) of an Oxisol (Yellow Latosol) collected in an agricultural area of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Endosulfan sulfate was rapidly degraded under lower soil humidity, higher temperature and deeper soil layers. For diurom the opposite was observed as a consequence of its higher water solubility and lower soil sorption coefficient.

Biodegradação de alcoóis, ftalatos e adipatos em um solo tropical contaminado

The adipic and phthalic acid esters are plasticizers, have low water solubility, high partition octanol/water coefficients (Kow) and accumulate in soil and sediments. These compounds are considered teratogenic, carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors chemicals. This study evaluated the bioremediation of tropical soil contaminated with plasticizers process wastes, in aerobic conditions, with and without introduction of acclimated bacteria. It was selected 200 kg of contaminated tropical soil for the biodegradation study. The plasticizers concentrations in soil ranged between 153 mgDOA/kg up to 15552 mgDIDP/kg and after 90 days of biodegradation, the lower removal efficiencies were 72% with a 1-2 log simultaneous bacterial growth.

Lipídios como indicadores de fontes e distribuição de matéria orgânica particulada em um complexo estuarino-lagunar tropical (Mundaú-Manguaba, AL)

Fatty acids, alcohols and sterols were considered as markers of the source and distribution of particulate organic matter during the dry season in the Mundaú-Manguaba estuarine-lagoon system, NE Brazil. Lipid composition showed an overwhelming influence of autochthonous sources of organic matter in all system´s compartments, including the probable occurrence of algal blooms in specific areas. On the other hand, contamination by sewage was restricted to Mundaú lagoon. This scenario differed from known conditions observed in the wet season, illustrating the usefulness of the lipid biomarker approach for the characterization of other complex and dynamic systems in the Brazilian coastal zone.

Esterois como indicadores do acúmulo de esgotos domésticos em sedimentos de um sistema estuarino-lagunar tropical (Mundaú-Manguaba, AL)

The history of sewage contamination in the Mundaú-Manguaba estuarine lagoon system (NE Brazilian coastal zone) was evaluated through the concentration of sterols in sediment cores. The concentration of coprostanol increased towards the surface sediments, with the maximum of 5.65 µg g-1 at 0-2 cm sediment layer in Mundaú. Manguaba exhibited a lower level of contamination. The ratio cholestanol/cholesterol suggested degradation of coprostanol only before the burial of organic matter in the sediment. This feature, together with information of population growth in the watershed, allowed the estimation of a sedimentation rate of 0.90 cm year-1 to the Mundaú lagoon.

Tropical biodiversity: has it been a potential source of secondary metabolites useful for medicinal chemistry?

The use of natural products has definitely been the most successful strategy in the discovery of novel medicines. Secondary metabolites from terrestrial and marine organisms have found considerable use in the treatment of numerous diseases and have been considered lead molecules both in their natural form and as templates for medicinal chemistry. This paper seeks to show the great value of secondary metabolites and emphasize the rich chemical diversity of Brazilian biodiversity. This natural chemical library remains understudied, but can be a useful source of new secondary metabolites with potential application as templates for drug discovery.

Corrosion of steel reinforced concrete in the tropical coastal atmosphere of Havana City, Cuba

The influence of chloride deposition rate on concrete using an atmospheric corrosion approach is rarely studied in the literature. Seven exposure sites were selected in Havana City, Cuba, for exposure of reinforced concrete samples. Two significantly different atmospheric corrosivity levels with respect to corrosion of steel reinforced concrete were observed after two years of exposure depending on atmospheric chloride deposition and w/c ratio of the concrete. Changes in corrosion current are related to changes in chloride penetration and chloride atmospheric deposition. The influence of sulphur compound deposition could also be a parameter to consider in atmospheric corrosion of steel reinforced concrete.

AMAZON RAINFOREST COSMETICS: CHEMICAL APPROACH FOR QUALITY CONTROL

The market for natural cosmetics featuring ingredients derived from Amazon natural resources is growing worldwide. However, there is neither enough scientific basis nor quality control of these ingredients. This paper is an account of the chemical constituents and their biological activities of fourteen Amazonian species used in cosmetic industry, including açaí (Euterpe oleracea), andiroba (Carapa guianensis), bacuri (Platonia insignis), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), buriti (Mauritia vinifera or M. flexuosa), cumaru (Dipteryx odorata), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), guarana (Paullinia cupana), mulateiro (Calycophyllum spruceanum), murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru), patawa (Oenocarpus bataua or Jessenia bataua), pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), and ucuuba (Virola sebifera). Based on the reviewed articles, we selected chemical markers for the quality control purpose and evaluated analytical methods. Even though chromatographic and spectroscopic methods are major analytical techniques in the studies of these species, molecular approaches will also be important as used in food and medicine traceability. Only a little phytochemical study is available about most of the Amazonian species and some species such as açaí and andiroba have many reports on chemical constituents, but studies on biological activities of isolated compounds and sampling with geographical variation are limited.

Epidemiologia comparativa entre os patossistemas temperado e tropical: conseqüências para a resistência a fungicidas

O patossistema tropical difere do patossistema temperado tanto em estrutura quanto em comportamento. Nesta revisão, ambos os patossistemas são caracterizados e, com base nessa caracterização, o risco de origem e de seleção de resistência a fungicidas é discutido para ambas as situações. As características diferenciais relevantes para análise foram: sobrevivência I (entre estações de cultivo); sobrevivência II (entre ciclos do patógeno); taxa aparente de infecção; via anti-horária de infecção; ingresso e/ou manutenção de mutantes resistentes; via horária de infecção; persistência de mutantes resistentes; adaptabilidade dos mutantes resistentes. Conclui-se que o patossistema tropical não apresenta risco maior para a seleção de mutantes resistentes, mas pode, em alguns casos, apresentar risco maior de origem de mutantes resistentes.

Genetic analyses of Rhizoctonia solani isolates from Phaseolus vulgaris grown in the Atlantic Rainforest Region of São Paulo, Brazil

Rhizoctonia solani isolates obtained from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown in the mountainous Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlântica) region of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed to determine their genetic diversity using internal transcribed spacer (ITS), microsatellite and telomere sequence-based PCR primers. Restriction digestion of the ITS1/5.8S/ITS2 ribosomal regions yielded unique banding patterns specific for AG4 and its subgroups. The ITS restriction digestion (ITS/RFLP), telomere and microsatellite primers identified five to 11 genotypes within the isolates of R. solani. While all isolates were pathogenic on beans, there was no correlation found between genotypic differences and pathogenicity. The different PCR primers revealed a number of isolates that were genetically similar. Some of these genetic groups were supported by more than one of the primers utilized in this study, thus confirming their relationship.

Progresso da ferrugem tropical do milho (Zea mays L.), sob diferentes tratamentos fungicidas

A ferrugem tropical, cujo agente causal é o fungo Physopella zeae (Mains) Cummins & Ramachar vem se destacando por sua agressividade à cultura do milho. Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, ajustar modelos matemáticos às curvas de progresso desta doença sob a ação de misturas de triazóis e estrobilurinas sobre o fungo na cultura do milho. O experimento foi conduzido em área experimental do Departamento de Fitossanidade da UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal, no período de janeiro a maio de 2006, no delineamento de blocos casualizados completos com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Os tratamentos utilizados foram (mL de p.c./ha): 1 - testemunha; 2 - epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin, 500; 3 - epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin, 750; 4 - azoxystrobin + cyproconazole, 300 + óleo mineral parafínico 0,50%, estes aplicados às plantas no estádio V8; 5 - azoxystrobin + cyproconazole, 300 + óleo mineral parafínico 0,50%, este aplicado às plantas no estádio V8 e repetido quando esta encontrava-se no início do pendoamento e 6- azoxystrobin + cyproconazole, 450 + óleo mineral parafínico 0,50%, aplicado às plantas no estádio V8. Foram realizadas sete avaliações da severidade da doença com intervalos semanais, traçando-se a partir dos dados obtidos nestas avaliações as curvas de progresso da doença analisadas por meio do ajuste a três modelos matemáticos (monomolecular, logístico e de Gompertz). Calculou-se ainda a Área Abaixo das Curvas de Progresso da Doença (AACPD), resultante de cada tratamento. Procedeu-se à análise de variância dos dados e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste Tukey ao nível de 5 % de probabilidade. Verificou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre os efeitos dos tratamentos 4, 5 e 6 e esses proporcionaram menor AACPD e ainda que esses apresentaram eficiência de controle de 92 %, 97 % e 98 %, respectivamente. Pelos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que o modelo monomolecular foi o que melhor se ajustou aos dados. Não foi observado diferença significativa entre os efeitos dos tratamentos, no que se refere a produtividade.

Análise de danos de colheita de madeira em floresta tropical úmida sob regime de manejo florestal sustentado na Amazônia ocidental

Procurou-se identificar, qualificar e quantificar a intensidade de danos causados pela colheita florestal em uma área com floresta primária explorada (FPE), tendo com testemunha uma área com floresta primária não-explorada (FPNE), com 202 e 204 ha, respectivamente. Na FPNE, foram avaliados os danos decorrentes de causas naturais. As áreas de FPE e de FPNE localizam-se no município de Manicoré, Estado do Amazonas. Realizou-se o inventário utilizando o método de amostragem aleatória, em ambas as áreas. As amostragens foram executadas em dois níveis de inclusão de DAP. No nível I foram instaladas cinco parcelas de 100 x 100 m (1 ha), onde foram inventariadas todas as árvores com DAP > ou = 15 cm. No nível II, as parcelas do nível I foram divididas sistematicamente em subparcelas de 10 x 10 m (100 m²), tendo sido amostradas aleatoriamente cinco subparcelas por parcela do nível I, totalizando 2.500 m², onde foram inventariados todos os indivíduos (varejões) com 5,0 <= DAP < 15 cm. As análises dos danos decorrentes de causas naturais indicaram que na FPNE apenas 10% da vegetação adulta remanescente apresentou danos. Na FPE, os danos causados pelas operações de colheita florestal, incluindo-se o corte e o arraste de toras, totalizaram 29%. As modificações na estrutura diamétrica da FPE foram maiores nas maiores classes de DAP, em que, em geral, foram constatadas reduções de 27, 29 e 30%, respectivamente, no número de árvores (n/ha), na área basal (m²/ha) e no volume (m³/ha). Essa redução de estoque foi considerada normal, uma vez que a amostragem foi realizada imediatamente após a execução das operações de colheita florestal.

Chlorophyll fluorescence of tropical tree species in a semi-deciduous forest gap

The characterization of different ecological groups in a forest formation/succession is unclear. To better define the different successional classes, we have to consider ecophysiological aspects, such as the capacity to use or dissipate the light energy available. The main objective of this work was to assess the chlorophyll fluorescence emission of tropical tree species growing in a gap of a semi-deciduous forest. Three species of different ecological groups were selected: Croton floribundus Spreng. (pioneer, P), Astronium graveolens Jacq. (early secondary, Si), and Esenbeckia febrifuga A. Juss. (late secondary, St). The potential (Fv/Fm) and effective (deltaF/Fm') quantum efficiency of photosystem II, apparent electron transport rate (ETR), non-photochemical (qN) and photochemical (qP) quenching of fluorescence were evaluated, using a modulated fluorometer, between 7:30 and 11:00 h. Values of Fv/Fm remained constant in St, decreasing in P and Si after 9:30 h, indicating the occurrence of photoinhibition. Concerning the measurements taken under light conditions (deltaF/Fm', ETR, qP and qN), P and Si showed better photochemical performance, i.e., values of deltaF/Fm', ETR and qP were higher than St when light intensity was increased. Values of qN indicated that P and Si had an increasing tendency of dissipating the excess of energy absorbed by the leaf, whereas the opposite was found for St. The principal component analysis (PCA), considering all evaluated parameters, showed a clear distinction between St, P and Si, with P and Si being closer. The PCA results suggest that chlorophyll fluorescence may be a potential tool to differentiate tree species from distinct successional groups.