Geochemical Variability of the Rapakivi Itu Province, State of São Paulo, SE Brazil

This paper describes the chemical variability of the Late Precambrian Itu Rapakivi Province (IRP), State of São Paulo, SE Brazil, based on 187 selected analyses from the Itu, São Francisco, Sorocaba, Campina do Veado and Sguario/ Correa granites. The IRP has an almost uniform petrographic character conferred by the overall dominance of subalkaline biotite granites. Monzogranites (adamellites), granodiorites, quartz syenites, quartz monzonites are rare to very rare rock types and tonalites and quartz diorites are almost restricted to enclaves. Typical chemical features are the high FeO*/MgO ratio, a clustering of the K2O values between 4.5 and 6.0 wt.% and K2O/Na2O ratios which define the IRP as mildly potassic although more potassic rocks also occur. The overal Peacock Alkalinity Index is 54 defining the Province as alkali-calcic. In the Shand diagram the data cluster near the metaluminous/peraluminous boundary. Relationships between Nb, Rb and Y stress the within plate character of the IRP and the relationships between Rb, Ba and Sr reveal the importance of feldspar fractionation in magma evolution. The data also show an interbody and an intrabody chemical variability due to the variation in the composition of the crustal magma protoliths, as assigned by K/Rb relations. The presence of several magmatic cycles which built up the major intrusions reflects a magma ascent from collecting chambers successively drained and recharged, a feature in agreement with the clear link between the bodies and long lived, successively reactivated, transcurrent faults. Most of the chemical features of the IRP correspond to those of the classical Finnish rapakivi granites.

Phenological aspects of flowering and fruiting at the Ecological Station of Paulo de Faria-SP-Brazil

The present work was carried out at 'Estacao Ecologica de Paulo de Faria', north of the state of Sao Paulo, southeast of Brazil (19°55'-19°58'S and 49°31'-49°32'W). The flowering and fruiting phenology of trees, shrubs, and lianas species were observed from April 1993 to December 1995. The results were compaired with those surveyed at other forests from Sao Paulo state: Santa Genebra (Campinas). Serra do Japi (Jundiai) and lianas of Mata Atlantica. The majority of species of lianas flowered from January to April and trees and shrubs between September to December. The most intense frutification period occurred during May to August. Similarly to Santa Genebra, the flowering season at 'Estacao Ecologica de Paulo de Faria' started at the beginning of the wet season while frutification during the dryest period of the year. At Serra do Japi, the flowering and frutification occurred from the end of dry and beginning of the rainy season. Considering the liana at Mata Atlantica presented two peaks of flowering, while at 'Estacao Ecologica de Paulo de Faria' occurs only one. Regarding the fruiting phenology is similar for both area, most species producing fruits during the first semestre.

Interaction of mercury(II) with humic substances from the Rio Negro (Amazonas State, Brazil) by means of an ion exchange procedure

The aquatic humic substances (HS) investigated in this study with respect to their binding capability towards mercury(II) were isolated from the river Rio Negro, Amazonas State - Brazil, by means of the adsorbent XAD 8. Labile/inert fractions of inorganic Hg(II) complexes formed with these HS were characterized using an ion-exchange batch and column technique, respectively, based on Chelite S. This collector exhibits high Hg(II) distribution coefficients, Kd, up to the order of 104 decreasing, however, in the case of small Hg(II)/HS ratios (< 0.1 μg Hg(II) / mg HS). The influence of different complexation parameters (ratio of Hg(II)/HS, pH, contact time, complexing time) relevant for Hg(II) binding in aquatic environments was assessed. The Hg(II) lability in dissolved HS is mainly influenced by the mass ratio of Hg(II)/HS and the ageing of Hg(II)-HS species formed. This is particularly obvious in the case of low Hg(II) loading of HS where slow transformation processes of freshly formed Hg(II)-HS species significantly decrease their lability, leading to incomplete recoveries (< 20%) of the total Hg(II) bound to HS.

Hydrochemistry on a waste disposal area of sand mining activities at Analandia, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, and their implications on the mobilization of uranium

Groundwaters and surface waters from an area of treatment of sand for industrial purposes at Analandia municipality, nearly in the center of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were chemically and isotopically analyzed with two aims: to evaluate if the anthropogenic activities that has taken place for the last 6 years is affecting the quality of the hydrological resources and to relate the hydrogeochemical behaviour of the uranium isotopes 234U and 238U with the pattern of circulation of groundwaters.

Adenocalymma ubatubensis Assis and Semir, a new species of Bignoniaceae from Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Adenocalymma ubatubensis, a new species from southeastern coastal Brazil, is described and illustrated. The species is distinguished by its large pseudostipules and calyx without nectaries.

Seed production of species belonging to the palm collection of the FCAV-UNESP, Jaboticabal, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

The seed production of fully developed specimens belonging to the palm collection of the Experimental Nursery of the FCAV-UNESP was observed. This paper gives information useful for nursery growers: average fruit weight, seed germination, procedures for sowing, time of fruit harvest and possibility of seed storage. At the nursery, the time until the first seedling emerged has varied, according to the species, from one to more than ten months. For better germination, fruits must be collected when completely mature; the fleshy mesocarp must be removed before sowing. Seed storage for a few months has been possible for some species, by removing the fleshy mesocarp, drying the seeds in shade, treating them with a fungicide, packing them in plastic bags and maintaining the seed lots at 20°C. These results agree with reports about some other species and general recommendations of the related literature.

Four new Neotetranychus Trägardh (Acari: Tetranychidae) from São Paulo State, Brazil

Neotetranychus peniculus Aranda n. sp. from Bauhinia holophylla (Fabaceae), N. rhaphidoseta Aranda n.sp from Tabebuia ochraceae (Bignoniaceae), N. granifer Feres and Flechtmann n. sp. from Bauhinia forficata and N. asper Feres and Flechtmann n. sp. from Alchornea glandulosa (Euphorbiaceae) from São Paulo State, Brazil, are described and figured.

Occurrence, distribution, and relative incidence of five viruses infecting cucurbits in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Cucurbits species grown in 38 of 40 agricultural regions in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were surveyed for the relative incidence of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Papaya ringspot virus-type W (PRSV-W), Watermelon mosaic virus-2 (WMV-2), Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus (ZLCV), and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) during May 1997 and June 1999. Samples from 621 plants, representing eight cultivated species, six wild species, and one commercial hybrid (Cucurbita moschata x C. maxima), were analyzed by plate trapped antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PTA-ELISA). PRSV-W and ZYMV were the most frequently found viruses, accounting for 49.1 and 24.8%, respectively, of 605 samples tested. ZLCV, CMV, and WMV-2 were detected in 7.8, 6.0, and 4.5% of 612, 497, and 423 samples tested, respectively. Double infection was found in 97 samples, and triple infection was found in 10 samples. Quadruple infection was detected in one C. pepo sample. Plants that were symptomatic but negative by PTA-ELISA might be due to abiotic agents, infection by virus for which antiserum was not available, such as Squash mosaic virus, or infection with an as yet uncharacterized virus.

New species of Eleutherodactylus (Amphibia: Leptodactylidae) from Guaraquecaba, Atlantic Forest of Brazil

A new species of the leptodactylid frog genus Eleutherodactylus is described from Guaraquecaba, State of Parana, southern Brazil. The new species is characterized by its large size, slightly rugose to rugose dorsal skin texture, robust body, and low number of pulses per call. Descriptions of the advertisement calls of the new species and of E. manezinho, a close related species, are provided, as well as information on natural history.

Biomass fire consumption and carbon release rates of rainforest-clearing experiments conducted in northern Mato Grosso, Brazil

Biomass consumption and carbon release rates during the process of forest clearing by fire in five test plots are presented and discussed. The experiments were conducted at the Caiabi Farm near the town of Alta Floresta, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in five square plots of 1 ha each designated A, B, C, D, and E, with different locations and timing of fire. Plot A was located in the interface with a pasture, with three edges bordering on the forest, and was cut and burned in 1997. Plots B,C, D, and E were located inside the forest. Plot B was cut and burned in 1997. Plot C was inside a deforested 9-ha area, which was cut and burned in 1998. Plot D was inside a deforested 4-ha area, which was cut in 1998 and burned in 1999. Plot E was inside a deforested 4-ha area which was cut and burned in 1999. Biomass consumption was 22.7%, 19.5%, 47.5%, 61.5% and 41.8%, for A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. The effects of an extended curing period and of increasing the deforested area surrounding the plots could be clearly observed. The consumption for areas cut and burned during the same year, tended toward a value of nearly 50% when presented as a function of the total area burned. The aboveground biomass of the test site and the amount of carbon before the fire were 496 Mg ha-1 and 138 Mg ha-1, respectively. Considering that the biomass that remains unburned keeps about the same average carbon content of fresh biomass, which is supported by the fact that the unburned material consists mainly of large logs and considering the value of 50% for consumption, the amount of carbon released to the atmosphere as gases was 69 Mg ha-1. The amounts of CO2 and CO released to the atmosphere by the burning process were then estimated as 228 Mg ha-1 and 15.9 Mg ha-1, respectively. Observations on fire propagation and general features of the slash burnings in the test areas complete the paper. Copyright 2001 by the American Geophysical Union.

Seroprevalence of bovine leptospirosis in Garanhuns municipal district, Pernambuco State, Brazil

The prevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovars in dairy cattle was determined by analyzing 464 serum samples from cows on 15 properties in Garanhuns municipal district, Pernambuco State, Brazil. A microscopic seroagglutination test including 12 serovars of Leptospira interrogans as antigens was used. Samples with titres 3 100 were considered positive. Two hundred and twenty-one (47.63%) of the samples were positive to one or more serovars. The prevalence of the serovars was hardjo (21.98%), bratislava (15.73%), castellonis(11.64%), tarassovi (10.56%), pyrogenes(1.72%), icterohaemorrhagiae (1.08%), pomona (0.86%), wolffi (0.86%), grippotyphosa (0.86%), djasiman (0.43%), canicola (0.21 %), and copenhageni (0.21 %).

The occurrence and foraging behavior of the army ant Eciton vagans dubitatum in the Itirapina area, São Paulo State, Brazil (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

This paper discusses the occurrence of the army ant Eciton vagans dubitatum in a semi-deciduous forest, Itirapina area, São Paulo State, Brazil. Comparisons of bivouac and raiding pattern are done in relation to other subspecies of Eciton vagans.

Collection of Fáfia [Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen] in Northwestern State of Paraná - Brazil

Interviews were conducted with fáfia (Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen) collectors from the municipal districts of Querência do Norte and Porto Rico, where enterprises and buyers of this plant are concentrated. The results allowed us to conclude that both the adults and children make collection. Each adult collects from 50 to 150 kg of roots/day, depending on the collection area, for about 8 months/year. Collections mostly occur all over the year, but the activity becomes more intense from May to August. All families are not exclusively dedicated to fáfia collection and also develop other rural activities. They have been collecting fáfia for 2 to 13 years, indicating that an intensive exploitation has been present in the region for over a decade. During collection, no plant part is used for replanting the species. The roots are commercialised by regional buyers. The price of the roots varies from US $ 0.07 to US $ 0.13/kg and average gain is about US $ 2,055/family/year, representing a considerable profit for the collectors.

Growth parameters and nutrient content in four multipurpose tree species with potential characteristics for agroforestry systems in a Cerrado region in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

In order to evaluate growth characteristics, adaptability, biomass production, nutrient recycling, nutrient distribution and the ability to regenerate degraded land, a trial using four multipurpose tree species (Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Acacia melanoxylon and Mimosa scabrella) was undertaken over two years in a distrophic red yellow latosol (oxisol) following a randomized block experimental design with four replications. At the age of two years, A. melanoxylon and L. diversifolia were the tallest species (5.25 and 4.97 m, respectively) and A. melanoxylon and M. scabrella had the largest diameters at 20 cm from tree base. Mimosa scabrella and A. melanoxylon had the highest dry matter production and quantity of nutrients in the above ground biomass. In all species, the highest nutrient contents were found in the leaves, followed by branches and stems. From all species, the highest Nutrient Utilization Efficiency Indexes were obtained for sulphur, phosphorous, and magnesium; L. diversifolia was the most efficient for nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulphur, and manganese, while A. melanoxylon was the most efficient for phosphorus, magnesium, boron, iron, and zinc. Litter production levels over a three month period were as follows: M. scabrella > A. melanoxylon > L. diversifolia > L. leucocephala. Litter nutrient content was higher in M. scabrella than in the other species.

Evidence for Neoproterozoic continental arc magmatism in the Santa Quitéria Batholith of Ceará State, NW Borborema Province, NE Brazil: Implications for the assembly of West Gondwana

Recent field investigations and geochronological studies of Neoproterozoic rocks in the northwestern part of the Borborema Province, Ceará State, NE Brazil provide important clues pertaining to the nature of convergence between the Borborema Province and the West African-São Luis craton during the assembly of West Gondwana. U-Pb zircon data indicate that the earliest evidence of convergent magmatism along the northwest margin of the Borborema Province occurred around 777 Ma, and was followed by the development of a large continental arc batholith (Santa Quitéria batholith) between ca. 665 and 591 Ma within the central part of Ceará State. These findings, along with supporting geophysical data, suggest that convergence between the Borborema Province and the West African-São Luis craton involved closure of an oceanic realm with subduction polarity to the southeast beneath the northwestern part of the province. Consequently, it seems likely that the Pharusian Ocean was continuous from the Hoggar Province in West Africa into South America during the late Neoproterozoic and additional data suggests that it may have even been connected with the Goianides Ocean of the Brasília Belt farther to the southwest.