Groundwater quality on a waste disposal area due to sand mining activities in São Paulo state, Brazil

This investigation reports the results of a study realized in an area related to the development of sand mining activities, which belongs to Sibelco Mineração Ltd. The site is located around Analândia municipality, nearly in the center of São Paulo State, Brazil. Hydrochemical analyses of groundwater were realized under different periods of time, with the aim of evaluating the possibility of release of several constituents to the liquid phase, which may be a source of pollution of the surface hydrological resources and of the deeper Guarani aquifer. This is because the site is located at the recharge area of Guarani aquifer and some tributaries from Corumbataí river may also be suffering contamination, implying on the impoverishment of the water quality that are very important resources in the region, as they are extensively used for drinking purposes, among others.© 2011 WIT Press.

Sorofrequência de infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência felina e vírus da leucemia felina em gatos do município de araçatuba, são paulo

Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia represent important infectious diseases caused by retroviruses. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in cats from the municipality of Araçatuba, São Paulo. Blood samples from 302 cats were collected and tested for the presence of antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus and antigen of feline leukemia virus by ELISA ® Snap- Combo FIV-FeLV (IDEXX Laboratories). The frequency of FIV positivity was 5.63% (17/302) and of FeLV was 0.33% (1/302). Of the 17 cats infected with FIV, nine (52.94%) were symptomatic. There was a prevalence of FIV infection in males (p 0.0316) and cats aged between one and three years (p 0.0324).

Dinámica del suelo y estoque de carbono después de diez años de la restauración de tierras degradadas usando especies arbóreas del bosque atlántico

Brazil's Atlantic Forest ecosystem has been greatly affected by land use changes, with only 11.26% of its original vegetation cover remaining. Currently, Atlantic Forest restoration is receiving increasing attention because of its potential for carbon sequestration and the important role of soil carbon in the global carbon balance. Soil organic matter is also essential for physical, chemical and biological components of soil fertility and forest sustainability. This study evaluated the potential for soil recovery in contrasting restoration models using indigenous Atlantic Forest tree species ten years after their establishment. The study site is located in Botucatu municipality, São Paulo State-Brazil, in a loamy dystrophic Red-Yellow Argisol site (Typic Hapludult). Four treatments were compared: i) Control (Spontaneous Restoration); ii) Low Diversity (five fast-growing tree species established by direct seeding); iii) High Diversity (mixed plantings of 41 species established with seedlings) and; iv) Native Forest (well conserved neighboring forest fragment). The following soil properties were evaluated: (1) physical-texture, density and porosity; (2) chemical-C, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Al and pH; (3) biological-microbial biomass. Litter nutrient concentrations (P, S, K, Ca and Mg) and C and N litter stocks were determined. Within ten years the litter C and N stocks of the Low Diversity treatment area were higher than Control and similar to those in both the High Diversity treatment and the Native Forest. Soil C stocks increased through time for both models and in the Control plots, but remained highest in the Native Forest. The methods of restoration were shown to have different effects on soil dynamics, mainly on chemical properties. These results show that, at least in the short-term, changes in soil properties are more rapid in a less complex system like the Low Diversity model than in the a High Species Diversity model. For both mixed plantation systems, carbon soil cycling can be reestablished, resulting in increases in carbon stocks in both soil and litter.

Sphincterodiplostomum musculosum (Digenea, Diplostomidae) infectando Steindachnerina insculpta (Characiformes, Curimatidae) no reservatório de Chavantes, Sudeste do Brasil

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

Daños causados por cancro cítrico en la producción de naranja dulce 'Valencia'

The citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, is one of the main citrus diseases and has threatened the world's citriculture. In this study, the damage caused by citrus canker was quantified in a sweet orange culture, cv. Valencia [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.], grafted over 15 year-old Rangpur lime (C. limonia Osb.), in the municipality of Guatambu, SC, Brazil, in the crop of 2004/05. Evaluations of the number of fruits per plant (NF), fruit yield per plant (P), citrus canker incidence on the fruit (IFR), and incidence (IL) and severity (SV) of citrus canker on 80 leaves per orange tree were performed in the harvest period, applying diagrammatical scales. Plants had large variation in SV (0.16%-1.09%), IL (12.50%-56.25%) and IFR (12.30%-56.09%). Linear regressions were significant between IL x SV, NF x SV, P x IFR, and NF x IFR. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the mean estimated values of IL in different quadrants of the crowns of the orange trees (N, S, L and O). Each 1% increase in IFR reduced 2.16 kg and 21.3 fruits per tree.

Influência de diferentes sistemas de cultivo nos atributos físicos e no carbono orgânico do solo

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

A new species of miniaturized toadlet, genus Brachycephalus (Anura: Brachycephalidae), from the atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil

A new species of miniaturized froglet (genus Brachycephalus) is described from Morro Prumirim in the municipality of Ubatuba, São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected from the leaf litter at approximately 800 m above sea level. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by the combination of the following characters: snout-vent length 8.7-13.4 mm; skin on head and dorsum with dermal ossification; general color orange, with a narrow brownish vertebral stripe and belly without spots; and skull, spinal processes of sacral and pre-sacral vertebrae, and process of the fourth vertebra hyperossified. Canonical variates analysis of linear body measurement demonstrates that the new species is easily discriminated from other Brachycephalus species with which it shares an intermediate condition of hyperossification. © 2012 by The Herpetologists League, Inc.

Hemoparasite and hematological parameters in Nile tilapia

The accelerated growth of finfish aquaculture has resulted in a series of health problems, including blood disorders by hemoparasites; there are scarce studies about these agents and their impact in actual intensive farming. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the hemoparasites present in monocytes and erythrocytes in the blood of tilapia and their correlation with the hematological profile. Blood samples were collected from caudal vessels of 15 cage-reared Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), with 70 ± 10 g weight on average, from Itambaracá Municipality, Parana State, Brazil. The total red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, hematocrit, total and differential white blood cells counts, and the number of thrombocytes were determined in blood smears stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa-Wright and Quick Panoptic. The results showed the presence of pleomorphic cytoplasmic inclusions with corrugated appearance and basophilic staining, mainly in monocytes, suggesting Anaplasmataceae parasitemia and inclusions with the same morphological characteristics in erythrocytes of one Nile tilapia. The hematological analysis showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) between infected and not infected fish, and therefore, there was no correlation between parasitemia and hematological profile. These observations allow us to infer that the intracytoplasmic inclusions in monocytes and erythrocytes are compatible with the family Anaplasmataceae. There was no correlation between the blood profile and low level of parasitemia. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London.

Desenvolvimento, produtividade e composição bromatológica da primeira soqueira da cana-de-açúcar em função de fontes de fósforo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the development, yield and chemical composition of the first ratoon sugar cane, depending on the residual effect of phosphorus sources. The study was conducted in the municipality of Alta Floresta - MT. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial scheme 4x2, with four replications. The phosphorus sources were used: bone meal, Arad phosphate and triple superphosphate, and a control without the application of the nutrient. The varieties of sugar cane were planted IAC86-2480 and SP79-1011. We evaluated the plant height, stalk diameter, mass of a plant, number of stems, dry matter yield, P content of the plant and the chemical composition of the forage. The residual effect of fertilization, using different sources of phosphorus, no significant alterations in the development, yield and chemical composition of the first ratoon sugar cane, with little reduction in NDF and ADF when using the bone meal. The variety IAC86-2480 showed better results, providing a higher content of crude protein and phosphorus in the plant and increased production of dry mass.

Uso do solo e monitoramento dos recursos hídricos no córrego do Ipê, Ilha Solteira, SP

Brazil has great potential of water resources, however, with deficiency in terms of qualitative and quantitative monitoring and knowledge of the influences of land use. So, this study had the purpose of presenting the qualitative and quantitative monitoring of water for irrigation and the influences caused by the use and occupation of land in the watershed of Ipê stream, in the municipality of Ilha Solteira, São Paulo. The qualitative monitoring was conducted from 2006 to 2011 and the quantitative monitoring from 2009 to 2011. In order to evaluate the influences, the Pearson correlation analysis was used. It was found that the watershed is mostly made up by the crop of sugar cane and the use in conflict with areas of permanent preservation are the fallow areas and pasture. The watershed is characterized with high concentrations of iron and coliforms, originating from degraded pastures and irregular use of urban and rural occupation. The small permanent preservation areas, bad soil conservation and expansion of urban areas imply in the deterioration of the quality and availability of water, generating socio-economic and environmental impact in the area.

Monitoramento temporal da pluma de contaminação no aterro de resíduos urbanos de Rio Claro (SP) por meio do método geofísico da eletrorresistividade

Several factors have contributed to the increase the world production of urban solid waste, resulting in difficulties to the correct management and the final environmentally appropriate disposal, in addition to causing serious socio-economic, environmental, and public health troubles. The soil and groundwater contamination by leachate in waste disposal sites is almost always present, leveraging the emergence and/or adaptation of methodologies for environmental assessment of these areas. The geophysical methods, especially the electrical resistivity method, are fast, reliable and low-cost alternative for this purpose. This paper reports the methodology adopted for the temporal monitoring of the plume of contamination of controlled landfill in the municipality of Rio Claro (SP). Electrical resistivity data were obtained in 1999 and 2008, by the resistivity method, using the techniques of vertical electrical sounding and electrical profile. In both years, similar tests were carried out in the same locations within the disposal area. The results indicated that the plume of contamination has resistivity values less than or equal to 50 ohm.m and moves guided by 2 flows: the main, to the southeast, and the secondary, to the west. Relatively to the first series of tests in 1999, the plume of contamination was higher and deeper in 2008, contrary to what was expected for a landfill deactivated for at least 10 years.

Caracterização de agravos causados por cães e gatos a seres humanos no município de jaboticabal, são paulo, durante o período de 2000 A 2009

The lack of proper control of dogs and cats population and irresponsible pet ownership are factors that favor animal attack and pose serious public health concern. The aim of the present study was to characterize the injuries caused by dogs and cats to humans in the municipality of Jaboticabal, between the years 2000 and 2009, with a view to demonstrate the importance of aggression control in reducing both the risk for rabies transmission and the number of post exposure prophylaxis administration. A retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. 3,972 out of 4,149 records of patients who sought the public health service after being attacked by an animal were analyzed. Dogs were the species that most caused injuries. In the moment of the attack, the doǵs clinical status was declared as healthy in 81.8% of records; and in 81.1% of cases this status were maintained throughout the entire observation period of the aggressor. Most of injuries were characterized by bites in hands or feet, with multiple and superficial wounds. The number of injuries was high, therefore it is crucial to implement strategies to reduce injuries caused by animal attack through health promotion, educational activities and strengthening of integration of public health and veterinary services so that the decision to institute post-exposure prophylaxis is taken with criteria and safety.

First record of leucospis signifera bouček, 1974 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Leucospidae) in the São Paulo State, Brazil

The present note extends the geographic range of Leucospis signifera Bouček, 1974 farther to the Northeast, reaching the State of São Paulo, based on the examination of four females collected at Jataí Ecological Station, municipality of Luiz Antônio, São Paulo State, Brazil. The present finding indicates that L. signifera is associated with dry ecosystems, at least in part of its geographic distribution. © 2012 Check List and Authors.

Coccidiose em cães e gatos do município de andradina, estado de são paulo, Brasil

Coccidiosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in dogs and cats in all the world. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of this parasitosis in dog and cat population at the Municipality of Andradina in the State of São Paulo, from 2007 to 2009. Fecal samples from 97 cats and 93 dogs were analyzed by using the techniques of flotation in saturated sodium chloride and spontaneous sedimentation. The species were classified according to morphology of the oocysts. Cystoisospora fecal oocyst found in 71.1% (69/97) of the cats, and simple infection by C. rivolta and C. felis occurred respectively in 41.0% (16/39) and 20.5% (8/39) animals, with P ≥ 0.2319. In 39.7%(37/93) of the dogs was found positive for Cystoisospora spp. And the species C. canis identified in the largest proportion (63.9%) with P = 0.0005. From the results, we conclude that dogs and cats had high incidence of infection Cystoisospora, being C. canis and C. rivolta most observed species, respectively.

Primeiro relato de atividade patogênica de Hirsutella thompsonii (Fischer) sobre o ácaro-da-erinose-da-lichia Aceria litchii (Keifer)

The litchi erineum mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer) is found in all producing regions attacking leaves and flowers of litchi plants. The mite attack young leaves and causes the erinea on leaf surface, which later become brown galls with velvety appearance. Severe attacks can cause leaf drop and destruction of branches end directly production affecting. In 2009 year it was registered a heavy infestation of the pest on litchi plants (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) in the municipality of Casa Branca, São Paulo, Brazil (2127'O; 4702'S; 679 m altitude). In June, many galls caused by mite infestation showed a mycelium of white coloration and many eriophyid dead. The fungus was identified as Hirsutella thompsonii (Fischer). The results suggest that galls may facilitate the fungus development and its permanence on the plants. Thus, the possibility of mite biological control with H. thompsonii should be investigated.