Georeferenced database generation with the purpose of hydrologic molding in reservoirs of the hydrographic basin of Jaguaribe river in the state of Ceará, Brazil

The edafoclimatic conditions of the Brazilian semiarid region favor the water loss by surface runoff. The state of Ceará, almost completely covered by semiarid, has developed public policies for the construction of dams in order to attend the varied water demand. Several hydrological models were developed to support decisive processes in the complex management of reservoirs. This study aimed to establish a methodology for obtaining a georeferenced database suitable for use as input data in hydrological modeling in the semiarid of Ceará. It was used images of Landsat satellite and SRTM Mission, and soil maps of the state of Ceará. The Landsat images allowed the determination of the land cover and the SRTM Mission images, the automatic delineation of hydrographic basins. The soil type was obtained through the soil map. The database was obtained for Jaguaribe River hydrographic basin, in the state of Ceará, and is applicable to hydrological modeling based on the Curve Number method for estimating the surface runoff.

Software for calculation of reservoir active capacity with the sequent-peak algorithm

It is presented a software developed with Delphi programming language to compute the reservoir's annual regulated active storage, based on the sequent-peak algorithm. Mathematical models used for that purpose generally require extended hydrological series. Usually, the analysis of those series is performed with spreadsheets or graphical representations. Based on that, it was developed a software for calculation of reservoir active capacity. An example calculation is shown by 30-years (from 1977 to 2009) monthly mean flow historical data, from Corrente River, located at São Francisco River Basin, Brazil. As an additional tool, an interface was developed to manage water resources, helping to manipulate data and to point out information that it would be of interest to the user. Moreover, with that interface irrigation districts where water consumption is higher can be analyzed as a function of specific seasonal water demands situations. From a practical application, it is possible to conclude that the program provides the calculation originally proposed. It was designed to keep information organized and retrievable at any time, and to show simulation on seasonal water demands throughout the year, contributing with the elements of study concerning reservoir projects. This program, with its functionality, is an important tool for decision making in the water resources management.

Hydrological simulation using SWAT model in headwater basin in Southeast Brazil

Hydrological models are important tools that have been used in water resource planning and management. Thus, the aim of this work was to calibrate and validate in a daily time scale, the SWAT model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) to the watershed of the Galo creek , located in Espírito Santo State. To conduct the study we used georeferenced maps of relief, soil type and use, in addition to historical daily time series of basin climate and flow. In modeling were used time series corresponding to the periods Jan 1, 1995 to Dec 31, 2000 and Jan 1, 2001 to Dec 20, 2003 for calibration and validation, respectively. Model performance evaluation was done using the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (E NS) and the percentage of bias (P BIAS). SWAT evaluation was also done in the simulation of the following hydrological variables: maximum and minimum annual daily flowsand minimum reference flows, Q90 and Q95, based on mean absolute error. E NS and P BIAS were, respectively, 0.65 and 7.2% and 0.70 and 14.1%, for calibration and validation, indicating a satisfactory performance for the model. SWAT adequately simulated minimum annual daily flow and the reference flows, Q90 and Q95; it was not suitable in the simulation of maximum annual daily flows.

The Sedimentology, Ichnology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Late Miocene, Marginal Marine, Upper Pebas and Nauta Formations, Amazonian Foreland Basin, Peru

This thesis includes detailed sedimentological and ichnological studies on two geological units: the Pebas Formation, with a special focus in its informal upper member, and the Nauta Formation. Both formations were deposited during the Miocene in Northeastern Peruvian Amazonia, in the Amazon retroarc foreland basin. The Pebas and Nauta successions mainly consist of non-consolidated, clastic sedimentary deposits arranged into sand- to mud-dominated heterolithic successions, which can be upward-coarsening to upward-fining. Sediments in both the Pebas and Nauta successions range from mud to fine- to medium-grained sand. The main facies observed were 1) mud-dominated horizontal heterolithic couplets; 2) rooted brownish mud; 3) lenticular, mud-draped, cross-stratified sand; 4) mud- to sand-dominated, inclined heterolithic stratification; 5) sand-dominated horizontal heterolithic couplets; and 6) mud-draped, trough cross-stratified sand. Locally, tidal rhythmites were documented. The facies are interpreted as: 1) muddy, shallow, subaqueous flats/shoals; 2) palaeosols; 3) secondary tidal channels or run-off creeks; 4) tidally influenced point bars; 5) shoreface deposits; and 6) subtidal compound dunes. Thalassinoides-dominated Glossifungites ichnofacies, low-diversity expressions of the Skolithos ichnofacies and depauperate suites consisting of elements common to the Cruziana ichnofacies strongly indicate brackish-water conditions. However, continental trace fossil assemblages, with possible elements common to the Scoyenia ichnofacies, have also been identified. In addition to the palaeoenvironmental study, a local hydrogeochemical characterisation of the Pebas and Nauta formations was also conducted. The geochemistry of the groundwaters reflects the characteristics and the soil geochemistry of the geological formations studied. The Pebas formation has low hardness, acid to neutral waters, whereas the upper Pebas has high hardness, acid to neutral waters. In both units, the arsenic content is locally high. The Nauta formation has low hardness acid groundwaters. A regional review of the Pebas and Nauta formations placed the local observations into a continental perspective and suggests that the whole Pebas-Nauta system was a probably shallow (some tens of metres at maximum), brackish- to freshwater, tidally-influenced epicontinental embayment with a probable semi-diurnal to mixed tidal regime and a microtidal range, surrounded by continental environments such as forest floors, lagoons, rivers and their flood plains, and lakes.

Defeitos congênitos e exposição a agrotóxicos no Vale do São Francisco

OBJETIVO: avaliar a associação entre a exposição dos genitores aos agrotóxicos e nascimentos com defeitos congênitos no Vale do São Francisco, bem como o perfil sociodemográfico e os defeitos encontrados. MÉTODOS: estudo tipo caso-controle, sendo que para cada caso (recém-nascido com defeito congênito), eram dois controles (recém-nascidos saudáveis) nascidos na cidade de Petrolina, no Vale do São Francisco, em 2009. A amostra constou de 42 casos e 84 controles. Os dados formam colhidos com uso de questionário estruturado, adaptado do Estudo Colaborativo Latino-Americano de Malformações Congênitas (ECLAMC), acrescido de questões relacionadas à exposição aos agrotóxicos, análise do prontuário e contato com a pediatra do hospital. Foi realizado o teste do χ2 com nível de significância de 5% para identificar as variáveis com maiores diferenças entre os grupos caso e controle. Em seguida, foi calculado o Odds Ratio (OR) amostral, bem como o OR obtido por análise de regressão logística e, finalmente, realizou-se uma análise de regressão logística multivariada. RESULTADOS: houve maior exposição aos agrotóxicos durante a gestação em neonatos com defeitos congênitos se comparados aos saudáveis. Maior risco foi observado quando pelo menos um dos genitores foi exposto aos agrotóxicos (OR ajustado = 1,3; IC95% = 0,4-3,9). As variáveis sociodemográficas associadas aos defeitos congênitos foram: baixa escolaridade, baixo peso, prematuridade, genitores jovens, doenças crônicas e fatores físicos. Foram encontrados com maior frequência os polimalformados e os defeitos dos sistemas musculoesquelético e nervoso. CONCLUSÃO: o presente estudo, a despeito de não apresentar significância, sugere associação entre a exposição aos agrotóxicos e a ocorrência de defeitos congênitos.

Serology, polymerase chain reaction and histopathology for leptospirosis in samples collected at slaughter from dairy cows of Parnaiba region, state of Piauí, Brazil

The presence of anti leptospiral agglutinins (microscopic agglutination test - MAT) and DNA of leptospires was investigated in the kidney and urine (Polymerase Chain Reaction - PCR) in samples collected at the time of slaughter of cattle originating from the dairy basin of Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil, as also the lesions in kidney, lung, liver, uterus, ovary and placenta (histopathology and immunohistochemistry). In the MAT, Hardjo was the predominant serovar with the highest number of reagent animals for the strain Hardjobovis/Sponselee. Anti-leptospiral antigens were scored in epithelial cells, interstitial vascular endothelium, endothelium of glomerular capillaries and Bowman's capsule of 20 positive animals. Inflammatory cells were more common in the kidney. PCR was positive in urine and kidney tissue

Babesiosis and anaplasmosis in dairy cattle in Northeastern Brazil

The goal of this study was to characterize the epidemiological situation and the factors involved in the prevalence of babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle in the dairy basin of Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil. The study was conducted in 22 farms, and collected blood samples from 202 cattle to study serological, molecular and determination of the packed cell volume (PCV). On the farms were applied surveys involving epidemiological aspects. Seroprevalence rates were: Babesia bigemina 52.5%, B. bovis 68.8%, and Anaplasma marginale 89.1%. Of the samples analyzed, 73.3% were reactive for Babesia spp. and A. marginale, showing co-infection. In PCR, B. bigemina and B. bovis were positive in 52.0% and 33.2% respectively, and A. marginale in 76.2%. Of these, 51.5% amplified DNA of Babesia spp. and A. marginale. The semi-intensive management predominated in 68.0% of the farms studied. The clinical history of babesiosis and anaplasmosis, was reported from 73% of the farms. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between age groups and for the PCV of positive compared with negative animals. The study indicates that in this region is enzootic instability for babesiosis and enzootic stability for anaplasmosis, reinforcing the fact that in Brazil there are areas of enzootic instability, even in tropical regions of the country. The PCR technique was a valuable tool for the diagnosis of these diseases and may be used to characterize a geographic region.

Patterns of parasitism by Amblyomma rotundatum (Ixodidae) on Rhinella schneideri (Bufonidae) in islands of São Francisco River, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract: We sampled ticks from specimens of the rococo toad Rhinella schneideriby flannel dragging on two Islands located in the São Francisco River near the Três Marias hydroelectric dam, southeastern Brazil. A total of 120 toads was examined, of which 63 (52.5%) were parasitized only by Amblyomma rotundatumtotaling 96 larvae, 163 nymphs and 134 females. The burden of parasitism ranged from one to 43 ticks, with a mean intensity of infestation of 6.2±5.5 ticks per host. The tick A. rotundatumexhibited highly aggregated distribution. Peak abundance of larvae and nymphs occurred in the dry season (May to September), whereas peak abundance of females occurred in the wet season (October to April). We collected most ticks near the head and hind limbs of R. schneideri. The finding of two engorged A. rotundatumnymphs in the same resting places of two toads and the absence of this species in the dragged areas suggest a nidicolous behavior at the studied site.

Determinação de cobre e outros minerais em caprinos e ovinos criados no sertão do vale do rio São Francisco, Pernambuco

Resumo: Para a determinação dos teores de cobre e de seus antagonistas, foram utilizadas 160 amostras de soro e de fígados, de caprinos e ovinos enviados ao matadouro municipal de Petrolina. As amostras de fígado e soro foram correlacionadas para o mesmo animal, a fim de evitar erros na obtenção dos dados. No soro a atividade da ceruloplasmina foi determinada por método colorimétrico. Para a determinação dos minerais, as amostras foram diluídas de seis a vinte vezes com água Milli-Q. Para determinação das concentrações dos elementos minerais no fígado, as amostras foram digeridas até que se obtivesse uma solução que mantivesse os minerais da amostra inicial e que fosse totalmente liquida, sem a presença de partículas sólidas que pudessem obstruir os capilares de sucção do espectrômetro e assim impedir as leituras das amostras. As concentrações de cobre, molibdênio, ferro e zinco foram determinadas através de espectrometria óptica por emissão de plasma (ICP). Desta forma, foi conduzido o experimento objetivando determinar a ocorrência e distribuição da carência de cobre no território do sertão do vale do rio São Francisco em Pernambuco. Foi observado que não houve carência de cobre nesta região do estado de Pernambuco, quando se avaliou os níveis médios de cobre hepático,. Os níveis de zinco estavam dentro de um padrão de normalidade, enquanto que os níveis de ferro foram mais elevados em ovinos, e os níveis de molibdênio mais reduzidos em caprinos. Verificou-se também que a atividade de ceruloplasmina foi um indicador dos níveis séricos de cobre.

A survey of the generation of ocean waves in a test basin

At present stage the analytical design of wave tolerance for floating structures and vessels is still imperfect due to the mutually complex and nonlinear phenomena between structures and waves. Wave tolerance design is usually carried out through iterative evaluations of results from model tests in a wave basin, and this is done in order to reach a final structural design. The wave generation has then become an important technology in the field of the coastal and ocean engineering. This paper summarizes the facilities of a test basin and a wave maker in Japan and also surveys the methodology of the generation of ocean waves in a test basin.

Plantas daninhas na pós-colheita de milho nas várzeas do rio São Francisco, em Minas Gerais

Realizou-se um estudo na região do Alto São Francisco, Minas Gerais, no final da safra agrícola 1997/1998, visando identificar as plantas daninhas que permanecem nas áreas após a colheita do milho e sua distribuição ao longo da área estudada, destacando-se as mais importantes. As observações foram realizadas em 12 municípios. Em cada local foi lançado, por cem vezes, um quadrado de 0,50 x 0,50 m, a espaços de 10 m. Dentro do quadrado foram contadas as espécies e registrado o número de indivíduos de cada uma delas. Foram encontradas 151 espécies em 35 famílias, sendo Asteraceae a mais bem representada, com 25 espécies. As espécies com maior Índice de Valor de Importância (IVI) foram: Ageratum conyzoides, Sida glaziovii, Conyza bonariensis, Gaya sp., Sida rhombifolia e Blainvillea biaristata. As plantas daninhas remanescentes nas áreas recém-colhidas são fonte de alimento para insetos polinizadores e inimigos naturais das pragas; adequadamente manejadas, elas podem favorecer a manutenção do equilíbrio nos agroecossistemas.

Phytosociology of the remaining xerophytic woodland associated to an environmental gradient at the banks of the São Francisco river - Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil

Floristic and phytosociological surveys were carried out for 12 months in the Embrapa-SPSB, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. A transect was laid on starting at the river bank extending for 790 m away from the river and divided into 140 10 × 10 m contiguous plots. In each plot, all standing plants, alive or dead, with stem diameter at soil level > 3 cm and total height > 1 m were sampled. Along this transect, an elevation range of 9.40 m was registered and five topographical environments were identified: riverside (MR), dike (D), floodable depression (DI), boundary terrace (TL) - all of them belonging to the fluvial terrace with Fluvic Neosol and Haplic Cambisol both silty textured eutrophic soils - and the inlander tableland (TS), with medium sandy-textured Red-Yellow Argisols. Fourty-eight species/morphospecies, distributed into 39 genera and 21 families, were identified. Four phytogeoenvironments (MR, D + TL, DI + TL, and TS) were registered based on environmental variations and floristic similarities among plots using cluster analyses. The MR environment showed the largest total density, total basal area, maximum and medium heights and maximum diameter. Moreover, it had 8.1% of plants with heights above 8 m against 0.6% for D + TL, 0.2% for DI + TL, and 0% for TS. The species with the largest importance value were Inga vera subsp. affinis (DC.) T.D. Pennington in MR, Mimosa bimucronata Kunth in D + TL and DI + TL and M. tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. in TS.

Alismatales from the upper and middle Araguaia river basin (Brazil)

The present study deals with a survey of the order Alismatales (except Araceae) in the upper and middle Araguaia River region located between the states of Mato Grosso and Goiás, Brazil. Field expeditions were carried out during the rainy and dry seasons. The route covered approximately 2,000 km and 41 aquatic environments were visited. Thirteen taxa, representing the families Alismataceae (nine), Hydrocharitaceae (three) and Najadaceae (one) were identified. Keys for the identification of families and species in field, brief diagnoses, schematic illustrations and relevant comments were elaborated based on field observations as well as on the analysis of the specimens collected.

Distribuição de espécies arbóreo-arbustivas ao longo de um gradiente de solos e topografia em um trecho de floresta ripária do rio São Francisco em Três Marias, MG, Brasil

Foi realizado um levantamento da comunidade arbóreo-arbustiva, da topografia e dos solos de um fragmento de floresta estacional semidecidual aluvial e estacional decidual submontana, com o objetivo de verificar as possíveis correlações entre variações da estrutura fisionômica e da diversidade e composição de espécies e variações do regime de água e fertilidade química dos solos. O fragmento florestal, com área de 12 ha localiza-se à margem direita do Rio São Francisco (18º05'26" S e 45º10'54" W), no município de Três Marias, MG. Foram realizados um levantamento plani-altimétrico da área e uma classificação detalhada dos solos da floresta. Foram alocadas 50 parcelas de 15 X 15 m para amostrar os indivíduos arbóreo-arbustivos com diâmetro à altura do solo (DAS) > 5 cm. Amostras do solo superficial (0-20 cm de profundidade) foram coletadas nas parcelas para análises das propriedades químicas e texturais. Foram registrados nas parcelas 1.449 indivíduos distribuídos em 117 espécies, 83 gêneros e 33 famílias, bem como três subgrupos de solos e cinco classes de drenagem. A análise de correspondência canônica (CCA) das variáveis ambientais e da abundância das espécies indicou que estas se distribuem no fragmento sob forte influência de drenagem e fertilidade química dos solos, sugerindo que a disponibilidade de água e de nutrientes minerais são as principais variáveis ambientais que determinam a distribuição das espécies na floresta.

Planktic Cyanobacteria from upper Tietê basin reservoirs, SP, Brazil

Considering the great ecological and sanitary importance of the cyanobacteria and the need of detailed information about these organisms in Brazilian water bodies, the present study aims at contributing towards the knowledge of the cyanobacterial flora of five reservoirs belonging to the upper Tietê Basin, São Paulo: Billings, Guarapiranga, Jundiaí, Pirapora, Ponte Nova and Taiaçupeba. In the past several years, these reservoirs have been submitted to severe environmental deterioration and have repeatedly presented cyanobacterial blooms, including those of toxic species. The samples were collected between 1997 and 2003 either with plankton net (20 µm mesh) or van Dorn's bottle, and preserved with lugol solution or formaldehyde. Some species were isolated and maintained in culture. Forty-eight species of cyanobacteria were identified, with predominance of the order Chroococcales (58%), followed by the orders Oscillatoriales (21%) and Nostocales (21%). Among the 48 studied species, 17 (35%) were considered potentially toxic. The occurrence and biodiversity of the cyanobacteria in each reservoir depend on the environmental conditions. Among the five water bodies, Billings Reservoir presented the most adequate situation for the development of a greater number of species (34), probably due to its high pH values (around 8). Pirapora Reservoir on the other hand, with highest conductivity (445.0 µS cm-1) and lowest Secchi depth values (0.2 m), presented the lowest cyanobacterial biodiversity (14 species).