Assessment of trace metals pollution in estuarine sediments using SEM-AVS and ERM?CERL predictions

In this paper a PSIAC-based multi-parameter fuzzy pattern recognition (MPFPR) model is proposed and applied for classifying and ranking the potential soil erosion (PSE). In this approach, standard value matrix is used to define the membership degrees of each catchment to each class and the feature values are used for alternative ranking. The characteristic of PSE for each class is expressed by linguistic variables. The proposed method is straightforward, easy to understand, very practical, and its results may easily be interpreted. To assess the performance of the model, the results of PSIAC MPFPR and original PSIAC method are interpreted and compared with the observed data. It is shown that the proposed approach reflects the fuzzy nature of the soil erosion more efficiently and is quite robust for application in real world cases.     

Behavioral and life-history evidence for interspecific competition in the larvae of two heliconian butterflies

Interspecific competition in herbivorous insects remains a controversial issue. To date, many studied systems have not met assumptions of the traditional competition theory, and a new paradigm has been emerging. We examined the behavioral and life-history consequences of common host plant use of Heliconius erato and Dryas iulia (Nymphalidae) in relation to Passiflora suberosa (Passifloraceae). Larvae of the former use the apical portion of this host; the latter is presumably able to explore all plant parts. We assessed host use pattern in relation to leaf age, when reared either alone (D. iulia) or together (D. iulia and H. erato). Larval feeding choice tests with respect to leaf age were performed, and performance was recorded. Observations were made to assess antagonistic behavior of H. erato and D. iulia towards each other, if any. Similarly to H. erato, D. iulia fed on the young leaves significantly more than the mature ones; larvae were not induced to prefer mature leaves. First instars of H. erato used only the apical parts of P. suberosa and displayed aggressive behavior towards D. iulia, which moved to the lower shoot portions. Larval mortality and development time of both species significantly increased when reared together; such performance costs were more pronounced in D. iulia than H. erato. Our study gathers evidences that use of P. suberosa by these heliconian butterflies represent a case of competitive exclusion resulting in niche differentiation, where costs are higher for D. iulia than H. erato.     

Decentralized management of sewage using septic tanks and anaerobic filters and its potential to comply with required standards in a developing country: a case study in Brazil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To investigate the feasibility of implementing decentralized sewage treatment systems aiming to meet environmental standards, the performance of three...     

Thermoplasticized Pectin by Extrusion/Thermo-Compression for Film Industrial Application

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Researches for the development of materials with less environmental impact have been more common. Pectin is a natural polysaccharide, presenting in plants...     

Land cover along hiking trails in a nature tourism destination: the Azores as a case study

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Tourists have become increasingly interested in certain aspects of their destination, including landscape and biodiversity elements, thereby promoting...     

Residues of legacy organochlorine pesticides and DDT metabolites in highly consumed fish from the polluted Guanabara Bay,Brazil: distribution and assessment of human health risk

Abstract

Organochlorine (OCP) pesticides were determined in samples of sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis), whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), and mullet (Mugil liza) from Guanabara Bay (state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). OCP concentrations and fish consumption were linked with acceptable daily intake values in order to assess the human health risk for the Brazilian population. The total concentrations of OCPs (Σ OCP) was 6.6?ng/g f.w., 7.5?ng/g f.w., and 2.8?ng/g f.w. for sardines, corvina, and mullet, respectively. There was a significant difference (P?<?0.05) among the species related to o,p’-DDD and o,p’-DDT concentrations. Both DDT-related compounds were 5 and 76 times more abundant in sardines than in whitemouth croaker and mullet. Newly discovered DDT metabolite, o-Cl-DDMU, was frequently detected in the fish. None of the samples exceeded the maximum limits for acceptable levels of OCP residues. According to the data of average intake of Brazilian population, none of three species exceeded toxicological parameter. The investigated fishes are considered as safe for human consumption in regard to exposure of the studied OCPs. However, fish may be a intake source of OCP metabolites such as o-Cl-DDMU whose toxicity is still unknown.     

Assessment of trace metal concentration in feathers of seabird (Larus dominicanus) sampled in the Florianópolis, SC, Brazilian coast

Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Pb were measured in feather samples of adult, subadult, and juvenile of Larus dominicanus, sampled in the Florianólis, SC, in the south of Brazil in December 2005, by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average of the distribution of Cd concentration in adult feathers (0.072 μg g^???1) was significantly different than that found in juvenile feathers (0.021 μg g^???1). Cu concentration averages were not significantly different between adults (13.30 μg g^???1), subadults (9.67 μg g^???1), and juveniles (13.76 μg g^???1). For adults and juveniles there was significant difference in feather concentrations for Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb. The distribution of Mn concentration averages in feathers differs between adults (11.36 μg g^???1) and juveniles (1.184 μg g^???1). Ni concentration averages of adults (5.92 μg g^???1) were significantly higher than those of juveniles (2.23 μg g^???1). For Pb, concentration averages were significantly higher in adults (7.53 μg g^???1) than in juveniles (1.47 μg g^???1). The concentration of Co and Cr in juvenile and subadults are statistically different when compared with the adults. In the present study, levels of Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Pb increased with age. The concentrations of essential trace elements in L. dominicanus were generally comparable to values reported in other studies. With non-essential metals (Cd, Pb, and Ni), in our study, L. dominicanus had lower values than those reported for their northern Atlantic counterparts.     

Vehicular particulate matter emissions in road tunnels in Sao Paulo, Brazil

In the metropolitan area of S?o Paulo, Brazil, ozone and particulate matter (PM) are the air pollutants that pose the greatest threat to air quality, since the PM and the ozone precursors (nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) are the main source of air pollution from vehicular emissions. Vehicular emissions can be measured inside road tunnels, and those measurements can provide information about emission factors of in-use vehicles. Emission factors are used to estimate vehicular emissions and are described as the amount of species emitted per vehicle distance driven or per volume of fuel consumed. This study presents emission factor data for fine particles, coarse particles, inhalable particulate matter and black carbon, as well as size distribution data for inhalable particulate matter, as measured in March and May of 2004, respectively, in the Janio Quadros and Maria Maluf road tunnels, both located in S?o Paulo. The Janio Quadros tunnel carries mainly light-duty vehicles, whereas the Maria Maluf tunnel carries light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. In the Janio Quadros tunnel, the estimated light-duty vehicle emission factors for the trace elements copper and bromine were 261 and 220 microg km(-1), respectively, and 16, 197, 127 and 92 mg km(-1), respectively, for black carbon, inhalable particulate matter, coarse particles and fine particles. The mean contribution of heavy-duty vehicles to the emissions of black carbon, inhalable particulate matter, coarse particles and fine particles was, respectively 29, 4, 6 and 6 times higher than that of light-duty vehicles. The inhalable particulate matter emission factor for heavy-duty vehicles was 1.2 times higher than that found during dynamometer testing. In general, the particle emissions in S?o Paulo tunnels are higher than those found in other cities of the world.