ABSTRACT
The resilience, ecological function and quality of both agricultural and natural systems were evaluated in the mountainous region of the Atlantic Rain Forest of Rio de Janeiro through Rapid Assessment Methods. For this goal new indicators were proposed, such as eco-volume, eco-height, bio-volume, volume efficiency, and resilience index. The following agricultural and natural systems have been compared according: (i) vegetables (leaf, fruit and mixed); (ii) citrus; (iii) ecological system; (iv) cattle, (v) silvo-pastoral system, (vi) forest fragment and (vii) forest in regeneration stage (1, 2 and 3 years old). An alternative measure (index) of resilience was proposed by considering the actual bio-volume as a function of the potential eco-volume. The objectives and hypotheses were fulfilled; it is shown that there does exist a high positive correlation between resilience index, biomass, energy efficiency and biodiversity. Cattle and vegetable systems have lowest resilience, whilst ecological and silvo-pastoral systems have greatest resilience. This new approach offers a rapid, though valuable assessment tool for ecological studies, agricultural development and landscape planning, particularly in tropical countries.
Foram avaliadas, em região montanhosa da Mata Atlântica do Rio de Janeiro a resiliência, função ecológica e qualidade tanto do sistema agrícola como natural, através dos métodos de avaliação rápida ("rapid assessment methods"). Para este fim, foram propostos novos indicadores como eco-volume, eco-altura, bio-volume, eficiência volumétrica e índice de resiliência. Os seguintes sistemas agrícolas e naturais foram comparados: (i) hortaliças (folhas, frutos e mistos); (ii) citros; (iii) sistema ecológico; (iv) gado; (v) sistema silvo-pastoral; (vi) fragmento florestal; (vii) floresta em estágio de recuperação (1, 2 e 3 anos de idade). Uma forma alternativa de resiliência foi proposta considerando o bio-volume real como uma função do eco-volume potencial. Os objetivos e hipóteses foram alcançados; demonstrou-se que existe uma correlação altamente positiva entre índice de resiliência, energia da biomassa, eficiência energética e biodiversidade. Pecuária e sistemas de hortaliças apresentaram as mais baixas resiliências enquanto sistemas ecológico e silvo-pastoral tiveram maiores resiliências. Esta nova estratégia oferece uma rápida e valiosa ferramenta de avaliação para estudos ecológicos, desenvolvimento agrícola e planejamento paisagístico, especialmente em países tropicais.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Agriculture/methods , Biodiversity , Conservation of Natural Resources/methods , Environmental Monitoring/methodsABSTRACT
As Estações de Tratamento de Água (ETAs) tem funcionamento semelhante a uma indústria e podem em diversas etapas gerar resíduos que, na maioria das ETAs, são lançados nos corpos d'água sem tratamento. Neste trabalho avaliou-se o desempenho de Leitos de Drenagem, para o desaguamento de lodo, provenientes de ETAs de ciclo completo que empregam sulfato de alumínio e cloreto de polialumínio (PACl), como coagulantes. Analisou-se as características, a drenagem e secagem dos amostras de lodo e característica do drenado. Os Leitos de Drenagem mostraram-se eficientes para desaguamento e redução de volume de lodo de ETA, de forma natural, sem consumo de energia ou adição de produtos químicos. Obteve-se, aos sete dias, reduções da ordem de 87 por cento em volume para os lodos de PACl e 83 por cento para o lodo de Sulfato de Alumínio e teor de sólidos totais 28 por cento e 31 por cento respectivamente.
In this work the performance of Draining Beds for sludge dewatering was assessed. The sludge was provided from full cycle Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) that employ aluminum sulfate and polyaluminium chloride (PACl) as coagulants. The characteristics, drainage and drying of samples of sludge and characteristic of drained were analysed. The Draining Beds were shown to be efficient for dewatering and sludge volume reduction in the WTP, in a natural way, without energy consumption or adding of chemical products. On the seventh day, it was possible to obtain reduction around 87 percent in volume for PACl sludge and 83 percent for the aluminum sulfate sludge and total solids content of 28 and 31 percent respectively.
Subject(s)
Coagulants (Water Treatment) , Drainage, Sanitary , Drying Beds , Iodine , Water PurificationABSTRACT
In the next two decades, the worlds population is expected to grow by 1.7 billion, bringing the total population to 7 billion. Shortages of drinkable water are increasingly common. Air pollution continue to be a problem although many countries have introduced tougher laws, cleaner fuels and installed pollution control equipment. Fifteen percent of the worlds land has now been degraded by human activities. Deforestation is currently estimated at 16.8 million hectares per year. About one quarter of the Earths species risks extinction within the next 30 years. Industry produces environmental problems everywhere-- toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes among others. The ozone layer is being depleted and global warming due to green-house gases affect climte, agriculture, rainfall patterns and upset ocean currents. Cataracts, suppression of the immune system, skin cancers and increased incidence of infectious and other diseases are some of the adverse health effects resulting from one or a combination of these environmental problems The maintenance and improvement of health should be at the center of concern about the environment and development. It is a requirement of health that the global cycles and systems on which all life depends are sustained. Population growth and the way resources are exploited and wastes generated threaten the environmental base on which health and survival depend and transit the growing costs to future generations. The toll they exact on human health and natural resources and systems could be enormously reduced by better environmental management.