Pioneer plant species and fungal root endophytes in metal-polluted tailings deposited near human populations and agricultural areas in Northern Mexico.

As a consequence of industrial mining activity, high volumes of tailings are scattered around Mexico. Frequently, tailings contain heavy metals (HM) which entail threats against all organisms. The aim of this research was to identify plants and root fungal endophytes in polymetallic polluted tailings with the potential to be used in strategies of bioremediation. Four deposits of mine wastes, situated in a semi-arid region near urban and semi-urban populations, and agricultural areas, were studied. The physical and chemical characteristics of substrates, accumulation of HM in plant tissues, root colonization between arbuscular mycorrizal (AMF) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungi, and the identification of DSE fungi isolated from the roots of two plant species were studied. Substrates from all four sites exhibited extreme conditions: high levels in sand; low water retention; poor levels in available phosphorus and nitrogen content; and potentially toxic levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn). The native plants Lupinus campestris, Tagetes lunulata, and Cerdia congestiflora, as well as the exotic Cortaderia selloana and Asphodelus fistulosus, demonstrated a relevant potential role in the phytostabilization and/or phytoextraction of Pb, Cd, and Zn, according to the accumulation of metal in roots and translocation to shoots. Roots of eleven analyzed plant species were differentially co-colonized between AMF and DSE fungi; the presence of arbuscules and microsclerotia suggested an active physiological interaction. Fourteen DSE fungi were isolated from the inner area of roots of T. lunulata and Pennisetum villosum; molecular identification revealed the predominance of Alternaria and other Pleosporales. The use of native DSE fungi could reinforce the establishment of plants for biological reclamation of mine waste in semi-arid climate. Efforts are needed in order to accelerate a vegetation practice of mine wastes under study, which can reduce, in turn, their potential ecotoxicological impact on organisms, human populations, and agricultural areas.

Depresión asociada al apoyo social, estancia hospitalaria y patología médica en pacientes ingresados en hospital de clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela / Depression linked to social support, hospital stay and medical pathology in patients admitted in hospital de clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela / Depression linked to social support, hospital stay and medical pathology in patients admitted in hospital de clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela

Resumen Introducción: La prevalencia de depresion y ansiedad en usuarios internados en hospitales generales es muy alta, esto se asocia a mayor morbimortalidad y mayores costos en salud. El apoyo emocional resulta fundamental en todo proceso de recuperación. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y analítico sobre depresión y su vinculación con el apoyo social, estancia hospitalaria y enfermedad médica en pacientes internados en el Hospital de Clínicas Dr. Manuel Quíntela Montevideo, Uruguay. Se les aplicó el test de Beck para depresión y la escala validada para soporte social Medical Outcomes Study (MOS). Se describieron características de la población estudiada. Resultados: Más de la mitad de los entrevistados presentaban algún grado de depesión. Fue posible afirmar que 73,7% de los usuarios con apoyo social escaso presentó síntomas depresivos con un aumento de la depresión sobre todo de tipo moderada y leve. Hubo una mayor incidencia de depresión en pacientes con estancia hospitalaria prolongada, sin embargo, este dato no fue estadísticamente significativo. En cuanto a la patología médica destacamos la fuerte presencia de depresión en los pacientes oncológicos cardiovasculares y quirúrgicos.

Introduction: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in pacients hospitalized in general hospitals is very high, this is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and higher health costs. Emotional support is essential in any recovery process. Method: A descriptive and analytical study was carried out on depression and its relationship with social support, hospital stay and medical illness in patients admitted to the Dr. Manuel Quintela Clinical Hospital Montevideo - Uruguay. The Beck test for depression and the scale validated for social support Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) were applied. Characteristics of the studied population were described. Results: More than half of the interviewees presented some degree of depesión. It was possible to affirm that 73.7% of the users with scarce social support presented depressive symptoms with an increase in depression, especially of moderate and mild type. There was a higher incidence of depression in patients with prolonged hospital stay, however this data was not statistically significant. Regarding medical pathology, we highlight the strong presence of depression in cardiovascular and surgical oncology patients.

Influência da textura do solo na atividade microbiana, decomposição e mineralização do carbono de serapilheira de sítios do bioma cerrado sob condições de incubação / Influence of soil texture on microbial activity, carbon decomposition and mineralization of litter in soils of the brazilian cerrado under incubation

A decomposição e mineralização da serapilheira são processos de fundamental importância no funcionamento do cerrado. Objetivou-se verificar a atividade microbiana e o potencial de decomposição e mineralização da serapilheira de vegetação de cerradão em solos de quatro classes texturais. As amostras foram coletadas na camada de 0- 10 cm de profundidade em quatro sítios de cerrado em solos classificados como Latossolo Amarelo distrófico típico (LAd), Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico típico (LVdf), Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico típico (RQo) e Latossolo Amarelo ácrico típico (LAw), apresentando textura média, muito argilosa, arenosa e muito argilosa, respectivamente. Quantidades de 0, 0,1, 1,0 e 10 % de resíduo de serapilheira foram adicionadas em 100 g de amostras de solo e incubados por 10 dias a 25 oC. No ensaio, foram realizadas as seguintes análises: atividade microbiana (liberação de CO2), carbono orgânico total no início e final do ensaio, atividade de ß-glicosidase e urease. A atividade microbiana aumentou significativamente com adição de 1 e 10% de resíduo da serapilheira em relação ao controle, sendo que adição de 0,1 % não mostrou diferença para o controle. O solo RQo apresentou maior atividade quando adicionado 10% de resíduo de serapilheira em relação aos demais solos. A ordem de mineralização do carbono orgânico foi LVdf > LAw > LAd > RQo, mostrando que os solos de textura muito argilosa apresentaram maior porcentagem de mineralização. A atividade de ß-glicosidase aumentou significativamente com adição de apenas 10% de resíduos de serapilheira em todos os sítios, sendo as maiores atividades observadas no RQo. A atividade de urease não foi alterada com a adição de resíduo de serapilheira. Porém, o LVdf apresentou aumento significativo em relação aos demais sítios estudados, sugerindo que a maior mineralização do carbono em LVdf pode estar relacionada a atividade dessa enzima. Os resultados mostram que a textura do solo pode ter implicações importantes sobre a atividade microbiana, a mineralização e a decomposição do resíduo de serapilheira em sítios do bioma cerrado.

Litter decomposition and mineralization are fundamentally important to Cerrado function. The aim of this study was to compare the soil microbial activity, potential decomposition and mineralization of savanna litter, under laboratory incubation, in soils from four textural classes. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 10 cm from four Cerrado sites and classified as Latossolo Amarelo distrófico típico (LAd), (sandy clay loam); Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico típico (LVdf), (clay); Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico típico (Rqo), (sandy) and Latosso Amarelo ácrico típico (LAw), (clay). Litter was added to 100 g soil at rates of 0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10% and incubated for 10 days at 25 oC. Soil microbial activity (CO2 release), total organic carbon (at the beginning and end of the assay), and ß-glucosidase and urease activity were measured. Relative to the control, soil microbial activity increased significantly with 1 and 10% litter. With 10% litter, microbial activity was higher in soil from RQo than in soils from the other sites. The order of organic carbon mineralization was LVdf > LAw > LAd > RQo, suggesting that clayey soils have higher mineralization rates. At all sites, ß-glucosidase activity increased significantly in response to addition of 10% litter only, and was highest in RQo. Urease activity did not respond to litter addition. However, urease activity in LVdf was significantly higher than in the other soils. The results show that soil texture may have important implications for soil microbial activity and decomposition and mineralization of savanna litter.

Soil microbial response to glucose and phosphorus addition under agricultural systems in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) management systems alter soil nutrient availability and consequently modify soil microbial response to nutrient additions such as carbon (C) and phosphorus (P). The objective of this study is to evaluate microbial response to the addition of C (glucose) and P (Na2HPO4.7H2O) under CT and NT in the brazilian Cerrado. In response to glucose addition, the NT system yielded higher microbial respiration rates and glucose consumption than the CT system. The best microbial response to C addition was after 0 - 12 h incubation in NT and 0 - 24 h in CT. The addition of P produced higher demand under CT than NT. After incubation, biochemical indicators such as microbial respiration, glucose consumption, dehydrogenase activity and metabolic yield confirmed the higher glucose demands under NT and higher phosphorus demands under CT. These results demonstrate that C and P addition alter significantly the microbial response, suggesting that soil microorganisms present nutrient differential demands between CT and NT management systems.

Impacts of manganese mining activity on the environment: interactions among soil, plants, and arbuscular mycorrhiza.

The mining district of Molango in the Hidalgo State, Mexico, possesses one of the largest deposits of manganese (Mn) ore in the world. This research assessed the impacts of Mn mining activity on the environment, particularly the interactions among soil, plants, and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) at a location under the influence of an open Mn mine. Soils and plants from three sites (soil under maize, soil under native vegetation, and mine wastes with some vegetation) were analyzed. Available Mn in both soil types and mine wastes did not reach toxic levels. Samples of the two soil types were similar regarding physical, chemical, and biological properties; mine wastes were characterized by poor physical structure, nutrient deficiencies, and a decreased number of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spores. Tissues of six plant species accumulated Mn at normal levels. AM was absent in the five plant species (Ambrosia psilostachya, Chenopodium ambrosoides, Cynodon dactylon, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Wigandia urens) established in mine wastes, which was consistent with the significantly lower number of AMF spores compared with both soil types. A. psilostachya (native vegetation) and Zea mays showed mycorrhizal colonization in their root systems; in the former, AM significantly decreased Mn uptake. The following was concluded: (1) soils, mine wastes, and plant tissues did not accumulate Mn at toxic levels; (2) despite its poor physical structure and nutrient deficiencies, the mine waste site was colonized by at least five plant species; (3) plants growing in both soil types interacted with AMF; and (4) mycorrhizal colonization of A. psilostachya influenced low uptake of Mn by plant tissues.

Avaliação de dois tratamentos de adubação em plantio de eucalipto clonal em solo arenoso / Evaluation of two fertilization treatments in clonal eucalypt plantation in sandy soil

Este trabalho foi realizado com finalidade de testar o efeito de um composto organo-mineral sobre o rendimento, em madeira, de um clone de eucalipto. O experimento constituiu-se, portanto, em três tratamentos: (i) adubação mineral praticada pela empresa (WM), em termos de calagem e adubações; (ii) a mesma adubação mineral adotada nos plantios da referida Empresa, acrescido do composto organo-mineral (VZ) e (iii) um tratamento referência, representado pela condição original (Cerradão ­ CE). Os incrementos nutricionais ao solo foram avaliados em comparação com o solo de uma área adjacente, ainda sob vegetação original. As amostragens para análises de fertilidade do solo foram realizadas dezoito meses após o plantio e foram retiradas até a profundidade de dois metros, com duas repetições em cada tratamento: WM, VZ e CE. Os resultados das análises químicas demonstraram que, de um modo geral, a melhoria na fertilidade do solo sob plantio de eucalipto foi mais expressiva no tratamento que recebeu o composto organo-mineral. Os cálculos para avaliar o incremento de madeira foram realizados 30 meses após o plantio. Constatou-se, com os cálculos de cubagem, um potencial incremento significativo na produção de madeira no tratamento com adição do composto organomineral, com ganho de 72,41 m3 ha-1 aos sete anos, em relação ao tratamento WM. Além de, um lucro líquido de, aproximadamente, R$ 1.499,42 por hectare.

This study evaluated the effect of an organo-mineral fertilizer on wood yield of a eucalypt clone. The experiment consisted of three treatments: (i) the one regularly used by the company, in terms of liming and fertilization (WM), (ii) the same chemical fertilization, plus the organo-mineral fertilizer (VZ) and a reference treatment, represented by the original condition (Savannah vegetation ­ CE). Nutritional increments to the soil were evaluated in comparison to the soil of an adjacent area, still under original vegetation. The samples for soil fertility analyses were taken eighteen months after planting, down to a depth of two meter, with two repetitions in each treatment: WM, VZ and Savannah (CE). Evaluation of wood increment was done 30 months after planting. The results of the chemical analyses demonstrated that, in general, improvement in soil fertility in the eucalypt planting was greater in the treatment receiving the organo-mineral fertilizer. The determination of solid volume indicated a significant increase in wood production in the treatment with the addition of the organo-mineral fertilizer, with a projected gain of 72.41 m3 ha-1 after seven years, in relation to the standard treatment (WM). Moreover, the estimated net profit was, approximately, R$ 1,499.42 per hectare.

Atributos físicos e químicos de um latossolo, sob diferentes sistemas de cultivo / Physical and chemical attributes of a typical acrustox soil under different systems of cultivation

Diferentes sistemas de manejo impactam em intensidades diferentes os atributos físicos e químicos do solo. Com o propósito de avaliar alterações em propriedades físicas e químicas de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, conduziu-se um experimento na Fazenda Glória/UFU, desde o ano 2000. O latossolo foi disposto num esquema de delineamento em blocos casualizados e conduzido durante sete anos para avaliar algumas alterações em atributos físicos e químicos do solo, nas profundidades de 0-5; 5-15 e 15-30 cm. Os sistemas de manejo avaliados foram o convencional e os considerados conservacionistas. Os parâmetros analisados foram: densidade do solo, porosidade total, macro e microporosidade, estabilidade de agregados, carbono orgânico total (COT), fósforo (P), cálcio (Ca2+), magnésio (Mg2+), potássio (K+), nitrogênio (N) e alumínio (Al3+). Foram verificadas diferenças estatísticas entre os sistemas de manejo conservacionistas e o convencional. Os resultados indicam aumento da densidade do solo com a profundidade, associada à redução da porosidade total e da relação macro/microporos, bem como uma menor estabilidade de agregados no sistema convencional, em relação aos sistemas conservacionistas. Para os atributos químicos do solo, diferenças estatísticas entre os tratamentos conservacionistas e convencional foram observadas apenas nos primeiros 5 cm do solo, para os elementos P, Ca e K. A correção do Al é mais eficiente no sistema convencional, devido à incorporação do calcário ao solo, independente da aplicação de gesso agrícola.

Different management systems impact soil physical and chemical characteristics differently. Physical and chemical attribute changes of a typical Acrustox soil submitted to different soil preparation systems were evaluated in an experiment at the Glória/UFU farm since the year 2000. The experimental design was randomized blocks, and the experiment was conducted for seven years to evaluate some physical and chemical attributes of the soil, at the depths of 0-5; 5-15 and 15-30 cm, with different management systems of handling (conventional and conservation). The following parameters were analyzed: density, total porosity, macro and micro porosity, stability of aggregate, total organic carbon (TOC), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), nitrogen (N) and aluminum (Al3+). Statistical differences between the two management systems of handling, conservational and conventional, wasStatistical differences between the two management systems of handling, conservational and conventional, were observed. Increased density with the depth, associated with reduction of the total porosity and the relation macro/micropores as well as a lesser lesser aggregate stability of aggregate in the conventional system, was observed in relation to the conservation systems. Significant differences for the soil chemical attributes of the soil between the conservation and conventional systems, were observed only in the top 5 cm of the soil, and only for P, Ca and K. Aluminum correction was more efficient in the conventional system, due to incorporation of lime to the soil, independently of the application of gypsum.