Traces of oil in sea turtle feces.

In 2019, an oil spill hit the Brazilian Northeast coast causing impact to several ecosystems, including sea turtles' breeding and feeding areas. This study aimed to investigate whether sea turtles were impacted by this oil disaster, correlating the oil found inside feces with a sandy-oiled sample collected on the beach some days after the accident. The fecal samples were collected in the upper mid-littoral reef areas during three consecutive days in February 2020. The results suggested that sea turtles consumed algae contaminated by petroleum. Hydrocarbons composition of oil inside feces was similar to the sandy-oiled sample, suggesting they were the same. Lighter aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic compounds were missing, indicating both sandy-oiled and oil inside the feces had experienced significant evaporation prior to collection. Although the long-term damage is still unknown, the data are novel and relevant to support future research and alert authorities about the risks to sea turtles.

Radiological risk associated with 222Rn occurrence in groundwater sources of rural communities in the semiarid region of Paraíba, Brazil.

Rural and isolated communities traditionally lack adequate water treatment and distribution systems, and water quality assessment often does not include radioactivity measurement. Here we present, for the first time, the results of Rn measurements and the evaluation of the associated dose in groundwaters of rural communities in a semiarid area in Paraiba State, Brazil. Water samples were analysed using a low-level liquid scintillation spectrometer (LSS). Radon concentrations were higher than EPA and WHO recommended levels in water for most of the wells (range of 5.5-1107.0 Bq/L, average 252.8 Bq/L). Higher Rn concentration was measured in deeper wells and located in area rich in granite and diorite rocks. The annual effective doses varied between 0.021 and 4.317 mSv/y for infants, 0.016-3.182 mSv/y for children, and 0.015-3.022 mSv/y for adults, exceeding, in some cases, the 1 mSv/y reference level recommended by the WHO and UNSCEAR for the public. Thus, water consumption from half of the wells should be avoided unless adequate treatment is provided. Results highlight the need to perform actions to supply water with appropriate quality to the local population.

α Espec-222 as a variant to the radon monitoring method using a solid state nuclear track.

Radon is important in indoor radiometry, where radiological impact is relevant. The improvement of low-cost methods makes it possible to maximize the monitored areas. Thus, a simple and robust monitoring device based on SSNTD CR-39 was designed. Detector conditions were standardized to reduce operational errors and increase productivity. The calibration factor by the slope method allowed efficiency greater than 93%. The monitoring system is satisfactory in terms of operation and performance, suitable for a wide range of radon monitoring situations.

Quality and management status of the drinking water supplies in a semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil.

Surface and groundwater resources in the Seridó Region (Brazilian semiarid) were investigated to evaluate their current quality conditions and suitability for domestic use. The water was characterized in terms of physical, chemical, and radiological parameters; including those required by the Brazilian Drinking Water Quality Standard (DWQS). Information about major and trace elements and radiological aspects of the water are reported for the first time. Salinization was confirmed as a key problem in the region, driven natural and anthropogenic. Overall, water has poor organoleptic characteristics. The concentration of most trace elements was below the recommended level, except for uranium and selenium in groundwater. Gross alpha and beta activities higher than the recommended levels were also recorded in several water samples, mostly from the investigated aquifers. In these samples, a detailed radionuclide analysis is required to estimate the effective dose received by the local population. Overall, the results show that water from the investigated region is not suitable for human consumption unless proper treatment is applied. Water requires proper treatment to decrease the content of dissolved salts, toxic elements, and radionuclides responsible for the high gross alpha and beta activities.

Modelación de la calidad del agua en el segmento medio del río Luyanó / Modeling water quality in the middle segment of the Luyano river

RESUMEN Se presentó la metodología seguida para la modelación de tres parámetros que caracterizan la calidad del agua: demanda bioquímica de oxígeno, oxígeno disuelto y amonio en un tramo del río Luyanó, empleando el software RIOSep® v.2.0. Durante el trabajo se combinaron acertadamente las técnicas de radiotrazadores para estimar los parámetros hidrodinámicos de la corriente del río con las técnicas de análisis fisicoquímico para determinar sus parámetros básicos. El levantamiento de los parámetros hidrodinámicos en la corriente se realizó con el empleo del . Simultáneamente con la determinación de caudales se muestreó en cinco estaciones en el cauce principal y dos tributarios, para determinar los parámetros físico-químicos de interés. Como resultado se obtuvo un modelo que describe en más del 90% el comportamiento de la demanda bioquímica de oxígeno y del oxígeno disuelto y en más del 65% el comportamiento del amonio, por lo que caracteriza adecuadamente los procesos de autodepuración y el balance de oxígeno en las aguas del río.

ABSTRACT The methodology for the modelling of three parameters that characterize water quality: biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen and ammonium in a Luyanó river stretch using the RIOSep ® v.2.0 software. The procedure combined the use of radiotracer techniques for estimating the hydrodynamic parameters of the stream with physicochemical techniques to determine its basic parameters. The survey of hydrodynamic parameters in the stream was conducted with the use of as a radiotracer. Simultaneously with flow determination, water was sampled at five stations in the main channel and two tributaries, in order to determine the physical and chemical parameters of interest. The result was a model that describes accurately the biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen behaviour (more than 90%), and showed a good result for ammonium, so it adequately characterizes the purification and oxygen balance processes in water.