An evaluation of the economic viability of environmental offsets in the saltworks industry / Uma avaliação da viabilidade econômica de compensações ambientais na indústria salineira

The extraction of sea salt depends on the occupation of large areas at the estuary banks, many of them inserted in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs). Thus, the objective was to evaluate the economic viability of Environmental Offsets (EO) as an alternative to the unoccupied PPAs in the saltworks. In order to do so, 27 solar saltworks installed in the region of the Brazilian White Coast were evaluated for the occupation of PPAs - measured using images from satellite, georeferenced, vectored with corresponding PPA bands generated - and estimated to EO (Impact Degree x Sum of the investments necessary to implement the project) and Economic Impact (Net Present Value, with long-term interest rate of 7%) of vacating PPAs. It was considered that EO was feasible whenever the costs resulting from it were lower than the economic impact caused by the vacancy of the PPAs. The PPAs were tthe productive area of ​​the saltworksthat occupied 13.70% of PPAs. For all the evaluated enterprises the value corresponding to EO was lower than the Economic Impact resulting from the vacancy of the PPAs. Thus, EO is an economically viable and more attractive alternative to the eviction of PPAs by the saltworks industry and may also provide environmental gains due to the financing of conservation units in the areas of influence of the enterprises. However, there is a need to improve the methodology used to estimate the EO, since a maximum limit is set, the environmental impacts caused by the projects are underestimated.(AU)

A extração de sal marinho depende da ocupação de grandes áreas às margens de estuários, muitas delas inseridas em Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APPs). Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade econômica da Compensação Ambiental (CA) como alternativa à desocupação de APP pelas salinas. Para tanto, 27 salinas instaladas na região da Costa Branca brasileira foram avaliadas quanto à ocupação de APPs - mensuradas por meio de imagens de satélites, georreferenciadas, vetorizadas com a geração de bandas de APP - e estimados a CA (Grau de Impacto x Somatório dos investimentos necessários para implantação do empreendimento) e o Impacto Econômico (Valor Presente Líquido, com taxa de juros de longo prazo de 7%) da desocupação das APPs. A CA foi considerada viável quando seus custos resultantes foram menor do que o impacto econômico causado pela desocupação das APPs. A área produtiva média das salinas ocupa 13,70% de APP. Para todos os empreendimentos avaliados, o valor correspondente a CA foi menor que o Impacto Econômico resultante da desocupação das APP. Assim, a CA é uma alternativa economicamente viável e mais atrativa frente à desocupação das APP pela indústria salineira, podendo ainda propiciar ganhos ambientais em decorrência do financiamento de Unidades de Conservação nas áreas de influência dos empreendimentos. Evidencia-se, contudo, a necessidade do aprimoramento da metodologia usada para estimar a CA, já que fixado um limite máximo, os impactos ambientais provocados pelos empreendimentos são subestimados.(AU)

An evaluation of the economic viability of environmental offsets in the saltworks industry / Uma avaliação da viabilidade econômica de compensações ambientais na indústria salineira

ABSTRACT: The extraction of sea salt depends on the occupation of large areas at the estuary banks, many of them inserted in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs). Thus, the objective was to evaluate the economic viability of Environmental Offsets (EO) as an alternative to the unoccupied PPAs in the saltworks. In order to do so, 27 solar saltworks installed in the region of the Brazilian White Coast were evaluated for the occupation of PPAs - measured using images from satellite, georeferenced, vectored with corresponding PPA bands generated - and estimated to EO (Impact Degree x Sum of the investments necessary to implement the project) and Economic Impact (Net Present Value, with long-term interest rate of 7%) of vacating PPAs. It was considered that EO was feasible whenever the costs resulting from it were lower than the economic impact caused by the vacancy of the PPAs. The PPAs were tthe productive area of ​​the saltworksthat occupied 13.70% of PPAs. For all the evaluated enterprises the value corresponding to EO was lower than the Economic Impact resulting from the vacancy of the PPAs. Thus, EO is an economically viable and more attractive alternative to the eviction of PPAs by the saltworks industry and may also provide environmental gains due to the financing of conservation units in the areas of influence of the enterprises. However, there is a need to improve the methodology used to estimate the EO, since a maximum limit is set, the environmental impacts caused by the projects are underestimated.

RESUMO: A extração de sal marinho depende da ocupação de grandes áreas às margens de estuários, muitas delas inseridas em Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APPs). Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade econômica da Compensação Ambiental (CA) como alternativa à desocupação de APP pelas salinas. Para tanto, 27 salinas instaladas na região da Costa Branca brasileira foram avaliadas quanto à ocupação de APPs - mensuradas por meio de imagens de satélites, georreferenciadas, vetorizadas com a geração de bandas de APP - e estimados a CA (Grau de Impacto x Somatório dos investimentos necessários para implantação do empreendimento) e o Impacto Econômico (Valor Presente Líquido, com taxa de juros de longo prazo de 7%) da desocupação das APPs. A CA foi considerada viável quando seus custos resultantes foram menor do que o impacto econômico causado pela desocupação das APPs. A área produtiva média das salinas ocupa 13,70% de APP. Para todos os empreendimentos avaliados, o valor correspondente a CA foi menor que o Impacto Econômico resultante da desocupação das APP. Assim, a CA é uma alternativa economicamente viável e mais atrativa frente à desocupação das APP pela indústria salineira, podendo ainda propiciar ganhos ambientais em decorrência do financiamento de Unidades de Conservação nas áreas de influência dos empreendimentos. Evidencia-se, contudo, a necessidade do aprimoramento da metodologia usada para estimar a CA, já que fixado um limite máximo, os impactos ambientais provocados pelos empreendimentos são subestimados.

Diet of two insectivorous fish species in a Brazilian semiarid reservoir

Long periods of aridity can cause changes in the diet of fish since hydrological variations affect the availability of food resources. The objective of this study was to investigate the diet of two species of fish (Astyanax aff. bimaculatus and Triportheus signatus), present in the Umari reservoir in Upanema, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, to evaluate the influence of seasonality on their diets. The samples were collected quarterly during the months of February to November 2013, with four days in the field, and at five different sites of the reservoir with nets with meshes ranging from 12 to 70 mm (between adjacent nodes). For the identified items in the diet, the frequencies of occurrence and volume, combined in the calculation of the Alimentary Index (IAi), were obtained. Significant alterations in the diet of the species were observed, predominantly in insects. The changes found in the diet indicate an influence of seasonality on the feeding habits of these species, with a predominance of autochthonous items in the dry period and allochthonous items in the rainy period.

Diet of two insectivorous fish species in a Brazilian semiarid reservoir

Long periods of aridity can cause changes in the diet of fish since hydrological variations affect the availability of food resources. The objective of this study was to investigate the diet of two species of fish (Astyanax aff. bimaculatus and Triportheus signatus), present in the Umari reservoir in Upanema, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, to evaluate the influence of seasonality on their diets. The samples were collected quarterly during the months of February to November 2013, with four days in the field, and at five different sites of the reservoir with nets with meshes ranging from 12 to 70 mm (between adjacent nodes). For the identified items in the diet, the frequencies of occurrence and volume, combined in the calculation of the Alimentary Index (IAi), were obtained. Significant alterations in the diet of the species were observed, predominantly in insects. The changes found in the diet indicate an influence of seasonality on the feeding habits of these species, with a predominance of autochthonous items in the dry period and allochthonous items in the rainy period.(AU)

Feeding patterns, trophic structure and damming rivers effect: studies applied in freshwater environments in the Brazilian semi-arid region

The knowledge of the fish trophic structure has been outstanding for providing relevant information on the functioning of the ecosystem in which they are inserted, mainly in dammed environments of semiarid regions that suffer constant changes in the level of water, resulting in alterations, especially in the feeding of the fish due to the variation of the food resources throughout the year, causing changes in the diet of the local ichthyofauna. Within this context, the objective was to describe the trophic categories of fish species in freshwater environments of the Rio Grande do Norte state. Seven trophic guilds were recorded: Detritivore/iliophagous, Insectivorous, Carcinophagous, Piscivorous, Herbivorous and Omnivorous. Through the results, it is observed that the fish species inserted in different environments of the state present the same food pattern, demonstrating flexibility on the diet, prevailing a generalist alimentary habit.(AU)

Feeding patterns, trophic structure and damming rivers effect: studies applied in freshwater environments in the Brazilian semi-arid region

The knowledge of the fish trophic structure has been outstanding for providing relevant information on the functioning of the ecosystem in which they are inserted, mainly in dammed environments of semiarid regions that suffer constant changes in the level of water, resulting in alterations, especially in the feeding of the fish due to the variation of the food resources throughout the year, causing changes in the diet of the local ichthyofauna. Within this context, the objective was to describe the trophic categories of fish species in freshwater environments of the Rio Grande do Norte state. Seven trophic guilds were recorded: Detritivore/iliophagous, Insectivorous, Carcinophagous, Piscivorous, Herbivorous and Omnivorous. Through the results, it is observed that the fish species inserted in different environments of the state present the same food pattern, demonstrating flexibility on the diet, prevailing a generalist alimentary habit.

Chemical composition and pH of the meat of broilers submitted to pre-slaughter heat stress

In order to evaluate the chemical composition and pH of chicken meat subjected to heat stress during the pre-slaughter rest time, an experiment was conducted in a slaughterhouse. Twenty-five birds were randomly selected and housed in rooms without air conditioning for a 3-hour period, with an average temperature of 33C and relative humidity of 83%. After slaughter, the carcasses were deboned and prime cuts were chilled (between 0 and 4 C) for 24 hours for analysis of moisture levels, protein, fat, ash, and pH. The humidity values were 72.80, 71.47, and 70.30%, protein values were 16.81, 14.90, and 15.10%, lipid values were 0.78, 3.30, and 5.80%, ash values were 0.81, 0.88, and 0.89%, and pH values were 5.30, 6.10, and 6.54 for breast, thigh, and drumstick, respectively. Heat stress for 3 hours before slaughter led to changes in the chemical composition and pH of the chicken, which establishes an anomaly in the flesh of the PSE type (pale, soft, and exudative). It is evident that pre-slaughter management is important to ensure animal welfare and consequently high meat quality.

Chemical composition and pH of the meat of broilers submitted to pre-slaughter heat stress

In order to evaluate the chemical composition and pH of chicken meat subjected to heat stress during the pre-slaughter rest time, an experiment was conducted in a slaughterhouse. Twenty-five birds were randomly selected and housed in rooms without air conditioning for a 3-hour period, with an average temperature of 33C and relative humidity of 83%. After slaughter, the carcasses were deboned and prime cuts were chilled (between 0 and 4 C) for 24 hours for analysis of moisture levels, protein, fat, ash, and pH. The humidity values were 72.80, 71.47, and 70.30%, protein values were 16.81, 14.90, and 15.10%, lipid values were 0.78, 3.30, and 5.80%, ash values were 0.81, 0.88, and 0.89%, and pH values were 5.30, 6.10, and 6.54 for breast, thigh, and drumstick, respectively. Heat stress for 3 hours before slaughter led to changes in the chemical composition and pH of the chicken, which establishes an anomaly in the flesh of the PSE type (pale, soft, and exudative). It is evident that pre-slaughter management is important to ensure animal welfare and consequently high meat quality.(AU)