Hydrogeological features affecting spatial distribution of glyphosate and AMPA in groundwater and surface water in an agroecosystem. Córdoba, Argentina.

The study area is located in the eastern slope of Las Peñas Mountain and its adjacent oriental fluvio-aeolian-plain. Agriculture is the main activity (soybean, maize, wheat, peanuts and alfalfa) with no-tillage farming and intensive use of agrochemicals (pesticides-fertilizers). Glyphosate (N-phosphono-methylglycine) is the most common used herbicide which suffers microbial biodegradation giving aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), its main metabolite. The objective of this work is to evaluate hydrogeological features which influence the presence of glyphosate and AMPA in waters. In the study area, the main flow direction of surface and groundwater is NW-SE. The unsaturated zone thickness decreases in the same direction from 60 to 0 m, so groundwater surges in low areas in the eastern sector. From the total water samples collected, glyphosate was detected in 66% of surface water samples (0.2 to 167.4 µg/L), in 15.8% of the groundwater samples (1.3 to 2 µg/L) and in the harvested precipitation sample (0.2 µg/L). AMPA was found in 33% of surface water and 15.8% of groundwater. The herbicide detection was related to areas with the shallowest water table (< 4 m), low hydraulic conductivity in the aquifer (K = 1.5 m/d), low hydraulic gradient (i = 0.16%) and very low flow velocity (0.02 m/d). The most outstanding result is that the groundwater presents higher values in comparison with the surface water samples, which can be explained by the greater dilution capacity of streams. The detection of glyphosate and AMPA in the unconfined aquifer shows that the application for decades under the prevailing agricultural model exceeds the degradation potential of the soil and the unsaturated zone, causing groundwater contamination.

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants in air at different sites in the province of Córdoba, Argentina.

The occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere of six sites with different emission sources in the province of Córdoba, Argentina, was analyzed. The sites included urban, industrial, agricultural, and mountain areas. Samples were collected using passive air samplers (PAS) consisting of polyurethane foam disks (PUF). Samples were analyzed for 12 PAHs, 31 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 12 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 11 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The concentrations of PAHs in the atmosphere were elevated at urban sites and were even higher at the industrial site. With respect to OCPs, it was observed that the concentrations of endosulfan were greater at the agricultural site (AGR) (416 ± 4 pg m-3). For hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), only the alpha isomer was detected and there were minimal differences between the different sampling sites (5.9-13.3 pg m-3). In the case of dieldrin, the highest concentrations (33.6 pg m-3) were found at the mountain site, which may have been due to its use for insect control. Although heptachlor epoxide was not detected, the concentration of heptachlor was significantly higher at the agricultural and downtown sites (∼ 3.6 pg m-3). Regarding DDTs, the isomers p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE showed the highest concentrations at the mountain site (ΣDDT 120 ± 12 pg m-3) and downtown site (ΣDDT 157 ± 62 pg m-3). The relationship between the isomers suggested that at the downtown site, the contribution of this pesticide to the environment was recent, probably for the control of diseases vectors. The congener pattern of PBDEs was dominated by BDE-47, and BDE-99 at all sites, with the downtown site having the highest concentrations of compound esters (ΣPBDEs 118 ± 38 pg m-3). Finally, high concentrations of PCBs were found at the industrial site (ΣPCBs 1677 ± 134 pg m-3), and the predominating homologs were 5-Cl and 6-Cl, in contrast to the other sites where PCBs were dominated by 3-Cl and 4-Cl. This is the first study of POPs carried out in the province of Córdoba.

Concentración, dispersión y características sociodemográficas en la incorporación espacial de la migración peruana en la Ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina

OBJETIVOS: analizar los patrones espaciales de la migración peruana en la Ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina y comparar la población nacida en Perú que se encuentra agrupada en clústers con aquella dispersa en la ciudad.MÉTODOS: se utilizaron técnicas de estadística espacial y análisis sociodemográfico. En la primera fase se usaron medidas globales de autocorrelación espacial (índice global de Moran) y medidas locales de agrupación espacial para representar clústers de población (Gi* de Getis Ord). En la segunda fase se realiza un análisis sociodemográfico de los clústers de población agrupada y dispersa.RESULTADOS:se sugiere la interacción de dos procesos. En primer lugar, la concentración en zonas específicas de la ciudad de migrantes peruanos en patrones que no son aleatorios. Migrantes más antiguos se encuentran principalmente dispersos en la ciudad mientras migrantes más recientes se encuentran concentrados. En segundo lugar, los migrantes peruanos hombres dispersos tienen una mayor diversificación en cuanto a la estructura ocupacional y una mejor posición socioeconómica que los agrupados. Los patrones observados sugieren que existen diferenciales de género en estos procesos. Las mujeres, tanto las que se encuentran dispersas como las agrupadas, presentan una situación socioeconómica más precaria que los hombres. Esa situación es transversal a la dispersión/concentración en el espacio urbano.CONCLUSIONES:se sugiere que las composiciones de clase, género y la temporalidad de los flujos migratorios articulan las modalidades de incorporación a la sociedad de destino.

OBJECTIVES:to analyze the spatial patterns of Peruvian migration in the city of Cordoba, Argentina and to compare the Peruvian migrants in clusters with Peruvian migrants scattered in the city.METHODS:Spatial statistical techniques and socio-demographic analysis are used for this analysis. In the first phase, global measures of spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran Index) and local measures of spatial clustering represent clusters of population (Getis-Ord Gi*). In the second phase, a sociodemographic analysis of population in clusters and population dispersed is carried out.RESULTS:we suggest there are two entangled processes. First, the concentration in specific areas of the city of Peruvian migrants in patterns that are not random. Older migrants are mainly dispersed in the city while more recent migrants are concentrated. Second, dispersed Peruvian men have greater diversification in terms of occupational structure and better socioeconomic status than Peruvian migrants dispersed. Women both dispersed and in clusters have a more precarious economic situation than men. This situation is transversal to the dispersion / concentration in urban space.CONCLUSIONS: it is suggested that the composition of class, gender and temporality of migration flows articulate the modalities of incorporation in the society of destination.

Mortalidad por causas violentas en adolescentes y jóvenes de dos ciudades del Cono Sur: Córdoba (Argentina) y Porto Alegre (Brasil), 1990-2010 / Deaths from violent causes among adolescents and young adults in two cities of the Southern Cone: Córdoba (Argentina) and Porto Alegre (Brazil), 1990-2010

Este trabajo se propone analizar, comparativamente por sexo y grupo de edad, la evolución de la mortalidad por causas violentas en los adolescentes y jóvenes de las ciudades de Córdoba (Argentina) y Porto Alegre (Brasil). Interesa indagar si los resultados alcanzados están en consonancia los obtenidos en estudios nacionales e investigaciones locales previas. Con base en datos oficiales, se calculan tasas específicas de mortalidad (por sexo, edad y causa) para los trienios 1990-92 y 2008-10. En general, las causas violentas inciden considerablemente en el total de muertes relevadas, sobre todo entre varones y conforme aumenta la edad. De acuerdo a la realidad del país, en la ciudad de Córdoba, predominan las muertes por accidentes no ligados al transporte y las relacionadas con estos últimos. Por su parte, en Porto Alegre (donde el nivel de muertes por causas violentas es mayor) son más frecuentes los homicidios y los accidentes de transporte. Más allá de las acciones desplegadas hasta el momento, resulta necesario redoblar los esfuerzos dirigidos a contrarrestar la problemática en cuestión, tanto en el registro de la información para la toma de decisiones como en lo referente a estas últimas cuando son llevadas a la práctica.

The scope of this paper is to analyze and compare the evolution of deaths from violent causes among adolescents and young adults in the cities of Cordoba (Argentina) and Porto Alegre (Brazil). It also seeks to establish if the results are consistent with those reported in previous national and local research. Based on official data, specific mortality rates (by sex, age and cause) are calculated for the 1990-92 and 2008-10 periods. In general, violent causes play a significant part in the total number of deaths especially among young men and as they get older. In line with the reality of the country, in Córdoba both non-traffic-related and also traffic-related deaths are most frequent. On the other hand, in Porto Alegre (where the level of deaths from violent causes is higher), homicides and traffic accidents are the most common cause of death. Beyond the actions taken so far, it is necessary to redouble efforts to counter the problem in question, both in the recording of information for decision-making and in regard to the decisions when they are put into practice.

Los patrones espaciales de los comportamientos de riesgo en la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina)-2001 / Spatial patterns of risk behaviors in Cordoba (Argentina)-2001 / /Padrões espaciais dos comportamentos de risco na cidade de Córdoba (Argentina)-2001

Partiendo de la premisa que los fenómenos sociales no se distribuyen en el espacio geográfico de manera homogénea, este trabajo tiene como objetivo explorar los patrones de localización espacial de los grupos sociales en la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina) y relacionarlos con algunos comportamientos de riesgo de niños y jóvenes, en particular aquellos que se vinculan con la reproducción de desigualdades, de la pobreza y de la exclusión. Primero, se identifican las diferentes áreas socio-habitacionales que componen la ciudad, a partir del análisis de la distribución de los grupos sociales en el espacio urbano, con especial énfasis en sus características educativas y habitacionales. Segundo, se calculan los diferenciales de los comportamientos de riesgo de niños y jóvenes (insuficiencia educativa, inactividad juvenil y fecundidad adolescente tardía), según áreas de residencia anteriormente mencionadas. Tercero, se evalúa la incidencia del contexto socio-habitacional en dichos comportamientos. La información con la que se trabaja es la proveniente del Censo Nacional de Población, Hogares y Vivienda del año 2001, a nivel de radio censal.

Based on the premise that social phenomena are not evenly distributed in geographic space, this study aims to explore the spatial patterns of social groups in the city of Córdoba (Argentina), associating them with certain risk behaviors among children and adolescents, especially those related to the reproduction of inequality, poverty, and exclusion. First, we identify the different socio-residential areas comprising the city, from the analysis of the distribution of social groups in the urban space, with special emphasis on education and housing characteristics. Second, we calculate the differentials for risk behavior among children and adolescents (school dropout rates, youth inactivity, and late adolescence fertility) according to the aforementioned areas of residence. Third, we evaluate the impact of the socio-housing context in these behaviors. We use Data from the National Demographic and Household Census of 2001, at the census tract level.

Partindo da premissa de que os fenômenos sociais não são distribuídos de maneira homogênea no espaço geográfico, este estudo pretende explorar os padrões de localização espacial dos grupos sociais na cidade de Córdoba (Argentina), relacionando os mesmos com determinados comportamentos de risco de crianças e jovens, em especial aqueles vinculados à reprodução de desigualdades, da pobreza e da exclusão. Primeiro, são identificadas as diferentes áreas socio-habitacionais que compõem a cidade, a partir da análise da distribuição dos grupos sociais no espaço urbano, com especial ênfase nas suas características educacionais e habitacionais. Segundo, são calculados os diferenciais dos comportamentos de risco de crianças e jovens (evasão escolar, inatividade juvenil e fecundidade adolescente tardia), de acordo com as áreas de residência anteriormente mencionadas. Terceiro, é avaliada a incidência do contexto socio-habitacional nestes comportamentos. São utilizados os dados do Censo Demográfico e Domiciliar Nacional, de 2001, a nível do setor censitário.

Un plan para combatir la tuberculosis en Córdoba en la década del '30 / A plan to combat tuberculosis in Córdoba during the 1930's

La tuberculosis representó, desde principios del siglo XX, un grave problema sanitario para la provincia de Córdoba: sus aires eran ponderados por los médicos de la Argentina, lo que generó un flujo importante de enfermos, especialmente a sus sierras y hacia la ciudad capital. A principios de la década del '30, a pesar de la caída en las tasas de mortalidad por tuberculosis, un grupo de tisiólogos que se habían formado en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, presentó un plan de lucha contra la tuberculosis. Si bien este plan nunca se concretó, en él se pueden apreciar las principales líneas de pensamiento acerca de las causas de la enfermedad y cómo combatirla. La percepción de la tuberculosis como una enfermedad social, la necesidad de aislar a los tuberculosos, la desconfianza hacia el Estado para llevar a cabo el combate contra la enfermedad, la necesidad de una inserción más allá de los planos académicos y hospitalarios y el hincapié en reforzar la lucha en la ciudad de Córdoba, fueron parte de un pensamiento de una especialidad que comenzaba a conformarse.

From the beginning of the XX century, tuberculosis posed a serious sanitary problem for the province of Córdoba: its climate was praised by doctors, consequently an important amount of sick people traveled to its mountains and its capital city. During the 1930s, and although mortality rates had decreased, a group of physicians, graduated from Córdoba University, presented a plan to combat tuberculosis. Although this plan was never implemented, it shows the main ideas about the causes of the illness and how to fight against it. The perception of tuberculosis as a social illness, the need to isolate the sick, the distrust towards the State as being unable to carry out the fight against this disease, the need for an insertion beyond academic and hospital areas, and the emphasis to reinforce the fight in Córdoba were part of a speciality which was just beginning.