Insights into multiple use water enterobacteria from the Brazilian semi-arid: the first approach by pyrosequencing

Thousands of people living in semi-arid regions face problems of drought and loss of water quality. In addition, high incidence of acute diarrheal diseases related to water consumption has been responsible for a high number of deaths and high economic costs for human health. Many of the diseases can be caused by the presence of enterobacteria in reservoirs that serve for multiple purposes. This study aimed to confirm the presence of potentially harmful bacteria, which was highlighted in other articles, and to reveal non-identified genera by culture-dependent methods and pyrosequencing. Twenty-three genera of the Enterobacteriaceae family were detected, with emphasis on Escherichia genus and confirmation of the presence of species such as Salmonella enterica and Enterobacter cloacae. The abundance of heterotrophic prokaryotes and the physical and chemical data show an expected average for this type of environment due to the numbers historically presented in previous articles. The unprecedented detection of the presence of some potentially pathogenic species can alert and raise awareness of the populations that use stored water in the semi-arid regions. Consequently, as a result of the peculiar characteristics of reservoirs under this climate influence, there is a cosmopolitanism of enterobacteria that may be related to the alarming numbers of infections from Waterborne Diseases.

Insights into multiple use water enterobacteria from the Brazilian semi-arid: the first approach by pyrosequencing

Thousands of people living in semi-arid regions face problems of drought and loss of water quality. In addition, high incidence of acute diarrheal diseases related to water consumption has been responsible for a high number of deaths and high economic costs for human health. Many of the diseases can be caused by the presence of enterobacteria in reservoirs that serve for multiple purposes. This study aimed to confirm the presence of potentially harmful bacteria, which was highlighted in other articles, and to reveal non-identified genera by culture-dependent methods and pyrosequencing. Twenty-three genera of the Enterobacteriaceae family were detected, with emphasis on Escherichia genus and confirmation of the presence of species such as Salmonella enterica and Enterobacter cloacae. The abundance of heterotrophic prokaryotes and the physical and chemical data show an expected average for this type of environment due to the numbers historically presented in previous articles. The unprecedented detection of the presence of some potentially pathogenic species can alert and raise awareness of the populations that use stored water in the semi-arid regions. Consequently, as a result of the peculiar characteristics of reservoirs under this climate influence, there is a cosmopolitanism of enterobacteria that may be related to the alarming numbers of infections from Waterborne Diseases.(AU)

Water Sustainability at the River Grande Basin, Brazil: An Approach Based on the Barometer of Sustainability.

Water resources are fundamental for the social and economic development of a country and sustainability is the best approach to treat water-related problems. Therefore, sustainability studies of water resources are deemed urgent. Sustainability analysis methods should enable space-temporal monitoring, decision-making, and development of policies necessary for water governance. Furthermore, sustainability analysis methods should also integrate environment and socioeconomic variables into a single system. In this context, this study aimed to assess the water sustainability conditions of the River Grande Basin (BHRG), Brazil, before the implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP), using the Barometer of Sustainability tool (BS). The River Grande basin was in an "almost unsustainable" condition and under high environmental stress. A significant imbalance between environmental and human well-being in the system was also observed. To achieve an acceptable sustainability condition, it is thus necessary to improve the environmental quality of the area. Among the priority thematic area, native vegetation recovery was the most urgent. Overall, the sustainability study based on the BS not only facilitates comprehension regarding environment and human interrelationships, but also provide references for policy formulations and water management.

Evaluation of violations in water quality standards in the monitoring network of São Francisco River basin, the third largest in Brazil.

The São Francisco River is the largest river located entirely within Brazil, and water scarcity problems have been a major concern of Brazilian society and government. Water quality issues are also a concern and have worsened with the recent intensification of urbanization and industrialization. In this study, violations to water quality standards established by local legislation were calculated as a percentage for 26 selected parameters over a monitoring period of 14 years. The violation percentages were analyzed spatially using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by multiple comparison analysis. Temporal analysis was performed using the Mann-Kendall test and Spearman correlation. Some parameters could be identified as cause for concern due to high violation levels, such as the fecal coliform indicator (FCI) and phosphorus-both related to domestic and effluent disposal without treatment or with insufficient treatment-and color, turbidity, manganese, and total suspended solids-which can be affected by erosive processes of natural and anthropogenic causes. The study found that these violations are concentrated in the most urbanized and industrialized areas of the basin. Some metallic parameters, such as iron and arsenic violations, may be related to mining activities in the rich soil of the Iron Quadrangle area located within the Minas Gerais State. Trend analysis results indicated that most monitoring stations did not have significant modification (elevation or reduction) trends over time, which, together with the high violation percentages, might indicate the maintenance of a scenario of constant pressure upon water resources, in particular in those more urbanized areas.

Regulation of the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol in water bodies in Europe, the United States, and Brazil.

The synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol, the principal component of oral contraceptives, has been identified as one of the main compounds accounting for adverse effects on the endocrine system in various species. This study aimed to analyze the state-of-the-art in legislation and guidelines for the control of this synthetic estrogen in water bodies in Europe and the United States and to draw a parallel with the Brazilian reality. Countries have generally attempted to expand the regulation and monitoring of certain emerging micropollutants not previously covered by legislation. Europe is more advanced in terms of water quality, while in the United States this estrogen is only regulated in water for human consumption. Brazil still lacks legal provisions or standards for this estrogen, which can be explained by the relatively limited maturity of the country's system for controlling water pollutants.

Regulamentação do estrogênio sintético 17-etinilestradiol em matrizes aquáticas na Europa, Estados Unidos e Brasil / Regulación del estrógeno sintético 17-etinilestradiol en matrices acuáticas en Europa, Estados Unidos y Brasil / Regulation of the synthetic estrogen 17-ethinylestradiol in water bodies in Europe, the United States, and Brazil

O estrogênio sintético 17α-etinilestradiol, principal componente utilizado em formulações de contraceptivos orais, tem sido apontado como um dos principais compostos responsáveis por provocar efeitos adversos no sistema endócrino de várias espécies. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o estado da arte dos dispositivos legais e normativos referentes ao controle desse estrogênio sintético nas águas da Europa e dos Estados Unidos, e traçar um paralelo com a realidade brasileira. No geral, os países têm buscado ampliar a regulamentação e monitoramento de alguns micropoluentes emergentes que antes não eram objeto de atenção por parte dos dispositivos legais. A Europa está mais avançada no que tange à qualidade dos corpos hídricos, enquanto que nos Estados Unidos esta substância é alvo de regulamentação apenas para a água destinada ao consumo humano. No Brasil, ainda não há nenhum dispositivo legal ou normativo que aborde esse estrogênio, o que pode ser associado a uma baixa maturidade do sistema brasileiro quanto ao controle de poluentes hídricos.

El estrógeno sintético 17α-etinilestradiol, principal componente utilizado en fórmulas de contraceptivos orales, ha sido apuntado como uno de los principales compuestos responsables por provocar efectos adversos en el sistema endócrino de varias especies. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el estado de la cuestión de los dispositivos legales y normativos referentes al control de este estrógeno sintético en las aguas de Europa y de los Estados Unidos, y trazar un paralelo con la realidad brasileña. En general, los países han buscado ampliar la regulación y el monitoreo de algunos microcontaminantes emergentes que antes no eran objeto de atención por parte de los dispositivos legales. Europa está más avanzada en lo que se refiere a la calidad de los cuerpos hídricos, mientras que en los Estados Unidos esta substancia es objeto de regulación solamente para el agua destinada al consumo humano. En Brasil todavía no existe ningún dispositivo legal o normativo que aborde este estrógeno, lo que puede ser asociado a una inmadurez del sistema brasileño respecto al control de contaminantes hídricos.

The synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol, the principal component of oral contraceptives, has been identified as one of the main compounds accounting for adverse effects on the endocrine system in various species. This study aimed to analyze the state-of-the-art in legislation and guidelines for the control of this synthetic estrogen in water bodies in Europe and the United States and to draw a parallel with the Brazilian reality. Countries have generally attempted to expand the regulation and monitoring of certain emerging micropollutants not previously covered by legislation. Europe is more advanced in terms of water quality, while in the United States this estrogen is only regulated in water for human consumption. Brazil still lacks legal provisions or standards for this estrogen, which can be explained by the relatively limited maturity of the country's system for controlling water pollutants.

Regulation of solid waste management at Brazilian ports: analysis and proposals for Brazil in light of the European experience.

With a coastline of 8500 km, Brazil has 34 public ports and various private terminals, which together in 2012 handled 809 million tonnes of goods. The solid wastes produced (from port activities, ships and cargoes) pose a highly relevant problem, both due to the quantity and diversity, requiring a complex and integrated set of practices resulting from legal requirements and proactive initiatives. The main Brazilian law on solid waste management is recent (Law 12,305/2010) and the specific rules on solid waste in ports are badly in need of revision to meet the challenges caused by expansion of the sector and to harmonize them with the best global practices. This paper analyzes the current legal/regulatory framework for solid waste management at Brazilian ports and compares this structure with the practice in Europe. At the end, we suggest initiatives to improve the regulation of solid wastes at Brazilian ports.

Direito ambiental: o meio ambiente e os desafios da contemporaneidade / Environmental law: the environment and social challenges of contemporary

São tratadas questões jurídicas ligadas à gestão e proteção das águas, aos diferentes aspectos da responsabilidade (civil, penal e administrativa) por degradação ambiental, ao ambiente do trabalho, ao princípio da precaução, ao uso de instrumentos financeiros na defesa ambiental (créditos, seguros), ao comércio internacional, às áreas protegidas e unidades de conservação, ao direito à informação socioambiental, à mineração, à participação nos processos administrativos ambientais, à gestão de resíduos sólidos, ao uso da ação civil pública (inclusive o TAC) e ao papel da Justiça e à hermenêutica constitucional na solução dos conflitos na seara ambiental.

Environmental legislation and aquatic ecotoxicology in Mexico: past, present and future scenarios.

The consolidation of environmental legislation is fundamental for governments that wish to support and promote different actions focused on reducing pollution and protecting natural water resources in order to maintain the present and future benefits that water provides for human beings and wild life. Environmental laws are essential for sustaining human activities and health, preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. In this context, it is important that environmental regulations concentrate on preventing or reducing the harmful impact of pollutants on organisms and ecosystems. The introduction of toxicity bioassays in environmental regulations is a positive step toward achieving this goal. In Mexico, the development of environmental legislation and the introduction of bioassays in water regulation are part of a very recent and complex journey. This article describes how aquatic ecotoxicology tools, particularly bioassays, have influenced water pollution policies in Mexico. Three scenarios are reviewed: the background of Mexican legislation on water protection and Mexico's participation in the Watertox project; the actual efforts of SEMARNAT to develop bioassay batteries for this country; and, the challenges and perspectives of ecotoxicological bioassays as regulatory instruments.

Evolução das condições sanitário-ambietais do rio Tietê até o reservatório de Barra Bonita: efeitos da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo / Tiete river environmental and sanitary conditions evolution until Barra Bonita reservoir: metropolitan region of São Paulo

Nesse sentido realizou-se estudo com o objetivo de identificar e avaliar historicamente a evolução das condições sanitário-ambientais do rio Tietê até o remanso do reservatório de Barra Bonita, interior do Estado de São Paulo, a cerca de 300 quilômetros da Capital. A análise dos resultados obtidos revelou uma diversidade de tendências, dependendo das características dos compostos encontrados em cada ponto de amostragem da "Rede de Monitoramento da Qualidade das Águas Interiores" operada pela CETESB. A Região Metropolitana de São Paulo foi a que apresentou maiores índices de poluição no período estudado, levando-se a acreditar na sua forte influência na contaminação do caudal do rio Tietê, sentido interior do Estado. Especificamente quanto à TURBIDEZ, poucos foram os valores médios anuais que superaram os limites previstos na legislação vigente (Resolução CONAMA n° 20 de 1986), tendo apresentado sensível tendência de melhoria ao longo do período. Grande diversificação de comportamentos, foi observada quanto às características químicas avaliadas por meio das médias anuais dos resultados. Os valores adotados para os parâmetros CLORETO, CONDUTIVIDADE, Demanda Bioquímica de Oxigênio(DBO), Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO), FÓSFORO, NITROGÊNIO (amoniacal, Kjeldhal, nitrato e nitrito) e Oxigênio Dissolvido (OD), revelaram sensível regressão da pluma de poluição, por estes componentes que, em determinado período, atingiu as imediações do reservatório de, Barra Bonita, e hoje, limita-se às regiões Metropolitana de São Paulo e Sorocaba. Já as concentrações dos metais pesados estudados (CHUMBO, COBRE, CROMO, MERCÚRIO, NÍQUEL e ZINCO), foram marcadas pela estabilização ao longo do período. As características biológicas conferidas pela presença de COLIFORMES TERMOTOLERANTES (fecais) nos rios estudados revelaram a regressão da poluição ao longo do leito do rio Tietê. Comparados os índices de coliformes termotolerantes, encontrados na Região. Metropolitana de São Paulo, em meados de 1978 e 2002, mostrou-se evidente a influência daquela região no sentido do interior do Estado.

New regulatory framework for wastewater quality control in Mexico.

This paper analyses the new regulatory framework for wastewater quality control developed in Mexico. It provides a description of the Mexican government strategies for water pollution control. The discussion focuses on the policy instruments used, their evolution and the main difficulties encountered in their implementation. The new regulatory framework is discussed highlighting some of the economic implications of the reforms. The paper concludes that proper institutional development and monitoring are essential factors for the success of any policy instrument for wastewater quality control.

[Protection of mangroves in Venezuela and its impact on environment management: retrospective]. / La protección del manglar en Venezuela y sus consecuencias para la gestión ambiental: retrospectiva.

In Venezuela, the law protects mangroves specifically. This paper is a retrospective review of the existing regulations on mangrove to find out: how has it been protected?; which have been the results of different approaches followed to do so?; which could be the problems for its protection in the near future? The result from the analysis indicates that regulations should not protect a specific mangrove species. The focal point on the regulation should be the protection of mangrove, as well as the vital relationships between this landscape unit and the existing others. Therefore, decisions of mangrove should be proposed as part of a plan for the basin where it belongs. Intervention on mangrove must be based on expert judgement, due to high uncertainty about the success of corrective or mitigative actions.

La proteccion del manglar en Venezuela y sus consecuencias para la gestion ambiental: retrospectiva / The protection of mangroves in Venezuela and its consequences for environment management: retrospective

Venezuela, the law protects mangroves specifically. This paper is a retrospective review of the existing regulations on mangrove to find out: how has it been protected?; which have been the results of different approaches followed to do so?; which could be the problems for its protection in the near future? The result from the analysis indicates that regulations should not protect a specific mangrove species. The focal point on the regulation should be the protection of mangrove, as well as the vital relationships between this landscape unit and the existing others. Therefore, decisions of mangrove should be proposed as part of a plan for the basin where it belongs. Intervention on mangrove must be based on expert judgment, due to high uncertainty about the success of corrective or mitigative actions

Reglamento en materia de contaminación hídrica. Decreto Supremo No. 24176 / Regulation with regard to hydric pollution. Decree Supreme No. 24176

La presente disposición legal reglamenta la Ley del Medio Ambiente No. 1333 del 27 de abril de 1992 en lo referente a la prevención y control de la contaminación hídrica, en el marco del desarrollo sostenible.

Continued use of drinking water wells contaminated with hazardous chemical substances--Virgin Islands and Minnesota, 1981-1993.

Improperly disposed hazardous chemical substances are a common source for contamination of drinking water wells. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and other environmental and public health agencies have recommended that exposure-reduction procedures (i.e., provision of alternative water supplies and construction of new water supplies) be implemented when drinking water wells are contaminated with hazardous substances in concentrations that approach or exceed levels potentially associated with adverse health outcomes in humans. Once these procedures are implemented, the original wells should not be used as sources for drinking water. This report summarizes two cases in which contaminated drinking water wells were being used even though health advisories had been issued to discontinue use of the wells.

Meio ambiente e desenvolvimento: Forum - USP / Environment and development: Forum - USP

Discute a gestäo ambiental na órbita jurídica, enfatizando que a decisäo quanto aos bens a serem tutelados e os limites dessa tutela devem ocorrer na esfera política. A Constituiçäo brasileira de 1988, trata em capítulo específico e em muitos outros dispositivos, da questäo ambiental oferecendo bases suficientes para as medidas legislativas e administrativas, necessárias à preservaçäo do meio ambiente. Conclui observando que o Brasil deve ser pressionado a aderir às Convençöes Internacionais e que a legislaçäo vigente deve ser sistematizada em códigos federais, estaduais, regionais e municipais (AMSB)