ABSTRACT The association of roots with mycorrhizal fungi increases the establishment success of forest species. Cordilleran cypress naturally forms associations with arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM). In general, the use of fertigation and artificial growth methods causes a decrease in mycorrhization, which could lead to a decrease in seedling performance in the field. The objectives of this study were: to determine whether AM colonization occurs in a nursery; to evaluate the influence of differing availability of phosphorus and substrate water status on the level of mycorrhizal colonization during plant growth; and to analyze the abundance of mycorrhization and its relationship with post-planting survival. The trial treatments were only applied during plant growth and consisted of a combination of three phosphorus concentration levels (1, 10 and 100 mg L-1) and two substrate water statuses (20 and 80 % of the container capacity (Cc)). The percentage of mycorrhization (% AM) was evaluated in plants grown in a nursery, in a sterilized substrate in the field, as was its survival in the field. Among the most relevant results, 24 % AM was found in the nursery while this value increased in the field (93 %), indicating that the mycorrhizal colonization process occurs during plant growth, even though it is partially inhibited by phosphorus and water management. It was also observed that the % MA increased once the plant was taken to the field independently of the % MA of the seedling in the nursery.

RESUMEN La asociación de raíces con hongos micorrícicos aumenta el prendimiento en la implantación de especies forestales. El ciprés de la cordillera forma naturalmente micorrizas del tipo arbusculares (MA). En general, el uso de fertirriego y medios de crecimiento artificiales provoca una disminución de la micorrización, lo que podría repercutir en una disminución del desempeño a campo del plantín. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: estudiar si se produce colonización de MA en vivero; evaluar la influencia de distintas disponibilidades de fósforo y estados hídricos del sustrato en el nivel de colonización micorrícica durante la viverización; analizar la abundancia de la micorrización y su relación con la supervivencia post plantación. Los tratamientos de los ensayos solo se aplicaron durante la viverización, y consistieron en la combinación de tres niveles de concentración de fósforo (1, 10 y 100 mg L-1) y dos estados hídricos del sustrato (20 y 80 % de la capacidad de contenedor (Cc). Se evaluó el porcentaje de micorrización (% MA) en plantas cultivadas en vivero, en sustrato esterilizado y en campo, como así también la supervivencia en campo. Entre los resultados más relevantes se encontró un % MA en vivero del 24 % y un aumento de este valor en campo (93 %), mostrando que el proceso de colonización micorrícica se produce durante la viverización, a pesar de que la misma se encuentre inhibida parcialmente por el manejo del fósforo y del agua. También se observó que el % MA aumentó una vez que la planta fue llevada a campo independientemente del % MA que el plantín tenía en el vivero.

Abstract The organic matter (OM) of surface sediments (0–2 cm) from the Santos Basin was characterized by employing elemental (C, N, P), isotopic (δ 13C and δ 15N), biochemical (total carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids), and pigment (chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments) proxies, as part of the Santos Project – The Santos Basin Regional Environmental Characterization (PCR-BS) – coordinated by PETROBRAS. Samples were collected in a regional scale throughout the entire basin, including 11 isobaths from eight cross-margin transects ranging from 25 to 2,400 m water depths, and 12 additional samples obtained from the São Paulo Plateau. The aims of this study were two-fold, namely, to identify the major oceanographic and depositional processes driving OM transport and accumulation and to provide information on OM origin and availability to benthic secondary producers. The multiple employed proxies and the use of machine learning allowed to categorize distinct OM accumulation provinces displaying two major regional features: shallow sediments (< 50-m isobaths) are OM-poor (TOC < 2.0 mg g -1) but the available amount is readily hydrolysable, and mid-shelf deposits (75-m and 100-m isobaths) throughout the entire basin present muddy and OM-rich sediments (TOC ranging from 7.0 to 14.0 mg g-1) seemingly available to heterotrophs. Similarly, relatively OM-rich deposits are found at depths ranging from 700 to 1,300-m isobaths throughout the basin, but their composition and nutritional value (as suggested by biochemical indicators) are not related to mid-shelf deposits. The general overview of OM accumulation and composition provided herein validated the selected organic geochemical proxies for benthic ecology studies at the shelf and deep ocean sectors of the studied region.

RESUMO Áreas de mangue estão sujeitas a pressões antrópicas, ecossistema deposicional, e seus sedimentos contêm registros da história ambiental. Recentemente, foi criada uma Área de Preservação Ambiental na região de manguezais de São Gonçalo (Área de Preservação Ambiental de Itaoca). Esse local recebeu lixo doméstico ao longo de 28 anos. O perfil sedimentar determinou a geocronologia e quantificou os poluentes orgânicos persistentes, como hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos, bifenilas policloradas e pesticidas organoclorados. Os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos apresentaram origem pirogênica com concentrações moderadas, exceto para o dibenzo [a,h] antraceno, um composto carcinogênico que excedeu o nível de efeito limítrofe. O registro sedimentar correspondente ao período anterior ao lixão sugeriu que os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos estavam ligados à queima de madeira por olarias. O perileno foi um bom marcador para a redução da biomassa vegetal, sugerindo associação com a supressão de manguezais durante a ocupação. No período que antecede ao lixão, antes de 1976, a contaminação do sedimento por pesticidas organoclorados, como [2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) −1,1dicloroetileno] (metabólito primário do [1,1,1-tricloro-2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) etano]), foi vinculada a campanhas de saúde pública no combate ao mosquito da malária, ultrapassando os valores de nível de efeito limítrofe. No período de atividade do lixão, o aumento dos valores de [2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) −1,1dicloroetileno] coincidiu com o banimento do [1,1,1-tricloro-2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) etano], sugerindo seu descarte irregular. As bifenilas policloradas estavam abaixo das concentrações de nível de efeito limítrofe, mas semelhantes aos encontrados em lixões industriais em outros países. Os poluentes orgânicos persistentes mostraram-se eficientes marcadores antrópicos de ocupação urbana e contaminação acarretada pelo lixão. Por estar localizado em área de proteção ambiental, é necessária a retomada imediata do processo de remediação para interromper o processo de contaminação da Área de Preservação Ambiental em questão.

ABSTRACT Mangrove areas are subject to human pressure, depositional ecosystem, and their sediments contain records of environmental history. The Itaoca Environmental Protection Area was recently created in the mangrove region of São Gonçalo. This site received domestic waste over 28 years. The sedimentary profile determined geochronology and quantified persistent organic pollutants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons had a pyrogenic origin with moderate concentrations, except for dibenzo [a,h] anthracene, a carcinogenic compound that exceeded the limit effect level. The sedimentary record corresponding to the period prior to the dump suggested that polyaromatic hydrocarbons were linked to the burning of wood by potteries. Perylene was a good marker for the reduction of plant biomass, suggesting an association with the suppression of mangroves during the occupation. In the period prior to the dump, before 1976, the contamination of the sediment by organochlorine pesticides, such as [2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) −1,1dicloroetileno] (primary metabolite of [1,1,1-tricloro-2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) etano]), was linked to public health campaigns to combat the malaria mosquito, exceeding the limit effect level values. During the period of activity of the dump, the increase in [2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) −1,1dicloroetileno] values coincided with the banning of [1,1,1-tricloro-2,2-bis (p-clorofenil) etano], suggesting its irregular disposal. polychlorinated biphenyls were below limit effect level concentrations, but similar to those found in industrial dumps in other countries. Persistent organic pollutants proved to be efficient anthropic markers of urban occupation and contamination caused by the landfill. As it is located in an environmental protection area, an immediate resumption of the remediation process is necessary to interrupt the contamination process of the Environmental Protection Area in question.

Abstract A scientific cruise between November 15 and December 18, 2019 aboard R/V Vital de Oliveira collected offshore seawater samples at 59 stations between the states of Ceará and Bahia. The objective was to identify hydrocarbon levels potentially associated with the mysterious oil spill that reached the northeastern coast of Brazil. Median concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs, 0.79 µg L-1) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, 5.39 ng L-1) do not indicate contamination by crude oil and are comparable to baseline levels previously found in other areas of the Brazilian continental margin. The detailed composition of both groups of hydrocarbons revealed that some samples were contaminated during sampling and/or handling on-board. The data set presented herein highlights the difficulty in tracking small oil patches spread over a huge ocean area and, more importantly, the need for improving protocols of national research vessels used to collect seawater samples for trace organic analyses.

Abstract This research study sought to evaluate aimed at evaluating the possible advantages of using Fuzzy Logic as opposed to Boolean Logic to assess environmental contamination and source appraisal for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Results obtained through traditional assessment tools for two different tropical coastal areas through using traditional clustering and principal components analysis were compared with those derived from the Fuzzy Logic, using the by Fuzzy C-means algorithm. The feedings achieved through Fuzzy Logic showed a greater qualitative detail than those derived from traditional tools. The abrupt and unnatural changes obtained from the usual classification methods were avoided by having membership values varying continuously in space, providing a more accurate picture of environmental contamination in complex and multiple sources environments. Furthermore, by not depending on statistic suppositions distribution of data like other methods, becomes more suitable for environmental data. Although Fuzzy Logic does not produce quantitative interpretations, its application generates adequate the data needed to avoid environmental management bias in the inference of contamination sources.

Abstract Oil spills, intrinsically related to the petroleum production chain, represent a risk to the marine environment and a potential threat to humans through seafood consumption. We revised the NE Brazil oil spill and other accidents along the Brazilian coast, with a focus on seafood contamination, covering topics such as bioaccumulation, bioaccessibility, and risk analysis. Comprehensive knowledge of the impacts of spills helps in the interpretation of the dynamics of hydrocarbons released into the sea, contributing to actions to control their negative impacts. Currently, no legal limits have been established permanently in Brazil for PAHs in seafood edible tissues.

ABSTRACT Firewood is still a major source of household energy in most parts of the world, including Brazil. This study establishes baseline fuelwood consumption for domestic cooking by rural families in Bahia, Brazil, as part of a socioenvironmental project centered on stove substitution. The project, titled “Fogão do Mar” (Seaside Stove), engaged families in adopting more efficient stoves to replace the traditional open-air, rudimentary models. The study involved household visits and interviews with 103 low-income rural families to estimate firewood consumption for domestic cooking. The results showed that all households have liquid petroleum gas (LPG) stove, but most of the families prefer to use a firewood stove for cooking. The annual per capita consumption of firewood was estimated to be 1,297±952 kg, which is higher than estimate by governmental data (560 kg), as well as other rural regions. Therefore, the consumption of firewood is regionalized. Economic factors are decisive in the choice of fuel for cooking.

The aim of this research was the replacement of conventional sample extraction techniques for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in tissue samples for a reliable, fast and eco-friendly procedure. The method was developed using a pressurized solvent extraction method and assessing two different standard reference materials (fish and mussel) and freeze-dried and fortified sardine samples (Sardinella sp.). Five different extraction procedures were evaluated and the best performance comprised 1 g of lyophilized tissue, 5 g of deactivated (5%) silica, a dichloromethane:methanol (4:1 v/v) mixture, a temperature of 80 °C, three cycles, 10 min of static time and 90 s of purge time. The method selected following these tests was further validated through the analysis of nine replicates of the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) reference material No. 2976, resulting in an effective recovery of 83 ± 14%. The means and uncertainties attained for each PAH were equivalent to those of the reference material, corroborating the reliability of the developed method. A shorter processing time, less use of solvents and reagents and lower extract manipulation produced an effective method aligned with green-chemistry guidelines.

SUMMARY: Nitrogen (N) is an element with a high influence in seedling growth in the nursery. Nevertheless, absolute levels of nutrient concentration are irrelevant if the relationship among the major elements is not examined. In this work we studied the incidence of several N concentrations in two proportional relationships with potassium (K), keeping the relationship with phosphate (P) constant (i.e. 3:2:1 and 3:2:3 for N:P:K), during the rapid growing phase in the fertigation production of Austrocedrus chilensis seedlings. Seedling height, stem diameter at the collar level, total biomass, aboveground/underground biomass ratio (PSA/PSR), nutritional status and root growth potential (RGP) were measured at the end of the growing season. The two treatments combining lower concentration of N with a relationship 3:2:3 produced the highest effect on all morphological parameters assessed. The PSA/PSR was more equilibrated in the treatments with the relationship 3:2:3. The N concentration in the leaves was proportional to its concentration in the nutrient solution. The P content did not show differences among treatments, whereas the K level was higher for the treatment of lower N concentration with relationship 3:2:1. The RGP was low in all treatments. Our observations showed that the 3:2:3 relationship produced larger seedlings with a better balance of biomass partition, evidencing that the management of K in the nutrient solution has higher influence in the seedlings growth of Austrocedrus chilensis.

RESUMEN: El nitrógeno es uno de los nutrientes más influyentes sobre el crecimiento de los plantines en un vivero. Sin embargo, la concentración de cada nutriente carece de importancia si no se la analiza en relación al conjunto de ellos. En este trabajo sobre la producción bajo fertirriego de plantines de ciprés de la cordillera, se estudió la incidencia de distintos niveles de concentración de nitrógeno (50, 100, 150 y 200 mg L-1) en dos relaciones proporcionales con el potasio, manteniendo invariable la relación con el fósforo (i.e. 3:2:1 y 3:2:3 para N:P:K), durante la etapa de crecimiento rápido. Se evaluaron la altura, el diámetro al cuello del plantín, la biomasa total, la asignación entre la parte aérea y radical (PSA/PSR), el estado nutricional y el potencial de crecimiento radical (PCR). Los tratamientos con menor concentración de nitrógeno y de proporciones 3:2:3 produjeron el mayor incremento en los parámetros morfológicos analizados. La PSA/PSR fue más equilibrada en los tratamientos con relación 3:2:3. La concentración foliar de nitrógeno fue proporcional a su concentración en la solución nutritiva. La concentración foliar de fósforo no mostró diferencias, mientras que se observó una mayor concentración foliar de potasio en el tratamiento de menor concentración de nitrógeno y relación 3:2:1. El PCR mostró valores bajos en todos los tratamientos. Las observaciones indican que la relación 3:2:3 produjo plantines de mayor tamaño y con asignaciones de biomasa más balanceadas, evidenciando que el manejo del potasio tuvo gran influencia en el crecimiento del ciprés de la cordillera en vivero.

FUNDAMENTOS: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a chronic, infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus leishmania. The incidence of this disease is high in Brazil, with 19,746 new cases having been detected in 2008. The presence of amastigotes in the cytoplasm of histiocytes constitutes diagnosis of the disease; however, their presence is rarely found in late lesions, making histological diagnosis difficult. Polymerase chain reaction has been shown to represent a highly sensitive and specific technique for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. OBJECTIVES: To use polymerase chain reaction to evaluate paraffin-embedded skin biopsies with histopathological features consistent with cutaneous leishmaniasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a 120-base-pair fragment of Leishmania kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles was performed on 90 skin biopsies. The male/female ratio was 75/15. Mean age was 32.36 years, with a median of 31 years, range 4-72 years. Samples were histologically compatible with cutaneous leishmaniasis but a definitive diagnosis could not be made since amastigotes were not found. All cases were histologically classified according to the patterns described by de Magalhães. RESULTS: According to the de Magalhães classification, the most common histological pattern was type IV (exudative granulomatous reaction), which was found in 65.6% of cases (56/90), followed by type I (exudative cellular reaction) in 21.1% of cases (19/90) and type III (exudative and necrotic granulomatous reaction) in 12.2% of cases (11/90). Leishmania DNA was found in 96.7% of the biopsies (87/90). CONCLUSION: Polymerase chain reaction performed by amplifying kDNA is able to confirm a diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis with a high degree of sensitivity in cases in which histopathology is consistent with a diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis but not definitive.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a chronic, infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus leishmania. The incidence of this disease is high in Brazil, with 19,746 new cases having been detected in 2008. The presence of amastigotes in the cytoplasm of histiocytes constitutes diagnosis of the disease; however, their presence is rarely found in late lesions, making histological diagnosis difficult. Polymerase chain reaction has been shown to represent a highly sensitive and specific technique for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. OBJECTIVES: To use polymerase chain reaction to evaluate paraffin-embedded skin biopsies with histopathological features consistent with cutaneous leishmaniasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a 120-base-pair fragment of Leishmania kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles was performed on 90 skin biopsies. The male/female ratio was 75/15. Mean age was 32.36 years, with a median of 31 years, range 4-72 years. Samples were histologically compatible with cutaneous leishmaniasis but a definitive diagnosis could not be made since amastigotes were not found. All cases were histologically classified according to the patterns described by de Magalhães. RESULTS: According to the de Magalhães classification, the most common histological pattern was type IV (exudative granulomatous reaction), which was found in 65.6% of cases (56/90), followed by type I (exudative cellular reaction) in 21.1% of cases (19/90) and type III (exudative and necrotic granulomatous reaction) in 12.2% of cases (11/90). Leishmania DNA was found in 96.7% of the biopsies (87/90). CONCLUSION: Polymerase chain reaction performed by amplifying kDNA is able to confirm a diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis with a high degree of sensitivity in cases in which histopathology is consistent with a diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis but not definitive.

A amiloidose resulta da deposição de proteína amiloide fibrosa e insolúvel em espaços extracelulares de órgãos e tecidos. O depósito da substância amiloide pode ser localizado ou sistêmico e pode ser de natureza primária ou secundária. Relataremos um caso de amiloidose localizada cutânea primária nodular, manifesta por lesões pápulo-nodulares, eritêmato-acastanhadas, acometendo a região nasal, sem evidência de acometimento sistêmico. O estudo imunoistoquímico demonstrou presença de imunoglobulinas de cadeia leve kappa.

Amyloidosis results from deposition of fibrous and insoluble amyloid protein in extracellular spaces of organs and tissues. Amyloid deposition can be localized or systemic and either primary or secondary. We report a case of localized primary cutaneous nodular amyloidosis manifested by papular-nodular, reddish-brown lesions affecting the nasal area, without evidence of systemic involvement. Immunohistochemistry showed the presence of immunoglobulin kappa light chain.