Microbiological water quality monitoring of four ponds from Lagoa do Sino Farm located in São Paulo State, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of the water of four ponds used for irrigation on the Lagoa do Sino Farm, as well as to perform the genotypic characterization of virulence factors in Escherichia coli isolates. Sampling was conducted for 11 months, between 2015 and 2016. Samples were analyzed for the presence of thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli and heterotrophs. DNA was extracted from E. coli isolates, followed by genotypic characterization by polymerase chain reaction. Agricultural activities and pesticides used in the sampling period were documented in order to assess possible relationships between agricultural activities and microbiological water quality. The absence of suitable riparian vegetation around all the ponds was observed, benefiting the entry of organic matter and contaminants in the water body. A high index of thermotolerant coliforms in some months indicated the possibility of the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms in these ponds. The values found in some months were above the regulatory limits for water potability and water intended for irrigation. The agrochemicals used in the period seem to influence the results obtained. All 17 E. coli isolates showed at least one of the virulence genes estA, stx1, stx2, and aatA, indicating enterotoxigenic, enterohaemorrhagic or enteroaggregative nature. The presence of E. coli in the waters may be associated with the presence of animals. The water samples analyzed are not suitable for irrigation of vegetables that are consumed raw and/or low lying fruits ingested without skin removal. It is essential to broaden the control of the use of chemicals, as well as the preservation of riparian vegetation to improve the quality of water used in the farm's agricultural activities.

Microbiological water quality monitoring of four ponds from Lagoa do Sino Farm located in São Paulo State, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of the water of four ponds used for irrigation on the Lagoa do Sino Farm, as well as to perform the genotypic characterization of virulence factors in Escherichia coli isolates. Sampling was conducted for 11 months, between 2015 and 2016. Samples were analyzed for the presence of thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli and heterotrophs. DNA was extracted from E. coli isolates, followed by genotypic characterization by polymerase chain reaction. Agricultural activities and pesticides used in the sampling period were documented in order to assess possible relationships between agricultural activities and microbiological water quality. The absence of suitable riparian vegetation around all the ponds was observed, benefiting the entry of organic matter and contaminants in the water body. A high index of thermotolerant coliforms in some months indicated the possibility of the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms in these ponds. The values found in some months were above the regulatory limits for water potability and water intended for irrigation. The agrochemicals used in the period seem to influence the results obtained. All 17 E. coli isolates showed at least one of the virulence genes estA, stx1, stx2, and aatA, indicating enterotoxigenic, enterohaemorrhagic or enteroaggregative nature. The presence of E. coli in the waters may be associated with the presence of animals. The water samples analyzed are not suitable for irrigation of vegetables that are consumed raw and/or low lying fruits ingested without skin removal. It is essential to broaden the control of the use of chemicals, as well as the preservation of riparian vegetation to improve the quality of water used in the farm's agricultural activities.(AU)

Anthropic interference in mangrove areas of the Mundaú-Manguaba estuarine lagoon complex (CELMM), Alagoas (Brazil) as a case study / Interferência antrópica em áreas de manguezal do complexo estuarino lagunar Mundaú-Manguaba (CELMM), Alagoas, Brasil: um estudo de caso

The mangrove is a coastal ecosystem that is present in different parts of the world. It provides various ecosystem services from food supply to the influence of climate change. Due to the development of society, this ecosystem has been subjected to significant impacts from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the environmental impacts caused in mangrove areas that have undergone modifications as a result of anthropic activities (agricultural cultivation, deforestation, civil construction) compared with those of conserved mangrove areas. This research took place through the analysis of the temporal sequence of aerial images (Google Earth) and soil quality analysis through field collections to evaluate the chemical and biological indicators in the different land use systems. As these are permanent changes that affect the type of soil and its coverage, significant differences were obtained between the chemical and biological characteristics of the four environments, with different usage systems. The mangrove has been negatively impacted by inadequate management and land occupation. Continuity of anthropic intervention in the mangrove will promote the disappearance of this ecosystem in the long term. Among the chemical and biological attributes used for the analyses that were performed, aluminum and edaphic organisms were the ones that allowed the greatest contribution of distinction from the degree of disturbance in areas of agricultural cultivation, deforestation and civil construction/mangrove transition.(AU)

O manguezal é um ecossistema costeiro, presente em diversas partes do mundo, provedor de diversos serviços ecossistêmicos desde a provisão de alimentos a influência das mudanças climáticas. Devido ao desenvolvimento da sociedade, este ecossistema tem sido submetido a significativos impactos proveniente das atividades antropogênicas. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os impactos ambientais ocasionados em áreas de mangue que sofreram modificações resultantes de atividades antrópicas (cultivo agrícola, desmatamento, construção civil) comparando com área de mangue conservado. Esta pesquisa se deu através da análise da sequência temporal de imagens aéreas (Google Earth), e análise da qualidade do solo mediante coletas em campo para avaliação dos indicadores químicos e biológicos nos diferentes sistemas de uso do solo. Por se tratarem de alterações permanentes e que afetaram o tipo do solo e a cobertura do mesmo, foram obtidas diferenças significativas entre as características químicas e biológicas dos quatro ambientes, com os diferentes sistemas de uso. O manguezal tem sofrido impactos negativos pelo manejo inadequado e ocupação do solo. A continuidade da intervenção antrópica no mangue dará prosseguimento ao desaparecimento deste ecossistema a longo prazo. Dentre os atributos químicos e biológicos utilizados para as análises realizadas, o alumínio e os organismos edáficos foram os que permitiram maior contribuição para descriminação do grau de perturbação das áreas de cultivo agrícola, desmatada e transição construção civil/manguezal.(AU)