Levels of organochlorine pesticides in Amazon turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) in the Xingu River, Brazil.

Due to the toxicity and high environmental persistence of organochlorine pesticides in aquatic organisms, turtles have been studied as environment biomonitors. These animals are important sources of protein for the riverside and indigenous peoples of the Brazilian amazon. In the present study, organochlorine pesticide contamination was investigated in Podocnemis unifilis. Liver, muscle and fatty tissue samples were removed from 50 specimens collected from five sampling points located in the Xingu River basin. Fourteen organochlorine pesticides were analysed via gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (CG-ECD). Eight organochlorine pesticides were detected with average concentrations of ∑DDT, ∑Endossulfan and ∑HCH which were 26.17 ± 26.35, 14.38 ± 23.77 and 1.39 ± 8.46 ng g-1 in moisture content, respectively. DDT compounds were the most predominant, with a greater concentration of pp'-DDT in the liver and pp'-DDD in the muscle. Significant differences were noted between the types of tissues studied, and the concentration of OCPs varied between sampling sites.

Assessment of Mercury Concentration in Turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) in the Xingu River Basin, Brazil.

Many studies on mercury contamination in aquatic biota deal with the effect of consuming metal-contaminated organisms on human health. In this study, we examined the factors that cause mercury contamination in Podocnemis unifilis in the Xingu River Basin of Mato Grosso and Pará States, Brazil. We quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy with cold vapor the total mercury (THg) content in the liver and muscle samples of 50 Podocnemis unifilis specimens collected from the basin. The liver and muscle samples contained 134.20 ± 119.30 ng g−1 THg and 24.86 ± 26.36 ng g−1 THg, respectively. Each chelonian or meal has, on average, 5.34× more Hg than the highest level established as acceptable. From the results it can be inferred that, given the weekly consumption of chelonians, the riverine and indigenous communities in the Xingu River Basin are at risk of chronic consumption of Hg in amounts beyond the acceptable limit. The potential high risk to the health of this population is evident; however, the risk classification needs to be further studied.

[Monitoring of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) by means of ovitraps at the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso Campus, Cuiabá, State of Mato Grosso]. / Monitoramento do mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae), por meio de ovitrampas no Campus da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Estado de Mato Grosso.

TDengue is one of the most important arboviruses affecting man and is a serious health problem in tropical areas where climatic conditions are favorable for occurrences of foci of Aedes aegypti. Oviposition traps with added hay infusion were installed at 19 points on the campus of the Federal University of Mato Grosso with the objective of investigating the monthly levels of infestation with the dengue vector and the influence of abiotic factors. The results obtained were compared with the following monthly abiotic data: temperature, relative air humidity and precipitation; and with the number of days for which the traps remained in the field. Rain was the only abiotic factor that influenced the level of infestation of the dengue vector at this location. There were significant differences between the quantities of Aedes aegypti eggs found at different sites within the same study area. The numbers of eggs found at each site over the year did not follow a single distribution pattern.

Monitoramento do mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae), por meio de ovitrampas no Campus da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Estado de Mato Grosso / Monitoring of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) by means of ovitraps at the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso Campus, Cuiabá, State of Mato Grosso

A dengue é uma das mais importantes arboviroses que atinge o homem e constitui um sério problema de saúde nas áreas tropicais, cujas condições climáticas são favoráveis à ocorrência de focos de Aedes aegypti. Armadilhas de oviposição acrescidas de infusão de feno foram instaladas em 19 pontos no Campus da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso com o objetivo de verificar mensalmente o nível de infestação do vetor da dengue e a influência dos fatores abióticos. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com dados abióticos de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, e de precipitação pluviométrica, mensais e dos dias que as armadilhas permaneceram no campo. A chuva é o único fator abiótico que apresenta influência no nível de infestação dos vetores da dengue no local. Existem diferenças significativas entre as quantidades de ovos de Aedes aegypti encontrados em diferentes locais de coleta na mesma área de estudo. O número de ovos encontrados em cada ponto ao longo do ano não obedece a um padrão de distribuição único.

Dengue is one of the most important arboviruses affecting man and is a serious health problem in tropical areas where climatic conditions are favorable for occurrences of foci of Aedes aegypti. Oviposition traps with added hay infusion were installed at 19 points on the campus of the Federal University of Mato Grosso with the objective of investigating the monthly levels of infestation with the dengue vector and the influence of abiotic factors. The results obtained were compared with the following monthly abiotic data: temperature, relative air humidity and precipitation; and with the number of days for which the traps remained in the field. Rain was the only abiotic factor that influenced the level of infestation of the dengue vector at this location. There were significant differences between the quantities of Aedes aegypti eggs found at different sites within the same study area. The numbers of eggs found at each site over the year did not follow a single distribution pattern.