Feasibility study of the use of concrete blocks produced from plastic marine garbage for use in civil construction.

The pursuit of development in an economically sustainable and ecologically sound manner is a goal of modern society. It has been investing in products that minimize their environmental impact, particularly concerning the use of plastic. This material is highly detrimental to nature due to its toxicity and long decomposition period. The present study aims to analyze the feasibility of producing blocks made of concrete with different amounts of waste plastic taken from coastal and estuarine areas. After laboratory analysis, it was found that blocks containing 5% plastic exhibit good compressive strength and are lighter. Additionally, there was an increase in the acidity of the sample, a decrease in the density of the block, and reductions in both flexural and compressive strength. The prototype, composed of 5% plastic by mass, proves to be efficient for constructing single-story houses. It meets the minimum requirements for normative resistance, effectively encapsulating the plastic within the block and thereby reducing its environmental impact.

Ecotoxicological effects of losartan on the brown mussel Perna perna and its occurrence in seawater from Santos Bay (Brazil).

The antihypertensive losartan (LOS) has been detected in wastewater and environmental matrices, however further studies focused on assessing the ecotoxicological effects on aquatic ecosystems are necessary. Considering the intensive use of this pharmaceutical and its discharges into coastal zones, our study aimed to determine the environmental concentrations of LOS in seawater, as well as to assess the biological effects of LOS on the marine bivalve Perna perna. For this purpose, fertilization rate and embryolarval development were evaluated through standardized assays. Phase I (ethoxyresorufin O­deethylase EROD and dibenzylfluorescein dealkylase DBF) and II (glutathione S-transferase GST) enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Cholinesterase (ChE), lipoperoxidation (LPO) and DNA damage were used to analyze sublethal responses in gills and digestive gland of adult individuals. Lysosomal membrane stability was also assessed in hemocytes. Our results showed the occurrence of LOS in 100% of the analyzed water samples located in Santos Bay, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a range of 0.2 ng/L-8.7 ng/L. Effects on reproductive endpoints were observed after short-term exposure to concentrations up to 75 mg/L. Biomarker responses demonstrated the induction of CYP450 like activity and GST in mussel gills exposed to 300 and 3000 ng/L of LOS, respectively. GPx activity was also increased in concentration of exposure to 3000 ng/L of LOS. Cyto-genotoxic effects were found in gills and hemocytes exposed in concentrations up to 300 ng/L. These results highlighted the concern of introducing this class of contaminants into marine environments, and pointed out the need to include antihypertensive compounds in environmental monitoring programs.

Sediment toxicity identification evaluation (TIE phases I and II) based on microscale bioassays for diagnosing causes of toxicity in coastal areas affected by domestic sewage.

Domestic sewage is a major problem in highly urbanized coastal areas worldwide. In the present study, toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) phases I and II were applied to sediment interstitial water from 2 locations along the São Paulo coast in southeastern Brazil: the sewage outfalls from the city of Santos, a densely urbanized area, and the city of Bertioga, a less urbanized area. An adapted microscale sea urchin embryo-larval development bioassay was employed. Phase TIE-I manipulations were 1) ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) addition, 2) aeration at modified pH, 3) C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE), and 4) addition of Na2 S2 O3 . The results of the Santos TIE-I indicated toxicity by sulfides and substances with affinity to C18 resin. In Bertioga, toxicity was the result of NH3 , metals, and arsenic, as well as substances with affinity to C18 resin. Phase TIE-II aimed to specify the causes of toxicity by testing the toxicity of eluates of the sublation and C18 SPE manipulation. The results reinforced the role of both surfactants and nonpolar compounds as causative agents of toxicity in both Santos and Bertioga. Chemical analyses of sediment interstitial water or whole sediment ruled out the influence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the toxicity of both sampling sites. Other hydrophobic substances may play a role in the toxicity of Santos and Bertioga effluents. Efforts to remove such substances from sanitary effluents must be prioritized. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1820-1832. © 2017 SETAC.

Análise da qualidade sanitária da areia das praias de Santos, litoral do estado de São Paulo / Analysis of sand quality health in Santos beach, coast of São Paulo state

RESUMO: Em Santos, litoral de São Paulo, a avaliação da qualidade microbiológica da água das praias é realizada pela prefeitura e pela Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB). Entretanto, a mesma atenção não é direcionada à areia das praias. A areia representa um potencial vetor de contaminação e pode constituir reservatório de microrganismos patogênicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da areia das praias de Santos, São Paulo. Utilizou-se a técnica das membranas filtrantes para os grupos de coliformes fecais (Escherichia coli ) e enterococos. As amostras foram coletadas em sete pontos das praias de Santos. Os ensaios foram realizados mensalmente durante 8 meses e os resultados, expressos em unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC) de bactérias por 100 g de areia, variaram de 40.000 a 2.700.000 para E. coli e de não detectado a 95.000 para enterococos, encontrando-se acima dos valores orientadores existentes em âmbito nacional (3.800 UFC.100g-1 - Rio de Janeiro) e internacional (100.000 UFC.100g-1 - Portugal). O contato com areia contaminada pode causar diversas doenças, comprometendo a qualidade de vida da população. Torna-se importante a realização de estudos baseados em evidências epidemiológicas de exposição e análises de risco, para se estabelecer padrões de qualidade e políticas públicas para monitoramento e gerenciamento da qualidade sanitária da areia das praias do litoral de São Paulo.

ABSTRACT: In Santos, coast of São Paulo State, the evaluation of the microbiological quality of the beach water is performed weekly by the Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB), the environmental agency of the São Paulo state government. However, the same attention is not given to the sand of the beaches. Sand represents a potential contamination vector and may constitute a reservoir of pathogenic microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of sands from Santos beaches throughout the quantification of bacteria colonies from the groups of fecal coliforms (Escherichia coli ) and Enterococcus, using the membrane filter technique. The analyses were executed monthly during 8 months and the results, expressed in bacteria colony forming units (CFU) per 100 grams of sand, vary from 40,000 to 2,700,000 for E. coli and from not detected to 95,000 for Enterococcus, being above the currently guideline values in national (3,800 CFU.100g-1) and international (100,000 CFU.100g-1) levels. It's important to mention that these guideline values were based on results from microbiological analyses of sands collected from beaches that are distant from large urban areas. The contact with contaminated sand may cause diseases, provoking impacts on the population's life quality. There is a need for further studies based on epidemiological evidences of exposure and risk analysis, in order to establish quality standards and public policies aimed to monitoring and managing the sanitary quality of sands from São Paulo's coast beaches.

Biological effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of the pharmaceutical Triclosan in the marine mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758).

Triclosan (5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol) is an antibacterial compound widely employed in pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Although this emerging compound has been detected in aquatic environments, scarce information is found on the effects of Triclosan to marine organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of a concentration range of Triclosan through fertilization assay (reproductive success), embryo-larval development assay (early life stage) and physiological stress (Neutral Red Retention Time assay - NRRT) (adult stage) in the marine sentinel organism Perna perna. The mean inhibition concentrations for fertilization (IC(50) = 0.490 mg L(-1)) and embryo-larval development (IC(50) = 0.135 mg L(-1)) tests were above environmental relevant concentrations (ng L(-1)) given by previous studies. Differently, significant reduction on NRRT results was found at 12 ng L(-1), demonstrating the current risk of the continuous introduction of Triclosan into aquatic environments, and the need of ecotoxicological studies oriented by the mechanism of action of the compound.

Avaliação da qualidade ambiental do rio Itaguaré, Bertioga-SP,com base em testes de toxicidade e indicadores microbiológicos de balneabilidade / Evaluation of environmental quality of Itaguaré river, Bertioga-SP, using-toxicity tests and microbiological bathing conditions indexes / Evaluación de la calidad ambiental del río Itaguaré, Bertioga-SP, usar pruebasde toxicidad y índices de baño microbiológicos de las condiciones

De acordo com as Resoluções CONAMA n. 274/2000 e n. 357/2005, indicadores de balneabilidade e toxicidade devem ser avaliados em um corpo receptor aquático com objetivo de prever e evitar efeitos adversos à saúde humana e à biota aquática. O presente trabalho avaliou a qualidade das águas do rio Itaguaré (Bertioga-SP) em cinco pontos distintos, os quais se diferenciam quanto à ocupação de suas margens. Para tal, foram realizados ensaios ecotoxicológicos, mensuração da concentração de coliformes termotolerantes e parâmetros físico-químicos. Foram realizados ensaios de toxicidade aguda conforme ABNT 12713 (2004) e crônica, conforme ABNT 13373 (2005) utilizando-se cladóceros como organismos-teste, além da mensuração de coliformes termotolerantes por meio da técnica de tubos múltiplos conforme APHA (2005), para detecção e quantificação de poluição fecal por animais homeotérmicos. Os resultados indicaram toxicidade aguda no Rio Itaguaré apenas no outono nos pontos 1, 2 e 3, enquanto que a toxicidade crônica foi observada em todas as estações nos pontos 1 e 2; e, em todos os pontos (1, 2, 3, 4 e 5) na primavera e outono. Os níveis de coliformes termotolerantes demonstraram baixas concentrações que permitiram a classificação quanto à balneabilidade como excelente ou muito boa conforme CONAMA n. 274/2000. No entanto, houve maiores concentrações de coliformes nos pontos 1 e 2 durante todos os meses onde também se observou toxicidade. Esses resultados sugerem a presença de efluentes domésticos causando alterações significativas na qualidade da água nesses pontos 1 e 2, localizados próximos à Rodovia Manoel Hypólito do Rego.

According to Resolutions CONAMA N. 274/2000and N. 357/2005, bathing conditions and toxicity must be evaluated in an aquatic receiving body to foresee and prevent adverse effects to human health and aquatic biota. The present work evaluated the quality of waters of Itaguaré River (Bertioga - São Paulo) in five different points which differ as regards the occupation of its edges. For doing this, we applied eco-toxicological tests, measured the concentration of thermotolerant coliformis and physical-chemical parameters. We did tests of acute toxicity following ABNT 12713 (2004) and chronic toxicity following ABNT 13373 (2005) using cladocera as test-organisms, in addition to measuring thermotolerant coliformis through the technique of multiple pipes (APHA 2005), for detecting and quantificating fecal pollution by homeothermic animals. Results showed acute toxicity in Itaguaré River only in the autumn in points 1, 2 and 3, whereas chronic toxicity was observed in all seasons in points 1 and 2; and, in all the points (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) in the spring and autumn. The levels of thermotolerant coliformis had low concentrations classified, as regards bathing conditions as excellent or very good cf. CONAMA N. 274/2000. However, there were greater concentrations of coliformis in points 1 and 2 during all months, and toxicity was also observed. These results suggest the presence of domestic effluent causing significant alterations in water quality in points 1 and 2, located next to Manoel Hypólito do Rego Highway.

Según las resoluciones CONAMA N. 274/2000 e N. 357/2005, se debe evaluar las condiciones del baño y la toxicidad en un cuerpo de recepción acuático para prever y prevenir efectos nocivos a la salud humana y a la biota acuática. Este trabajo evaluó la calidad de aguas del río Itaguaré (Bertioga - São Pablo) en cinco puntos distintos que se diferencian en lo que concierne a la ocupación de sus bordes. Como para hacerlo, hicimos pruebas eco-toxicológicas, medidas de la concentración de coliformis termotolerantes y parámetros fisicoquímicos. Hicimos pruebas de la toxicidad aguda según ABNT 12713 (2004) y de la toxicidad crónica según ABNT 13373 (2005) usando cladocera como organismos de prueba, además de medir coliformis termotolerantes con la técnica de las pipas múltiples (APHA 2005), para detectar y cuantificar la contaminación fecal por los animales homeotérmicos. Los resultados demostraron toxicidad aguda en el río Itaguaré solamente en el otoño en los puntos 1, 2 y 3, mientras que la toxicidad crónica fue observada en todas las estaciones en los puntos 1 y 2; y, en todos los puntos (1, 2, 3, 4 y 5) en la primavera y el otoño. Los niveles de coliformis termotolerantes tenían concentraciones bajas; en lo que concierne las condiciones de baño han sido excelentes o muy buenos según CONAMA N. 274/2000. Sin embargo, hubo mayores concentraciones de coliformis en los puntos 1 y 2 durante todos los meses, y la toxicidad también fue observada ahí. Estos resultados sugieren la presencia de efluentes domésticos que causa alteraciones significativas en calidad del agua en los puntos 1 y 2, localizados al lado de la autopista Manoel Hypólito hacen la carretera de Rego.

A simple approach to integrate the ecotoxicological and chemical data for the establishment of environmental risk levels

In this work, multivariate and numeric methods were used to integrate the chemical and ecotoxicological data obtained for the sediments from the Santos Estuarine System, and for the vicinity of the discharges of the Submarine Sewage Outfall of Santos, in order to establish more accurately the environmental risks, identify the priority areas and thus provide guidance to control the programs and public policies. For both the datasets, the concentrations which exceeded numeric sediment guidelines tended to be associated to toxicity. For the estuary, this trend was corroborated by the correlations between the toxicity and Cu and PAHs levels, whereas for the sewage outfall region, this was observed through the correlation between the toxicity and Hg contents. Ratio-to-mean values were calculated for each sample, in order to rank them according to the toxicity and contamination. Cluster analyses confirmed the ranking results. For the estuary, three categories of sediments were established: stations SSV-2, SSV-3 and SSV-4 were under major risks, followed by SSV-6. Stations SSV-1 and SSV-5 were not altered. Concerning to the sewage outfall, stations 1 and 2 presented better quality, whereas station 5 seemed to be under risk, followed by stations 3 and 4, which exhibited some signs of alteration.

O presente trabalho utilizou métodos multivariados e matemáticos para integrar dados químicos e ecotoxicológicos obtidos para o Sistema Estuarino de Santos e para a região próxima à zona de lançamento do emissário submarino de Santos, com a finalidade de estabelecer com maior exatidão os riscos ambientais, e assim identificar áreas prioritárias e orientar programas de controle e políticas públicas. Para ambos os conjuntos de dados, as violações de valores numéricos de qualidade de sedimento tenderam a estar associadas com a ocorrência de toxicidade. Para o estuário, essa tendência foi corroborada pelas correlações entre a toxicidade e as concentrações de HPAs e Cu, enquanto para a região do emissário, pela correlação entre toxicidade e conteúdo de mercúrio no sedimento. Valores normalizados em relação às medias foram calculados para cada amostra, permitindo classificá-las de acordo com a toxicidade e a contaminação. As análises de agrupamento confirmaram os resultados das classificações. Para os dados de sistema estuarino, houve a separação das amostras em três categorias: as estações SSV-2, SSV-3 e SSV-4 encontram-se sob maior risco, seguidas da estação SSV-6. As estações SSV-1 e SSV-5 demonstraram melhores condições. Já em relação ao emissário, as amostras 1 e 2 apresentaram melhores condições, enquanto a estação 5 pareceu apresentar um maior risco, seguida das estações 3 e 4 que tiveram apenas alguns indícios de alteração.