Analyzing the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment in Paraná, Brazil and California, United States with fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis and the analytical hierarchy process.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has become one of the most widespread environmental management instruments. Despite this, EIA is routinely criticized for being ineffective at impacting decision-making. This study compared the EIA systems of Paraná, Brazil and California, United States using the effectiveness dimensions from the EIA literature. This study formats the cases into contextual conditions using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify the necessary or sufficient conditions that cause effective outcomes. These effectiveness outcomes are then ranked by EIA stakeholders via the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to identify stakeholder priorities and to improve stakeholder management. The results show that in Paraná stakeholders identified normative effectiveness as the most important dimension, while stakeholders in California identified this dimension as the second-most important following substantive effectiveness. Public participation was found to be a necessary condition for both substantive and normative effectiveness to occur. Early project definition was found to be sufficient for substantive effectiveness and necessary for normative effectiveness, for which stakeholder coordination was a sufficient condition. This suggests that in order for EIA to influence decision-making and foster sustainable development, greater care needs to be taken to actively engage stakeholders in public participation, with clear roles and project design communicated early on, and a clear role for regulatory authority to promote stakeholder coordination for acceptable outcomes. These findings suggest that some effectiveness dimensions are caused by similar conditions, which could help focus stakeholder management efforts and point to new avenues for future EIA effectiveness research.

Water sustainability assessment from the perspective of sustainable development capitals: Conceptual model and index based on literature review.

Decision-making associated with the promotion of water sustainability is subjected to uncertainties arising, on the one hand, from the current capacity of understanding socio-environmental systems and their temporality, complexity and multidimensionality; and, on the other hand, from the need to represent key aspects of these systems through data and information. Such a representation is often supported by indicators, indices and systems of indicators for relevant aspects of the problem and for a scenario under analysis. In this context, the main aim of this study was to develop a novel system of indicators for water sustainability assessment in river basins. Literature review and content analysis were used to define an analytical structure for the problem from the perspective of the natural, social and built capitals of related sustainable development assessment. Each capital has been hierarchically subdivided into categories, subcategories and attributes, leading to 54 aspects for water sustainability assessment. A list of indicators was compiled from the scientific and technical literature, linked to attributes, and associated with valuation ranges. This led to the proposition of the River Basin Water Sustainability Index (RBWSI) and sub-indices associated with categories and subcategories of the model. The timeframe and territorial scale relevant for assessment were defined as five-to-ten year periods and areas under the jurisdiction of river basin management committees, respectively. The new model and index thus proposed may be useful in water sustainability diagnostic and prognostic studies, such as required to assess the effectiveness of river basin management actions aimed at promoting sustainable development.

Restoration of polluted waters by phytoremediation using Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc., Haloragaceae.

The present study assessed the reduction of nutrients and organic matter in polluted waters using Myriophyllum aquaticum. Twelve experimental groups were established and distributed in six control groups (CG) and six plant treated groups (PTG). The following analyses were performed in three sampling sets and measured every three days: chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammoniacal nitrogen (AN), organic nitrogen (ON), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP). Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature (TEMP). The parameters that showed variation between the experimental groups were dissolved oxygen (0.1-5.0 mg L(-1)), pH (7.5-8.5), electrical conductivity (550-750 µS cm(-1)), and temperature (15-19 °C). The highest level of removal was observed on day 30 as 75.4% for BOD; 67.4% for COD; 88.3% for TKN; and 93.6% for TP. The use of M. aquaticum demonstrated its potential application in phytoremediation, showing reductions in COD, BOD, and TP at day 15, and in AN and TKN at day 30.

The water footprint of beef cattle in the amazon region, Brazil / A pegada hídrica da cadeia produtiva da pecuária na região amazônica

ABSTRACT: Food production and water scarcity, both in constant growth and intrinsically linked, are subjects of great relevance in current studies in several areas of knowledge. The impacts generated by the production of beef are at the center of major environmental debates, especially the consumption of water for the production and development of the livestock production chain. This research analyzed the use of water resources in the production of beef in the Amazon biome. The water footprint for beef cattle was of 13,074 L.kg-1 compared to a world average of 21,829 L.kg-1. Based on the data obtained it was possible to demonstrate that the presence and operationalization of this production chain in the Amazon is more efficient from the water point of view than in the other locations reported in the literature.

RESUMO: A produção de alimentos e a escassez hídrica, em constante crescimento e intrinsecamente ligadas, são temas de grande relevância em estudos atuais em diversas áreas do conhecimento. Os impactos gerados pela produção de carne bovina estão no centro dos principais debates ambientais, especialmente o consumo de água para a produção e desenvolvimento da cadeia produtiva da pecuária. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o uso de recursos hídricos na produção de carne bovina no bioma Amazônia. A pegada hídrica para bovinos de corte foi de 13.074 L.kg-1, comparada a uma média mundial de 21.829 L.kg-1. Com base nos dados obtidos, foi possível demonstrar que a presença e operacionalização dessa cadeia produtiva na Amazônia é mais eficiente do ponto de vista da água do que nos demais locais relatados na literatura.

Risco ambiental gerado pelo uso de antibióticos no setor de internamento pediátrico hospitalar / Environmental risk generated by the use of antibiotics in hospital pediatric wards

RESUMO Os efluentes hospitalares sempre foram fonte de preocupação pela poluição microbiológica, mas somente com o aumento na detecção de antibióticos em águas de rios surgiu a necessidade de se avaliar o risco ambiental gerado pelos efluentes de hospitais. Nesse contexto, foi realizada uma avaliação de risco ambiental (ARA) para 19 antibióticos utilizados em um serviço de internamento pediátrico hospitalar pelo período de 36 meses (junho de 2013 a maio de 2016). O principal objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o risco ambiental associado ao padrão de uso dos antibióticos selecionados lançados na rede de esgoto. A ferramenta utilizada para a avaliação de risco foi a concentração ambiental prevista (CAP), Fase I e Fase II (EMeA, 2006). Foram levantados os dados de população, dispensação e administração dos antibióticos para o cálculo da CAP, e valores de referência da concentração ambiental prevista em que não se observam efeitos (CAPNE) foram obtidos de fontes na literatura. O quociente de risco (QR) usado para caracterizar o risco foi obtido por meio da razão CAP/CAPNE. Apenas quatro antibióticos apresentaram QR abaixo do limiar de nível alto (QR < 1), enquanto os outros 15 antibióticos apresentaram valores de QR considerados de alto potencial de dano ambiental, tendo-se verificado os valores mais elevados para ceftriaxona, piperaciclina, tazobactam, ciprofloxacino, vancomicina e oxacilina. Os resultados evidenciaram que existe risco substancial de danos ambientais associado à descarga dessas substâncias no efluente, consistindo em preocupação ambiental significativa com relação ao padrão de consumo de antibióticos no setor de internamento pediátrico hospitalar.

ABSTRACT Hospital effluents have always been a source of concern for microbiological pollution, but only with the increase in the detection of antibiotics in river waters has there been a need to evaluate the environmental risk generated by hospital effluents. In this context, an environmental risk assessment (ERA) was carried out for 19 antibiotics used in a pediatric inpatient hospital ward for a period of 36 months (June 2013 to May 2016). The main objective of this study was to estimate the environmental risk associated with the use of the selected antibiotics released into the sewage system. The tool used for risk assessment was the Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC) Phase I and Phase II (EMeA, 2006). Data on population, dispensation, and administration of antibiotics were collected for the calculation of the PEC, reference values of the Predicted no Effect Concentration (PNEC), were obtained from sources in the literature. The Risk Characterization Ratio (RCR), used to characterize the risk, was obtained through the PEC/PNEC ratio. Only four antibiotics presented values below the high-level threshold (RCR < 1), the other fifteen antibiotics presented RCR values corresponding to a high potential for environmental damage, with the highest values being observed for ceftriaxone, piperacycline, tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, and oxacillin. The results showed that there is substantial risk of environmental damage associated with the discharge of these substances into the effluent, representing a significant environmental concern regarding the pattern of antibiotic consumption in hospital pediatric wards.

Index-based and compliance assessment of water quality for a Brazilian subtropical reservoir / Avaliação da qualidade da água baseada em índices e da conformidade ao enquadramento de um reservatório subtropical brasileiro

ABSTRACT The Passaúna catchment is part of the Upper Iguaçu watershed and includes a water supply reservoir for over 500,000 inhabitants of Curitiba metropolitan region. The aim of this study was to establish the state of reservoir water quality, and whether it has undergone any recent medium- and long-term variations. A physical-chemical-biological assessment was undertaken using nine indicators and three indexes: Water Quality Index (WQI), Trophic State Index (TSI) and Shannon-Weaver Index (H') for macroinvertebrate diversity. Compliance with the prescribed quality standards for the water body was verified using frequency curves. Two WQI calculation approaches were contrasted to test for conditions of partial data unavailability. Temporal trends in key parameters were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. WQI results from 1991-2014 indicated that the water quality may be classified as good and improved in the final decade of such period, while most TSI results were in the oligotrophic/mesotrophic range, but with no significant temporal trend. The biodiversity result of H'=1.6 obtained with data acquired in 2014 indicated a moderately degraded ecosystem that is typically associated with flow regulation and a degree of water quality impairment. Such a multi-indicator integrated physical-chemical-biological monitoring approach comprised a robust framework for assessments of medium-long term aquatic health.

RESUMO A bacia do rio Passaúna situa-se na parte superior da Bacia do Rio Iguaçu e inclui um reservatório de águas de abastecimento público para mais de 500 mil habitantes da região metropolitana de Curitiba. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade das águas desse reservatório e identificar eventuais ocorrências de tendência temporal de variação. O estudo de características físicas, químicas e biológicas do corpo de água envolveu dados históricos e recém-adquiridos de nove indicadores e três índices: Índice de Qualidade das Águas (WQI), Índice de Estado Trófico (TSI) e Índice de Diversidade de Shannon-Weaver (H') para diversidade de macroinvertebrados. A conformidade aos padrões de qualidade prescritos foi analisada com base em curvas de permanência de qualidade de água. Duas formas de cálculo do WQI foram contrastadas para averiguar o efeito de disponibilidade incompleta de dados. Tendências temporais em parâmetros-chave foram buscadas com o teste de correlação de Spearman. Os resultados do WQI, entre 1991 e 2014, indicaram que a qualidade da água do reservatório pode ser classificada como "boa", apresentando tendência estatisticamente significativa de melhoria na última década de tal período. Os resultados obtidos para o TSI ficaram na faixa oligotrófico/mesotrófico e sem tendência significativa de variação temporal. O resultado de biodiversidade do H'=1,6, obtido com dados adquiridos em 2014, indicou um ecossistema aquático moderadamente degradado, tipicamente associado com o represamento de cursos de água e com um certo grau de comprometimento da qualidade da água. A abordagem integradora multi-indicadores de aspectos físicos, químicos e biológicos adotada neste estudo conferiu robustez à avaliação realizada da qualidade de água do corpo de água no médio-longo prazo.

Dispersão de poluentes nos eixos estruturais em Curitiba (PR), Brasil / Pollutant dispersion at the structural axes in Curitiba (PR), Brazil

O aumento da frota veicular causa a deterioração da qualidade do ar e o comprometimento da saúde e bem-estar da população. A malha urbana edificada influencia o escoamento do ar, dificultando a dispersão de emissões veiculares. O presente estudo objetiva avaliar a influência dos parâmetros de ocupação do solo definidos pela legislação municipal nos eixos estruturais em Curitiba (PR), caracterizados pelo forte estímulo ao adensamento e alto tráfego veicular. Foram simuladas variações do recuo frontal e das alturas das edificações nestes eixos, em especial na Avenida Sete de Setembro, a fim de verificar a influência destes na concentração de poluentes. São feitas sugestões de possíveis alterações à legislação em vigor, recomendando-se reduzir a altura das edificações no lado oposto ao vento predominante e aumentar, nos trechos não consolidados, o recuo frontal da sobreloja.

The increase in the number of vehicles causes deterioration of air quality and decline of population health and well-being. The urban grid of buildings influences air flow, hampering the dispersion of vehicular emissions. The present study aims to assess the influence of land use parameters defined by local legislation, at the Structural Axes in Curitiba (PR), which are characterized by strong stimulus both to high urban density and vehicular traffic. Variations in building setback front line and height were considered, specifically on Avenida Sete de Setembro, in order to investigate their influence on pollutant concentration. The conclusion includes suggestions for modifications in the current city by-laws of land use, recommending that building height be reduced on the side opposite to prevailing winds, and increasing, in yet not consolidated stretches, the frontal setback of mezzanines.

Management of the environmental restoration of degraded areas

The aim of this work was to study ecotechnology for the management of degraded areas originally covered by the Atlantic Rainforest and located at the coordinates 25º31'50''S, 9º09'30''W. The area included 12 islands, each consisting of six jute bags with 20 kg of substrate (cattle manure and soil transposed from forest fragments). In six of these bags, native plants and seeds were also included. Six additional islands were selected randomly in the vicinity as the control. The process of evaluation was monitored through the chemical and granulometric soil analysis and surveys of survival, biometrics, floristic and phytosociological vegetation. An improvement in soil properties was observed where the model was implemented, which could be attributed to the substrate and re-vegetation. In the floristic and phytosociological studies, out of the 118 identified species, 65 were observed in the first floristic inventory and 86 in the second floristic inventory with similarities between the subfields of 27.69% and 11.36%, respectively. The influence of the substrate seed bank in the implemented islands was also observed. Increased diversity was only significant in the subareas with the model. It was concluded that this technology was effective in accelerating the succession and promoting the beginning of the restoration.

Environmental risk assessment of antibiotics: an intensive care unit analysis.

Hospital effluents have been usually known by the microbiological pollution they cause, but only recently they have been considered a significant source of aquatic environmental pollution due to the presence of medicines in these effluents. In this context, an environmental risk assessment (ERA) is presented for the most used intravenous antibiotics in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital in Curitiba (Brazil). The amount of antibiotics used in the ICU was evaluated during 18months (June 2006 until November 2007), in order to calculate the Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC1). Antibiotic excretion data (on its original form) and the removal of the selected drugs in the sewage treatment plants based on the activated sludge system were used to calculate, respectively, PEC2 and PEC2r. The Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) of pharmaceuticals was also considered to assess the environmental risk by calculating the PEC/PNEC ratios. All PECs were 1ngL(-1). The worst-case PEC estimations (PEC1 and PEC2) were observed for sodic ceftriaxone, sodic cefazolin, meropenem, ampicillin, cefepime and sodic piperacillin. PEC/PNEC ratios showed that, given the present pattern of usage, high aquatic environmental risk is expected for these antibiotics. Further studies should be carried out to elucidate their contribution to increasing antimicrobial multi-drug-resistant species.

Assessment of preload in carbon coated prosthetic screws

Introduction : The mechanical aspects of tightening screws over implants are important to ensure a successful prosthetic rehabilitation. Screw loosening is a common problem that can be avoided with passive adaptation of the components and an increased tensile force developed in the screw, a preload. Objective: This in vitro study evaluated the effect on preload of a carbon lubricant deposited on the surface of titanium alloy prosthetic screws: conventional Ti6Al4V and surface enhanced. Material and methods: Conventional titanium alloy prosthetic (n = 7) and carbon coating surface enhanced screws (n = 7) were compared. Each prosthetic screw supporting a metallic UCLA over an implant was tightened with the manufacturer’s recommended torque of 32 N.cm. The removal torque values, recorded for ten consecutive cycles of tightening and removal, were used to estimate the preload. Implant blocks were then sectioned and the interfaces were observed by light microscopy.Results: The lowest removal torque, and consequently the highest preload values, was achieved for the lubricated group in most cycles. The contacts between threads were located at the coronal aspect of all observed screw mating threads.Conclusion: Data indicate that the lower coefficient of friction of a carbon lubricant can generate higher preload. The machining precision observed produced the adaptation and regular contact interfaces.

Análise de indicadores ambientais no reservatório do Passaúna / Analysis of environmental indicators in Passaúna reservoir

A importância dos indicadores ambientais está associada à sua utilização como instrumentos para a sociedade avaliar a própria evolução. No contexto ambiental, indicadores são parâmetros representativos, concisos e fáceis de interpretar utilizados para ilustrar as principais características de uma determinada região. O presente trabalho apresenta uma proposta de indicadores ambientais para o reservatório do Passaúna, um dos principais mananciais de Curitiba, com base em 14 parâmetros. Apresenta, também, uma proposta de determinação de um índice de comprometimento ambiental (ICA) com base na importância relativa de cada um dos potenciais poluidores. Apresenta-se, aqui, um exemplo de determinação do ICA, considerando os dados disponíveis para seis parâmetros, concluindo-se que o reservatório do Passaúna apresenta forte comprometimento ambiental.

The relevance of environmental indicators is associated with their use as tools with which society evaluates its own evolution. In the environmental context, indicators are parameters which are representative of the processes involved, are concise and easy to interpret, and which are used to represent the main characteristics of a certain area. The present work proposes a set of environmental indicators for the Passaúna reservoir, one of the main sources of drinking water in Curitiba, Brazil, based on 14 parameters. This paper also presents a proposal for the determination of an environmental stress index (ICA) based on the relative importance of pollution threats. An example is shown, considering the available data for six parameters, which indicates that the Passaúna reservoir is under strong environmental stress.