Remediation of soil contaminated with a commercial diesel-biodiesel blend (B12): A microcosm evaluation on the effects of (in)organic amendments.

Bioremediation of fuel-contaminated soils largely depends on microbial activities, which might be stimulated using (in)organic amendments. Attenuation of a diesel-biodiesel blend (B12) was investigated in microcosms during 93 days. Soil was spiked with B12 (5%, m m-1) and, in addition to contaminated Controls (unamended), soils received compost (COB), soybean hulls (SHB), or NPK fertilizer (IB) to reach a ~20:1 carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio regarding B12-carbon content. Effects of treatments on B12 attenuation, soil respiration, heterotrophic and B12-utilizing bacteria, pH, organic-C, nitrogen contents, and phytotoxicity, were evaluated. After 20 days, diesel range organics analysis indicated 58, 48, 45, and 43% attenuation in Controls, SHB, IB, and COB, respectively. Final dissipation reached 90, 86, 72, and 60% in Controls, COB, IB, and SHB. Compost and soybean hulls appeared as preferential substrates for microorganisms. Although microbial activity (soil respiration) was 39 and 22% higher than Controls in COB and SHB, amendments postponed attenuation. Amendments transiently affected bacterial numbers as compared to Controls; however, these effects were not related to attenuation levels. pH of the contaminated soils (~7.0) dropped to 6.1 in IB, whereas pH values were between 6.7 and 7.6 in other treatments. Organic-N and Kjeldahl-N decreased during incubations, indicating net N mineralization and subsequent nitrification, although N losses could occur. Organic-C, initially higher in SHB and COB, decreased in all treatments; however, more prominent losses in COB and SHB suggest amendments were preferentially used by microorganisms. Phytotoxicity was improved in Controls; however, it was not associated with attenuation levels in amended treatments, possibly owing to formation of toxic products and B12 sorption/desorption. In IB, decreased microbial activity, delayed attenuation, and remarkable phytotoxicity were due to excessive fertilization. Therefore, intrinsic soil conditions were adequate for B12 attenuation, without the need for nutritional inputs. Results also demonstrate that toxicity bioindicators are relevant to monitor remediation.

Vigilância epidemiológica de anomalias congênitas em um hospital universitário de Mato Grosso, Brasil / Surveillance of congenital anomalies in an university hospital of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Objetivos: Sistematizar o registro de Anomalias Congênitas (AC) em um Hospital Universitário de Mato Grosso e avaliar a qualidade do preenchimento do Campo 34 da Declaração de Nascidos Vivos (DVN). Método: Estudo prospectivo no qual foram avaliados, entre dezembro de 2005 e novembro de 2006, os recém-nascidos vivos (RNs) vivos do Hospital Geral Universitário visando identificar AC. Foram estabelecidas as frequências de AC na amostra e de outras variáveis. A adequação do preenchimento do Campo 34 da DNV foi estudada. Resultados: Foram 2.750 RNs, sendo 63 com AC (2,29%). Aproximadamente 80% dos RNs pesavam entre 2501 e 4000g. Os grupos de maior risco para AC foram os de 1501-2000 (7,46%) e de 1001-1500 gramas (5,17%); mães na faixa etária de 40-44 anos, seguida de 35-39 e 30-34 anos. Aproximadamente 85% das mães eram tercigestas. Observou-se maior frequência de AC entre as mulheres de 6 e 7 gestações. Nos RNs com AC, constatou-se que 30 eram do sexo masculino, 32, do sexo feminino e apenas 1 caso de intersexo. Agrupando: Anomalias de membros (16), anomalias do sistema nervoso (10), anomalias orofaciais (9), anomalia genital (6), defeitos de parede abdominal (5), síndrome de Down (3), anomalias do sistema respiratório (3), acondroplasia (1), anomalias múltiplas (4) anomalias não agrupadas (6). Em 23 casos, o preenchimento do Campo 34 foi feito de maneira correta. No restante (63,49%), o preenchimento foi incorreto ou não existente. Conclusão: Há subregistro de AC no Hospital estudado. O preenchimento do Campo 34 tem sido sistematicamente negligenciado, acarretando prejuízos nos registros oficiais.

To systematise the record of Congenital anomalies (CA) in a University Hospital of Mato Grosso and assess the quality of the completion of the Field 34 of Declaration of Live Births (DLB). Methods: Prospective which were evaluated between December 2005 and November 2006 the University General Hospital of living newborn (LN) to identify CA. Have been established in the frequencies of CA sample and other variables. The adequacy of the completion of Field 34 of DLB was studied. Results: There were 2,750 LN, 63 with CA (2.29%). Approximately 80% of LN weighs between 2501 and 4000g. The groups most at risk for CA were those of 1501-2000 (7.46%) and 1001-1500grams (5.17%); mothers in the age group of 40-44 years, followed by 35-39 and 30-34 years old. Approximately 85% of mothers had 3 pregnancies. Increased frequency of CA was observed between women, 6 and 7 pregnancies. In LN with CA, it was found that 30 were male, 32 female and only 1 intersex. Combining: Anomalies of members (16), disorders of the nervous system (10), abnormal orofacial (9), genital anomaly (6), defects in the abdominal wall (5), Down syndrome (3), disorders of the respiratory system (3), achondroplasia (1), multiple anomalies (4) anomalies not grouped (6). In 23 cases, the completion of the Field 34 has been done so correctly. In the remainder (63.49%), the filling was incorrect or non-existent. Conclusion: There a few registration of CA in Hospital studied. The completion of the Field 34 has been systematically neglected, resulting in losses official records.