Alberto Pacheco

Qualidade bacteriológica de águas subterrâneas em cemitérios

Groundwater samples collected by piezometers from three cemeteries in geologically distinct areas of S. Paulo and Santos, Brazil, were analysed in order to determine their hygienic and sanitary conditions. Fecal coliformes, fecal streptococci, sulfite reducer clostridia and Salmonella were searched for the purpose of evaluating sanitary conditions, and total coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria, proteolitic and lipolitic microorganisms for evaluating hygienic conditions. In some samples, nitrate levels were also determined. It was discovered that these waters do not present adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions and that, in some cases, nitrate levels were extremely high (75.7 mg/l). In most samples, higher levels of fecal streptococci and sufite reducer clostridia than fecal coliforms were detected, which seems to show that the two former indicators would be more appropriate for evaluating the sanitary conditions of this kind of water. Salmonella were detected in only one of 44 samples analysed and coliphages in none. In the statistical analysis, the correlation matrix showed significant correlations among three fecal pollution indicators, as well as among anaerobic and aerobic heterotrophs and lipolitic bacteria. A direct relationship between the deterioration of water quality and the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the environment studied was observed. When cemeteries are constructed these conditions should, therefore, be taken into consideration.Foram analisadas amostras de aguas subterrâneas de tres cemiterios localizados em areas geologicamente distintas de Sao Paulo e de Santos, Brasil, com relacao as condicoes higienicas e sanitarias. Para as primeiras foram considerados os coliformes totais, bacterias heterotroficas, microrganismos proteoliticos e lipoliticos. Para as sanitarias foram pesquisados coliformes fecais, estreptococos fecais, clostridios sulfito redutores, colifagos e salmonelas. Verificou-se que as aguas nao apresentaram condicoes higienicas satisfatorias e, em alguns casos, foram encontrados niveis altos de nitrato (75,7 mg/l). A detecao de niveis mais elevados de estreptococos fecais e de clostridios sulfito redutores em relacao aos coliformes fecais, na maior parte das amostras, parece mostrar que os dois primeiros indicadores seriam mais adequados para avaliacao das condicoes sanitarias deste tipo de agua. Foi detectada Salmonella apenas em uma amostra e nao foram detectados colifagos. Na analise estatistica, foram encontradas correlacoes significantes entre tres indicadores de poluicao fecal assim como entre as contagens em placas de bacterias heterotroficas aerobias, anaerobias e lipoliticas. Foi observada uma relacao direta entre a deterioracao da qualidade da agua e as condicoes geologicas e hidrogeologicas do ambiente estudado, devendo este fator ser considerado para o planejamento e implantacao de cemiterios.

Detection of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts in groundwater for human consumption in Itaquaquecetuba city, S. Paulo-Brazil

Cryptosporidium is an emergent pathogen that causes profuse diarrhea in humans. Outbreaks of human cryptosporidiosis have implicated water as a possible source of contamination. In this study the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts was investigated as well as the fecal contamination in groundwater for consumption in Itaquaquecetuba - Sao Paulo. Therefore, it was possible to notice that the septic tanks were located close to the wells, exposing them to risk of contamination. As a consequence of these results and observations efficient disinfecting practices and groundwater monitoring are recommended.