Aristides Almeida Rocha

Phytoplankton community in a recreational fishing lake, Brazil

OBJECTIVE The assessment of water quality and phytoplankton community in recreational environments allows to setting management programs aiming at preventing potential harm to human health. The purpose of the present study was to describe phytoplankton seasonal changes in a freshwater system and their relation to water quality. METHODS The recreational fishing lake is located in the southern area of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Water samples were collected in three previously selected sites in the lake throughout a year and analyzed regarding floristic composition and physical and chemical parameters. RESULTS The phytoplankton qualitative analysis revealed 91 taxa distributed among eight classes: Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Zygnemaphyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Xantophyceae, Dinophyceae, and Chrysophyceae. Some physical and chemical parameters seemed to influence phytoplankton community behavior. Chlorophyceae development was favored by local conditions. Among the species of cyanobacteria identified, Microcystis paniformis, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, and Anabaena species were the most important due to their ability to produce toxins, posing a high risk to public health. CONCLUSIONS Some physical and chemical parameters had an impact on the structure of phytoplankton community. The presence of Microcystis paniformis, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Anabaena species indicates toxic potential and likelihood of public health problems unless there is constant monitoring. Further studies are recommended to prevent hazardous effects to the environment and public health.

Condições de saneamento básico em Iporanga, Estado de São Paulo

OBJECTIVE To assess the pollution of water bodies by domestic sewage and to evaluate the basic sanitation conditions of residences and the knowledge of the local population concerning intestinal parasitic diseases and the hazards they present to public health. METHODS Thirteen water samples were collected from each of four sites in different water bodies of the Bairro da Serra region, in Iporanga, São Paulo State. Rates of total and fecal coliforms were measured and median values were presented so as to show domestic sewage contamination in the area. Questionnaires were administered to 50% of local households in order to obtain information on water supply and disposal of domestic sewage and solid waste, and to evaluate knowledge of the transmission, health hazards, and prevention of intestinal parasitic diseases among the local population. RESULTS The Betari river showed microbiological indexes indicative of pollution by domestic sewage. Higher levels were verified both upstream and downstream from the Bairro da Serra. Median values were even higher in two of the rivers tributary streams, indicating strong pollution by domestic sewage and lack of conformity with current legislation. In 91% of the households investigated, sewage disposal was done by means of septic tanks, most of which were rudimentary and contributed to the contamination of the environment. The knowledge of 62% of interviewed subjects concerning the transmission of helminthic diseases was considered as poor. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate a risk of proliferation of intestinal parasitoses and of other water-transmitted diseases, an issue which is aggravated by increases in population caused by the regions vocation for ecotourism.

Produtos de pesca e contaminantes químicos na água da Represa Billings, São Paulo (Brasil)

Data on detergents and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, mercury and zinc are used in order to estimate pollution and sanitary quality of water as well as contamination of fish from Billings Reservoir, SP, Brazil. The results of this work are a warning with regard to the potential risk of human consumption of fish from that Reservoir, even though commercial fishing is now practically restricted to the riverheads of the affluents of the rivers Capivari and Pequeno near Ribeirao Pires and along the rivers Curucutu and Taquacetuba. Data from CEAGESP (Companhia de Entreposto de Armazens Gerais do Estado de Sao Paulo) show that in 1980 only 64 tons of fish came from S. Bernardo do Campo.Atraves da analise dos surfactantes determinados pelo metodo colorimetrico com azul de metileno, e dos metais pesados determinados por espectrofotometria de absorcao atomica, como o cadmio, chumbo, cobre, cromo, mercurio e zinco, foi caracterizada a poluicao na Represa Billings, SP (Brasil), enfatizando a qualidade sanitaria da agua e a contaminacao dos peixes. Com base nos dados coligidos, e mostrado o perigo potencial que representa o consumo do pescado proveniente da Billings, se bem que a pesca comercial esteja hoje praticamente restrita as cabeceiras dos bracos dos rios Capivari e Pequeno, na juncao proxima a Ribeirao Pires e nos bracos dos rios Curucutu e Taquacetuba. Os dados da CEAGESP - Companhia de Entreposto de Armazens Gerais do Estado de Sao Paulo - indicam que, no ano de 1980, apenas 64 toneladas de peixe provieram de Sao Bernardo do Campo.

Prevalência de parasitos intestinais e aspectos socioambientais em comunidade indígena no Distrito de Iauaretê, Município de São Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM), Brasil

Situado em Terra Indigena do Alto Rio Negro, Iauarete e o segundo maior polo de concentracao humana no municipio de Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM) e agrega dez vilas, com 15 etnias. Esse distrito indigena vem sofrendo processo de transformacao progressiva de padrao de ocupacao disperso e ribeirinho para nucleo com feicoes urbanas, com aproximadamente 2700 habitantes, desencadeando problemas de saude publica. Com objetivo de investigar a distribuicao de prevalencias de parasitos intestinais na populacao local e discutir a relacao desse indicador de saude com aspectos socioambientais no distrito de Iauarete, foram realizadas analises da qualidade da agua de abastecimento e exames parasitologicos em amostras de fezes e solo. Do total de amostras de agua analisadas, 89,2% apresentaram resultado positivo para coliformes termotolerantes. Identificou-se que a vila Dom Bosco foi a que apresentou maior indice de prevalencia em amostras fecais com 76% dos individuos parasitados. A vila Sao Jose apresentou o menor indice com 56%. Os parasitos mais prevalentes em amostras fecais positivas foram, em ordem decrescente, Ascaris lumbricoides (64,84%), Entamoeba coli (32,58%), Endolimax nana (14,84%) e Blastoyistis hominis (13,39%). Em amostras de solo as prevalencias mais significativas foram de ovos de Ascaris sp (52,6%), cistos de Entamoeba coli (52,6%) e larvas de ancilostomideos (52,6%). Concluiu-se que os altos indices de parasitoses intestinais na populacao, aliados a falta de saneamento basico e a manutencao de praticas sanitarias tradicionais constituem um quadro preocupante em saude publica.

Condições sanitárias e socioambientais em Iauaretê, área indígena em São Gabriel da Cachoeira, AM

OBJETIVOS: Descrever condicoes sanitarias e socioambientais relevantes a saude dos habitantes da sede do distrito de Iauarete, area indigena na Amazonia brasileira que se destaca pela concentracao populacional. METODOS: A metodologia adotada foi quali-quantitativa e o metodo da pesquisa-acao foi utilizado principalmente para abordagens qualitativas, viabilizadas em reunioes comunitarias com indigenas e pesquisadores nas vilas componentes da sede do distrito. Foram construidos mapas-falantes; realizadas entrevistas; estudos da disposicao de residuos solidos; localizacao, amostragem e analise da agua de consumo humano; e aplicacao de tecnica de georeferenciamento. RESULTADOS: Das 65 amostras de agua analisadas, 89,2% apresentaram presenca de coliformes fecais.Quanto aos residuos solidos, nao havia nenhuma solucao sanitariamente correta para os mesmos. As praticas sanitarias dos indigenas eram preocupantes do ponto de vista de saude publica e destoantes em relacao ao relativo conhecimento dos mesmos. CONCLUSOES: A peculiar problematica associada ao modo de vida imposto por uma sociedade envolvente demanda, para o equacionamento de questoes de saude coletiva, o desenvolvimento de acoes conjuntas nos campos da infra-estrutura e da educacao em saude, preconizando a participacao da comunidade local.

Monitoring of parasitological contamination in treated wastewater from activated sludge system

Purpose – The goal of this paper is to detect helminth eggs in treated wastewater for sanitary control, using them as biological indicators of wastewater quality.Design/methodology/approach – Samples were taken from the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Metropolitan Area. To concentrate the samples, centrifugation‐flotation on 33 percent zinc sulphate was applied.Findings – The study revealed the constant presence of helminth eggs as Ascaris sp., Enterobius sp., Hymenolepis sp., and Strongyloides sp.Originality/value – The results indicate that helminth eggs can be used as bioindicators for sanitary control of treated wastewater to be reused in urban areas.