Anelise Beneduzi

Acacia mearnsii is an Australian native tree species commercially grown in Africa and South America that produces tannins and woodchips. Its seed size varies, which may impact the germination and initial growth of seedlings. In its turn, Azospirillum brasilense inoculation is known to improve the growth of several crops. However, there are few studies the effects of A. brasilense inoculation on the germination and initial growth of forestry species. The present study evaluated the influence of seed size and A. brasilense Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 inoculation on germination and initial growth of A. mearnsii. Small seeds reduced the mean germination time (MGT) by 5.2% and the time to 50% germination (T50) by 23.8% in comparison to large seeds. On the other hand, seedlings that originated from large seeds had a seedling vigor index (SVI) 18.6% higher than those that originated from small seeds. Azospirillum brasilense inoculation increased the germination percentage by 20.9%, germination speed by 91.8%, root length (RL) by 35.8%, and root fresh weight by 20.5%. Additionally, it decreased MGT by 8.2% and T50 by 37.6%. The combination of large seeds and A. brasilense inoculation increased RL by approximately 50% and SVI by 62.1%. Thus, the use of A. brasilense inoculation favors germination and seedling vigor in A. mearnsii, showing to be a promising strategy for obtaining more uniform seedlings in forest nurseries.

In most Brazilian municipalities, urban solid waste (USW) is disposed of in open dumps, with numerous sites now being closed, monitored, and rehabilitated. One location, the “old dump” area in the Portão municipality (southern Brazil), previously served as an irregular repository for USW and industrial solid waste (ISW). Its use continued until 1993 when it was closed for a natural remediation process. For this reason, this study aimed to assess groundwater quality in the Portão “old dump,” employing physicochemical, microbiological, and toxicity quality indicators. The study's scope was extended to encompass the Portão Stream as well. Notably, the second collection campaign revealed elevated dissolved aluminum (Al ³⁺ ), iron (Fe ²⁺ ), and nitrate levels in all groundwater samples (from PZi wells, i = 1–6), with the PZ3 monitoring well experiencing the most pronounced impact. Further quality indicators, such as total phosphorus, thermotolerant coliforms, BOD ₅ , as well as Al ³⁺ and copper (Cu ²⁺ ) levels in the second water collection campaign from Portão Stream, were classified as Class 4, suggesting that the water is suitable only for navigation and aesthetic purposes. Conductivity analysis identified Portão Stream as another impacted area. Moreover, during the second collection campaign, the study uncovered an escalation in micronuclei (MN) frequency and chromosomal alterations in PZ5. Downstream water samples from Portão Stream exhibited similarly heightened MN levels. This study's investigation into water quality is a concrete example of the implications of improper USW management. These findings underscore the pressing need for effective waste management strategies to mitigate environmental degradation and protect public health.

O Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul apresenta uma praia arenosa extensa, contínua e com ambientes extremamente frágeis e ricos em biodiversidade, sendo constituído por oito munícipios costeiros: Torres, Arroio do Sal, Capão da Canoa, Xangri-lá, Imbé, Tramandaí, Cidreira e Balneário Pinhal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar um diagnóstico da balneabilidade em 22 pontos do Litoral Norte/RS em 2196 semanas, a partir dos dados públicos da FEPAM entre os anos de 2007 e 2017. Pode-se constatar que 15 semanas tiveram balneabilidade imprópria, sendo seis semanas com >2500 coliformes termotolerantes/100 ml, principalmente nos anos de 2012/2011 e 2014/2013 e nas primeiras semanas de janeiro e fevereiro. Adicionalmente, 72 semanas ficaram >1000 coliformes termotolerantes/100 mL. Torres, apesar de apresentar a melhor infraestrutura sanitária do Litoral Norte, foi o município que mais apresentou semanas críticas e/ou impróprias. A praia de Magistério no município de Balneário Pinhal apresentou o maior valor de coliformes termotolerantes, 7000 NMP/100mL, em 2014/2013. Em seguida, 5400 NMP/100mL nas praias de Tramandaí e Arroio do Sal em 2014/2013. Na Prainha, município de Torres, também foram encontrados os valores de 5400 NMP/100mL e 3500 NMP/100mL em 2015/2014 e 2014/2013, respectivamente. O valor de 4900 NMP/100mL foi encontrado nas análises realizadas na praia de Costa do Sol, no município de Cidreira em 2014/2013. Portanto, pode-se concluir que o Litoral Norte/RS tem uma excelente qualidade ambiental, mesmo possuindo uma estrutura precária de saneamento básico, apresentando poucas semanas críticas e/ou impróprias para a balneabilidade no período de 2007 a 2017.

Os fungos são importantes agentes de biodeterioração de acervos bibliográficos e, além disso, podem provocar doenças em seres humanos. A fim de avaliar as condições ambientais em que se encontra uma Seção de Coleções Especiais de uma biblioteca da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre/RS, foram verificados microrganismos que possam estar presentes em diferentes ambientes desta seção. Um total de 844 colônias fúngicas foram obtidas, não estando de acordo com a Resolução-RE nº 9/2003 para contaminação ambiental. Apesar disso, há uma adequada troca de ar entre os ambientes interno e externo. Foram identificados os seguintes fungos no ambiente: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Bipolaris cinodontys, Corticiaceae sp., Curvularia sp., Epicoccum nigrum, Fusarium asiaticum, Penicillium citrinum, P. lanoso-coeruleum e Periconia byssoides. A espécie mais abundante foi A. alternata, correspondendo a 29,7% do total de fungos isolados. De modo geral, estes fungos são patógenos oportunistas, principalmente em indivíduos imunocomprometidos. Além disso, estes microrganismos podem causar sérios danos aos materiais de acervos, que são utilizados como fonte de nutrientes para os fungos. Sendo assim, o monitoramento ambiental de acervos é de extrema importância, não só para a conservação dos bens culturais, mas também para a manutenção de um ambiente adequado à saúde do ser humano.

This study evaluated the water and sediment quality of samples collected from different points in organic (O1, O2, O3, and O4) and conventional (C1, C2, and C3) pre-germinated rice fields located in Viamão/RS. Quality indicators such as phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, manganese, iron, turbidity, and BOD₅ reduced water quality beyond Classes 3 and 4, as defined by CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. Based on the aluminum levels, the water samples collected from all the points were categorized as Class 4; furthermore, the IQA classified the quality of water samples from Points O4 and C1 as “bad.” The COD/BOD ratio was high, demonstrating that the biodegradable fraction was considerably low. The conductivity of water at points O4, C1, C2, and C3, exceeded 100 µS/cm, as defined by CETESB, indicating impacted environments. The levels of zinc in C1 and nickel in O2, C2, and C3 in the sediment exceeded the quality reference values established by the FEPAM Ordinance 85/2014. In general, the lowest water quality was observed in the samples collected from Points O2 and O4, and the lowest sediment quality was observed in the samples collected from all points in the conventional rice fields and from Point O2 in the organic rice field. Keywords: CETESB, coliforms, CONAMA no 357/2005, FEPAM Ordinance no 85/2014, irrigated rice, physicochemical analysis.

The nature of the soil is shaped by the presence of roots and the soil microbiota. Bacteria, archaea and fungi profoundly alter plant growth and, in turn, depend on root exudation of carbon-rich and energy-yielding compounds. The microbial communities act as facilitators of plant processes by secreting plant growth regulators, solubilizing minerals, providing N for plant growth, altering plant immune responses and competing with plant pathogens. Characterizing and engineering the processes driven by the multiple microbial taxa that make [...] ABSTRACT The nature of the soil is shaped by the presence of roots and the soil microbiota. Bacteria, archaea and fungi profoundly alter plant growth and, in turn, depend on root exudation of carbon-rich and energy-yielding compounds. The microbial communities act as facilitators of plant processes by secreting plant growth regulators, solubilizing minerals, providing N for plant growth, altering plant immune responses and competing with plant pathogens. Characterizing and engineering the processes driven by the multiple microbial taxa that make