Jenifer Panizzon

Plastic waste is one of the main causes of the deterioration of freshwater ecosystems. Once in the environment, microplastics (MPs) have harmful effects on living organisms and pose risks to human health. This study used an integrated approach to assess the presence of microplastics in surface water and sediment samples from three sites along the Sinos River in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) were employed for characterization, and a Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was proposed to understand atmospheric influences. Microplastics were found in all samples and sites, including the river's source. Fibers were predominant, and particle sizes ranged from 67 µm to 4.2 mm. A total of 109 particles were recovered from the water samples (12±4 L-1 particles), and 21 from the sediment samples (2±2 100 g-1 particles). SEM analysis revealed surface cracking, and EDS confirmed the prevalence of carbon and oxygen in the particles. Based on the atmospheric model, the trajectories of air masses prior to sampling at the highest site demonstrate that MPs can be transported from other locations. Our study reports microplastic contamination in Caraá for the first time, provides insights for future studies on the atmospheric transport and deposition of microplastics in countryside regions, and highlights the urgent need to include these pollutants in environmental quality assessments of this important hydrographic basin.

Coastal lagoons are ecologically sensitive environments increasingly exposed to human pressures, particularly in regions affected by seasonal tourism. These pressures may alter water quality and induce sublethal biological responses in aquatic organisms. This study evaluated physicochemical and microbiological parameters and cytogenetic biomarkers in the fish Geophagus iporangensis from nine lagoons within the Tramandaí River Basin (TRB), southern Brazil, sampled before, during, and after the summer vacation period. Water samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen (DO) and thermotolerant coliforms (TC), while micronuclei (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) were assessed in fish erythrocytes. DO concentrations in all samples complied with standards for the highest water quality class. In contrast, TC levels exceeded limits for primary contact recreation in eight lagoons in at least one sampling event, and four lagoons remained above these limits throughout all sampling periods. MN frequencies showed no significant spatial or temporal variation. NA frequencies ranged from 1.3 to 12.3‰ and exhibited significant spatial and temporal variability among lagoons. Seasonal population increases during the vacation period coincided with elevated fecal contamination in two lagoons and higher NA frequencies in four lagoons; however, no consistent seasonal pattern was observed across the study area. Moreover, no clear association was detected between TC concentrations and cytogenetic damage. These findings indicate that genotoxic responses in the TRB lagoons are influenced by lagoon specific and potentially diffuse contamination sources rather than by seasonal population increases alone. The co occurrence of fecal contamination and genotoxic responses raises concerns regarding environmental quality in coastal tourist areas.

Bananas and oranges are widely produced and consumed around the world, but peels and bagasse’s are considered inedible and are typically discarded. The development of bioplastics is one way to reuse this waste. This study aimed to produce biodegradable films from thermoplastic starch, banana peel and orange bagasse waste for use in soil mulching and temporary plant packaging. Soluble starch, glycerol and deionized water were used to prepare the films by casting, incorporating different blends of the fruit wastes previously dried and ground. Several analyses were performed on the fresh and powdered wastes and on the developed films. The results suggest the beginning of a degradation process in all films, without negatively influencing seed germination, which ranged from 57 to 100%. Application simulations were satisfactory. Our study demonstrates the benefits of recycling organic waste in the development of biodegradable films, promoting circularity and avoiding resource loss.

The water in the coastal lagoons of the Tramandaí River Basin (TRB) in southern Brazil is affected by domestic, industrial, and agricultural effluents. The towns within the TRB experience significant population surges during peak vacation periods, which may further impact water quality. The micronucleus (MN) test is a useful tool for detecting genotoxic effects induced by pollutant mixtures and can serve as an indicator of water quality. This study aimed to evaluate the temporal variation in genotoxic potential and fecal contamination of water samples from four coastal lagoons within the TRB. Water sampling was conducted across four periods in the Cidreira, Fortaleza, Gentil, and Tramandaí lagoons. Specimens of Astyanax jacuhiensis were exposed to water samples and a negative control for 96 h in laboratory conditions. The frequencies of MN and other nuclear abnormalities (NA) were analyzed in the erythrocytes of the fish. Thermotolerant coliforms were assessed as an indicator of fecal contamination. Significant differences were noted during the summer season, with higher MN frequencies observed in the Gentil lagoon and increased NA frequencies in both the Gentil and Cidreira lagoons compared to the control group. During warmer periods, thermotolerant coliform counts exceeded the limits established by Brazilian legislation for recreational use in the Tramandaí, Gentil, and Cidreira lagoons. These results indicate temporal variations in fecal contamination and water genotoxicity in the TRB lagoons, with the highest values recorded in summer likely linked to increased tourism in the region.

No Brasil, quase metade dos resíduos sólidos gerados nas cidades é orgânico, mas menos de 1% são reutilizados. A economia circular apresenta uma abordagem para sua valorização, onde a compostagem é uma ferramenta para alcançar este objetivo. Este trabalho consistiu em capacitar pessoas para realizarem esta atividade por meio de oficinas, workshops, palestras e treinamentos, obtendo um alcance direto de 291 participantes. Um questionário também foi aplicado para analisar a eficácia das capacitações. Os resultados demonstraram que 65,2% continuam praticando a compostagem, 42,9% estão separando melhor os seus resíduos e 38,1% afirmaram que reduziram o desperdício de alimentos. Dessa forma, a compostagem pode ser uma técnica com potencial para minimização de diversos impactos ambientais.

The analysis of metal concentrations in bird feathers and genotoxicity tests are tools used to evaluate anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems. We investigated the response of birds, used as bioindicators, to disturbances observed in three areas with distinctive environmental characteristics (natural, agricultural, and urban) in southern Brazil. For this purpose, we quantified metals (Mn, Cu, Cr, and Zn) in feathers and determined the number of micronuclei (MN) and other nuclear abnormalities (NA) in 108 birds from 25 species and 17 families captured in the study area. No significant differences was found in the metal concentrations and the number of MN and NA between the sampling areas. Zn and Cu concentrations were significantly higher in insectivorous than those in omnivorous birds. The Zn concentration was significantly different between some species, and the Cu concentration was significantly higher in juveniles than that in adults. The best generalized linear models showed that omnivorous birds had more MN and NA and that juveniles and birds with better body condition index had increased NA numbers. This study demonstrates that the analyzed variables contribute in different ways to the result of each biomarker, mainly due to particular ecological and physiological characteristics of each species. We conclude that wild birds have the potential to be used as environmental bioindicators in the study area, but future studies should focus on one or a few species whose ecological and physiological habits are well known.

Resumo Mundialmente, ocorre um incremento populacional de mais de oitenta milhões de pessoas a cada ano, e o Brasil é um dos países mais populosos do mundo. Para garantir a sobrevivência humana na Terra, é preciso rever algumas atitudes relacionadas à utilização dos recursos naturais, os quais afetam diretamente a disponibilidade de alimentos, entre outras necessidades básicas. Nesse contexto, este estudo objetiva avaliar a relação entre o direito do ser humano à alimentação com as perdas e o desperdício de alimentos. Serão avaliados aspectos legais e bioéticos, além de fatores ambientais, econômicos e sociais. Também serão verificadas algumas iniciativas que estão acontecendo em direção à melhoria desses impasses – a perda e o desperdício – no Brasil e as propostas relativas a ações individualizadas. O Brasil é um dos países que mais desperdiçam alimentos no mundo e este cenário é cada vez mais agravado por diversos fatores, incluindo entraves legais que dificultam a doação de alimentos vencidos ou considerados fora do padrão para o consumo, prática que, consequentemente, reduziria a geração de resíduos orgânicos.