RESUMO
Caffeine is one of the most consumed substances, and it has been largely detected in aquatic ecosystems. We investigated the trends in caffeine consumption over three decades and its relationships with gross domestic product (GDP) and human development index (HDI) to understand global patterns and to identify potential hotspots of contamination. The total caffeine consumption is increasing mainly due to population growth. Moreover, caffeine consumption per capita is also increasing in some countries, such as Brazil, Italy, and Ethiopia. A high positive correlation between caffeine consumption per capita with HDI and GDP was found for coffee-importing countries in Europe, while a high negative correlation was found for coffee-exporting countries in Africa. The literature review showed that the highest caffeine concentrations coincide with countries that present an increasing caffeine consumption per capita. Also, approximately 35% of the caffeine concentrations reported in the literature were above the predicted no-effect concentration in the environment and, again, overlaps with countries with increasing per capita consumption. Despite the high degradation rate, caffeine consumption tends to increase in a near future, which may also increase the overall amount of caffeine that comes into the environment, possibly exceeding the thresholds of several species described as tolerant to the current environmental concentrations. Therefore, it is essential to prevent caffeine from reaching aquatic ecosystems, implementing sewage treatment systems, and improving their efficiency.
Assuntos
Cafeína/análise , Café/química , Produto Interno Bruto , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Brasil , Cafeína/economia , Ecossistema , Etiópia , Europa (Continente) , Produto Interno Bruto/tendências , Humanos , ItáliaRESUMO
Reservoir sediment can work as both sink and source for contaminants. Once released into the water column, contaminants can be toxic to biota and humans. We investigate potential ecological risk to benthic organisms by metals contamination in six reservoirs in Southeast Brazil. Results of the bioavailable fraction of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in sediment samples are presented. Considering Cu, Cd, and Zn concentrations, about 6% of the samples exceeded the threshold effect levels of sediment quality guidelines. The comparison to sediment quality guidelines is conservative because we used a moderate metal extraction. Control of contaminant sources in these reservoirs is key because they are sources of water and food. The mixture toxicity assessment showed an increased incidence of toxicity to aquatic organisms showing that mixture toxicity should be taken into account in sediment assessment criteria.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Metais Pesados/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Organismos Aquáticos/efeitos dos fármacos , Biota/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil , Humanos , Medição de Risco , Clima TropicalRESUMO
The incorrect disposal of medicines can be harmful to the environment. Here, we aim to understand the consumption and disposal of medicines in Brazil using online forms. 64% of the respondents have the habit to self-medicate. 66% of respondents dispose the disused or expired medicines in the garbage. 71.9% of respondents never receive any information about correct disposal of medicines. 95.2% of respondents believe that residues of medicines can be harmful to the environment. Environmental education can provide information to the population and help to mitigate pharmaceuticals pollution.
Assuntos
Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Preparações Farmacêuticas , Brasil , Países em Desenvolvimento , Uso de Medicamentos , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/métodos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
On November 2015, one of Brazil's most important watersheds was impacted by the mine waste from Fundão dam collapse in Mariana. The mine waste traveled over 600â¯km along the Doce River before reaching the sea, causing severe devastation along its way. Here we assessed trace element concentrations and cytogenotoxic effects of the released mine waste. Water samples were collected along the Doce River ten days after the disaster in two impacted sites and one non-impacted site. Sampling points were located hundreds of kilometers downstream of the collapsed dam. Water samples were used for trace element quantification and to run an experiment using Allium cepa to test cytogenotoxicity. We found extremely high concentrations of particulate Fe, Al, and Mn in the impacted sites. We observed cytogenotoxic effects such as alterations in mitotic and phase indexes, and enhanced frequency of chromosomal aberrations. Our results indicate interferences in the cell cycle in impacted sites located hundreds of kilometers downstream of the disaster. The environmental impacts of the dam collapse may not only be far-reaching but also very likely long-lasting, because the mine waste may persist in the Doce River sediment for decades.