RESUMO
The environmental sustainability of the cultivation of grapes for the production of alcoholic beverages has been extensively analyzed in the literature from a Life Cycle Assessment perspective, although certain impact categories have been repeatedly neglected despite their importance, such as toxic emissions or the depletion of freshwater resources. Hence, the current study provides a detailed assessment of water footprint-related impact categories, including toxicity, for the cultivation of grapes for pisco production, an alcoholic beverage produced in coastal Peru in hyper-arid areas that suffer high levels of water scarcity. Characterization factors at a sub-watershed level were used to calculate water consumption impact assessment of grape production using the AWARE method. Site-specific toxic emissions were modelled using the PestLCI model, considering primary climate and soil data. The USEtox assessment method was then used to compute freshwater eco-toxicity with these data. Results demonstrate the high water footprint of irrigating vineyards in coastal Peru, especially considering the inefficient flooding irrigation process. In terms of water consumption, despite the high variability shown between sub-watersheds, the shift to other irrigation technologies must be analyzed with care due to the high competition for water existing in the area. Eutrophication potential showed particularly high values compared to the literature, whereas freshwater eco-toxicity impacts were relatively low due to the high volatilization of pesticides to air. Nevertheless, the lack of an adequate wastewater management system implies that the estimated potential toxic and eutrophying emissions may constitute a further environmental threat to water bodies.
Assuntos
Bebidas Alcoólicas , Águas Residuárias/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Agricultura , Monitoramento Ambiental , Eutrofização , Água Doce , Peru , Vitis , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Águas Residuárias/toxicidade , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidadeRESUMO
Lacustrine sediments accumulate pollutants that input from the lake watershed and can be released to the water column by sediment resuspension; thus, pollutants can change their bioavailability and exert adverse effects to aquatic biota. Shallow-urban lakes are particularly susceptible to receive pollutants from urban discharges and sediment resuspension. Lake Xochimilco, in Mexico City, an urban-shallow lake, faces multiple problems: urban sprawl, overexploitation of aquifers, drying of springs, discharge of wastewater from treatment plants, and sediment resuspension. The aquatic biota living in this ecosystem is continuously exposed to the release of pollutants from the sediments. We assessed the risk that pollutants released from sediments from Lake Xochimilco, Touristic (TZ) and Agriculture zone (AZ), can exert on a native amphibian species of the lake (Ambystoma mexicanum) through exposure bioassays to sediment elutriates. We evaluate alterations in the amphibian by three approaches: biochemical (level of lipid peroxidation, LPO), cellular (ultrastructure) and the liver histology of A. mexicanum and we compare them with a batch control. Additionally, we assessed heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) in elutriates. Elutriates from TZ showed the highest concentrations of the metals assessed. Organisms exposed to sediment elutriates from either study sites showed higher LPO values than control organisms (p<0.05). Organisms exposed to elutriates from the TZ showed the most conspicuous damages: hepatic vasodilation of sinusoids, capillaries with erythrocytes, leukocyte infiltration and cytoplasmic vacuolation in hepatocytes. The biological responses assessed reflected the risk that faces A. mexicanum when is exposed for prolonged periods to sediment resuspension in Lake Xochimilco.
Assuntos
Ambystoma mexicanum/fisiologia , Monitoramento Ambiental , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Peroxidação de Lipídeos/efeitos dos fármacos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Animais , Ecossistema , Lagos/química , Fígado , Metais Pesados/análise , Metais Pesados/toxicidade , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Produced water from offshore oil platforms is a major source of oil and related chemicals into the sea. The large volume and high salinity of produced water could pose severe environmental impacts upon inadequate disposal. This study is based on direct field sampling of effluents released into the ocean in the years 2003 and 2013 at the Sonda de Campeche located in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Metals and hydrocarbons were characterized in water, sediments, and fish tissues at the discharge site and compared with those obtained at two reference sites. Chemicals that exceeded risk-based concentrations in the discharge included the metals As, Pb, Cd, and Cr, and a variety of compounds polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), including naphthalene, fluorenes, and low molecular weight PAHs. The values of low to high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), and carbon preference index indicate that hydrocarbons in sediments of the discharge zone are originated from the produced water and combustion sources. Fish tissues at the discharge zone and reference site are contaminated with PAHs, dominated by 2- and 3-rings; 4-ring accounted for less than 1% of total PAHs (TPAHs) in 2003, but increased to 7% in 2013. Results suggest that, from 2003 to 2013, discharges of produced water have had a non-negligible impact on ecosystems at a regional level, so the possibility of subtle, cumulative effects from operational discharges should not be ignored.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental , Poluição por Petróleo/análise , Águas Residuárias/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Animais , Ecossistema , Meio Ambiente , Peixes , Golfo do México , Hidrocarbonetos , Metais , México , Indústria de Petróleo e Gás , Petróleo/análise , Poluição por Petróleo/estatística & dados numéricos , Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análise , Tempo , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , ÁguaRESUMO
Drugs of abuse are increasingly consumed worldwide. Such consumption could be back-calculated based on wastewater content. The West Indies, with its coca production and its thriving illicit drug market, is both a hub of world cocaine trafficking and a place where its consumption is prevalent particularly in the form of crack. The present study will firstly investigate Caribbean consumption by a daily 5 to 7 day sampling campaign of composite wastewater samples from the four wastewater treatment plants of the Martinique capital, including working and non-working periods. The local consumption of cocaine is ten to thirty times higher than OECD standards because of the prevalence of crack. The excretion coefficient for crack consumption and the impact of temperature on drug stability need further investigation. However, the low diversity of illicit drugs consumed and the crack prevalence suggest practices driven by the transiting of drugs for international trafficking.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental , Preparações Farmacêuticas/análise , Detecção do Abuso de Substâncias , Águas Residuárias/química , Tráfico de Drogas , Drogas Ilícitas/análise , Martinica/epidemiologia , Esgotos/química , Esgotos/estatística & dados numéricos , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/estatística & dados numéricos , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
This paper evaluated the occurrence and removal efficiency of four estrogenic hormones in five biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), located in the State of Ceará, Brazil. The five WWTPs comprised: two systems consisted of one facultative pond followed by two maturation ponds, one facultative pond, one activated sludge (AS) system followed by a chlorination step, and one upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor followed by a chlorination step. Estrogen occurrence showed a wide variation among the analyzed influent and effluent samples. Estrone (E1) showed the highest occurrence in the influent (76%), whereas both 17ß-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) presented a 52% occurrence, and the compound 17ß-estradiol 17-acetate (E2-17A), a 32% one. The occurrence in the effluent samples was 48% for E1, 28% for E2, 12% for E2-17A, and 40% for EE2. The highest concentrations of E1 and EE2 hormones in the influent were 3050 and 3180 ng L(-1), respectively, whereas E2 and E2-17A had maximum concentrations of 776 and 2300 ng L(-1), respectively. The lowest efficiencies for the removal of estrogenic hormones were found in WWTP consisted of waste stabilization ponds, ranging from 54 to 79.9%. The high-rate systems (AS and UASB), which have chlorination as post-treatment, presented removal efficiencies of approximately 95%.
Assuntos
Estrogênios/análise , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodos , Águas Residuárias/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Brasil , Disruptores Endócrinos/análise , Estradiol/análogos & derivados , Estradiol/análise , Estrona/análise , Etinilestradiol/análise , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/estatística & dados numéricos , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
In South America, there is a lack of data concerning the occurrence and levels of pharmaceuticals in main rivers as well as their negative effects on the biota. Here we report the occurrence as well as the spatial and temporal variations of some common prescribed pharmaceuticals in the Suquía River basin (Córdoba, Argentina). We also report the bioconcentration of two of them in Gambusia affinis, a widely distributed fish species inhabiting the river basin. The influence of the wastewater treatment plant of Córdoba City was critical (up to 70 km downstream). Among 15 compounds analyzed, atenolol, carbamazepine and diclofenac were the most frequently detected (reaching sub µg L(-1) levels), showing different distribution patterns. Bioconcentration of atenolol and carbamazepine was studied under laboratory controlled conditions. Estimated bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were: 0.13 and 0.08 L kg(-1) upon exposure to 100 and 1,000 µg L(-1) atenolol in water, respectively; while BCFs were 0.7 and 0.9 L kg(-1) when exposed to 10 and 100 µg L(-1) carbamazepine, respectively. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first report on pharmaceuticals in superficial waters of Argentina as well as the first report on the bioaccumulation of atenolol in whole body fish.
Assuntos
Peixes/metabolismo , Preparações Farmacêuticas/metabolismo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/metabolismo , Animais , Argentina , Cidades/estatística & dados numéricos , Monitoramento Ambiental , Preparações Farmacêuticas/análise , Rios/química , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Natural and contaminated waters of the final reaches of the Chubut River (Patagonia, Argentina) were studied to obtain information about river organic matter and effects of domestic and industrial discharges (fishery effluents and sewages). Fluorescence Excitation-Emission Matrices (EEMs) were obtained from samples only filtered (0.45 µm) and diluted, if necessary, to avoid the inner filter effect. In addition, physicochemical parameters were measured to know the quality of the water and the effluents. Results show that EEMs allow a rapid and simple control of the effluents from fisheries and domestic sewage in Chubut River estuary, necessary to take management decisions.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Resíduos Industriais/análise , Rios/química , Águas Residuárias/análise , Argentina , Cidades , Pesqueiros/estatística & dados numéricos , Resíduos Industriais/estatística & dados numéricos , Esgotos/análise , Esgotos/química , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Poluição da Água/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
Iron and sulfur are key elements in the biogeochemistry of estuarine soils, in which Fe and sulfate reduction (SR) pathways are important for organic matter decomposition. In the semi-arid coast of NE Brazil, mangroves are characterized by large seasonal variations in weather and the presence of numerous shrimp farms. The objective was to determine the impacts of shrimp farm effluents on iron and sulfur geochemistry in mangrove soils under the semi-arid climate of NE Brazil. A seasonal study was made of two mangrove forest soils (SF, a mangrove forest that directly receives wastewater from shrimp ponds and CS, a control site). Pyrite Fe, oxyhydroxides Fe, acid volatile sulfide, degree of pyritization (DOP), pH, Eh, total organic carbon (TOC) and total S were determined. There was a clear decrease in pyritic Fe and DOP in the SF soils, which may be related to the anaerobic oxidation of pyrite coupled with nitrate reduction, or to the dominance of denitrification over SR. Lower TOC contents in the SF site suggest that below ground decomposition increased in response to eutrophication. The seasonal variations led to important changes in the semi-arid mangrove soils. During the dry period, both soils experienced oxidizing conditions with remarkable loss of reduced and oxidized forms of Fe, which may have important environmental implications as Fe is biolimiting for marine primary production. The data show that both factors (seasonal weather variations and shrimp effluents) play important roles in the geochemical processes that occur in these soils and, thus, may affect their functioning and maintenance.
Assuntos
Aquicultura , Ferro/análise , Penaeidae , Poluentes do Solo/análise , Solo/química , Enxofre/análise , Águas Residuárias/química , Áreas Alagadas , Animais , Brasil , Monitoramento Ambiental , Eutrofização , Ferro/química , Nitratos/análise , Nitratos/química , Oxirredução , Estações do Ano , Poluentes do Solo/química , Sulfetos/análise , Sulfetos/química , Enxofre/química , Águas Residuárias/análise , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/químicaRESUMO
Many wastewater managers in developing countries struggle with the daily operation of urban wastewater systems. Technically well-designed wastewater collection and treatments are often degraded and/or not properly functioning. In this paper, a realistic rehabilitation strategy is developed for the urban wastewater system of Coronel Oviedo (Paraguay), in which the actual performance is unsatisfactory, as revealed by a detailed technical assessment, including water quantity and quality monitoring data. Understanding the history, starting from the initial planning and design process, allows to explain the current failing status of the urban wastewater system of Coronel Oviedo. The key information for the specific local rehabilitation strategy was extracted from an interdisciplinary assessment of shortcomings of urban wastewater systems in Paraguay which were revealed by a survey of all existing wastewater systems. Opting for a stepwise rehabilitation strategy allows the wastewater manager to gradually improve the performance of the wastewater system. Reusing the wastewater in agriculture and recovering the energy of methane gas are possible advantageous options for attracting external financial resources. Finally, the crucial role that the wastewater manager must play for sustainable wastewater management to become effective in practice is discussed, and recommendations are provided on how decision makers, researchers and consultants can contribute by anticipating the challenging circumstances inherent to developing countries.
Assuntos
Cidades/estatística & dados numéricos , Drenagem Sanitária/estatística & dados numéricos , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Países em Desenvolvimento/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Paraguai , Melhoria de Qualidade , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
As Agências de Regulação do setor de saneamento enfrentam, nos dias de hoje, um grande desafio. O país apresenta déficits inaceitáveis em serviços de saneamento, que precisam ser superado. A falta de recursos, aliada à falta de planejamento de forma a maximizar os recursos e, principalmente e a existência de uma grande ineficiência na prestação dos serviços de saneamento, fruto da inexistência de gestão mais profissional, por parte dos prestadores e dos entes públicos, colocam a regulação dos serviços no centro deste problema.O surgimento de marcos regulatórios, como a lei 11.445/2007, ainda que incipientes, demonstra a preocupação do país em enfrentar o problema. A estruturação das Agências de Regulação, a partir de um corpo técnico capacitado e comprometido, aliada à utilização de instrumentos que permitam avaliar as condutas dos prestadores de serviço e estimular a eficiência, pode trazer grande contribuição para a melhoria dos serviços de saneamento no Brasil. O presente trabalho tem o intuito de analisar a evolução de alguns sistemas de abastecimento de água e esgoto em municípios cujos serviços são regulados por agências municipais, considerando as dimensões apresentadas pela Teoria da Regulação de Condutas. A pesquisa concluiu que o tempo de existência das agências não significa necessariamente melhora na qualidade do serviço prestado e que o tipo de prestador parece ter papel relevante na melhoria da prestação dos serviços. Porém a análise das diferentes dimensões demonstra que, em diferentes níveis, os sistemas apresentaram evoluções que em alguma medida podem ser atribuídas ao trabalho das agências reguladoras. O trabalho aponta para a necessidade de aprofundar a pesquisa dos instrumentos regulatórios utilizados pelas agências de forma a proporcionar informações adicionais que comprovem a relação entre a atuação das agências e a evolução dos sistemas de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário...
The Regulatory Agencies in the sanitation sector face, these days, a great challenge. The country presents unacceptable deficits in sanitation services, which need to be overcome. The lack of resources , combined with the lack of planning in order to maximize resources and especially the existence of a large inefficiency in the provision of sanitation services, the result of the absence of professional management by providers and public entities , puts regulation of services in the center of this problem.The emergence of regulatory frameworks, as the law 11.445/2007, albeit incipient, demonstrates the concern of the country to address the issue. The structuring of Regulatory Agencies, from a skilled and committed staff, coupled with the use of tools for assessing the conduct of service providers and to encourage efficiency, may contribute greatly to the improvement of sanitation services in Brazil.This study aims to analyze the evolution of some systems of water supply and sewage services in municipalities which are regulated by municipal agencies, considering the dimensions presented by the Theory of Regulation of Pipelines. The research concluded that the lifetime of the agencies does not necessarily mean better quality of service and the type of provider seems to have an important role in improving the delivery of services. However, analysis shows that the different dimensions at different levels, the systems presented developments which to some extent can be attributed to the work of regulatory agencies. The work points to the need for further research of regulatory instruments used by agencies in order to provide additional information showing the relationship between the work of the agencies and the development of water supply and sewage systems...
Assuntos
Humanos , Abastecimento de Água/estatística & dados numéricos , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Saneamento Básico , Regulação e Fiscalização em Saúde , Legislação como Assunto , Controle Social FormalRESUMO
Water quality has degraded dramatically in the Chocancharava River (Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina) due to point and non-point sources. This paper aims to assess spatial and temporal variations of physical and chemical parameters of the river. Six sampling sites and six sampling campaigns were developed. During the period 2007-2008, wet and dry seasons were included. A statistical analysis was carried out with 23 physical and chemical variables. Then, a new statistical analysis was carried out including the Riparian Corridors Quality Index and the physical and chemical variables (24 variables). Considering a multivariate system, analysis of variance, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used. From the statistical analysis, the river was divided into two zones with different degrees of contamination. The most polluted zone is due to pollution inputs of urban, industrial and agricultural sources. This area showed a remarkable deterioration in water quality, mainly due to wastewater discharges. According to Riparian Quality, better results were found in sections of poor water quality, due to the fact that the river bank forest was less degraded downstream of the sewage discharge.
Assuntos
Rios/química , Poluentes da Água/análise , Poluição da Água/estatística & dados numéricos , Qualidade da Água/normas , Agricultura/estatística & dados numéricos , Argentina , Análise por Conglomerados , Análise de Componente Principal , Estações do Ano , Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
Desde a década de 1950 até o final do século passado, o investimento em saneamento básico no Brasil ocorreu pontualmente em alguns períodos específicos, com um destaque para as décadas de 1970 e 1980. Em decorrência disso, o Brasil ainda está marcado por uma grande desigualdade e déficit ao acesso, principalmente em relação à coleta e tratamento de esgoto. Atualmente, o setor tem recebido maior atenção governamental e há uma quantidade significativa de recursos a serem investidos. Todavia, faz-se necessário que esses investimentos sejam sustentáveis. Desta forma, o presente trabalho pretendeu, por meio de uma pesquisa descritiva-exploratória, verificar como foram realizados os investimentos em saneamento básico no Brasil, com ênfase no tratamento de esgoto, e discutir como estão sendo disponibilizados os recursos para atender aos aspectos legais aos quais se submetem os municípios neste início de século. Para isto, foram utilizadas, como fontes primárias, entrevistas não estruturadas com técnicos do setor de saneamento e, como fontes secundárias, foram coletadas informações nos sites dos principais órgãos públicos e privados que têm relevância quanto ao saneamento no Brasil. Foram identificadas possíveis falhas no planejamento do setor ao longo destes últimos anos, além de terem sido encontradas evidências que apontam possíveis falhas nas avaliações dos investimentos que estão sendo realizados, não sendo considerada a sustentabilidade dos mesmos. Como contribuição, procurou-se identificar algumas novas formas de gestão em saneamento básico, o que poderá auxiliar os gestores municipais no cumprimento dos seus objetivos.
Assuntos
Águas Residuárias/estatística & dados numéricos , Saneamento Básico , Esgotos Domésticos , Investimentos em Saúde , Política Pública , Redes de Esgoto , Desenvolvimento Sustentável , Abastecimento de Água/estatística & dados numéricos , LegislaçãoRESUMO
El siguiente documento es un informe de salud ambiental, estableciéndose en orden de prioridad los siguientes componentes programáticos: abastecimiento de agua potable y disposición sanitaria e higiene de excretas y aguas servidas; manejo y disposición de residuos sólidos y mejora e higiene de la vivienda; control de la contaminación de agua, aire y suelo; salud de los trabajadores; prevención para casos de desastre