Integrating Google Earth Engine and Decametric Sentinel 2 Images for Analysis of Vegetation Pre and Post the Disaster at Brumadinho, Brazil

This paper presents the application of the normalized difference vegetation index to assess the vegetation dynamics for the period between years 2017 and 2021 at Brumadinho, MG, Brazil. The normalized difference vegetation index was calculated using a Google Earth Engine script applying Sentinel 2 data with a spatial resolution of 10 meters, to quantify the extent of the affected area and assess the vegetation dynamic after the disaster. The Dwass-Steel-Crichlow-Fligner test for nonparametric data was used for a pairwise comparison between years and the confidence interval was calculated using bootstrap with 9999 repetitions. The total area affected by the dam brake was 2662 ha. The NDVI values presented a statistically significant decrease from 2017 to 2019, with little increase until 2021. Mean NDVI values were 0.314003 [0.31028; 0.317564], 0.339887 [0.336591; 0.343231], 0.145814 [0.144004; 0.1476], 0.1495 [0.147676; 0.15128], and 0.15572 [0.153727; 0.15774] for 2017–2021, respectively. According to the results, we conclude that the vegetation in the affected area did not fully recover

Impact of 2,4-D and fipronil on the tropical midge Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The work was supported by the Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP, Brazil, grant no. 2015/18790-3). T.J.S.P., L.C.M.S., M.P.C.Y., and B.V.G. have a Ph.D. scholarship from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) and Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES). R.A.M. has a pos doctoral grant from FAPESP (2017/24126-4) and P.D.F has a scientific initiation grant (FAPESP 2019/04198-6). Financial support was also provided to M.A.D. by the Portuguese government (Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia; FCT) through the research unit UIDB/04085/2020 (CENSE).Increased use of pesticides in conventional agriculture implies potential risks to the environment. In aquatic ecosystems, benthic organisms may be exposed to pesticides via contaminated water and sediment, leading to several potential cascading effects on the food web. The aim of this study was to assess the functional implications of environmental realistic concentrations of the herbicide 2,4-D and the insecticide fipronil (alone and in combination) to the native tropical chironomid Chironomus sancticaroli. These two pesticides are widely applied to different crops and have frequently been detected (together) in surface water bodies in Brazil and elsewhere. Commercial products containing fipronil (Regent® 800WG) and 2,4-D (DMA® 806BR) were evaluated in 8-day toxicity tests for their effects on larval survival, growth (body length and biomass), head capsule width, development, and mentum deformities. Fipronil decreased the larval survival at the highest test concentration and the effective concentrations (EC) after eight days of exposure were: EC10 = 0.48 µg L−1 (0.395–0.565), EC20 = 1.06 µg L−1 (0.607–1.513), and EC50 = 3.70 µg L−1 (1.664–5.736). All sublethal test concentrations of fipronil decreased the larval growth, causing reductions in biomass up to 72%. The two highest test concentrations of fipronil decreased the head capsule width and after exposure to 3.7 µg fipronil L−1, only half of the larvae reached the fourth instar. The incidence of deformities was increased by fipronil in a concentration dependent manner with an increase ranging from 23% to 75%. The highest test concentration of 2.4-D (426 µg L−1) decreased the head capsule width, but larval development was unaffected at all concentrations evaluated. In the mixture tests, antagonism was observed at lower fipronil concentrations and synergism at higher fipronil concentrations for growth. The incidence of deformities rose with increasing fipronil concentrations. The results showed that environmental realistic concentrations of fipronil may have serious ecological implications for C. sancticaroli populations and that a mixture with the herbicide 2,4-D can have synergistic effects, potentiating the risks to the aquatic ecosystem.publishersversionpublishe

Effects of the herbicide 2,4-D and the insecticide fipronil, alone and in the mixture, on aquatic macrophytes and their associated fauna

O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial de cana-de-açúcar e etanol. Essa produção, no entanto, requer o uso de diversos insumos para a produção em escala destas monoculturas, destacando-se o herbicida 2,4-D e o inseticida fipronil como os agrotóxicos mais utilizados nesta cultura, que assim como outros agrotóxicos podem comprometer diretamente e indiretamente a saúde humana e o meio ambiente. A presente tese avaliou, em laboratório e em estudos de campo (mesocosmos), os efeitos do herbicida 2,4-D e do inseticida fipronil (formulações comerciais: 2,4-D: DMA® 806 BR (Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda., Brasil) e fipronil: Regent® 800 WG (BASF S.A), isolados e em misturas, nas macrófitas aquáticas Eichhornia crassipes, Glyceria maxima, Landoltia punctata, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Myriophyllum spicatum e Pistia stratiotes. Os resultados demonstraram que as concentrações reportadas pela Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB) em 2018 de 2,4-D (366 μg/L) e fipronil (465 μg/L) afetam as macrófitas L. punctata e M. aquaticum inibindo o crescimento em até 44% e biomassa em 68% em comparação ao controle. As macrófitas G. maxima e M. spicatum (típicas de região temperada) quando expostas ao 2,4-D, declínio em biomassa e crescimento são observados. No entanto, a combinação de concentrações ambientalmente reais testadas de fipronil e 2,4-D em mesocosmos afetam o crescimento do caule e das raízes das macrófitas E. crassipes e P. stratiotes e, as taxas de riqueza e diversidade da comunidade de macroinvertebrados associados às macrófitas. Em conclusão, a presença de ambos os agrotóxicos, isolados e em mistura, afetam o crescimento, biomassa e desenvolvimento das macrófitas, bem como a riqueza e diversidade da comunidade de macroinvertebrados.Brazil is the world\'s largest producer of sugarcane and ethanol. This production, however, requires the use of several inputs for the scale production of these monocultures, highlighting the herbicide 2,4-D and the insecticide fipronil as the most used pesticides in this crop, which, like other pesticides, can directly compromise and indirectly human health and the environment. The present thesis evaluated, in laboratory and in field studies (mesocosms), the effects of the herbicide 2,4-D and the insecticide fipronil (commercial formulations: 2,4-D: DMA® 806 BR (Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda., Brasil) and fipronil: Regent® 800 WG (BASF S.A), isolated and in mixtures, on the aquatic macrophytes Eichhornia crassipes, Glyceria maxima, Landoltia punctata, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Myriophyllum spicatum and Pistia stratiotes. The results showed that the concentrations reported by Companhia Ambiental from the State of São Paulo (CETESB) in 2018 of 2,4-D (366 μg/L) and fipronil (465 μg/L) affect the macrophytes L. punctata and M. aquaticum, inhibiting growth by up to 44% and biomass in 68% compared to control. Macrophytes G. maxima and M. spicatum (from temperate region) when exposed to 2,4-D, decline in biomass and growth are observed. However, the combination of tested environmentally real concentrations of fipronil and 2,4-D in mesocosms affect the growth of the stem and roots of the macrophytes E. crassipes and P. stratiotes and, the rates of richness and diversity of the macroinvertebrate community associated with the macrophytes. In conclusion, the presence of both pesticides, alone and in mixture, affects the growth, biomass and development of macrophytes, as well as the richness and diversity of the macroinvertebrate community

Practices that promote access to water supply and sewage services in subnormal slums in Piracicaba - SP

Diante da crescente concentração populacional em áreas urbanas e principalmente pela ausência de políticas públicas e planejamento voltados para a habitação, nota-se o aumento de moradias precárias em locais impróprios e sem qualquer infraestrutura. A população que ali reside torna-se vulnerável não somente pela localização dessas áreas, mas por suas condições sociais e econômicas. No Brasil, em 2010, 6% da população vivia em situação de vulnerabilidade. A ocupação e a falta de regularização dessas áreas dificultam o acesso à infraestrutura básica como escolas, unidades de atendimento à saúde, asfalto, energia elétrica e o saneamento básico. No que tange ao saneamento, a ausência de regularização dessas áreas torna o acesso dificultado fazendo com que as empresas prestadoras dos serviços de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário não consigam executar suas instalações de redes de serviços. A ausência desses serviços interfere na qualidade de vida dessa população. A utilização de boas práticas por parte do governo local, população e prestadoras de serviços de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário auxiliam na melhora dessas áreas e, através de diálogo e adequação, os serviços essências à uma vida digna são fornecidos a estes locais. Sendo assim, o presente projeto tem como objetivo identificar as práticas de gestão, incentivos e participação social que promovem a provisão dos serviços de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário nos aglomerados subnormais de Piracicaba - SP. Após a definição das dimensões que foram utilizadas para a elaboração e aplicação dos questionários para os atores, verificou-se que o Governo Municipal é o ator com maior número de práticas utilizadas, dessas destacam o diálogo com os aglomerados subnormais, o mapeamento constante dessas áreas, a não exigência, em alguns casos, da regularização da área para a provisão dos serviços de água e esgoto. A Reguladora, utiliza as práticas levantadas dentro da dimensão de Controle e Fiscalização. A operadora possuí práticas de subsídios, mas não exclusivas para os aglomerados subnormais. Já a população residente dessas áreas traz como prática a criação e fortalecimento de lideranças comunitárias, facilitando o diálogo entre a população e os demais atores. Das práticas reveladas, destaca-se a vontade política por parte do governo municipal, principalmente, pelo fato de não ser obrigatório a regularização fundiária para acesso aos SAA&ES. Porém, outras práticas também foram identificadas como essenciais, como a atuação da Agência Reguladora, as práticas de governança para provimentos dos SAA&ES em aglomerados subnormais e o monitoramento da situação por departamento especializado. Os resultados apresentam práticas, que podem ser adotadas ou adaptadas por outros municípios que convivem com os aglomerados subnormais.In view of the growing concentration of population in urban areas and mainly due to the absence of public policies and planning for housing, we can see the increase in precarious housing in inappropriate places and without any infrastructure. The population living there becomes vulnerable not only by the location of these areas, but by their social and economic conditions. In Brazil, in 2010, 6% of the population lived in a situation of vulnerability. The occupation and lack of regularization of these areas make it difficult to access basic infrastructure such as schools, healthcare units, asphalt, electricity and basic sanitation. With regard to sanitation, the lack of regularization of these areas makes access difficult, so that companies that provide water and sewage services can\'t run their services network installations. The absence of these services interferes in the quality of life of this population. The use of good practices by the local government, population and providers of water supply and sewage services helps to improve these areas and, through dialogue and adaptation, essential services to a decent life are provided to these places. Therefore, the present project aims to identify management practices, incentives and social participation that promote the provision of water supply and sanitary sewage services in sub - normal agglomerations of Piracicaba - SP. After defining the dimensions that were used for the elaboration and application of the questionnaires for the actors, it was verified that the Municipal Government is the actor with the greatest number of practices used, of which the dialogue with the subnormal clusters emphasizes the constant mapping of these areas, the lack in some cases of the regularization of the area for the provision of water and sewage services. The Regulator uses the practices raised within the Control and Supervision dimension. The operator has practices of subsidies, but not exclusive to the subnormal clusters. On the other hand, the resident population of these areas has as a practice the creation and strengthening of community leaders, facilitating the dialogue between the population and the other actors. Of the revealed practices, the political will is emphasized by the municipal government, mainly, because it is not mandatory the land regularization for access to SAA & ES. However, other practices were also identified as essential, such as the Regulatory Agency\'s performance, governance practices for SAA & ES in subnormal clusters and the monitoring of the situation by specialized department. The results present practices that can be adopted or adapted by other municipalities that coexist with the subnormal clusters

AVALIAÇÃO DE SUSTENTABILIDADE DE POLÍTICAS: ESTUDO DE CASO DA POLÍTICA NACIONAL DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS BRASILEIRA

A inserção da sustentabilidade na elaboração e execução de políticas visa trazer um enfoque transversal e integrador à políticas, planos e programas. Assim, a proposta deste trabalho foi realizar uma avaliação de sustentabilidade da PNRS. O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas, a primeira, a elaboração de um marco teórico sobre avaliação de sustentabilidade, e elaboração dos critérios para avaliar a política sob a perspectiva da sustentabilidade; a segunda foi realizar a uma análise ex-post da PNRS com base nos critérios utilizados anteriormente. Foram obtidas um total de 30 critérios. A PNRS possui um texto com enfoque em sustentabilidade, no entanto, a política não se enquadra no conceito de sustentabilidade, visto que de acordo com as experiências encontradas a partir de artigos científicos mostra o cenário atual das organizações públicas e privadas, Estados e Municípios com baixa eficiência na execução das exigências da Lei

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

International audienceIn 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field