Impacts on the quality of surface water in a urban perimeter of the Rio Grande watershed, Brazilian Cerrado.

The aim of this study was to assess the spatiotemporal variation in water quality in the Grande River and the Ondas River, in the city of Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil. Water samples were collected at 11 points along the rivers, and eight physical-chemical parameters (electrical conductivity, pH, alkalinity, apparent and true color, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand) and three microbiological indicators (heterotrophic bacteria, total and thermotolerant coliforms) were analyzed. Spatiotemporal variation was assessed using the multivariate techniques of principal component analysis/factorial analysis (PCA/FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA).

Evidence of altitudinal gradient modifying genomic and chemical diversity in populations of Lychnophora pinaster Mart.

Lychnophora pinaster Mart. (Asteraceae) is endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado. It is distributed along the altitudinal gradient of the mountainous ranges of the state of Minas Gerais.

Human milk contamination by nine organochlorine pesticide residues (OCPs).

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely used around the world as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, and rodenticides. Despite banned in Brazil, the usage remains occurring in many countries. The persistence and extreme mobility of OCPs contribute to the contamination of the environment and the human body.

Kinetin establish the volatile chemical profile after rhizome dormancy is released in (Christm.) Roscoe.

The aim of this work was to provide information about kinetin effects on chemical volatile profile of (Christm.) Roscoe after several days of plant dormancy release. Rhizomes of were immersed in four kinetin concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 mg ml, n = 12 by each concentration) for 30 min.

Non-Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes in the Essential Oil of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. Increase during the Day in the Dry Season.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of seasonal and diurnal events on the chemical profile of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. This study was performed in a Brazilian savanna named Cerrado. We identified the best harvesting period for obtaining the highest amount of compounds used for commercial and industrial purposes.

Chemical composition of essential oils from the vegetative and reproductive structures of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.

GC/FID and GC-MS analysis revealed germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, α-cadinol and cubenol as major compounds from aril. Germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, trans-caryophyllene and δ-elemene are major compounds in fruits. Germacrene D, spathulenol, trans-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide are major compounds in leaves.

A study of the routes of contamination by lead and cadmium in Santo Amaro, Brazil: a response to the comments of Andrade Lima.

This text is part of the discussion about the case of contamination by heavy metals in Santo Amaro, Brazil and the routes of contamination still active in the city. It is presented the point of view of the authors about the questions raised in the text of Prof. Andrade Pinho, presented in this journal issue, as well as the replies considered pertinent by the authors.

A study of the routes of contamination by lead and cadmium in Santo Amaro, Brazil.

The problem of contamination by cadmium and lead in Santo Amaro, Brazil, has been studied since 1970 and the severity of this contamination case has been demonstrated by many authors. This study evaluates the persistence of the superficial soil contamination around the metallurgical plant and attempts to correlate the lead and cadmium concentrations to the past atmospheric emissions from the lead plant and with the presence of lead debris under urban road surface and in the backyards of homes. Past emissions still play an important role in soil contamination.