Metals and semi-metals in street soils of São Paulo city,Brazil

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and South America with about 20 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area, more than nine million motor vehicles and intense industrial activity, which are responsible for increasing pollution in the region. Nevertheless, little is known concerning metal and semi-metal content in the soils of this metropolitan region. This type of information could be extremely useful as a fingerprint of environmental pollution. The present study determined the elements As, Ba, Co, Cr, Sb, and Zn concentrations in soils adjacent to avenues of highly dense traffic in São Paulo city to assess their levels and possible sources. The analytical technique employed was Instrumental neutron activation analysis. The results showed, except for Co, concentration levels higher than the reference values for soils of São Paulo, according to the Environmental Protection Agency of the State of São Paulo guidelines. When compared to similar studies in other cities around the world, São Paulo soils presented higher levels, probably due to its high density traffic and industrial activity. The concentrations obtained for As and Cr indicate anthropogenic origin. The high levels of the traffic-related elements Ba, Sb, and Zn in soils nearby high density traffic avenues indicate they may originate from vehicular exhausts.     

Arsenic in terrestrial invertebrates from riparian areas of the Piracicaba River Basin,São Paulo State,Brazil

There is no information on arsenic distribution in terrestrial invertebrates from riparian forests of urban and rural areas in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the As levels in invertebrates from riverine forests of the Piracicaba River Basin, São Paulo, Brazil, using the instrumental neutron activation analysis, k ₀-comparator method. After correction of mass fractions, values higher than 0.10 mg kg⁻¹ were quantified in invertebrates from both urban and agricultural areas. An unexpected As mass fraction of 13 mg kg⁻¹ obtained in the Coleopteran pest Macrodactylus pumilio indicated resistance to As-containing-pesticides.

     

Elemental composition of herbal medicines sold over-the-counter in São Paulo city,Brazil

In Brazil, the use of herbal medicines is very popular due to its immense flora, cultural aspects and to the popular belief that herbs, which are of natural origin, are safe and without undesirable side effects. Aside from that public interest in natural therapies, the use of herbal medicines has increased expressively due to the high cost of synthetic medicines. In this study, elemental compositions of herbal medicines from the species Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Centella asiatica, Mulberry and Aloe vera supplied by different suppliers were evaluated by neutron activation analysis. The concentrations of As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hf, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Th, Zn and some lanthanides were determined in these samples. Comparisons made between the results indicated differences in their elemental contents depending on the plant species, origins of the samples and the age of the leaves. The results also showed that the herbal medicines contain elements such as Ca, Co, K, Fe, Mg and Zn known as essential to humans and for treatment and prevention of diseases. Toxic elements such as Hg, Cd and Cu were not detected. Elements As and Sb were detected in some samples but at very low concentrations at the μg kg⁻¹ levels. Herbal medicine results were also compared to literature values. Biological certified reference material was analyzed for quality control of the analytical results.     

Major and trace element assessment of Tietê river sediments, São Paulo, Brazil

The objective of this study was to quantify major and trace elements present in sediments collected from the one of Brazil’s most important rivers, Tietê River. Sediments from 5 different sampling points (P₀–P₄), in 3 campaigns (2008/2009), from the headwaters to Suzano County upstream from São Paulo city were collected. X-ray fluorescence was applied for measuring total concentration of major elements and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for trace elements. The elements Cd, Hg and Pb were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion using the US EPA 3,051 procedure. These metal concentrations were compared to the PEL and TEL oriented values from CCME. The sampling sites P₃ and P₄, near industrialized areas, showed the highest concentrations for potentially bioavailable metals, mainly Pb and Hg. The results obtained by INAA were compared to upper continental crust values. A strong enrichment was found for the elements As, Br, Sb, Th, U and Zn. These results evidenced contamination by industrial effluents and sewage even relatively close to the Tietê River headwaters. The worst biological effects (acute toxicity) on benthonic organism Hyalella azteca were also observed at P₃ and P₄.     

Geochronology of sediments in the Cananeia-Iguape estuary and in southern continental shelf of Săo Paulo State, Brazil

Instrumental analysis methods for ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Raand ¹³⁷Cs by gamma-spectrometry in sediments, as well as the sedimentationrates in cores collected from Brazilian coastal region are presented. Samplinglocations have covered the Cananeia-Iguape estuary and the continental shelfof southern Sao Paulo State. Values for ²¹⁰Pb ranged from 122.5to 14.3 Bq . kg ^—1 for estuarine sediments and from 195.5to 23.6 Bq . kg –1 at the continental shelf. For ²²⁶Ra thevalues obtained in sediments varied from 15.2 to 2.3 Bq . kg ^—1 in the estuary and from 30.1 to 16.1 Bq . kg ^—1 atthe continental shelf. Sedimentation rates are variable, ranging from 0.53to 0.98 cm . y ^—1 in estuary sediments and from 0.18 to 0.40cm . y ^—1 at the continental shelf.     

Arsenic and cadmium content in edible mushrooms from São Paulo,Brazil determined by INAA and GF AAS

Arsenic and cadmium contents in eight edible mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus sp, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleorotus florida, Pleorotus eryngui, Pleurotus osteatus, Pleurotus salmoneostramineus, Lentinula edodes) consumed by Brazilian population were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS), respectively. Arsenic concentrations varied from 0.009 mg/kg in P. eryngui to 0.210 mg/kg dry weight in L. edodoes and Cd from 0.011 g/kg in P. eryngui to 0.229 mg/kg dw in P. salmoneostramineus. The consumption of mushrooms in São Paulo-Brazil may be considered safe from a toxicological point of view as As and Cd presented levels of ingestion are below the maximum levels recommended by the World Health Organization.     

Assessment of metal and trace element concentrations in the Cananéia estuary,Brazil, by neutron activation and atomic absorption techniques

Twenty six bottom sediment samples were collected from the Cananéia estuary in summer and winter of 2005. Multielemental analysis was carried out by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Total mercury was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption. As, Cr, Hg and Zn concentrations were compared to the Canadian oriented values (TEL and PEL). Sample points 4 and 9 presented higher concentration for most elements and As and Cr exceeded the TEL values. Organic matter (>10%) associated with siltic and clay sediments was observed. Climatic conditions, hydrodynamic and biogeochemical processes promote differences in seasonal concentrations of elements at some points, which contribute to special distributions.     

Determination of butyltin compounds in surface sediments from the São Paulo State coast (Brazil) by gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection

Occurrence and the effects of butyltin compounds (BTs) have been studied for some years, mainly in countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Due to widespread use of tributyltin compounds (TBTs) and considering their deleterious effects, it is necessary to conduct studies on its occurrence, especially in the marine environment because of its excessive use in coatings of ship hulls to prevent fouling. Moreover, it was important to extend the evaluation to areas where there is no current information about their occurrence. The present work reports the occurrence of BTs in marine sediments of S?o Paulo state, Brazil. Commercial and leisure harbor sampling sites were selected because these areas are potentially exposed to BTs from antifouling paints used on ship hulls. Analytical conditions for organotin analysis in marine sediments were optimized for GC with pulsed flame photometric detection. Detection limits ranged from 8A to 66.3 ng g(-1) using a 610-nm filter, and the linearity range was 20-500 ng g(-1). Concentration levels of BTs were highest in Santos harbor (360 ng g(-1) TBT in average) and Guarujá marina (670 ng g(-1) TBT in average), which seems to be related to intensive boat traffic. Lower levels of BTs were observed in Cananéia, where only fishing boats are present (50 ng g(-1) TBT in average).     

Biomonitoring of the atmospheric pollution using lichens in the metropolitan area of São Paulo city,Brazil

The atmospheric pollution of São Paulo city is a serious problem due to the expansion of industrial area, increasing number of vehicles and population density. This work presents results obtained in the analysis of lichens collected in different sites of São Paulo city and in non-polluted areas of Atlantic Forest. Concentrations of twenty elements were determined in Canoparmelia texana species and comparisons were made between the results obtained in lichens from different sites. High concentrations of the elements As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, La, Mn, Sb and Zn were found for samples collected in sites located near industries and petrochemical plant. Br and Sb concentrations were also high in lichens from sites affected by vehicular emissions.     

Vanadium biomonitoring by using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna perna</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) mussels transplanted in the coast of the State of São Paulo,Brazil

The increased pollution in the aquatic ecosystem has led to the investigation of toxic elements in sea water by using marine organisms to assess marine pollution from human activities. Among these organisms, the mollusks bivalves have been used as biomonitors since they can accumulate trace elements and other substances, without the occurrence of their death. In this study, Perna perna mussels were transplanted from a mussel farm (reference region) to four sites located in coastal regions of São Paulo State, Brazil, close to anthropic discharge areas. Vanadium was determined in mussel tissues by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Quality control of V analysis was checked by analyzing biological reference materials and the results obtained were precise and in good agreement with the certified values. Comparisons between the V concentrations obtained in transplanted mussels indicated that those from São Sebastião region, close to an oil terminal presented the highest concentration of this element, during spring.     

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and cultural heritage biodeterioration: Fungi identification in earthen architecture from Paraíba Valley (São Paulo,Brazil)

In this work, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) was employed in the taxonomic identification of fungi found in biofilms formed on earthen architecture walls (adobe, wattle and daub, and rammed earth) of historical buildings in the region known as Paraíba Valley (or São Paulo Historical Valley), which are representative of the first phase of the Brazilian coffee cycle (1820–1880). Very few studies are reported in the literature where SERS-based techniques are used in fungi identification, most of them focused on clinical diagnosis. In the present investigation, pure colonies isolated from biofilms on earthen walls previously identified by classic taxonomy and molecular biology were selected. The genera were Trichoderma, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Neurospora, Fusarium and Penicillium. The fungi were cultured on solid potato dextrose agar, extracted with ethyl acetate and the extracts were applied on dried Au nanoparticles. The SERS spectra exhibited bands in the 600–1800 cm⁻¹ region which are characteristic of each genus, except Penicillium, as revealed by PCA statistical analysis. This work reports the use of a facile to prepare SERS-active substrate in the identification of microbial communities on earthen architecture walls and is the first step of an investigation aiming at the fast identification of fungi species from biofilms formed on earthen architecture buildings without the need of isolating the pure cultures.     

Education in nuclear science at IPEN - CNEN,São Paulo,Brazil: Advanced School of Nuclear Energy—EAEN

EAEN (Advanced School of Nuclear Energy, 2010) is an annual school that consists of a week of activities in the area of Nuclear Physics, Radiochemistry and uses of Nuclear Energy for a public made of high school students. The EAEN project represents a pioneering program on science education and dissemination of knowledge, conducted by researchers and focused mainly on high school and scientific education for the population in general. The school’s priority is to explore the failures and the lack of education in the dissemination of nuclear energy for high school students as well as to attract prospective students with great potential for graduate courses of IPEN and other institutions in Sao Paulo and in Brazil.     

Biomonitoring of coastal regions of São Paulo State,Brazil, using mussels <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna perna</Emphasis>

The marine environment is constantly affected by anthropic actions, with causes consequent degradation of the waters and marine biota by various discharges of xenobiotics. In the present study, the focus was the study of a region of the marine coast of the State of São Paulo (city of Santos), which is one of the most industrialized parts of Brazil and suffers also from a strong impact of domestic effluents. The mussel Perna perna, very abundant in the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, was selected as the biomonitoring organism for the determination of inorganic elements and a passive biomonitoring was performed. The organisms were collected at two sites in São Paulo State coast: Cocanha beach in Caraguatatuba (mussel farm) and Santos Bay (Itaipu and Palmas). Seasonally, the Perna perna were collected between September/08 and July/09 in each study sites. After removal and sample preparation, the elements As, Co, Cr, Fe, Se and Zn were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and Cd, Pb and Hg were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) in this organism.     

Biomonitoring evaluation of some toxic and trace elements in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816) in a marine environment: northern coast of São Paulo (Brazil)

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - This study aimed to evaluate the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus as an environmental biomonitor and contribute to the knowledge of its...     

Biomonitoring of Hg,Cd, Pb and other elements in coastal regions of São Paulo State,Brazil, using the transplanted mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna perna</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758)

Biomonitoring of coastal areas using marine organisms is an attractive approach for studying pollution caused by anthropic discharges. Most of the experiments are based on the collection and analysis of native organisms, but this method has the disadvantage of dealing with many natural variations. In this work, the marine bivalve Perna perna, very abundant in the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, was transplanted from a mussel farm and used for biomonitoring of four sites, situated in coastal regions close to domestic and/or industrial discharges. Hg, Cd and Pb were determined in the transplanted organisms by AAS and As, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Na, Se and Zn were determined by INAA.     

The great egret (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ardea alba</Emphasis>) as a bioindicator of trace element contamination in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region,Brazil

To investigate great egret as a possible bioindicator of trace element contamination, the concentrations of Br, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Se and Zn were determined in livers of great egrets (Ardea alba) by the methods of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. It was observed that the levels of trace elements found in their livers may indicate contamination of the studied region. Thus, the livers of this species can be considered as a suitable bioindicator of contamination of the aquatic systems in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region.     

Biomarkers in Catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sciades herzbergii</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Ariidae) from Polluted and Non-polluted Areas (São Marcos’ Bay,Northeastern Brazil)

Biomarkers based on specific enzyme activities and histological alterations are useful tools for evaluating toxicological effects of xenobiotics in wild fish. In this work, an experimental system of biomarkers with enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and branchial lesions in catfish (Sciades herzbergii) was mathematically modeled. The fish were collected along known pollution gradients (S1) and from areas regarded relatively free of anthropogenic input (S2) in São Marcos’ Bay, Brazil. GST was measured spectrophotometrically, and branchial lesions were examined by light microscope. The databases from this analysis were compiled, and non-linear models were used to analyze the dependence of the enzyme activity on the areas of sampling and on selected biological parameters of the fish. Fish weight, length, and somatic indices (gonadosomatic index) were significant in the model of GST activity only in A2. Brachial lesions were significant in the model of GST activity only in A1. The obtained model indicates that when the GST ceases to act, serious branchial lesions are observed in the fish of the contaminated regions.