Coast Of Bahia Research Articles

Orchidaceae in a fragment of restinga on the north coast of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract Área de Proteção Ambiental das Lagoas e Dunas do Abaeté (APA Abaeté) is an urban fragment of restinga in an environmentally protected area in the municipality of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The area is impacted by irregular disposal of solid waste, clandestine removal of sand from dunes, suppression and fragmentation of original vegetation cover and urban growth of neighborhoods. A recent floristic study revealed new records of orchid species for this conservation unit but highlighted strong threats to the orchid flora. In this context, a taxonomic study of Orchidaceae in APA Abaeté was undertaken with the aim of facilitating the recognition of species in the field and supporting the establishment of more effective local conservation actions for orchids, which should include the manual dispersion of seeds and the relocation of individuals. Orchidaceae is the sixth most represented family in APA Abaeté, with 15 genera and 19 species, including Encyclia dichroma and Koellensteinia florida, endemic species of the Atlantic Forest. The most relevant morphological characteristics for the identification of species in the area are: growth type; climbing habit; caulome thickness; shape and consistency of leaf blades; inflorescence type and position; and color and resupination of flowers.

Brazilian peppertree, eucalyptus, and velame honeys: does palynology confirm the predominant flower sources indicated by beekeepers?

We investigated ten honey samples from the Discovery Coast of Bahia, Brazil, to confirm the three predominant flower sources indicated by regional beekeepers: Brazilian peppertree - Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi; eucalyptus - Eucalyptus L'Hér. spp.; and velame - Croton L. spp.. The honeys were collected in five Southern Bahia municipalities - Belmonte, Eunápolis, Guaratinga, Itabela and Porto Seguro. The samples underwent acetolysis and, after slides mounting, the pollen types were identified and counted to determine the frequency classes. The pollen spectra revealed 31 pollen types in 27 genera and 17 families. The palynological analysis confirmed the predominant eucalyptus flower source indicated for four honey samples from Belmonte, Eunápolis, Itabela and Porto Seguro. Three honey samples previously indicated with predominant eucalyptus and velame flower sources had no predominant pollen. Eucalyptus predominated as the main flower source for another three samples previously indicated by beekeepers as Brazilian peppertree and velame. We conclude that regional honeys marketed as having a predominant flower source may have distinct botanical origin. This demands further research aimed at reviewing which bee plants provide resources for monofloral, bifloral and plurifloral honeys in the Bahian Discovery Coast.

Evaluation of the balance of equine hoof reared on grass and stacked in Bahia

The objective of this study was to evaluate the balance of the hooves of horses reared on pasture and sated on the northern coast of Bahia. For this, 43 horses, without defined breed, average weight of 300 to 400 kg, both sexes, 21 animals reared in the field at Campo Grande Farm in Crisópolis and at the Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Bahia in Entre- Rios and 22 horses raised in stables in the Cavalary of the Military Police of Bahia. The following measurements were evaluated: tweezer length (p), bead height (t), length (a) and sole width (b) and angle of the hull (A) of the thoracic and pelvic limbs. It was found that the animals were tabulated with longer length, smaller sole width and lower bead height, but with no difference in tweezer length and hull angle of both pelvic and thoracic limbs. Regardless of management, it was found that the thoracic limbs present higher values in measures p, t, a and b and lower values in A, demonstrating to be larger than the pelvic limbs. Although casing and ironing are used to maintain the balance of the hulls, in the present study, the animals kept in a stall presented smaller and longer hooves than those reared on pasture, demonstrating that imbalances in hoof measurements were more significant in the animals kept in stall, that is, in animals that are frequently casqueted, which can lead to future problems.

DE ESCRAVO A CABECEIRA: A TRAJETÓRIA DO AFRICANO JOÃO DE OLIVEIRA NO MUNDO ATLÂNTICO SETECENTISTA

This article analyes the trajectory of the freed African Joao de Oliveira, enslaved in Recife at the beginning of the 18th century, became a sailor on board slave ships on the route between Bahia and Slave Coast, where he settled years later. In this region, he would have been responsible for opening New Port and Onim for the Bahia's slave trade, in the middle of the 18th century. The experience of this freedman is used not only to understand the transatlantic African trafficking between Bahia and Slave Coast, but also to analyze the strategies developed by Africans to affirm their freedom and autonomy. For this, we investigated beyond the inquest process that Joao de Oliveira faced when returning to Bahia, in 1770, parish sources and records from Santa Casa de Misericordia and court cases of second instance.

A first record of Loricalepis (Melastomataceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with the description of a new species from Bahia

Loricalepis has been known from only three collections from the upper Rio Negro, in Amazonas, Brazil, and the Rio Guainia basin, in Colombia, all belonging to a single species, L. duckei. Its capsular fruits and cochleate, tuberculate seeds suggest its relation to pantropical “core Melastomeae”, but it does not have a particularly close morphological connection with any other genus of the tribe. Here we describe and illustrate a second species in the genus, Loricalepis atlantica, recently collected in white sand vegetation near the coast of Bahia. Although we have not been able to sequence DNA from the new species, we place it in Loricalepis due to a long list of characters that it shares with L. duckei. Both are shrubs or small trees with scalariform indumentum on the stems and leaves; thick-cartilaginous, crenulate-serrulate and paleaceous-ciliate leaf margins; persistent acute and seta-tipped sepals; glandulose-ciliate petal margins; glabrous and subisomorphic stamens, these with the connective not at all or only shortly prolonged and ventrally bilobed; and the ovary apex with a crown of scales surrounding the style. lightface differs from L. duckei by 5-merous flowers (vs. 4-merous in L. duckei), the hypanthium covered with minute scalariform trichomes (vs. glabrous), light-pink petals (vs. white), purple anthers (vs. white), and 5-celled ovary (vs. 4-celled). The new species is known from only one locality, in an extremely endangered vegetation type. Its discovery highlights the need for sustained floristic studies of forest remnants in northeastern Brazil.

Surface activity of Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetacea, Mysticeti) on the northern coast of Bahia, Brazil

Surface activities of humpback whale groups were studied during the reproductive seasons of 2008, 2009 and 2010 on the northern coast of Bahia State, Brazil, near the district of Praia do Forte. The level of surface activity exhibited by 342 groups of whales was evaluated according to the sea state (measured on the Beaufort scale) and cloud coverage. Five behaviours were recorded: breaching, head slapping, tail slapping, pectoral flipper slapping and tail breaching. Most of the sightings occurred with a sea state classified on the Beaufort scale as 2, and with a cloud coverage of 26 to 50%. The most recorded level of surface activity was pectoral flipper slapping. The results showed that humpback whale behaviours do not seem to be influenced by the sea state or by cloud coverage.

Intraseasonal climate forecast of iba tropical cyclone in northeast Brazil using the regional climate model - a case study

This study aimed to analyze the operationally stored simulations of the RegCM4.7 model using simulations performed by the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) coupled forecast system model version 2 (CFSv2) in downscaling. The South American domain, however, seeks to observe prevailing weather systems that may affect the Alcântara Rocket Launch Center in Maranhão. One case is analyzed with three different global initializations of the CFSv2 model. On March 25, 2019, the occurrence of Cyclone Iba on the southern coast of Bahia. The RegCM4.7 Regional Model was able to simulate tropical cyclone three months in advance. This performance is very important because the influence of these anomalous systems affect wind intensity and rainfall behavior in the Alcântara region because it would affect the convective processes on the continent in northeastern Brazil.

Influence of size on total mercury (THg), methyl mercury (MeHg), and stable isotopes of N and C in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from NE Brazil.

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is known to present an herbivorous diet as an adult; however, juveniles may have an omnivore habit, and these changes in food preference may affect the uptake and accumulation of pollutants, such as mercury (Hg). In order to better understand the influence of this ontogenetic shift on Hg accumulation, this study evaluates the concentrations of total mercury (THg), methyl mercury (MeHg), and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (δ13C and δ15N) in a group of juveniles of the green turtle. Tissue samples (liver, kidney, muscle, and scutes) were sampled from 47 turtles stranded dead on the coast of Bahia, NE, Brazil, between 2009 and 2013. The turtles analyzed showed a size range of 24.9-62.0cm and an average of 36.4 ± 7.2cm of curved carapace length. The scutes showed to be a viable method for Hg monitoring in the green turtles. The concentrations of THg and MeHg decreased with increasing size. The isotope values of δ15N and δ13C did not show a clear relationship with the size, suggesting that the green turtles used in our work would be occupying similar trophic levels, and foraging habitat.

Evaluation of the efficiency of three different mineral adsorbents in the removal of pollutants in samples from a tropical spring in Northeastern Brazil.

Human water sources are increasingly threatened around the world due to various sources of pollution such as agriculture and industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate three new adsorbents as pollutant remedies for subsequent application in the Joanes River located in the State of Bahia in Brazil. The specific pollutants were nitrogen, phosphorus (P), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), cyanobacteria, and saxitoxins. Initially, studies (pH 7 and 22°C) were performed with samples contaminated in the laboratory with phosphorus (P), nitrate ( ), and ammonia (NH3 ), to select the most efficient adsorbent and to determine the equilibrium time. Pumice bituminous coal was found to have the best efficiencies (≥70%) at 360min (equilibration time). The experimental data did not fit the Langmuir and Freundlich model. The bituminous coal with pumice stone was then applied to water samples from a designated capture point of the Joanes springs, a river system that is responsible for supplying the city of Salvador and the metropolitan region, located on the northern coast of Bahia. The removal efficiency analyses were performed on a DR6000 UV/VIS SPECTROPHOTOMETER, using the methodology defined in the Standard Methods 2017, after which this adsorbent was subjected to scanning electron microscopy. As a result, removal efficiencies (≥98%) were obtained for all contaminants (nitrogen, phosphorus (P), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), cyanobacteria, and saxitoxins) as well as a highly heterogeneous layer pointed by SEM images, further demonstrating the adsorbent potential as a efficient alternative in environmental control after additional studies. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Pumice bituminous coal has proven to be an excellent adsorbent for a wide range of pollutants such as phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia, toxins, cyanobacteria, and metals. The adsorbent promoted a high reduction in phosphorus concentrations (3.40mg/L to 0.01mg/L), about 98% and 81% for cyanobacteria (12,850Cel/ml to 2,560Cel/ml). The adsorbent promoted a high reduction in concentrations of 98% saxitoxins (4.32µg/L to 0.2µg/L).

An overview of longshore sediment transport on the Brazilian coast

The present study investigates the wave behavior and the longshore sediment transport rate on the Brazilian continental shelf, using a computational model and four different formulations, for the period between 1979–2015. The average significant wave height is substantially variable along the study region, with the largest values occurring in southern Brazil, whereas the smaller values occur in northern Brazil. The longshore sediment transport rates are well within the range of values presented in previous works and indicate which method performs best in estimating annual mean rates of sediment transport. The highest sediment transport rates were found in the sector situated within the northern coast of the Bahia state and the Alagoas state, reaching 460000 m3 year−1. On the other hand, the opposite was found between the Rio de Janeiro and southern Bahia coast, where the smallest transport rates occurred with a global average of 109000 m3 year−1. Additionally, it is important to emphasize that small variations in the wave incidence angle may cause significant changes in the longshore drift of sediments, favoring the occurrence of zones of convergence and divergence along the coast. The novel results presented for the entire Brazilian shore contribute to the literature related to wave and sediment transport along the Brazilian coast and can be useful for future engineering projects that consider the sustainable management of the coastal zone.

Impact of health concepts on healthcare-seeking practices of low-income population in South Coast of Bahia, Brazil

Impact of health concepts on healthcare-seeking practices of low-income population in South Coast of Bahia, Brazil

<p><strong>First record of the dinoflagellate <em>Metadinophysis sinensis</em> (Dinophysales, Dinophyceae) in the Atlantic Ocean</strong></p>

The genus Metadinophysis was proposed by Nie & Wang (1941) based on their description of the new species Metadinophysis sinensis Nie & Wang, from collections in Ching-lan Bay, Hainan Province, China. In addition to the Pacific Ocean, coastal waters of Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, the genus was recorded for the southern coast of Myanmar (Su-Myat et al. 2012) and more recently in New Caledonia (Chomérat 2016). The present study constitutes the first record of Metadinophysis sinensis for the tropical Atlantic Ocean, from collections made in five coastal systems located in the coast of Bahia (13°01’30” S and 038°34’40” W, 13°52’44” S and 038°57’58” W), northeastern Brazil (Fig. 1).

AVALIAÇÃO DE ASPECTOS BIOCLIMÁTICOS EM HABITAÇÕES SOCIAIS NO LITORAL SUL DA BAHIA

Este artigo apresenta os resultados da pesquisa intitulada: “Habitações de Interesse Social (HIS) e eficiência energética: estudo de tipologias arquitetônicas no Litoral Sul da Bahia”. Foi realizado um diagnóstico de dois conjuntos habitacionais padrão construídos entre os anos de 2009 e 2017 nos municípios de Ilhéus e Itabuna, BA. Tais empreendimentos estão vinculados ao Programa Habitacional do Governo Federal “Minha Casa Minha Vida” (PMCMV) e atendem o estrato da população que se enquadra na faixa de renda de zero a três salários mínimos. Para realizar tal diagnóstico foi elaborado um roteiro de observação direcionado a partir de um Estudo de Revisão Sistemática relacionado às estratégias que possibilitam eficiência energética em HIS. Os resultados mostraram que a arquitetura habitacional padrão do PMCMV, que vem sendo construída no litoral sul da Bahia, não contempla estratégias de sustentabilidade mínimas para viabilizar o conforto ambiental com menor dispêndio de energia.

Causes of mortality of seabirds stranded at the Northeastern coast of Brazil

ABSTRACT: The aim of this work was to determine the main species of stranded seabirds at the Northeastern coast of Brazil in addition to the most frequent causes of stranding and mortality. The study was conducted in a monitored area for three years (2012-2014), from the coastline of south Alagoas through north coast of Bahia encompassing 254km of coast. The seabirds found alive during the monitoring were sent to rehabilitation, clinically examined and the carcasses were removed, necropsied and histopathologically analyzed. A total of 1.347 seabirds were found stranded. Of these, 378 were found alive and sent to rehabilitation. From the 969 dead seabirds 806 were unsuitable for necropsy, being only 163 submitted to necropsy and histopathological analysis. Calonectris borealis, Puffinus gravis and Puffinus puffinus were the main seabirds stranded in the studied area. Most stranding occurred from March to June with an increase during April and May for the most species of seabirds. The main clinical signs of stranded seabirds consisted of inappetence, apathy, low body score, hypothermia, flying or movement difficulty and prolonged recumbency. Natural causes followed by infectious diseases and anthropogenic environmental factors were the main causes of death of seabirds stranded on the Northeastern coast of Brazil.

Environmental Challenges for Sanitary Landfills In the South Coast of Bahia, Brazil

Environmental Challenges for Sanitary Landfills In the South Coast of Bahia, Brazil

Biodiversity of benthic filamentous cyanobacteria in tropical marine environments of Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil

This study aimed to better understand the biodiversity and ecological aspects of benthic filamentous cyanobacteria along the coast of an extensive Brazilian tropical region with underestimated biodiversity. We collected samples between 2010 and 2012 in 24 areas along the coast of the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. We analyzed biodiversity, life form, and spatial distribution of filamentous cyanobacteria on various marine substrata. The intertidal area was divided into three microhabitats according to hydrodynamics: tidal pools, protected reef region, and front reef region. Thirty-two taxa were identified and Oscillatoriales showed the highest biodiversity (16 taxa), followed by Nostocales (9), Synechoccocales (5) and Spirulinales (2). We reported 22 new references to Bahia State. Twenty-two taxa occurred only in one beach, and Symploca cf. hydnoides Gomont was the only widely distributed along the coast of Bahia. Epilithic (21 taxa) and epiphytic (15) showed the greatest species richness. Only two species presented epizoic life form. We observed the highest species richness in the protected reef region (17 taxa). We found eleven and eight taxa in the tidal pool and supralittoral zone, respectively. No cyanobacteria were found in the front reef region, an area with high hydrodynamics. This research presented many taxa in common with previous studies on cyanobacterial diversity developed in other tropical regions around the globe. The great biodiversity and new records reported in this study highlight the need of further surveys in tropical coastal environments, areas still underexplored in terms of biodiversity of cyanobacteria.

Marine microalgae on the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil: composition and new records of phytoplankton species

Abstract The phytoplankton community is the first link in the aquatic trophic chain and knowledge of its composition is an important tool for ecological characterization; including as potential indicator of anthropic impacts. The southern coast of Bahia is one of the best preserved parts of the Brazilian coast, however, little is known about its biodiversity, especially on marine phycoflora. With the objective of characterizing the composition of microphytoplankton (> 20 µm) in this region, samples were collected by a horizontal dredger using a plankton net (20 µm mesh size) to study the community composition. Water samples were taken from the subsurface using a Van Dorn bottle in order to analyze phytoplanktonic cell concentration. A total of 149 taxa were identified, distributed in the following phyla: Bacillariophyta, Miozoa, Cyanobacteria, Euglenophyta, Haptophyta, and Ochrophyta. Diatoms (63%) and dinoflagellates (26%) were the most representative groups in the specific composition. 43 new taxonomic occurrences were recorded for the coasts of Bahia, Northeastern Brazilian coast, and Brazilian coast.

Combination of factors that increase the risk of contamination by geohelminths larvae in the south coast of Bahia, Brazil

The lack of basic sanitation and improper pet owner's habits on contaminated environments are essential elements for soil-transmitted helmithiasis. The objective herein was to confirm beach sands contamination by geohelminths larvae and to construct geospatial scenarios combining the factors involved. Sand samples (n=162) were collected by a standardized method and investigated by an adapted microscopy technique. All data were statically tested by Pearson correlation coefficients, Student’s or Tukey’s t tests with 5% of significance. A significant higher contamination of beach sands by geohelminths larvae (p 2 meters) in relation to sea surface. Larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis were more frequent in the beach sands contaminated by improper sanitation and sewage (33%; p < 0.01) and Ancylostoma spp. were more frequent in the beach sand with the presence of dogs (38%; p <0.01). Beach contamination by geohelminths’ larvae increases when a combination of factors occurs such as improper handling of waste, inadequate sewage disposal and the presence of dogs in the highest sites of the shoreline.

Challenges for agroecological and organic management of Cabruca cocoa agroecosystems in three rural settlements in south Bahia, Brazil: perceptions from local actors

Cabruca agroforestry systems play a crucial role as ecological corridors in biodiversity conservation on the south coast of Bahia. The decline in these agroecosystems due to land-use changes poses as a major threat to Atlantic Forest biodiversity conservation. Therefore, efficient agricultural extension actions towards the maintenance of these agroforestry systems are paramount. This research evaluated the process of construction and sharing of knowledge in agricultural extension practices toward agroecological management of the Cabruca in three agrarian reform settlements, and the challenges for the persistence of Cabruca in this region. We interviewed seven farmers and three extension agents from the Cabruca Institute. The study showed that most of the proposed practices adopted by farmers were already part of the traditional Cabruca management. The main limitations for the adoption of new practices were that they required increased labor, which is scarce and expensive. In fact, exodus and aging of the rural population remain major threats for long-term sustainability and persistence of Cabruca agroecosystems. Other limitations for organic management include the absence of differentiated price and marketing channels for organic cocoa and other products for the Cabruca social biodiversity. Although the process of construction and sharing of knowledge was participatory, overall community participation in the process was low. Extensionists should devise and implement innovative community engagement strategies to empower these small-scale farmer communities to ensure the persistence of Cabruca in the region and consolidate organic management of Cabruca agroecosystems.

Taxonomic review of the rhinocryptid genus Eleoscytalopus (I): Bahia Tapaculo (E. psychopompus) is vocally and morphologically distinct from White-breasted Tapaculo (E. indigoticus)

ABSTRACT The Bahia Tapaculo (Eleoscytalopus psychopompus) is a rare taxon endemic to a narrow strip of lowland Atlantic Forest in the coast of Bahia, Brazil. Its phenotypic distinction from its sister species, the White-breasted Tapaculo (E. indigoticus), has been considered doubtful because the supposed diagnostic plumage characters were proposed on the basis of only 3 specimens (the type series) and there were no vocal data for the Bahia Tapaculo. Given that it is classified as endangered globally according to IUCN criteria, the definition of the taxonomic status of the Bahia Tapaculo is fundamental for the adoption of effective conservation measures. We conducted analyses of plumage, morphometrics, and vocalizations of both Bahia and White-breasted tapaculos to test for the phenotypic distinction between them. We found that their songs differ significantly in 2 parameters, pace (no overlap) and frequency (slight overlap); and that their calls (both monosyllabic and multisyllabic calls) differ in multip...