Construction Of Hydroelectric Plants Research Articles

Socio-environmental changes and the local ecological knowledge of fishermen of the São Francisco River after the construction of the Sobradinho Hydroelectric Plant, BA

Between the 1950s and 1970s, the construction of hydroelectric plants in Brazil, such as the Sobradinho Hydroelectric Plant, aimed to accelerate economic growth but caused serious social and environmental impacts. The relocation of around 72,000 people resulted in issues such as lack of compensation and poor infrastructure. Environmentally, there was deforestation and soil erosion, affecting biodiversity and soil quality, which are essential for local subsistence. The ichthyofauna of the São Francisco River basin also deteriorated, with a drastic reduction in fish species, impacting artisanal fishing, which is essential for riverside communities. In response, associations and fishing colonies emerged to claim rights and improvements in living conditions. This work aims to analyze the ichthyofauna of the Sobradinho Dam lake and the socio-environmental impacts of this construction from the perspectives of local fishermen. Data were collected through participatory tools and individual interviews, using snowball sampling focused on experts from the Z-026 Fishermen’s Colony and the Association of Riverside Residents. The "Timeline" tool was used to recover the oral history of the residents. The interviews followed semi-structured scripts, addressing socioeconomic and socio-environmental aspects and using photo elicitation. The analysis of the ichthyofauna included interviews with fishermen and a species catalog, utilizing methods such as Chao 2 and Jackknife 1 for richness estimates. Multiple linear regression models were applied to evaluate the relationship between the number of recognized species and variables such as age and fishing time. The results showed that fishermen identified 94 out of the 104 cataloged species, reflecting a good understanding of the local ichthyofauna. The time of association with the Fishermen’s Colonies and the duration of fishing activity were influential in species identification, indicating that these associations can assist in the conservation of the ichthyofauna.

Fatores de Risco ao Patrimônio Cultural do Estado de Mato Grosso

The objective of this article is to identify the risk factors that most affect the intangible, archaeological and architectural-landscape heritage of Mato Grosso, from the perspective of managers of public institutions linked to its preservation and conservation. The research started from a survey (questionnaire) of participants' opinions regarding risk factors that affect cultural heritage, with subsequent quantification and qualitative analysis (data tabulation) and quantitative analysis (assessment of reliability and internal consistency using a statistical instrument). The most common risks for architectural-landscape heritage are Abandonment (72%, Social dimension), Mismanagement (67%) and Successive reforms and renovations (67%), both in the Governance dimension; in the Environmental dimension they are Fires (44%) and Construction of various projects (44%). For archaeological heritage, the most common risk factors in the Environmental dimension are Construction of hydroelectric plants, dams and similar (50%), Intensive crops in sensitive areas (50%), Livestock in sensitive areas (50%) and Deforestation (50%). The most common risk factors for intangible heritage are: in the Governance dimension - Mismanagement (44%) and, in the Environmental dimension: Livestock in sensitive areas (50%), Deforestation (56%) and Fires (50%). Cronbach's Alpha values ​​were 0.965 for intangible heritage, 0.962 for archaeological heritage and 0.97 for architectural-landscape heritage, concluding that the results obtained are reliable.

Temporal variation of mercury levels in fish, soil, and sediments in an Amazon reservoir: insights from 35years of river impoundment in Pará State, Brazil.

The increase of mercury (Hg) concentrations in abiotic and biotic compartments of aquatic ecosystems following the river impoundment for building a hydroelectric reservoir is one of many environmental and social impacts that the construction of hydroelectric plants can trigger. Yet, long-term studies in Amazon reservoirs are still scarce. The present study aimed to understand the effects of dam impoundment in THg concentrations in an Amazon reservoir up to 35years of its creation. On March 2019 (35th year after filling), samples of fish, soil, and sediments were collected in the Tucuruí reservoir. Total mercury (THg) concentrations were determinate in those samples and compared with data extract from previous studies referring to the 6th, 16th and 18th years after the reservoir filling. Fish from different guilds at the 6th year after filling the Tucuruí reservoir had high THg concentrations, and those decreased in the 16th and 18th years, then the concentrations increased again in the 35th year after filling. For soils and sediments, a decline in THg concentrations was observed. These results differ from previous studies that predicted that Hg concentrations in fish would return to natural concentrations within 30years in temperate zones and no decline of THg concentrations would be observed for Amazonian reservoirs. The Tocantins river drainage basin has been subjected to multiple anthropic disturbances and land use changes over the past decades, such as the implementation of new hydroelectric plants, deforestation, and fires, which can explain our observations. This study contributes valuable long-term insights into the dynamics of Hg concentrations in an Amazonian reservoir, highlighting the complex interactions between environmental changes and Hg accumulation over decades.

Brazilian Cerrado and Conservation Units

Objective: The present study aims to demonstrate the importance of the Brazilian cerrado, and its preservation through Conservation Units (UC’S). Theoretical Framework: The cerrado is home to one of the main components of Brazilian fauna and flora and is considered one of the twenty-five global hotspots. Even though it is not a cataloged biome, it covers around two million square kilometers, second in size only to the Amazon forests among South American biomes (COLLI et al. 2020). It is filled with several Conservation Units, divided into two groups: Integral Protection Units and Sustainable Use Units, which are complementary components of the cerrado, important for protecting biodiversity. Despite its importance as a natural environmental instrument, the cerrado has already lost approximately 56% of its coverage (KLINK; MACHADO, 2005). Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a comprehensive analysis, instrumented by a deductive approach and bibliographic and documentary procedures. Results and discussion: The results demonstrate that UC'S, especially those with full protection, are important strategies for preserving biodiversity and ecosystems, in addition to stopping the expansion of activities that degrade the environment, such as agricultural expansion, mining, urbanization and construction of hydroelectric plants. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how cerrado areas still seek recognition, appreciation, protection and conservation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature and draws attention, especially from the academic community, to the need to create new Conservation Units and effectively maintain those already created.

Ameaças econômicas, ambientais e sociais de uma proposta de exploração mineira em terras indígenas do Brasil

ABSTRACT Deforestation, mining, pollution and the construction of hydroelectric plants are among the main risks for biological communities, ecosystems and indigenous peoples. In the Brazilian Amazon, historically there has been political pressure to reduce the constitutional rights of indigenous peoples, especially regarding mining activities and the construction of hydroelectric plants. This culminated in a law proposal allowing mining in indigenous lands (PL 191/2020), proposed during the last presidential term in Brazil (2018-2022), which sparked a heated debate in both the legal and ethical spheres. In this article we present objective arguments for the negative effects of mining on indigenous lands, using PL 191/2020 as a model to debate the consequences of such policies for biodiversity, ecosystem services, increased risks for humans due to pollutants and epidemics, and how this law violates the main objectives of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. Particularly in the Brazilian Amazon, the negative effects of this law on human life quality, economy and the ecosystems are greater than the supposed positive effects projected into the future. We suggest rethinking the feasibility of mining on indigenous lands and reiterate the importance of conserving these lands and other protected areas in the Amazon intact as a heritage of all Brazilians and the wider human kind.

Bioecological Aspects of Species of the Subgenus Mansonia (Mansonia) (Diptera: Culicidae) Prior to the Installation of Hydroelectric Dams on the Madeira River, Rondônia State, Brazil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate ecological aspects of Mansonia species before the construction of hydroelectric plants on the Madeira River, and thus enable the assessment of the impact of these projects on mosquitoes. A total of 199 samplings were carried out between November 2003 and August 2004, using the technique of attraction with protection. Temporal distribution was evaluated from monthly incidence values obtained from the bite index per man/hour. Relative abundance was subsequently calculated to evaluate the spatial distribution of species, according to land use and municipal districts; furthermore, the pattern of hematophagous activity was evaluated from 12-h and 4-h samplings. The data were analyzed according to the negative binomial distribution and generalized linear models to estimate the influence of environmental factors on the presence and abundance of Mansonia. A total of 1479 specimens were collected, distributed among four species-Mansonia titillans (87%), Mansonia humeralis (6.3%), Mansonia amazonensis (6%), and Mansonia indubitans (0.5%), and spatial distribution analysis showed Ma. titillans to be dominant. Hematophagous activity had peaks between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and species incidence was higher during the rainy season and in areas where domestic animals are raised. Therefore, the region studied presented characteristics favorable to the reproduction of Mansonia even before the construction of the hydroelectric plants and after construction, these conditions were enhanced, due to the increase in the availability of breeding sites for immatures and blood sources for females, as a consequence of changes in the environment.

Mapping the hidden diversity of the Geophagus sensu stricto species group (Cichlidae: Geophagini) from the Amazon basin.

South American freshwater ichthyofauna is taxonomically the most diverse on the planet, yet its diversity is still vastly underestimated. The Amazon basin alone holds more than half of this diversity. The evidence of this underestimation comes from the backlog of morphologically distinct, yet undescribed forms deposited in museum collections, and from DNA-based inventories which consistently identify large numbers of divergent lineages within even well-studied species groups. In the present study, we investigated lineage diversity within the Geophagus sensu stricto species group. To achieve these objectives, we analyzed 337 individuals sampled from 77 locations within and outside the Amazon basin representing 10 nominal and six morphologically distinct but undescribed species. We sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and delimited lineages using four different single-locus species discovery methods (mPTP-15 lineages; LocMin-14 lineages; bGMYC-18 lineages; and GMYC-30 lineages). The six morphologically distinct but undescribed species were also delimited by the majority of the species discovery methods. Five of these lineages are restricted to a single collection site or a watershed and their habitats are threatened by human activities such as deforestation, agricultural activities and construction of hydroelectric plants. Our results also highlight the importance of combining DNA and morphological data in biodiversity assessment studies especially in taxonomically diverse tropical biotas.

Socioeconomic impacts of large hydroelectric power plants in Brazil: A synthetic control assessment of Estreito hydropower plant

In recent years, energy transition process has been directing the world's electrical systems in a search for the insertion of clean and renewable energy sources. In Brazil, hydroelectric generation plays a fundamental role, with 68% of energy supplied by hydraulic sources in 2019. However, despite hydroelectric generation being considered a renewable energy and with low emission of polluting gases, the construction of hydroelectric plants can cause significant consequences in the dynamics of territorial management, especially when located in regions of high socio-environmental complexity. Considering the importance of hydroelectric projects, it is essential to understand the impacts arising from their implementation in the Brazilian territory. This article aims to analyze the socioeconomic impacts arising from the construction of hydroelectric plants in municipalities affected by reservoirs. To this end, it is proposed to analyze the case study of the Estreito hydroelectric plant, located in Maranhão, through the application of the Synthetic Control impact assessment method. The results demonstrate that the positive externalities of the plant's implementation, when they exist, are short to medium term, except for the income dimension. On the other hand, the deterioration of the other dimensions analyzed indicates a possible reduction in the quality of life of the local population.

Governança ambiental em construções de hidrelétricas

As hidrelétricas, que foi uma grande solução no passado para o desenvolvimento mundial, hoje é motivo de polêmicas em relação aos conflitos provocados nos diversos recursos do ecossistema global. O papel dos diferentes steakholders nem sempre é desempenhado como se espera de uma governança ambiental. Diante desse impasse é que se propôs este estudo com o objetivo de identificar quais os mecanismos de governança ambiental presentes nas construções de usinas hidrelétricas. Para a construção do artigo utilizou-se de análise sistemática de revisão, cuja busca utilizada para os artigos foi a base de dados Scopus, dos quais foram selecionados estudos relacionados a conflitos entre os recursos oriundos das construções de hidrelétricas em vários países. Dentre os diversos mecanismos da governança ambiental, observou-se em alguns países, como Brasil, Polônia, África e Indonésia, a existência de legislações na tentativa de solucionar tais impasses. No entanto, as ações não se constituem somente de normas, mas, também, verificou-se outros mecanismos como a participação de diversos atores internos e externos que direta ou indiretamente são afetados por esses tipos de projetos.

More than a decade of reports of rabies in herbivores and loss of bats' habitat in the state of Rondônia

This study aimed to conduct a retrospective study of rabies cases in herbivores in the state of Rondônia, from 2002 to 2014, and the relation of epidemic peaks to anthropized areas of the Amazon rainforest, mainly associated with the loss of bats' natural habitat. For this purpose, data related to the species affected, month, year and the geographic coordinates of the places where the cases occurred were collected. They were inserted in the Epi InfoTM 7.1.5.2 platform and QGIS Version 2.14.1 to determine Pearson frequency, distribution, regression, and linear correlation. During the period, 170 bovine animals and 19 horses were diagnosed with the disease, in 47 municipalities of the 52 existing ones. Regarding habitat loss, especially in municipalities with a high incidence of notifications, these were related to a series of forest clearance events, such as the construction of hydroelectric plants and the convergence of immigration flows to the state of Rondônia, with the expansion of the National agricultural frontier. Positive cases in herbivores were observed in all years of the study, with an average of 14 cases/year and a trend of seasonality during the rainy season. In a general context, there was a decrease of 1.9% in positive tests in relation to negative tests, each year of the period and the reduction in municipalities affected.

EFFECTS ON STREAMFLOW CAUSED BY REFORESTATION AND DEFORESTATION IN A BRAZILIAN SOUTHEAST BASIN: EVALUATION BY MULTICRITERIA ANALYSIS AND SWAT MODEL

Abstract. Deforestation is a global concern due to its problematic consequences, which intensify natural phenomena such as floods. In the past century, Brazil lost large areas of forests due to agricultural and livestock development, mining activities, the construction of hydroelectric plants and the expansion of the urban-industrial sector. The recovery of forests is an alternative to mitigate impacts caused by floods, although it is not known for sure the extent of such mitigation. The objective of this study was to assess the flow behavior of the Velhas River, Southeast Brazil, under different reforestation and deforestation scenarios, through multicriteria analysis and hydrological modeling. The combination of these methods allowed for interesting results, showing that a reforestation in 34.3% of the watershed area would have effects on river flow behavior similar to a reforestation of 9.2%. A scenario of deforestation in 100% of the forest area showed that there would be an increase in flow peaks in the rainiest months.

Hidroituango: How to Reach Adaptive Management to Recover Part of the Ecosystem Connectivity in the Cauca River Basin in Colombia

With the worldwide rapid population increase seen in the past century, the electric energy demand increased also dramatically. In Colombia this led to a boom in the construction of hydroelectric plants in the late 60ies. Today, some accidents while the construction of the biggest plant in the country, Hidroituango, revealed a series of errors made through all those years and opened up a discussion on how to address management focused on the environmental protection of riverine systems in this and similar projects in the Country. Adaptive management has proven to be an effective alternative when giving solutions to this kind of problems. Successful implementation cases have been found in the Colorado and Columbia rivers (In the U.S.A) among others. Similar adaptive management processes can be applied in Colombia. However, there must be considered many local variables as well as political, social, economic and some others interests and complications.

Hidroituango: How to Reach Adaptive Management to Recover Part of the Ecosystem Connectivity in the Cauca River Basin in Colombia

With the worldwide rapid population increase seen in the past century, the electric energy demand increased also dramatically. In Colombia this led to a boom in the construction of hydroelectric plants in the late 60ies. Today, some accidents while the construction of the biggest plant in the country, Hidroituango, revealed a series of errors made through all those years and opened up a discussion on how to address management focused on the environmental protection of riverine systems in this and similar projects in the Country. Adaptive management has proven to be an effective alternative when giving solutions to this kind of problems. Successful implementation cases have been found in the Colorado and Columbia rivers (In the U.S.A) among others. Similar adaptive management processes can be applied in Colombia. However, there must be considered many local variables as well as political, social, economic and some others interests and complications.

Genetic diversity of migratory fish populations of the Rio Grande Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil)

In recent years, anthropogenic factors such as pollution, overfishing, and construction of hydroelectric plants have significantly impacted natural fish populations. Research focusing on genetically evaluation of these impacts is necessary to objectively target conservation programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Curimba (Prochilodus lineatus), Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), and Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) populations from the Água Vermelha Reservoir, Rio Grande-SP. Microsatellite loci were amplified, producing 56, 24, and 26 alleles for the populations of the three species, respectively. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to ten for P. lineatus, two to five for P. mesopotamicus, and two to four for B. orbignyanus. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) was higher in the P. lineatus population (0.547), relative to the P. mesopotamicus and B. orbignyanus populations (0.473 and 0.527, respectively). The mean values of Ho were lower than the average expected heterozygosity (He) in the three species, being corroborated by the positive inbreeding coefficient (Fis). Deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were found in five, three, and two loci for P. lineatus, P. mesopotamicus, and B. orbignyanus, respectively. Wilcoxon tests revealed recent bottlenecks in the three species, evidenced by a significant excess of heterozygotes (p < 0.05) detected only in the Infinite Allele Model (IAM). In conclusion, adequate genetic variability was observed in the three populations with the presence of heterozygous deficits.

Checklist of the freshwater fishes of Colombia: a Darwin Core alternative to the updating problem.

The present work is part of a process to create a Catalogue of the Freshwater Fishes of Colombia and consisted in the depuration and updating of the taxonomic and geographic components of the checklist of the freshwater fishes of Colombia. An exhaustive revision of the 1435 species recorded in 2008 was necessary to: 1. Add new species described since 2009 and species originally described from Colombia but inadvertently omitted in 2008; 2. Add new records of already described species; 3. Delete species whose presence in Colombia was not supported by voucher specimens in ichthyological collections; and 4. Revise the geographic distribution of the species listed in 2008. This process resulted in the following numbers: 1. Total number of freshwater fish species in Colombia: 1494; 2. Number of species recorded by hydrographic region - Amazon: 706, Orinoco: 663, Caribbean: 223, Magdalena-Cauca: 220, Pacific: 130; and 3. Number of endemic species: 374 (76% from the trans-Andean region). Updating the current checklist is a fundamental requirement to ensure its incorporation in the decision-making process with regard to the conservation of Colombian aquatic species and ecosystems, which are facing transformation processes as a result of activities such as mining, construction of hydroelectric plants, expansion of the agricultural frontier and subsequent deforestation, industrial and domestic pollution, development of waterways, introduction of exotic species, and climate change.

Where Water is Worth More than Gold: Addressing Water Shortages in the Middle East & Africa by Overcoming the Impediments to Basin-Wide Agreements

The risks posed by the severe water shortages afflicting the Middle East, North, and East Africa are exacerbated by desultory policies. This paper proposes a holistic treatment of transboundary rivers as a sustainable solution to the problem. This entails the pursuit of comprehensive basin-wide agreements which provide for the equitable allocation of waters between states and set forth mechanisms for the construction of hydroelectric plants and irrigations schemes where they most benefit basins as a whole. The paper analyzes the impediments to reaching such treaties and the deficiencies permeating existing international agreements. It also discusses the risks —ranging from resource depletion and economic decline to outright conflict —associated with the lack of basin-wide agreements.

O surgimento das Pequenas Centrais Hidrelétricas e o processo de urbanização no interior de São Paulo (1890-1930)

O período do trabalho é de 1890 a 1930, em que o estado de São Paulo começa seu processo de industrialização, a economia cafeeira está no auge e é fundada a companhia de energia elétrica que fará a primeira usina hidrelétrica do estado de São Paulo; este panorama vai evoluindo até 1930, quando a economia cafeeira entra em crise, a indústria já está estabelecida e a construção de hidrelétricas após 1930 assume outro caráter: o das grandes hidrelétricas, encerrando o ciclo das pequenas centrais hidrelétricas. A geração de energia elétrica no Brasil segue os caminhos da ferrovia e vai desenhando novas fronteiras entre o rural e o urbano, o campo e a indústria. A configuração das cidades muda conforme a disponibilidade de “melhorias”, sendo que muitas delas eram movidas a eletricidade. As nascentes indústrias também vão ocupando o espaço entre a ferrovia e a energia, criando novos bairros e centralidades. Analisa-se então, os processos que a energia hidrelétrica desencadeia no território paulista e suas consequências.

Recuperação do subsolo em área de empréstimo usada para construção de hidrelétrica

Areas degradadas referem-se a ecossistemas alterados, onde perdas ou adicoes sao as formas mais comuns de perturbacoes e degradacoes ambientais. As de emprestimo em hidreletricas podem ser consideradas areas degradadas, pois delas foram retirados os horizontes superficiais do solo. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a recuperacao de atributos fisicos e da materia orgânica do subsolo de um Latossolo Vermelho distrofico, degradado pela retirada de solo para construcao de usina hidreletrica, por meio de adubacao verde e aplicacao de calcario e gesso. A pesquisa foi implantada em 1992 e os tratamentos constituiram-se de: testemunha (solo mobilizado e vegetacao espontânea); mucuna-preta; guandu ate 1994, seguido por feijao-de-porco; calcario + mucuna-preta; calcario + guandu ate 1994, seguido por feijao-de-porco; calcario + gesso + mucuna-preta e calcario + gesso + guandu ate 1994, seguido por feijao-de-porco. Os tratamentos foram implantados seguindo o esquema em blocos casualizados com quatro repeticoes. Apos sete anos, em 1999, foram avaliadas a porosidade do solo, a macroporosidade, a microporosidade, a densidade do solo, materia orgânica e a producao de massa seca da braquiaria. Os tratamentos adotados estao contribuindo para a recuperacao dos atributos fisicos do subsolo exposto, e o tratamento com mucuna-preta, sem a correcao do solo, tem se mostrado mais promissor. Os efeitos da recuperacao do solo estao atingindo a profundidade de 0,00-0,10 m.

Population analysis of electrophoretic variation in blood serum albumins of European (Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus) and Siberian (A. ruthenus marsiglii Brandt) sterlet

We studied blood serum albumins in European (Acipencer ruthensis L.) and Siberian (A. ruthensis marsiglii Brandt) sterlet using disk electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. The albumins were shown to be controlled by three codominant alleles of a single locus (ALB*a, b, c). In European sterlet, all three theoretically possible genotypes were described, one of which (ALB*c/c) occurred extremely rarely (one individual). Siberian sterlet was found to be monomorphic for albumins: all fish examined had the ALB*a/a genotype. There was no correlation between albumin patterns and fish fatness. In a number of samples from the Volga River basin, spatial and temporal differentiation was found and analyzed. The results suggest that construction of hydroelectric plants may provoke massive and prolonged starlet migrations.

Integral labor costs for substantiation of hydropower construction alternatives

1. The performed investigation showed that the evaluation of power construction alternatives and the substantiation of the parameters of hydraulic developments with the aid of the current methods of economic analysis and with direct comparison of the labor in man-days may lead to different conclusions with respect to the comparative effectiveness of the examined alternatives and the most advisable parameters of the hydraulic developments. 2. Under the conditions of the increasing strain in the labor balance, it is advisable to continue to improve the existing methods of evaluation of the effectiveness of power construction alternatives in the direction of taking into account the live labor. The problem of improving these methods is highly topical for construction of hydropower projects in connection with the great difference which ordinarily occurs in the quantity of the enlisted labor resources in the hydroelectric plant construction alternative and in the other alternatives.