Northern Rio De Janeiro State Research Articles

The Intercity Landfill of Quissamã-RJ: a reflection on the legal instruments for waste management in small towns

One of the major challenges facing municipalities today is the disposal of urban solid waste. A consortium of municipalities from Northern Rio de Janeiro state region was formed to build a landfill, by the BR-101 road, at Quissamã, RJ. According to state law, the permit process did not require Environmental Impact Studies, and was started with a Simplified Environmental Report. Considering this scenario, this study aimed to evaluate several aspects related to solid waste management in small towns from a case study, considering the hydrographic basin as a territorial-environmental unit for management.

O Aterro Sanitário Intermunicipal de Quissamã–RJ: uma reflexão sobre os instrumentos legais pertinentes à gestão de resíduos em pequenos municípios

One of the major challenges facing municipalities today is the disposal of urban solid waste. A consortium of municipalities from Northern Rio de Janeiro state region was formed to build a landfill, by the BR-101 road, at Quissama, RJ. According to state law, the permit process did not require Environmental Impact Studies, and was started with a Simplified Environmental Report. Considering this scenario, this study aimed to evaluate several aspects related to solid waste management in small towns from a case study, considering the hydrographic basin as a territorial-environmental unit for management.

Nest distribution and nesting habits of Xylocopa ordinaria Smith (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in a restinga area in the northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

This paper aims to study the distribution of natural nests of Xylocopa ordinaria and characterize its nesting habits in the restinga of Grussai/Iquipari (RJ), supporting future studies on the pollinators management in the northern Rio de Janeiro state. The data obtained from Aug/2003 to Dec/2004, in an area of 11.6ha, were related to the nest distribution, substrate identification and dimensions, emergence, sex ratio, nest structure (n= 23 nests) and pollen content analysis of provisioning masses and feces. X. ordinaria nests were abundant and presented a clustered distribution. These bees do not present taxonomical affinity for nesting substrates, but preferences for wood availability and characteristics, being Pera glabrata the main substrate. X. ordinaria is a multivoltine species that tolerates co-specifics in their nests. These bees were generalist on their nectar and pollen consumption, but presented floral constancy while provisioning brood cells. These behaviors, activity along the year, flights throughout the day, and legitimate visits to flowers indicate the importance of X. ordinaria on the pollination of plants in the restinga.

Heavy metal distribution in two cetacean species from Rio de Janeiro State, south-eastern Brazil

Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) concentration were analysed in muscular and liver tissues of two cetacean species, franciscanaPontoporia blainvilleiand boto-cinzaSotalia guianensis, in order to compare their contamination levels in northern Rio de Janeiro State, south-eastern Brazil. The cutlassfish,Trichiurus lepturus, which is the preferential prey of the boto-cinza, have also been analysed. Liver tissue always presented higher concentrations when compared with muscle samples for all the studied metals. The boto-cinza showed higher concentrations for all metals in both tissues than in the franciscana, and the only exception was Cd. This result is probably related to the difference in size prey preference of each cetacean. Mercury was the only element that presented significant positive correlations with body length and age in both cetacean species. The cutlassfish showed rising Hg concentrations with weight and total length, suggesting a possible mercury pathway for marine mammals' contamination.

Structural complexity of substrata and antifouling paint effects on spatial distribution of Conodon nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Teleostei, Actinopterygii)

Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense – LCA (Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, 28013-602 Campos, RJ, Brasil) ilana@uenf.br Artisanal fishery plays a secondary role in the economy of northern Rio de Janeiro state. The lack of rocky shores and safe moorings might be the main factors preventing higher fisheries activity in the region. Artificial reefs have been used worldwide as a strategy to increment fisheries justifying related researches in the area. The deployment of an artificial reef at Rio de Janeiro north coast in 1996 revealed a high abundance of several fish species (GOMES et al

Composição bromatológica e fracionamento de carboidratos e proteínas de aveia-preta e triticale sob corte e pastejo

Avaliaram-se a composição bromatológica e as frações de carboidratos e proteínas de aveia-preta (Avena strigosa Schreb) cv. EMBRAPA 29 e triticale (X triticosecale Wittmack) cv. IAC 3 semeados em abril, maio e junho e colhidos nos sistemas corte e pastejo a intervalos de 30 dias nas condições do norte do estado do Rio de Janeiro. O experimento constou de um fatorial 2 × 2 × 3, arranjado em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, composto dos fatores: gramínea, sistema e época de plantio. Os teores de matéria seca (MS) diferiram entre espécies e sistemas e foi superior no triticale e no sistema pastejo, porém, não diferiram dentro de cada espécie nas diferentes épocas de plantio. Houve efeito significativo dos fatores e/ou de suas interações sobre os teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), FDN livre de cinzas e proteína (FDNcp) e lignina; o teor de FDN foi maior no triticale semeado em abril. Os teores médios de carboidratos totais (%CT na MS) não diferiram entre as espécies e os sistemas, porém, foram maiores em abril, exceto para o triticale no sistema de pastejo; o teor médio geral foi de 77,83% da MS. Do total de carboidratos na MS, 25,5% no triticale e 19,20% na aveia-preta foram compostos de carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF). A fração B2 variou apenas entre as épocas, de 45,32 a 49,13%, respectivamente, para as épocas de plantio em abril e junho no triticale sob o sistema de corte. A fração das proteínas solúveis em detergente neutro (fração A+B1+B2) diferiu apenas entre os teores médios de carboidratos totais (%CT na MS). Considerando o valor médio de PB obtido e sua disponibilidade no triticale e na aveia-preta, pode-se indicar essas forrageiras como excelentes fontes de proteína.

Utilização de função dielétrica para estimar o teor de água em sementes de café

O interesse na utilização das propriedades dielétricas de produtos agrícolas granulares tem aumentado devido ao seu potencial para aplicação em novas tecnologias, como a medição contínua do teor de água de grãos e sementes em operações que utilizam o controle automático de processos, como a colheita, secagem e aeração. O procedimento mais eficaz para diminuir os erros que as alterações no fluxo de massa do produto provocam na estimativa do seu teor de água é a derivação de modelos que empregam a permissividade elétrica relativa ε' e o fator de perda dielétrica ε" das sementes. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver um modelo dielétrico a partir da função [(ε'-1)/ε"] para determinação indireta e não-destrutiva do teor de água de sementes de café utilizando o método da capacitância no intervalo de radiofreqüências. Os testes experimentais foram realizados em 2005, no Laboratório de Engenharia Agrícola da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense. Dentre os modelos obtidos, aquele que permitiu estimar o teor de água de sementes de café com melhor grau de acurácia apresentou erro-padrão da estimativa entre 0,2 e 1,2 pontos percentuais e erro máximo entre 0,4 e 2,6 pontos percentuais.

Size and fecundity variation in populations of Poecilia vivipara Block & Schneider (Teleostei; Poeciliidae) inhabiting an environmental gradient

The reproductive variables [female size (geometric centroid size), fecundity and offspring size (longest diameter of the embryo)] of the livebearer Poecilia vivipara in the quaternary lagoons of northern Rio de Janeiro State varied significantly among sites and were partially associated within and among sites. Mean female size was directly related to salinity. Fecundity (number of offspring) was directly related to female size both within and among sites. The female size × fecundity relationship, however, was not constant among sites. Offspring size was partially and directly associated with female size and salinity. The relationship between fecundity and female size was positively related with fecundity, suggesting a non‐linear relationship of these variables when the total sample was considered. The results suggest that life‐history differences among sites were more related to different predation regimes than to simple effects of plasticity caused by increased growth in saltwater environments.

A EXPLOTAÇÃO PETROLÍFERA E AS PESCAS MARINHAS NO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIRO (BRASIL)

A produção de petróleo e gás é realizada com grande intensidade na Bacia de Campos, litoral norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, área em que ocorrem pescarias artesanais e industriais de importantes recursos pesqueiros regionais: sardinha-verdadeira, Sardinella brasiliensis; camarão-rosa, Farfantepenaeus spp.; bonito-de-barriga-listrada, Katsuwonus pelamis; badejo, Mycteroperca bonaci; batata, Lopholatilus villarii; cherne, Epinephelus niveatus; garoupa, Epinephelus marginatus; namorado, Pseudopercis numida; e peixes demersais da família Sciaenidae. Este trabalho objetiva avaliar o impacto da explotação de petróleo sobre a abundância dessas espécies no entorno da Bacia de Campos. Os resultados são os seguintes: (a) a explotação petrolífera não tem interferência direta com as pescarias da sardinha-verdadeira e do camarão-rosa; (b) a explotação petrolífera tem interferência direta com as pescarias dos peixes de linha, bonito–de-barriga-listrada e peixes demersais; (c) a interação entre as duas atividades é benéfi ca por causa da atração de peixes decorrente das estruturas metálicas fl utuantes das plataformas e do aumento de nutrientes aportados às águas superfi ciais; (d) esses benefícios se anulam pela imposição de uma zona de exclusão para as operações das frotas de linheiros, boniteiros e arrasteiros justamente em área sob a infl uência da ressurgência de Cabo Frio.

A preliminary overview of skin and skeletal diseases and traumata in small cetaceans from South American waters

We succinctly review and document new cases of diseases of the skin and the skeletal system and external traumata in cetaceans from Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Venezuela. The survey revealed 590 cases diagnosed with a significant pathology, injury or malformation on a total of 7635 specimens of 12 odontocete species examined or observed in 1984-2007. Tattoo skin disease (TSD), lobomycosis-like disease (LLD) and cutaneous diseases of unknown aetiology seem to be emerging in several populations. TSD was confirmed in eight species from the SE Pacific and SW Atlantic. LLD affected only inshore Tursiops truncatus but was found in four tropical countries, namely Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. Lobomycosis was confirmed by histology in one male from the Tramandaí estuary, southern Brazil. All LLD-affected specimens were encountered in the vicinity of major ports and cities and a possible association with chemical or organic water pollution is suspected. Whitish velvety cutaneous marks associated with scars occurred in inshore T. truncatus, Sotalia guianensis and Pseudorca crassidens. Large, rounded lesions were seen in a Cephalorhynchus eutropia calf and a C. commersonii. Cutaneous wounds and scars as well as body traumata possibly related to net entanglements and boat collisions were observed in 73 delphinids and Phocoena spinipinnis. Traumatic injuries resulted in the partial or complete amputation and other disfiguring scars of appendages in 17 cases. Fractures of the skull, ribs and vertebrae thought to be caused by fisheries-related interactions or boat collisions were seen in single individuals of Delphinus capensis, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, T. truncatus, S. guianensis and Ziphius cavirostris. Prevalence of osteopathology in small cetaceans from Peru, Brazil and Venezuela ranged widely, from 5.4% to 69.1%. In four species from Peru, lytic cranial lesions were the most frequently observed disease (5.4%-42.9%), followed by hyperostosis and ankylosing spondylitis in offshore (31%, n=42) and inshore (15.4%, n=26) T. truncatus. Fractures and other bone traumata were present in 47.2% of 53 axial skeletons of S. guianensis from the northern Rio de Janeiro state (Brazil) in 1987-1998. A high prevalence (48.4%, n=31) of, apparently congenital, malformations of cervical vertebrae, observed in a 2001-2006 sample, may be explained by a hypothetical genetic bottleneck in this population. Malformations with deficient ossification would clearly increase susceptibility for fractures. This study demonstrates the utility of a continent-wide analysis to discern epizootiological trends more readily than any local study could provide. Secondly, it underscores the need for focussed research on the effects of human activities on the spread of diseases in cetaceans, particularly in near-shore populations that utilize highly degraded coastal habitats.

Annona squamosa, a new host of Ceratocystis fimbriata

Mango branch blight disease, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, is endemic to the municipality of São Fidelis in northern Rio de Janeiro State. In addition to mango, C. fimbriata was found associated with sugar apple trees (Annona squamosa) showing symptoms of branch blight in São Fidelis. Sugar apple and mango isolates from the same region had the same morphology and showed similar ITS-rDNA sequences. These sequences were also similar to other Brazilian isolates of C. fimbriata sensu stricto. Cross inoculation of such isolates obtained from diseased sugar apple and mango resulted in diseased symptoms on both plant species. This is the first record of A. squamosa as a host for C. fimbriata.

Helminths of the marine tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis (Gervais, 1853) (Cetacea: Delphinidae), in northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

The objectives of this work were to reporte the helminths of the marine tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in northern Rio de Janeiro State; and to check if the infestation rate varied with the host characteristics (sex and maturity) and year seasons. From 1989 to 2002, 80 marine tucuxis that were by-caught in fisheries were examined and four parasites were recorded: Braunina cordiformis, Anisakis typica, Halocercus brasiliensis and Nasitrema sp. The parasitism in the marine tucuxi corroborated its feeding habits and there were no infestation rate differences between males and females, youngs and adults, as well as between year seasons. This work reports for the first time the occurrence of the genus Nasitrema in the marine tucuxi.

Aves de fragmentos florestais em área de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar no sudeste do Brasil

Foi estudada a avifauna de quatro fragmentos florestais em uma área de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar na região de Campos dos Goytacazes, norte do estado do Rio de Janeiro. A dieta básica e a estrutura das guildas tróficas foi determinada. O estudo foi realizado de outubro de 2000 a julho de 2001, utilizando-se capturas com redes ornitológicas, registros visuais e auditivos e análise de fezes. Quarenta e quatro espécies foram registradas e agrupadas em oito guildas tróficas (insetívoros, granívoros, carnívoros, frugívoros, piscívoros, nectarívoros, onívoros e detritívoros). Estas espécies foram também subdivididas em guildas mais específicas, associadas a seus hábitats. Algumas espécies apenas sobrevoaram os fragmentos, como Egretta thula (Molina, 1782), enquanto outras foram consideradas residentes, como Manacus manacus (Linnaeus, 1766). Algumas, como Amazona amazonica (Linnaeus, 1766), somente utilizaram os fragmentos para repouso noturno. Espécies pequenas de sub-bosque provavelmente não se deslocaram entre fragmentos, dada a relativa grande distância entre eles. Predadores como Rupornis magnirostris (Gmelin, 1789) utilizaram tanto os fragmentos quando as áreas abertas e canaviais em seu entorno. Estes fragmentos estão em situação crítica, abrigando principalmente espécies generalistas e/ou especialistas de bordas; porém ainda são utilizados de alguma forma por espécies de interesse ecológico, como Rhynchocyclus olivaceus (Temminck, 1820) e A. amazonica.

Ciclagem de nutrientes em Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden no Norte Fluminense

A ciclagem de nutrientes em povoamentos de eucalipto permite avaliar possíveis alterações decorrentes de técnicas de manejo aplicadas e possibilita inferir sobre a sustentabilidade das plantações. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a ciclagem de nutrientes e o balanço nutricional em povoamentos de Eucalyptus grandis em primeira rotação (8 anos de idade) e em sistema de rebrota (1,5 e 5 anos) na região Norte Fluminense, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2001. Determinaram-se a biomassa e o conteúdo de nutrientes da parte aérea (folha, galho, casca e lenho) e da serapilheira depositada e acumulada. Efetuou-se o balanço de nutrientes no sistema solo-serapilheira-parte aérea. O talhão de 8 anos apresentou maior diâmetro, área basal e volume de tronco. Por conseguinte, a biomassa e o conteúdo de nutrientes nesse componente foram superiores aos de outros talhões. A produção total de serapilheira e o fluxo anual de nutrientes no sistema planta-solo foram maiores no talhão em primeira rotação. O folhedo representou a maior contribuição para a deposição de nutrientes ao solo, e o balanço de nutrientes foi positivo em todos os talhões avaliados. Entretanto, houve baixa produção de biomassa, especialmente no talhão em primeira rotação, apesar de as reservas de nutrientes do solo permitirem maior produtividade.

Allometric changes and shape differentiation of sagitta otoliths in sciaenid fishes

Abstract The sagitta otoliths are sound transducers that play an important role in the hearing of fishes. The shape of these structures is known to be affected by a number of genetic and environmental factors, such as depth, water temperature and substrate type. Ontogenetic allometry has also been considered an important factor in otolith shape determination. In this study, we analyzed allometric and interspecific shape variation in sagitta otoliths of five sciaenid species that occur sympatrically in northern Rio de Janeiro State (Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus, Larimus breviceps, Paralonchurus brasiliensis, Stellifer brasiliensis and S. rastrifer), a group of fish known to have sound communication and distinctively large otoliths. The methods used are a combination of geometric and multivariate techniques, which allow for the inclusion of reference points along the otolith contour (semilandmarks) and points that are biologically correspondent among individuals and species (landmarks). The fish size and otolith size variables explained small but significant amounts of intraspecific shape variation (8–25%). The general allometric trends observed correspond to a relative increase of the ostium area and localized growth in the posterior margin, which decreases the relative width of the otoliths. These allometric shape differences might be related to environmental differences experimented by juvenile and adult individuals. The interspecific shape differences were large compared to within-species variation, even when comparing species in the same genus. The ordination of shape differences was in part related to an independent phylogenetic hypothesis but could not be related to any particular environmental variable.

Morphological divergence rate tests for natural selection: uncertainty of parameter estimation and robustness of results

In this study, we used a combination of geometric morphometric and evolutionary genetics methods for the inference of possible mechanisms of evolutionary divergence. A sensitivity analysis for the constant-heritability rate test results regarding variation in genetic and demographic parameters was performed, in order to assess the relative influence of uncertainty of parameter estimation on the robustness of test results. As an application, we present a study on body shape variation among populations of the poeciliine fish Poecilia vivipara inhabiting lagoons of the quaternary plains in northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The sensitivity analysis showed that, in general, the most important parameters are heritability, effective population size and number of generations since divergence. For this specific example, using a conservatively wide range of parameters, the neutral model of genetic drift could not be accepted as a sole cause for the observed magnitude of morphological divergence among populations. A mechanism of directional selection is suggested as the main cause of variation among populations in different habitats and lagoons. The implications of parameter estimation and biological assumptions and consequences are discussed.

Análise de trilha de caracteres forrageiros do capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.)

Os objetivos deste trabalho consistiram em obter estimativas de coeficientes de correlação fenotípicos, genotípicos e residuais, e avaliar os desdobramentos das correlações genotípicas em efeitos diretos e indiretos (análise de trilha) das variáveis altura média das plantas, diâmetro médio do colmo e número de perfilhos por metro linear (variáveis independentes explicativas) na produção de matéria seca (variável dependente principal) de clones de capim-elefante em dois cortes realizados nas condições edafoclimáticas do norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Houve grande diferença nas estimativas obtidas nos dois cortes, entretanto o estudo permitiu concluir que a altura das plantas no corte exerce influência na produção de matéria seca principalmente nas situações de clones de alta capacidade de perfilhamento. As características número de perfilhos por metro linear e diâmetro de perfilhos foram capazes de explicar melhor o potencial de produção de matéria seca, atuando, respectivamente, de forma direta e inversamente proporcionais sobre a variável básica, alternando-se em função das condições ambientais ocorridas durante o crescimento.

Body shape and size divergence among populations of Poecilia vivipara in coastal lagoons of south‐eastern Brazil

Geometric shape analyses were used to study body shape and size variation among populations of the livebearing fish Poecilia vivipara inhabiting the recently formed coastal lagoons of Grussaí and Iquipari in Northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The largest components of morphological variation among females were between different habitats in the same lagoon, whereas for males there were larger differences between lagoons than between habitats. The shape differences were mostly localized in the head region and midbody, which indicated different patterns of locomotion and foraging behaviour optimized for the habitat experienced by each population. The pattern of size variation was similar to that of size‐independent shape variation.

Highly endemic, waterborne toxoplasmosis in north Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

In Campos dos Goytacazes, northern Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, reports of uveitis consistent with toxoplasmosis led to a survey of the prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in 1997–1999. The survey population was selected randomly from schools, randomly chosen communities, and an army battalion. Serum samples from 1,436 persons were tested. With results adjusted for age, 84% of the population in the lower socioeconomic group was seropositive, compared with 62% and 23% of the middle and upper socioeconomic groups, respectively (p<0.001). When multivariate analysis was performed, drinking unfiltered water was found to increase the risk of seropositivity for the lower socioeconomic (odds ratio [OR]: 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3 to 6.9) and middle socioeconomic (OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3) populations. We also found a high T. gondii seroprevalence in this Brazilian community. Drinking unfiltered water increased the risk of T. gondii seropositivity, indicating the potential importance of oocyst transmission in water in this region.

Report of the Working Group on Vital Parameters and Demography

Age distribution of franciscanas incidentally caught in northern Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil, was reported for 62 males and 57 females (Di Beneditto and Ramos, 2000). Males ranged from 0 to 5 years but were mostly of age 2. Females ranged from 0 to 9 years and were mostly of ages 2 and 3. Overall, 74% of all captured animals were of three years or younger. Age distribution of 260 franciscanas from incidental captures and strandings were obtained from three regions in southeastern Brazil: Espirito Santo State (ES) (n = 14), northern Rio de Janeiro State (NRJ) (n = 141) and Sao Paulo State (SP) (n = 105) (Ramos et al., 2000). A comparison between the age distribution of incidental catches in NRJ and strandings in SP indicated a higher percentage of older animals in SP: 73% were between 0-3 years in NRJ (incidental captures); the same percentage was between 36 years in SP (strandings) (K-S Test, n=164, P≤0.05). Since both samples are from different regions, it is unclear how to interpret the observed difference in age composition. However, similarities have been detected in the age structure of incidentally caught franciscana when compared over the complete distribution. Age classes up to 3 years were the most representative in southern Brazil (Pinedo, 1994; Ott, 1998; Ott et al., 2000), Uruguay (Kasuya and Brownell, 1979; Crespo et al., 1986) and Argentina (Perez Macri and Crespo, 1989, Corcuera et al., 1994). This suggests that captures are biased towards juveniles (see also IWC, 1994). Age distribution patterns for stranded franciscanas in other regions are unknown. A summary on information of age structure of the southern franciscana incidentally caught or stranded is given in Table 1.