Metropolitan Region Of Recife Research Articles

Passivos, ativos and versáteis: men who have sex with men, sexual positions and vulnerability to HIV infection in the northeast of Brazil

In Brazil, men who practise receptive anal sex (passivos) and both insertive and receptive anal sex (versáteis) are at greater risk of HIV infection than men who practise only insertive anal sex (ativos). In this study, which combined participant observation, 25 biographical interviews and a behavioural survey of 380 self-identified men who had sex with men in the metropolitan region of Recife (Brazil), we investigated how the sex-gender system, through body stylisation (masculine and effeminate) engenders desire and sexual positioning in men’s sexual scenes. The analysis indicated that the sex-gender system tends to reinforce images that portray masculine men as ativos and effeminate men as passivos. However, regarding sexual positioning, sexual versatility is most common (83.3%), which can increase the likelihood of HIV infection and transmission. Stylisations also engender differences in violence related to sexual orientation (e.g. effeminate men were 1.9 times more likely to have experienced violence than masculine men) and desirability (e.g. effeminate men are 6.1 times more likely to be rejected erotically than masculine men). Sexual positioning and stylisation jointly enable community sexual scripts and pathways for HIV to circulate, producing individual and social vulnerability to the epidemic.

Development of an urban molecular xenomonitoring system for lymphatic filariasis in the Recife Metropolitan Region, Brazil

IntroductionMolecular xenomonitoring (MX)—pathogen detection in the mosquito rather than human—is a promising tool for lymphatic filariasis (LF) surveillance. In the Recife Metropolitan Region (RMR), the last LF focus in Brazil, Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes have been implicated in transmitting Wuchereria bancrofti parasites. This paper presents findings on the ideal mosquito collection method, mosquito dispersion, W. bancrofti infection in mosquitoes and W. bancrofti antigen in humans to aid MX development.MethodsExperiments occurred within two densely populated urban areas of Olinda, RMR, in July and August 2015. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps were compared to battery-powered aspirators as collection methods, and mosquito dispersion was measured by mosquito mark release recapture (MMRR). Female Cx. quinquefasciatus were tested by PCR for W. bancrofti infection, and study area residents were screened by rapid tests for W. bancrofti antigen.ResultsAspirators caught 2.6 times more total Cx. quinquefasciatus, including 38 times more blood-fed and 5 times more gravid stages, than CDC light traps. They also collected 123 times more Aedes aegypti. Of the 9,644 marked mosquitoes released, only ten (0.01%) were recaptured, nine of which were < 50m (34.8m median, 85.4m maximum) from the release point. Of 9,169 unmarked mosquitoes captured in the MMR, 38.3% were unfed, 48.8% blood-fed, 5.5% semi-gravid, and 7.3% gravid. PCR on 182 pools (1,556 mosquitoes) found no evidence of W. bancrofti infection in Cx. quinquefasciatus. Rapid tests on 110 of 111 eligible residents were all negative for W. bancrofti antigen.ConclusionsAspirators were more effective than CDC light traps at capturing Ae. aegypti and all but unfed stages of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Female Cx. quinquefasciatus traveled short (< 86m) distances in this urban area. Lack of evidence for W. bancrofti infection in mosquitoes and antigen in humans in these fine-scale studies does not indicate that LF transmission has ceased in the RMR. A MX surveillance system should consider vector-specific collection methods, mosquito dispersion, and spatial scale but also local context, environmental factors such as sanitation, and host factors such as infection prevalence and treatment history.

Riscos de impactos ambientais proveniente da deposição irregular de Resíduos da Construção Civil em bacias hidrográficas da Região Metropolitana do Recife

A deposição irregular dos Resíduos da Construção Civil (RCC) ocasiona uma série de impactos ambientais nos recursos hídricos como problemas à saúde, poluição das águas e do solo, e danos estéticos às cidades. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo mapear os pontos de deposição irregular de RCC na Região Metropolitana do Recife (RMR) e avaliar os impactos ambientais que os mesmos ocasionam nas bacias hidrográficas Para a identificação das áreas foram realizadas incursões a 7 municípios da RMR, onde foram mapeados os pontos de deposição, sendo posteriormente plotados no software Google Earth. Após a coleta dos dados, foram identificados 1252 pontos, os quais foram divididos em classes de risco para analisar quais áreas possuem um maior risco de ocasionar impactos ambientais. Verificou-se que a bacia Grupos Litorâneos 1 (GL1) apresenta mais áreas de alto impacto ambiental, e que a bacia do Capibaribe possui a maior quantidade de pontos de deposição irregular. Apenas dois pontos possuem impacto ambiental muito alto, um localizado no município do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, e outro no município de Olinda. Conclui-se que há uma grande necessidade de implantação de um plano integrado de gerenciamento dos RCC na RMR, como também de maior fiscalização por parte dos comitês de bacia.

Análise de desempenho de um corredor brt sob a ótica da velocidade operacional via redes de petri coloridas

Dada a importância do tempo de viagem para a competitividade e atratividade do transporte público, este trabalho visa apresentar um modelo em redes de Petri coloridas que permita a análise de desempenho de um corredor BRT, em relação à velocidade operacional. Trata-se de uma pesquisa explicativa que busca propor uma nova forma de análise a um fenômeno conhecido. O modelo foi aplicado a um trecho de um corredor BRT, na Região Metropolitana do Recife, para validação. A partir dessa análise foram identificados os pontos críticos da operação e propostas medidas, como a introdução de plataformas de embarque em nível e priorização semafórica, a fim de aumentar a velocidade e a regularidade operacional no trecho. Um modelo com essas medidas implantadas foi simulado e aponta resultados satisfatórios ao possibilitar o aumento a velocidade operacional do corredor. Como conclusão, destaca-se a efetividade da modelagem e simulação em redes de Petri para análise de desempenho de um corredor de BRT e a importância de investigar os elementos de projeto e medidas operacionais que podem contribuir para o aumento da eficiência operacional de um corredor de transporte público.

Outbreak of Guillain-Barré syndrome possibly related to prior Zika virus infection, Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2015.

to investigate the occurrence of GBS in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, PE, Brazil, 2015. this was a descriptive study using data from the Hospital Information System, National Pharmaceutical Services Management System and interviews; GBS cases were classified according to Brighton criteria and prior infection according to laboratory and clinical criteria. in 2015, the number of GBS hospitalizations had a threefold increase in comparison to 2014. We investigated 44 confirmed or probable GBS cases, of which 18 had symptoms of Zika infection up to 35 days before the occurrence of GBS, mainly rash; one case was laboratory-confirmed for Zika virus infection and one death was registered. the findings reinforce a possible relationship between GBS and Zika infection, given the absence of increased GBS occurrence in previous dengue epidemic years, absence of chikungunya transmission records, presence of clinical manifestations compatible with infection and a laboratory confirmation.

Spatial analysis of reported new cases and local risk of leprosy in hyper-endemic situation in Northeastern Brazil.

To analyse the spatial distribution of the incidence of leprosy and identify areas at risk for occurrences of hyper-endemic disease in Northeastern Brazil. Ecological study using municipalities as the analysis unit. Data on new cases of leprosy came from the Health Hazard Notification System (SINAN). This study focused on Pernambuco and covered the years 2005 to 2014. Indicators for monitoring were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants. The local empirical Bayes method was used to minimise rate variance, and spatial autocorrelation maps were used for spatial pattern analysis (box maps and Moran maps). A total of 28 895 new cases were registered in the study period. The average incidence was 21.88/100 000; the global Moran's I index was 0.36 (P < 0.01), thus indicating the existence of spatial dependence; and the Moran map identified 20 municipalities with high priority for attention. The average incidence rate among individuals under 15 years of age was 8.78/100 000; the global Moran's I index showed the presence of positive spatial autocorrelation (0.43; P < 0.01), and the Moran map showed a main cluster of 15 hyper-endemic municipalities. The average rate of grade 2 physical disability at the time of diagnosis was 1.12/100 000; the global Moran index presented a positive spatial association (0.17; P < 0.01); and the Moran map located clusters of municipalities (high-high) in three mesoregions. Application of different spatial analysis methods made it possible to locate areas that would not have been identified by epidemiological indicators alone.

Diagnóstico dos resgates de jacarés na região metropoliana do Recife, Pernambuco

O crescimento urbano proporciona cada vez mais uma sobreposição de áreas entre a fauna e o homem, podendo levar a interações com risco potencial de acidentes. Diante disto, este trabalho objetiva registrar os resgates e solturas de Caiman latirostris na Região Metropolitana do Recife pelos órgãos responsáveis pela fauna. Entre os anos de 2010 e 2014, foram resgatados 352 indivíduos, com informações do local de resgate em 58,3% das notificações, sendo do total 5% com informações documentadas sobre o local de soltura. O número de animais registrados apresenta correlação positiva com a pluviosidade, que explica em 67,2% na variação do número de resgates notificados no período chuvoso. No geral, as informações de resgates, soltura e as relações espaciais e temporais dos jacarés em seu hábitat deverão fornecer dados para o desenvolvimento de planos de manejo e conservação para a espécie na região estudada.

A destruição da natureza em ambientes rurais e urbanos no Brasil – uma tragédia que ainda pode ser revista

This article aims to denounce the permanent process of the nature’s destruction as a tragedy in the time-space, which is based on research carried out in rural and urban environments located in the Brazilian Northeast, in the current context of the acceleration in terms of generating values as a major goal of capitalism. The methodology of this work was based on a relational approach with regard to the process of geographical space’s production, considering, mainly, the dialectical interrelationship between its material and immaterial dimensions, shaping a complex totality in permanent movement in the history of men and women. The elaboration of maps and representative figures of the object being treated were technical procedures used to reinforce the argument, which had as main result the defense of the idea that it is still possible to change the current process of nature’s destruction, through the analysis of the cases occurred in two microregions located in the West of Bahia and in a coastal area of the Metropolitan Region of Recife.

Factors associated with diarrhea in children under five years old in the state of Pernambuco, according to surveys conducted in 1997 and 2006.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVEDescribe and compare variations of the factors associated with the prevalence of diarrhea in children under five years old in the state of Pernambuco.METHODSWe used the databases of two population-based surveys from the years 1997 and 2006, with 2,078 and 1,650 children, respectively, evaluated in 18 municipalities of Pernambuco (Metropolitan Region of Recife, urban and rural interior). The variables, allocated at hierarchical levels, were analyzed using prevalence and Poisson regression ratios.RESULTSOnly four variables were independently associated and were included in the final hierarchical model: geographical area, number of people per room, maternal age and the age of the child. In 1997: urban interior = 1.33 (95%CI 1.06–1.66), rural interior = 1.22 (95%CI 0.97–1.53) and in 2006: urban interior = 1.87 (95%CI 1.31–2.66), rural interior = 2.07 (95%CI 1.50–2.85); number of persons per room (1997): 1 to less than 2 = 1.29 (95%CI 0.98–1.68), two or more = 1.47 (95%CI 1.11–1.95) and in 2006: 1 to less than 2 = 0.86 (95%CI 0.68–1.09), two or more = 1.29 (95%CI 0.94–1.75); maternal age (1997): 10 to 19 years = 1.48 (95%CI 1.05–2.08), 20 to 24 years = 1.23 (95%CI 0.94–1.60), 25 to 34 years = 1.01 (95%CI 0.78–1.30) and in 2006: 10 to 19 years old = 1.70 (95%CI 1.08–2.66), 20 to 24 years old = 1.64 (95%CI 1.16–2.32), 25 to 34 years = 1.20 (95%CI 0.89–1.62); and age of the child (1997): 0–11 months = 1.57 (95%CI 1.27–1.94), 12–23 months = 1.73 (95%CI 1.41–2.12) and in 2006: 0–11 months = 1.04 (95%CI 0.76–1.41), 12–23 months = 1.77 (95%CI 1.41–2.23).CONCLUSIONSThere was a great variability of the conditioners of diarrhea in children between the two periods analyzed. At the public policy level, despite changes in terms of people, time sequences, and geographic spaces, diarrhea remains on an important scale in the ranking of government power.

Diarrheal diseases and hospitalization of children under five years of age according to population-based surveys in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, in the years 1997 and 2006.

The scope of this paper was to assess the temporal and geographical trends of diarrhea and its implications on the demands of hospitalizations of children under five years of age in the state of Pernambuco in 1997 and 2006. Databases of two population-based surveys were assessed with probabilistic samples of 2078 children (1997) and 1650 children (2006) evaluated in 18 municipalities of Pernambuco, including the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Urban Interior and Rural Interior. Prevalence was considered to involve the occurrence of cases on the day or in the two weeks prior to the interview and as admissions, service cases with minimal hospital stay of 24 hours in the period, covering up to one year before the interview. The prevalence of diarrhea in Pernambuco had a statistically non-significant decline (19.8% to 18.1%; p = 0.192). However, a statistically-significant reduction was observed (16.9% to 10.5%; p = 0.003) in the Metropolitan Region of Recife. The number of admissions increased by more than double (2.7% to 5.5% in the State and from 1.6% to 3.8% within the Metropolitan Region of Recife), in contrast with national trends. Therefore, diarrhea in the State appears as the main component of the demands of pediatric hospitalizations during the period under scrutiny.

Piezometric level and electrical conductivity spatiotemporal monitoring as an instrument to design further managed aquifer recharge strategies in a complex estuarial system under anthropogenic pressure

Recife Metropolitan Region (RMR, NE Brazil) lies over a multi-layered aquifer system located in an estuarial area. The region has experienced fast population growth and repeated droughts in the last three decades, which led to unprecedented anthropogenic pressure on groundwater resources because of intense water pumping. Accordingly, scientific and stakeholder communities have been challenged to ensure the maintenance of sustainable groundwater resource by managing all water cycle. Because controlling pumping rates is difficult due to the large number of illegal wells, the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) strategies are now under consideration. The RMR presents a tropical climate and an annual average rainfall rate of approximately 2450 mm year−1, providing great potential volumes of water to be used for piezometric level recovery. However, MAR implementation requires a detailed and in-depth knowledge of the human-impact on the hydrogeological behavior of the resource over the long-term, in order to find out the most appropriate recharge strategy. Therefore, the present study illustrates how routine data monitoring, i.e., piezometric level and electrical conductivity (EC), in combination with the geological knowledge, may allow proposing further MAR strategies. Two contrasted behaviors were observed in RMR: (i) groundwater level decrease and stable EC in the North and Southernmost areas of Recife; and (ii) stable groundwater level and high/varying EC values next to the estuarial zone. Although aquifers are undergoing over-abstraction, this spatiotemporal heterogeneity suggests that a recharge is possibly locally favored next to the estuarial area of the RMR thanks to hydraulic connections between surface and deep aquifers throughout extended paleo-channels. Thus, based on this typology, MAR implementation through controlled infiltration close to the estuarial area seems to be more appropriated, whereas the direct deep injection appears to be more relevant in more distant zones.

Frequency of ocular diseases among recipients of disability benefits in the metropolitan region of Recife, Brazil.

To identify the frequency of ocular diseases among recipients of disability benefits in the metropolitan region of Recife, Brazil. A review was performed of 217,221 cases of disability benefits granted between 2010 and 2015 by the executive managerial department of the Brazilian National Institute of Social Security (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social [INSS]) in Recife, which encompasses 14 municipalities of the metropolitan region, including the capital. The frequencies of the identified cases of ocular morbidity were then determined according to their group in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), their cause, the age, sex, and income of the recipient, and the type and duration of the benefit. Of all disability benefits granted, 5,324 (2.5%) were due to ocular disease, the majority (91.1%) consisting of sick pay. Most of the beneficiaries (64.6%) were males, were 20 to 59 years of age, and 61.2% earned the minimum wage or less. The principal ocular diseases for which sick pay benefits were granted were cataract (24.5%), conjunctivitis (21.1%), and pterygium (8.8%). Blindness and low vision were the principal ocular diseases in cases of accident indemnity and disability retirement. The results highlight the magnitude of the problem of ocular diseases to the social security system, with serious economic and social losses, and emphasize the need for measures aimed at their prevention. Moreover, integration between the national departments of health and social security needs to be improved.

Alkali-Aggregate Reaction: Definition, Influence and Control

The alkali-aggregate reaction is a pathological manifestation due from chemical processes of interaction of reactive minerals that are present in some aggregates, and alkali hydroxides from Portland cement, water kneading and external agents dissolved in the solution present in the pores of concrete. It is a reaction that occurs slowly, but may cause irreparable damage, for example with cracks that impair the mechanical strength and durability of the affected structure. The main objective of this work is to expand the existing knowledge about the evolution of this pathological manifestation in order to contribute to eradicate this problem in the construction works. The methodology used in the article includes a literature review that addresses a history of occurrence of alkali-aggregate reaction in Brazil and around the world, its definition, the types of reaction, the factors that influence it, control methods and some cases in Metropolitan region of Recife that had this pathological manifestation during the construction process and during its lifetime. The article here presented is intended to contribute to spreading a deeper understanding of this pathological manifestation as well, pointing out mitigating actions of its occurrence, it is a relevant tool for the technical means, the expected result with this production is to increase the knowledge of the theme proposed, as the increasing number of occurrence of this pathological manifestation in concrete structures.

Zika virus displacement by a chikungunya outbreak in Recife, Brazil.

BackgroundSeveral arboviruses, including dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, circulate in northeast Brazil. Diseases caused by these viruses are of great public health relevance, however, their epidemiological features in areas where the three viruses co-circulate are scarce. Here, we present analyses of molecular and serological diagnostics in a prospective study of acute febrile patients recruited from May 2015 to May 2016 in Recife, Brazil.MethodsTwo hundred sixty-three acute febrile patients with symptoms suggestive of an arboviral disease who attended an urgent heath care clinic in the Recife Metropolitan Region in northeast Brazil were enrolled. Acute and convalescent blood samples were collected and tested using molecular and serological assays for infection with DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV.ResultsQuantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (qRTPCR) performed on acute phase sera detected no patients positive for DENV, but 26 (9.9%) positive for ZIKV and 132 (50.2%) positive for CHIKV. There were a few suspected and only one confirmed dengue case. Specific serological assays for ZIKV and CHIKV confirmed the qRTPCR data. Analyses of DENV IgM and IgG ELISAs in the context of qRTPCR results suggested high levels of cross reactive antibodies in ZIKV-positive samples. Results from neutralization assays highly corroborated those from qRTPCR and ZIKV ELISA, indicating very few positive DENV cases. ZIKV infections were temporally clustered in the first months of the study and started to decrease concomitantly with an increase in CHIKV infections in August 2015. The proportion of CHIKV infections increased significantly in September 2015 and remained high until the end of the study period, with an average of 84.7% of recruited patients being diagnosed from August 2015 to May 2016. ZIKV infections exhibited a female bias and the cases were spread over the study site, while CHIKV cases had a male bias and were spatially clustered in each month.ConclusionsIn 2015–2016 in the Recife Metropolitan Region, we detected the tail end of a Zika epidemic, which was displaced by a chikungunya epidemic. Few dengue cases were identified despite a high number of official dengue notifications in the area during this period. We show here important epidemiological features of these cases.

Multi-criteria analysis for municipal solid waste management in a Brazilian metropolitan area.

The decision-making process involved in municipal solid waste management (MSWM) must consider more than just financial aspects, which makes it a difficult task in developing countries. The Recife Metropolitan Region (RMR) in the Northeast of Brazil faces a MSWM problem that has been ongoing since the 1970s, with no common solution. In order to direct short-term solutions, three MSWM alternatives were outlined for the RMR, considering the current and future situations, the time and cost involved and social/environmental criteria. A multi-criteria approach, based on the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE), was proposed to rank these alternatives. The alternative that included two private landfill sites and seven transfer, sorting and composting stations was confirmed as the most suitable and stable option for short-term MSWM, considering the two scenarios for the criteria weights. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to support the robustness of the results. The implementation of separate collections would minimize the amount of waste buried, while maximizing the useful life of landfill sites and increasing the timeframe of the alternative. Overall, the multi-criteria analysis was helpful and accurate during the alternative selection process, considering the similarities and restrictions of each option, which can lead to difficulties during the decision-making process.

Participatory methodology as an instrument for the territorialization of Environmental Surveillance actions.

This paper aims to show a health territorialization methodology built from the experiences of endemic control and environmental health agents in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (RMR). Ten workshops were held with the participation of three hundred Health Surveillance agents and supervisors working in four municipalities of the RMR. Techniques such as the application of questionnaires, interviews and directed discussions were used. Results indicate that the incorporation of geographical concepts to consolidate Health Surveillance field actions is incipient. The territory is predominantly adopted from an administrative perspective, and territorialization is used as a simple territorial division for the development of actions. However, there is an understanding and consensus of the need to understand the geographic knowledge, a fact that was expressed by the rich collective construction of a participatory territorialization model that should involve a range of social stakeholders. We concluded that, in practice, surveillance agents have significant abilities to participate in the territorial management and territorialization process, not only collecting data, but also mainly intervening for the collective well-being.

Profile of Patients with Penile Neoplasms Who Have Undergone Penectomy

Introduction: Penile cancer accounts for 10% to 20% of the male urogenital tumors. In Brazil, the North and Northeast regions have the highest rates.&#x0D; Objective: Analytical, retrospective, and cross-sectional study addressing the profile of individuals with penile neoplasms who have undergone penectomy in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.&#x0D; Methods: The population of this study consisted of 305 men who underwent penectomy at the Pernambuco State Cancer Hospital (HCP), from 2000 to 2009. There was prevalence of elderly, low-schooling and low-income men, as well as individuals from municipalities outside the Metropolitan Region of Recife.&#x0D; Results: Poor hygiene, smoking, and phimosis were the main risk factors identified. Patients showed epidermoid carcinoma (type I) and metastasis. The early signs and symptoms were tumor and painful ulcer.&#x0D; Conclusion: Most of the individuals have undergone partial penectomy.&#x0D; Keywords: Penile Neoplasms; Epidemiology; Hygiene; Phimosis; Brazil.

Urban or rural areas: which types of surrounding land use induce stronger edge effects on the functional traits of tropical forests plants?

AbstractQuestionsWhich types of land use adjacent to Atlantic Tropical Forests induce the strongest edge effects in terms of the functional responses of arboreal and understorey plants? Which functional traits respond to stress imposed by each land‐use type in the two forest layers?LocationFull‐protection conservation areas in the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil.MethodsWe calculated the proportions of species and individuals of woody plants in terms of their functional traits (seed size, maximum height, dispersal syndrome and regeneration strategy) along the edge and in the interior of tropical Atlantic Forest remnants exposed to different degrees of adjacent urbanization along their borders (urban, suburban and rural) by establishing 120 sampling points (60 plots considering the arboreal components and 60 subplots considering woody understorey plants).The degree of urbanization adjacent to the edges of the remnant forests were determined by mapping the sites based on satellite images. The intensities of the edge effects on functional composition, and the differences in the functional traits were assessed using multivariate analysis.ResultsFunctional composition along the edges and within the forest interiors of remnants with the highest densities of urban areas around them demonstrated the greatest variability of both the arboreal and understorey components. The arboreal component of the forest sites adjacent to rural areas (intense agricultural activities) tended to demonstrate intermediate intensity edge effects. Species showing shade intolerance, with smaller maximum heights, producing small seeds and with abiotic dispersion were present in high proportions in forests bordering heavily urbanized areas. Biotic dispersal predominated in the arboreal component of the rural remnant.ConclusionsFrom a functional point of view, the forest with the most highly urbanized border is more impacted by edge effects than forests bordering on suburban or rural areas. Nonetheless, in an urban–rural gradient, intense agricultural activity was observed to create intermediate pressure in terms of the intensities of its edge effects. These edge effects differentially impact the functional traits of the arboreal and understorey components, influencing different traits, depending on the type of border.

WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIR OPERATION IN RELATION TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY: PIRAPAMA RIVER BASIN (PERNAMBUCO-BRAZIL)

The vulnearability of water resources systems is highly influenced by the climate variability of the region. The effects are amplified when the region has high population density and important economic activities such as the Recife Metropolitan Region (RMR), whose population is 3.8 million inhabitants, corresponding to 51% of the urban population in Pernambuco State. The Pirapama reservoir was designed to produce 5.6 m3/s, which corresponds to 37% of the total water demand of the RMR. The objective of the paper is to define strategies for the Pirapama reservoir operation by using guide curves and taking into account the climate variability, particularly drought events, to minimize or even avoid the conditions of rationing and collapse of its storage. The rainfall-runoff model SMAP was used to simulate input streamflow in the period 1933-2014 and the water allocation model Acquanet was used to simulate the operation rules proposed. The guide curves were defined based on the Standard Runoff Index, which classify the input inflow in drought categories. For each drought category, a response goal was defined for withdrawal reduction. This strategy may be an efficient tool to deal with the climate variability present in Northeast Brazil, which can be amplified with the effects of the climate change. In this sense, the development of sustainable operation rules can be considered an adaptation measure for reducing the impacts of possible climate changes in the future.

WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIR OPERATION IN RELATION TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY: PIRAPAMA RIVER BASIN (PERNAMBUCO-BRAZIL)

The vulnearability of water resources systems is highly influenced by the climate variability of the region. The effects are amplified when the region has high population density and important economic activities such as the Recife Metropolitan Region (RMR), whose population is 3.8 million inhabitants, corresponding to 51% of the urban population in Pernambuco State. The Pirapama reservoir was designed to produce 5.6 m3/s, which corresponds to 37% of the total water demand of the RMR. The objective of the paper is to define strategies for the Pirapama reservoir operation by using guide curves and taking into account the climate variability, particularly drought events, to minimize or even avoid the conditions of rationing and collapse of its storage. The rainfall-runoff model SMAP was used to simulate input streamflow in the period 1933-2014 and the water allocation model Acquanet was used to simulate the operation rules proposed. The guide curves were defined based on the Standard Runoff Index, which classify the input inflow in drought categories. For each drought category, a response goal was defined for withdrawal reduction. This strategy may be an efficient tool to deal with the climate variability present in Northeast Brazil, which can be amplified with the effects of the climate change. In this sense, the development of sustainable operation rules can be considered an adaptation measure for reducing the impacts of possible climate changes in the future.