The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture can lead to water contamination and cause adverse effects on non-target organisms. Brazil has been the world's top pesticide market consumer since 2008, with 381 approved pesticides for crop use. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on the occurrence of pesticide residues in Brazilian freshwaters. We searched for information in official agency records and peer-reviewed scientific literature. Risk quotients were calculated to assess the potential risk posed to aquatic life by the individual pesticides based on their levels of water contamination. Studies about the occurrence of pesticides in freshwaters in Brazil are scarce and concentrated in few sampling sites in 5 of the 27 states. Herbicides (21) accounted for the majority of the substances investigated, followed by fungicides (11), insecticides (10) and plant growth regulators (1). Insecticides are the class of major concern. Brazil would benefit from the implementation of a nationwide pesticide freshwater monitoring program to support preventive, remediation and enforcement actions.

Pesticides in Brazilian freshwaters: a critical review.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tropical perennial crop which is of great economic importance to the confectionary industry and to the economies of many countries of the humid tropics where it is grown. Some recent studies have suggested that climate change could severely impact cacao production in West Africa. It is essential to incorporate our understanding of the physiology and genetic variation within cacao germplasm when discussing the implications of climate change on cacao productivity and developing strategies for climate resilience in cacao production. Here, we review the current research on the physiological responses of cacao to various climate factors. Our main findings are as follows: (1) water limitation causes significant yield reduction in cacao, but genotypic variation in sensitivity is evident; (2) in the field, cacao experiences higher temperatures than is often reported in the literature; (3) the complexity of the cacao/shade tree interaction can lead to contradictory results; (4) elevated CO2 may alleviate some negative effects of climate change; (5) implementation of mitigation strategies can help reduce environmental stress; and (6) significant gaps in the research need addressing to accelerate the development of climate resilience. Harnessing the significant genetic variation apparent within cacao germplasm is essential to develop modern varieties capable of high yields in non-optimal conditions. Mitigation strategies will also be essential, but to use shading to best effect shade tree selection is crucial to avoid resource competition. Cacao is often described as being sensitive to climate change, but genetic variation, adaptive responses, appropriate mitigation strategies and interactive climate effects should all be considered when predicting the future of cacao production. Incorporating these physiological responses to various environmental conditions and developing a deeper understanding of the processes underlying these responses will help to accelerate the development of a more resource use efficient tree ensuring sustainable production into the future.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s13593-018-0552-0.pdf

The physiological responses of cacao to the environment and the implications for climate change resilience. A review

Coffee, one of the most heavily globally traded agricultural commodities, has been categorized as a highly sensitive plant species to progressive climatic change. Here, we summarize recent insights on the coffee plant’s physiological performance at elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2]. We specifically (i) provide new data of crop yields obtained under free-air CO2 enrichment conditions, (ii) discuss predictions on the future of the coffee crop as based on rising temperature and (iii) emphasize the role of [CO2] as a key player for mitigating harmful effects of supra-optimal temperatures on coffee physiology and bean quality. We conclude that the effects of global warming on the climatic suitability of coffee may be lower than previously assumed. We highlight perspectives and priorities for further research to improve our understanding on how the coffee plant will respond to present and progressive climate change.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs10584-018-2346-4.pdf

Why could the coffee crop endure climate change and global warming to a greater extent than previously estimated

Aquatic environments often receive wastewater containing pollutants such as antibiotics and heavy metals from hospital sewage, as well as contaminants from soil. The presence of these pollutants can increase the rate of exchange of resistant genes between environmental and pathogenic bacteria, which can make the treatment of various types of bacterial infections in humans and animals difficult, in addition to causing environmental problems such as ecological risk. In this study, two tetracycline-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (EW32 and EW33), isolated from aquatic environments close to industries and a hospital in southeastern Brazil, were investigated regarding the possible association between tetracycline and heavy metal resistance. The isolate EW32 presented a conjugative plasmid with coresistance to tetracycline and copper, reinforcing the concern that antibiotic resistance by acquisition of plasmids can be induced by the selective pressure of heavy metals in the environment.

Aquatic environments polluted with antibiotics and heavy metals: a human health hazard

Geomorphological and sedimentological features in Quaternary fluvial systems affected by solution-induced subsidence (Ebro Basin, NE-Spain)

Aspectos físicos de um solo tratado com lodo de esgoto: estabilidade de agregados e argila dispersa em água.

A Embrapa Meio Ambiente tem desenvolvido trabalhos de avaliacao de riscos de contaminacao da agua subterrânea do aquifero Guarani, considerando as diferentes atividades agricolas ao longo de suas areas de recarga direta ou de afloramento em territorio brasileiro. Outras acoes para essas areas tambem estao em curso, entre as quais incluem-se as chamadas Boas Praticas Agricolas (BPA?s). Como instrumento de apoio a esses trabalhos, propoe-se neste trabalho a caracterizacao dessas areas por meio dos chamados Dominios Pedomorfoagroclimaticos, abrangendo os oito estados brasileiros por onde passa o aquifero. Tais dominios, possibilitam melhor compreensao das caracteristicas gerais e das particularidades de cada regiao, servindo de subsidio aos estudos de ordenamento agro-ambiental e a proposta de manejo agroecologico, fundamentais no planejamento com enfoque sustentavel para as areas de recarga direta ou de afloramento do aquifero Guarani no Brasil.

Caracterização das áreas de afloramento do aqüífero Guarani no Brasil: base para uma proposta de gestão sustentável.

In the upper middle valley of Paraiba river, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the presence of closed depressions with ancient peat (17,000-12,000 BP) allows evaluation of the depression's deepening rate since peat development. Data from the studied sample show variations from about 0.12 to 0.23 mm/year

/pdf/une-evaluation-de-la-vitesse-de-l-erosion-geochimique-a-10qf3hewjj.pdf

Une évaluation de la vitesse de l'érosion géochimique à partir de l'étude de dépressions fermées sur roches sédimentaires quartzo-kaoliniques au Brésil

Análise espacial do potencial de lixiviação de herbicidas em áreas de afloramento do Aqüífero Guarani na alta bacia do Rio Taquari, MS.

A erosao acelerada, ou erosao antropica, e um problema mundial. Vastas areas estao sujeitas a degradacao do solo, as vezes de forma irreversivel, por uma serie de processos como erosao e desertificacao acelerada, compactacao e selamento, salinizacao, acidificacao, diminuicao da materia orgânica e da fertilidade do solo e reducao da biodiversidade (LAL, 1994). O controle dos processos erosivos deve estar fundamentado em principios basicos de manejo de solos com o proposito de evitar o impacto das gotas de chuva, facilitar a infiltracao de agua no solo, e disciplinar o escoamento superficial, seja ele difuso ou, em especial, concentrado,

/pdf/controle-dos-processos-erosivos-lineares-ravinas-e-vocorocas-5d6ljqf1uu.pdf

H. F. Filizola

Papers

Aspectos físicos de um solo tratado com lodo de esgoto: estabilidade de agregados e argila dispersa em água.

Caracterização das áreas de afloramento do aqüífero Guarani no Brasil: base para uma proposta de gestão sustentável.

Une évaluation de la vitesse de l'érosion géochimique à partir de l'étude de dépressions fermées sur roches sédimentaires quartzo-kaoliniques au Brésil

Análise espacial do potencial de lixiviação de herbicidas em áreas de afloramento do Aqüífero Guarani na alta bacia do Rio Taquari, MS.

Controle dos processos erosivos lineares (ravinas e voçorocas) em áreas de solos arenosos.