Abstract:

Se denomina cantera al sitio donde se saca piedra, greda u otra sustancia análoga para obras varias. Las extracciones de minerales en las canteras, son consideradas un tipo de explotación minera de superficie. Las canteras pueden clasificarse de acuerdo al material que se extrae y su uso, y según su localización. La explotación en canteras, puede tener un alto impacto ambiental debido a que producen un cambio profundo y permanente en el paisaje y destruyen por completo el ecosistema preexistente.

A quarry is the site where stone, clay or another similar substance is extracted for various works. The quarrying of minerals in the quarries is considered a type of surface mining. The quarries can be classified according to the material that is extracted and its use, and according to its location. The exploitation in quarries, can have a high environmental impact because they produce a profound and permanent change in the landscape and completely destroy the pre-existing ecosystem.

Author affiliation: Roncallo, Luciana. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Andina; Argentina.

Abstract:

Habitat fragmentation allows for vegetative species to be used as indicators of environmental pollution by heavy metals. Considering the distribution of Prosopis laevigata (mesquite) and Schinus molle (pepper tree) heavy metal concentrations were determined as potential indicators of environmental impact assessment for agricultural and livestock, rural settlement, commercial and service, urban settlement and mining land uses. A total of 30 sampling points were established during summer, autumn, winter and spring, based on the presence of the two species. Applying the technique of ICP-MS, concentrations of Al, As, Co, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ti, V and Zn were determined. With a statistic model the interactions between species, type of land use and season with respect to the concentration of these minerals in the leaf material were determined. Results indicated that the presence of heavy metals is determined by the effect of the species, land use and season, and the possible association between these. The specie of mesquite was the most efficient for bioaccumulation of Pb, Co and Al. In the same way, the pepper tree was more efficient with respect to Ti. On one hand, trees located in the mining land use showed the highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co and As. On the other hand, the spring season presented the highest concentration of Cu, Zn, Co, Ti and V. With that, it could be demonstrated that As, Co, Cd, Pb, Ti and Zn concentrations were above the normal limit. Therefore, the dynamics and functionality, environmental factors and physiological differences to develop physicalchemical processes in the absorption and transport of these elements towards the leaves are a determining factor of vegetative species placed under conditions of fragmentation, are good elements for surveying on pollution and environmental impact.

La fragmentación del hábitat permite aprovechar especies vegetativas como indicadoras de contaminación ambiental por metales pesados. Considerando la distribución de Prosopis laevigata (mezquite) y Schinus molle (pirul) se determinaron las concentraciones de metales pesados en material foliar para evaluar el impacto ambiental de los usos de suelo agropecuario, residencial rural, comercial y servicio, residencial urbano y minero. Fueron establecidos 30 puntos de muestro durante las estaciones de verano, otoño, invierno y primavera, basados en la presencia de las dos especies. Aplicando la Técnica ICP-MS fueron determinadas las concentraciones de Al, As, Co, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ti, V y Zn. Con un ANOVA se probaron las interacciones entre especie, tipo de uso de suelo y estación con respecto a la concentración de estos minerales en material foliar. Los resultados indicaron que la presencia de metales pesados está condicionada por el efecto de la especie, uso de suelo y la estación, así como la posible asociación entre estos. El mezquite resultó ser más eficiente en la bioacumulación de Pb, Co y Al. En el caso del pirul solo fue más eficiente con respecto al Ti. Los árboles ubicados en el uso de suelo minero obtuvieron las mayores concentraciones de Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co y As. Por otra parte, la estación de primavera incidió en la mayor concentración de Cu, Co, Ti y V. Con esto se pudo demostrar que As, Co, Cd, Pb Ti y Zn presentaron concentraciones arriba del límite normal en material foliar. Por lo tanto, la dinámica y funcionalidad, factores ambientales y diferencias fisiológicas para desarrollar procesos físico-químicos en la absorción y transporte de estos elementos hacia las hojas son un factor determinante de las especies vegetativas situadas bajo condición de fragmentación, lo que contribuye ser un buen elemento de estudio de la contaminación y evaluación del impacto ambiental.

Author affiliation: Alcalá Jáuregui, Jorge. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de Agronomía

Author affiliation: Rodríguez Ortíz, Juan C.. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de Agronomía

Author affiliation: Hernández Montoya, Alejandra. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de Agronomía

Author affiliation: Filippini, María Flavia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias

Author affiliation: Martínez Carretero, Eduardo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas <IADIZA>

Author affiliation: Diaz Flores, Paola Elizabeth. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de Agronomía

Abstract:

The use of iron-based nanomaterials for environmental remediation processes has recently received considerable attention. Here, we employed core-shell magnetite-humic acids nanoparticles as a heterogeneous photosensitizer and iron source in photo-Fenton reaction for the degradation of the psychiatric drug carbamazepine (CBZ). CBZ showed low photodegradation rates in the presence of the magnetic nanoparticles, whereas the addition of hydrogen peroxide at pH = 3 to the system drastically increased the abatement of the contaminant. The measured Fe2+ and Fe3+ profiles point to the generation of Fe3+ at the surface of the nanoparticles, indicating a heterogeneous oxidation of the contaminant mediated by hydroxyl radicals. Products with a higher transformation degree were observed in the photo-Fenton procedure and support the attack of the HO• radical on the CBZ molecule. Promising results encourage the use of the nanoparticles as efficient iron sources with enhanced magnet-sensitive properties, suitable for applications in photo-Fenton treatments for the purification of wastewater.

EEA Balcarce

Author affiliation: Aparicio, Francisca .Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires; Argentina

Author affiliation: Escalada, Juan Pablo. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Unidad Académica Río Gallegos; Argentina.

Author affiliation: De Gerónimo, Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.

Author affiliation: Aparicio, Virginia Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.

Author affiliation: García Einschlag, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires; Argentina

Author affiliation: Magnacca, Giuliana. Università di Torino. Dipartimento di Chimica and NIS Inter-departmental Centre; Italia

Author affiliation: Carlos, Luciano. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; Argentina.

Author affiliation: Mártire, Daniel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires; Argentina.

Abstract:

The Estuary of Bahía Blanca (EBB), Argentina, is an important wetland under intense sewage pollution. We investigated the occurrence of Clostridium perfringens (CP) in populations of two benthic crabs (Neohelice granulata and Cyrtograpsus angulatus) and in sediment from the EBB. CP was found in 49.1% of the crabs and all of the isolates were identified as type A. The alpha (cpa) and enterotoxin (cpe) encoding genes were identified. Genetic analyses identified 13 novel sequence types, and found no clustering among isolates, suggesting that CP is not part of the crabs´ commensal flora. CP carriage was 51 times more likely in crabs from the area nearest sewage outfalls compared with crabs from a reference site. Our in vitro experiments suggest that the carriage of CP in crabs is transient. The use of these benthic crabs as monitoring organisms of sewage pollution in coastal habitats is proposed.

Author affiliation: la Sala, Luciano Francisco. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Redondo, Leandro Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Díaz Carrasco, Juan María. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Pereyra, Ana Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina

Author affiliation: Farber, Marisa Diana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Jost, Helen. University of Arizona; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Fernandez Miyakawa, Mariano Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

Petroleum pollution is a problem for seabirds along the Southwest Atlantic coast. Twenty-five groups from Salvador, Brazil (12º58´S) to San Antonio Oeste, Argentina (40º43´S) survey or rehabilitate sick or oiled seabirds. Four groups, one each in Brazil and Uruguay, and two in Argentina, kept counts of birds found alive and in need of rehabilitation. An average of 63.7% of the seabirds found were Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), with 3869 reported since 1987. Mainly adult penguins were found in Argentina (1605 of 2102 penguins of known age class) and Uruguay (158 of 197). Juveniles were most common in Brazil (234 of 325). Oil fouling was the most frequent cause of injury or sickness. The number of oiled penguins reported in their wintering range has greatly increased since the early 1990s and is strongly correlated with petroleum exports from Argentina. Our results show that chronic petroleum pollution is a problem for wildlife from Southern Brazil through Northern Argentina, and regulations and enforcement are failing to protect living resources.

Author affiliation: Garcia Borboroglu, Jorge Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Boersma, P. Dee. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos. University of Washington; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Ruoppolo, Valeria. International Fund for Animal Welfare; Brasil

Author affiliation: Reyes, Laura. Secretaría de Turismo del Chubut; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; Argentina

Author affiliation: Rebstock, Ginger A.. University of Washington; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Griot, Karen. Fundación Mar del Plata Aquarium; Argentina

Author affiliation: Rodrigues Heredia, Sergio. Fundación Mundo Marino; Argentina

Author affiliation: Adornes Corrado, Andrea. Fundaçao Universidade Federal do Rio Grande. Museu Oceanográfico.; Argentina

Author affiliation: Pinho da Silva, Rodolfo. International Fund for Animal Welfare; Brasil

Abstract:

An experimental comparative study of different meshes as support materials for photocatalytic applications in gas phase is presented. The photocatalytic oxidation of dichloromethane in air was addressed employing different coated meshes in a laboratory-scale, continuous reactor. Two fiberglass meshes and a stainless steel mesh were studied regarding the catalyst load, adherence, and catalytic activity. Titanium dioxide photocatalyst was immobilized on the meshes by dip-coating cycles. Results indicate the feasibility of the dichloromethane elimination in the three cases. When the number of coating cycles was doubled, the achieved conversion levels were increased twofold for stainless steel and threefold for the fiberglass meshes. One of the fiberglass meshes (FG2) showed the highest reactivity per mass of catalyst and per catalytic surface area.

Author affiliation: Passalia, Claudio. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina

Author affiliation: Nocetti, Emanuel. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Alfano, Orlando Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; Argentina

Author affiliation: Brandi, Rodolfo Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; Argentina

Abstract:

El empleo de plaguicidas se considera una de las principales causas de contaminación del agua subterránea por lixiviación en áreas bajo producción agrícola. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: a) estimar el riesgo de lixiviación de los plaguicidas glifosato, atrazina, acetoclor, imidacloprid y clorpirifos en dos suelos de textura contrastante del norte de la provincia de Buenos Aires utilizando los índices GUS, USEPA/CDFA, FAT, GWCP y GWCP modificado (GWCPm), b) compararlos con datos experimentales obtenidos en drenajes de lisímetros y c) comprobar si la inclusión del flujo preferencial y el cambio en la escala valorativa para la materia orgánica del horizonte A (GWCPm) mejora la sensibilidad de GWCP. Los riesgos de lixiviación estimados resultaron muy variables, asignando diferentes riesgos para un mismo plaguicida. En comparación con los datos experimentales, las predicciones realizadas con índices que tienen en cuenta solamente las propiedades de los plaguicidas (USEPA/CDFA y GUS) coincidieron excepto para glifosato + AMPA. Considerando los índices que incluyen la capacidad de atenuación del suelo en su cálculo (FAT, GWCP y GWCPm), el FAT no tuvo similitudes con los datos experimentales ya que no predijo riesgo de lixiviación ni para glifosato ni para atrazina. GWCP resultó más sensible debido a que tiene en cuenta dosis, momento y frecuencia de aplicación, conjuntamente con las propiedades de los plaguicidas. Las modificaciones del índice GWCP original (GWCPm), la aumentó aún más. En consecuencia, GWCPm podría constituir una herramienta inicial para la estimación de la movilidad de plaguicidas aplicados a los cultivos a través del perfil de suelo y su predicción de contaminación hacia el agua subterránea en la pampa ondulada.

The use of pesticides is considered one of the main causes of groundwater contamination by leaching in areas under agricultural production. The objectives of this work were: a) to estimate the risk of leaching of the pesticides glyphosate, atrazine, acetochlor, imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos in two soils with constrasting texture of the north of the province of Buenos Aires using the GUS, USEPA/CDFA, FAT, GWCP and GWCPmodified (GWCPm) indexes, b) compare them with experimental data obtained in lysimeter drains and c) check whether the inclusion of the preferential flow and the change in the value scale for the organic matter of horizon A (GWCPm) improves GWCP sensitivity. The estimated leaching risks were very variable, assigning different risks for the same pesticide. Compared with the experimental data, predictions with indexes that only take into account the properties of pesticides (USEPA/CDFA and GUS) coincided except for glyphosate + AMPA. Considering the indexes that include the soil attenuation capacity in its calculation (FAT, GWCP and GWCPm), the FAT had no similarities with the experimental data since it did not predict the risk of leaching for either glyphosate or atrazine. GWCP was more sensitive because it takes into account timing and frequency of application, together with the properties of the pesticides. The modifications of the original GWCP index (GWCPm), increased it further. Consequently, GWCPm could be an initial tool for estimating the mobility of pesticides applied to crops through the soil profile and its prediction of contamination to groundwater in the rolling pampas.

EEA Pergamino

Author affiliation: Dalpiaz, Maria Jimena. INTA. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; Argentina

Author affiliation: Andriulo, Adrian Enrique. INTA. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; Argentina

Abstract:

Phytoremediation is considered the most appropriate technique to restore metal polluted soil, given its low cost, high efficiency and low environmental impact. Spartina densiflora and Sarcocornia perennis are perennial halophytes growing under similar environmental conditions in San Antonio marsh (Patagonia Argentina), therefore it is interesting to compare their phytoremediation potential capacity. To this end, we compared concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Fe in soils and in below- and above-ground structures of S. perennis and S. densiflora. It was concluded that both species are able to inhabit Pb, Zn, and Cu polluted soils. Although Sarcocornia translocated more metals to the aerial structures than Spartina, both species translocated only when they were growing in soils with low metal concentrations. It seems that the plants translocate only a certain proportion of the metal contained in the soil. These results suggest that both species could be considered candidates to phytostabilize these metals in polluted soils.

Author affiliation: Idaszkin, Yanina Lorena. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina

Author affiliation: Lancelotti, Julio Lucio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina

Author affiliation: Pollicelli, Maria de la Paz. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; Argentina

Author affiliation: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina

Author affiliation: Bouza, Pablo Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; Argentina

Abstract:

Bioaccumulation ability and response to air pollution sources were evaluated for Tillandsia capillaris Ruíz and Pav. f. capillaris, T. recurvata L., T. tricholepis Baker and the lichen Ramalina celastri (Spreng.)Krog. and Swinsc. Epiphyte samples collected from a non contaminated area in the province of Córdoba were transplanted to a control site and three areas categorised according to agricultural, urban and industrial (metallurgical and metal-mechanical) emission sources. Bioindicators were exposed for 3-, 6- and 9-month periods. A foliar damage index was established for Tillandsia and a pollution index for the lichen, and S, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations were determined. An order of efficiency for the species and conditions studied is proposed taking into account heavy metal accumulation: T. recurvata > T. tricholepis >R. celastri >T. capillaris. All species studied showed Mn to be related to agricultural activity and Fe to industries and soil particles, and Zn was related to urban and industrial sources. As far as physiological response is concerned, T. tricholepis and T. capillaris were more sensitive to agricultural activities, whereas T. recurvata was sensitive to urban and industrial sources, and only partially to agricultural sources. No relationship was found for R. celastri.

Author affiliation: Bermudez, Gonzalo Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

Author affiliation: Rodriguez, Judith Hebelen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

Author affiliation: Pignata, Maria Luisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

Abstract:

Conservation of migratory species requires an understanding of their migration path and pattern. We used band returns and satellite tracking to characterize the seasonal migration of Magellanic penguins breeding in southern Argentina, with the purpose of identifying an effective conservation approach for this species. Band returns show these penguins migrate annually to the coastal waters of northern Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil, an average one-way distance of approximately 2000 km, and a modal distance of 2300–2400 km. Satellite data indicate that the penguins follow a migration corridor within 250 km of shore. Mean migration distance varied among years. Juveniles migrated farther on average than older birds, although migration distance of different age classes overlapped substantially. Mortality rates during migration were higher among younger birds, and juvenile mortality rate during migration was inversely correlated with cohort survival, indicating that mortality during migration is an important determinant of population recruitment. A minimum of 13% of the migration-period mortality we recorded resulted from fisheries bycatch and oil pollution. Because of the penguin’s mode of travel (swimming at or near the surface), the large spatial extent of its migration, and the intensity of human use of the area, effective conservation through conventional coastal marine reserves is unlikely. Marine zoning is an alternative that could provide the spatial scale and flexibility necessary to accommodate both penguin migration and human activities. As the waters traversed by Magellanic penguins are among the most threatened in Latin America, zoning for protection of this wide-ranging and charismatic species can also protect regional biodiversity.

Author affiliation: Stokes, David L.. University of Washington Bothell; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Boersma, P. Dee. University of Washington; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Lopez de Casenave, Javier Nestor. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Garcia Borboroglu, Jorge Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina