In 2019, large amounts of oil reached the northeast coast of Brazil, causing damage to the environment and the local economy, especially in the state of Pernambuco. In order to correlate with possible sources, investigation was made of the geochemical biomarkers of the oils using “gold standard” forensic protocols from the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). The biomarkers study was improved by using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), rather than the standard protocol that suggests use of the selected ion monitoring (SIM) method. Analysis was made of thirteen oil samples from the Pernambuco coast, in order to identify their degrees of similarity and the possible presence of oils from unreported spills. The use of eighteen diagnostic ratios and multivariate analysis revealed a cluster formed by eleven samples with biomarker distributions typical of oil from the 2019 spill. However, two samples had anomalous fingerprints, especially due to the absence of the 18α(H)-oleanane and 18β(H)-oleanane isomers. Both the CEN protocol applied for the classical biomarkers and a comprehensive Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FT-MS) analysis of polar compounds confirmed the dissimilarities between the samples. The findings suggested that these two oils could have originated from an event unrelated to the mysterious 2019 spill.

Abstract Due to structural similarities and the possibility of connection between the two Aptian paleolakes in the Jatobá Basin and the Tucano Norte Sub-basin in North-eastern Brazil, the influence of the architecture of the crystalline basement under these lacustrine sedimentary rocks was analysed using gravimetric data near the faulted edges of the basins where the paleolakes are located. The Negra (Jatobá Basin) and Tonã (Tucano Norte Sub-basin) Hills are mainly sedimentary deposits of Aptian age and are linked to the post-rift I tectonic sequence. Aiming at the study of reservoirs analogous to pre-salt reservoirs, the gravimetric data were processed and interpreted to define the structural framework of the basin regions around these hills. Depth maps and density models were generated that could be analysed from various 3D perspectives, and the behaviour of the crystalline basement below these sedimentary sequences was investigated. In addition to the identification of horsts and semi-grabens that influenced the current relief pattern, the modelling showed that the Aptian paleolake sedimentary rocks of the Negra Hill are in the Ibimirim Low, which is approximately 2,900 m deep, while in the Tonã Hill, the sedimentary rocks are in the Salgado do Melão Low, which is approximately 5,100 m deep.

The Ipojuca River is considered the third most polluted river in Brazil due to the intense anthropogenic activities in the surrounding urban areas. The most important effluent is sewage discharge, which is responsible for considerable contamination. Traditional analyses (infrared spectroscopy, organic matter (OM), elemental analysis and granulometry) and advanced analysis of sterols by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were applied to evaluate the levels of urban contamination from sewage in 10 surface sediment samples from the Ipojuca River, in a stretch located in the Caruaru city, Pernambuco, Brazil. The results pointed to sandy sediments, rich in OM from anthropogenic sources (predominant). Eight different sterols were detected with a total concentration in a range between < limit of quantification (LOQ) and 1,634.4 µg g−1. Coprostanol (fecal biomarker) was detected in high concentrations (557.3 µg g−1) in the sediment collected close to an open-air market (considered the largest in the world), making it the most contaminated in the region. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed areas tending towards contamination and that 90% of sediments were contaminated by sewage. These results can be considered useful for preventive and remedial actions toward promoting human health in this region.

ABSTRACT Sugarcane is considered one of the main alternatives for biofuel production and an important product of Brazilian agriculture, so it is indispensable to adopt new techniques for its cultivation and management. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the quality of supplemental lighting, based on light-emitting diode (LED), on the acclimation of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings in a protected environment. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of three supplemental LED lighting systems, with light proportions of 90% red + 10% blue (R:B 90/10), 80% red + 20% blue (R:B 80/20) and 70% red + 30% blue (R:B 70/30), and a control, with natural solar radiation, with 5 replicates. Multivariate principal component analysis was used based on the matrix of correlation between all variables (meteorological, physiological and biometric). It was found that the different LED lighting systems increased the photosynthetically active radiation; however, until 20 days after planting, the seedlings were little influenced by the supplemental lighting systems. At the end of the acclimation period, the R:B 80/20 lighting system was the most associated with the growth and size of sugarcane seedlings.

RESUMO A cana-de-açúcar é uma gramínea que se destaca mundialmente na produção de etanol. O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial e líder na exportação, responsável por mais de 50% dos produtos derivados que são comercializados no mundo. Objetivou-se averiguar a influência de malhas fotosseletivas nas variáveis micrometeorológicas e na brotação de mudas pré-brotadas de cana-de-açúcar. A pesquisa foi realizada em ambiente protegido na Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As mudas da cultivar RB92579 foram obtidas pela técnica de produção de mudas pré-brotadas. O ambiente protegido foi dividido em quatro módulos, correspondentes aos tratamentos: coberto com plástico polietileno de baixa densidade anti-UV + malha ultranet vermelha Solpack®, + malha branca Solpack®, + malha freshnet Solpack® e sem malha de sombreamento. Foram registrados os dados micrometeorológicos de temperatura do ar e temperatura do substrato em cada módulo. Foram calculadas a primeira contagem de emergência, o índice de velocidade de brotação e a porcentagem de brotação. Foi utilizada a análise multivariada de componentes principais para verificar a associação entre os módulos de cultivo e as variáveis micrometeorológicas e de brotação das mudas. A temperatura do ar no ambiente protegido foi 8.7% maior em relação ao ambiente externo. A malha branca proporcionou 78,93% de brotação. A temperatura do substrato acima de 30,4 °C favoreceu a brotação das mudas. Os módulos com malha branca e ultranet vermelha favoreceram a brotação das mudas.

ABSTRACT Sugarcane is a grass species that stands out worldwide in the production of ethanol. Brazil is the world’s largest producer and leader in exports, responsible for more than 50% of the products that are marketed worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of photo-selective nets on micrometeorological variables and on sprouting of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment at Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, in a completely randomized design. Seedlings of cultivar RB92579 were obtained by the technique of production of pre-sprouted seedlings. The protected environment was divided into four modules corresponding to the treatments: covered with anti-UV low-density polyethylene plastic: + Solpack® red ultranet net, + Solpack® white net, + Solpack® freshnet net and without shade net. Micrometeorological data of air temperature and substrate temperature were recorded in each module. The first count of emergence, sprouting speed index and sprouting percentage were calculated. Principal component analysis was used to verify the association between the cultivation modules and the micrometeorological and sprouting variables of the seedlings. Air temperature in the protected environment was 8.7% higher than that in the external environment. The white net led to sprouting of 78.93%. The substrate temperature above 30.4 °C favored seedling sprouting. The modules with white net and red ultranet net favored seedling sprouting.

RESUMO O Brasil é o maior produtor mundial de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.), e pesquisas voltadas à propagação têm proporcionado maior qualidade na produção. Objetivou-se averiguar o efeito da variação dos elementos micrometeorológicos na sobrevivência e qualidade de mudas pré-brotadas de cana-de-açúcar. A pesquisa foi realizada em ambiente protegido (UFRPE). As mudas da cultivar RB92579 foram obtidas pela técnica de produção de mudas pré-brotadas. Os ambientes protegidos foram divididos em quatro módulos cobertos com plástico polietileno de baixa densidade + malhas de sombreamento fotosseletivas e um módulo sem malha. Foram registrados os dados micrometeorológicos de radiação solar global e fotossinteticamente ativa, temperatura do ar e do substrato, umidade relativa do ar e o espectro de radiação solar em cada módulo. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado e foi utilizada a análise de componentes principais para verificar a associação entre os módulos de cultivo, as variáveis micrometeorológicas e da cultura. O plástico de polietileno de baixa densidade antiUV + freshnet proporcionou menor transmitância da radiação solar global, maior porcentagem de radiação fotossinteticamente ativa e menor mortalidade de mudas. Temperatura do substrato acima de 30,2 °C ocasionou maior mortalidade de mudas. O maior espectro na faixa do vermelho proporcionou a produção de mudas de qualidade superior. O uso de malha freshnet promoveu condições adequadas para o cultivo de mudas de cana-de-açúcar, permitindo a obtenção de mudas de qualidade superior.

ABSTRACT Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and research aimed at propagation has promoted higher quality in production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the variation of micrometeorological elements on the survival and quality of pre-sprouted sugarcane plantlets. The study was carried out in a protected environment (UFRPE). Plantlets of the cultivar RB92579 were obtained by the technique of production of pre-sprouted plantlets. The protected environments were divided into four modules covered with low-density polyethylene plastic + photo-selective shade nets and one module without shade net. Micrometeorological data of global and photosynthetically active solar radiation, air temperature, substrate temperature, relative humidity and the solar radiation spectrum were recorded in each module. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design and the principal component analysis was used to verify the association between the cultivation modules, micrometeorological variables and crop variables. Anti-UV low-density polyethylene plastic + freshnet led to lower transmittance of global solar radiation, higher percentage of photosynthetically active radiation and lower plantlet mortality. Substrate temperature above 30.2 °C resulted in higher plantlet mortality. Larger spectrum in the red range led to the production of better quality plantlet. The use of freshnet shade net promoted adequate conditions for the cultivation of sugarcane plantlets and allows obtaining better quality plantlets.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito térmico na mudança comportamental e fisiológica de novilhas girolando, por meio da análise de componentes principais. A pesquisa foi conduzida na região Agreste do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram utilizadas três novilhas submetidas ao sistema de pastejo contínuo. Para determinação do efeito térmico sobre os animais, foram registradas as variáveis temperatura de bulbo seco e umidade relativa do ar, o que permitiu determinar o índice de temperatura e umidade e a entalpia específica. As variáveis fisiológicas monitoradas foram a frequência respiratória, temperatura retal e temperatura de pelame. Os indicadores comportamentais quantificados foram andando, bebendo, comendo, ruminando e ócio, para determinação da porcentagem de tempo despendido em cada comportamento. As variáveis do estudo foram submetidas a análise exploratória e descritiva, para inferência do grau de associação dos componentes principais. A análise multivariada permitiu estabelecer o grau de pertinência entre os sinais fisiológicos e padrões comportamentais associado ao ambiente térmico, que indicaram adaptação das novilhas ao pastejo contínuo, mesmo em condições meteorológicas críticas.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal effect on the behavioral and physiological changes of Girolando heifers by means of principal components analysis. The research was conducted in the Agreste region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Three heifers submitted to the continuous grazing system were used. For the determination of the thermal effect on the animals, the variables dry bulb temperature and relative air humidity were recorded, which allowed to determine the temperature and humidity index and the specific enthalpy. The physiological variables monitored were the respiratory rate, rectal temperature and skin temperature. The quantified behavioral indicators were walking, drinking, eating, ruminating and leisure, to determine the percentage of time spent in each behavior. The variables of the study were submitted to exploratory and descriptive analysis, in order to infer the degree of association of the main components. The multivariate analysis allowed to establish the degree of pertinence between the physiological signs and behavioral patterns associated with the thermal environment, which indicated heifers adaptation to continuous grazing, even in critical meteorological conditions.