Fluoroquinolones antimicrobials are partially excreted in natura after administration. Their occurrence was investigated in hospital raw sewage (HRS) and treated wastewater (TW) using an online solid phase extraction-ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS). The analytical curves ranged from 0.25 to 46 ng mL-1 and the matrix effect, assessed for marbofloxacin and lomefloxacin, ranged from –63 to +1%. All HRS samples contained ciprofloxacin (1-34 ng mL-1) and ofloxacin (0.9-27 ng mL-1), while norfloxacin was detected in 17% of the samples (0.8-4.4 ng mL-1). Only ciprofloxacin (0.5-5.6 ng mL-1) was detected in TW samples. The antimicrobial activity of the HRS samples for E. coli was higher than a ciprofloxacin solution of 1 mg L-1, due to the presence of other antimicrobial agents. Ozonation (10 mg O3 L-1 min-1 ; 10 min) degraded up to 84% of the fluoroquinolones and removed the antimicrobial activity of HRS samples.

The symbiosis of plants with mycorrhizal fungi represents an alternative to be considered during the processes of revegetation and rehabilitation of arsenic-contaminated soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate under greenhouse conditions the effect of arsenic on the mycorrhizal association of two species of tropical fern (Thelypteris salzmannii and Dicranopteris flexuosa). T. salzmannii had higher rates of colonization and higher density of spores while D. flexuosa showed greater sensitivity to smaller concentrations of arsenic and association with mycorrhizal fungi. Our results indicate that screening and selection of mycorrhizal fungal isolates/species is possible and effective for phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils.

Visando estudar a influência de diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo com e sem calagem, sobre a colonização micorrízica radicular e a produção de micélio extrarradicular, por meio de técnica de análise multivariada, utilizou-se um experimento implantado em 1978, no município de Guarapuava, PR. A análise de componentes principais comprovou a existência de efeitos negativos do sistema de preparo convencional do solo sobre a colonização de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) do solo, principalmente em estruturas como arbúsculos e vesículas. A calagem apresentou benefícios para os parâmetros de colonização micorrízica e comprimento de micélio extrarradicular, sendo mais significativo nos sistemas de manejo conservacionistas, principalmente o sistema de plantio direto. Nas áreas de sistemas convencionais ocorreu uma redução na colonização micorrízica e, conseqüentemente, diminuição dos efeitos benéficos dos FMAs para as plantas, reduzindo a qualidade do solo e a sustentabilidade.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different soil management systems with and without liming on root colonization and production of extraradicular mycelium. Through multivariate analysis technique, an experiment established in 1978 in Guarapuava, state of Paraná was used. Correspondence analysis proved the existence of negative effects of the conventional tillage on the root mycorrhizal colonization (AMF) of the soil, mainly in structures as arbuscules and vesicles. The liming showed to be beneficial for the parameters of root micorrhyzal colonization and hyphal length, being more significant for conservationist management systems, such as no-tillage. In the areas under conventional management systems there was a reduction in micorrhyzal root colonization and consequently a decrease in beneficial effects of AMF for the plants, reducing the quality of the soil and the sustainability.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da calagem e sua influência sobre atributos químicos e de fauna do solo em um Cambissolo sob sistema de semeadura direta. O experimento vem sendo conduzido em Lages, SC, desde maio de 2001. Os tratamentos foram: semeadura direta com calcário incorporado na dose de 1 SMP (SD-inc) e superficial nas doses de 1/5 SMP (SD-1/5sup) e 1/2 SMP (SD-1/2sup). Como padrão, utilizou-se solo sem cultivo e sem aplicação de calcário, e uma área de pastagem perene com calcário incorporado na dose de 1 SMP (PI-inc). O solo foi amostrado nas camadas de 0-5; 5-10; 10-20cm para análise de Ca2+, Mg+2, Al3+, pH em água e em CaCl2; e de 0-10cm para carbono orgânico total e fauna do solo. A aplicação superficial de calcário no sistema de semeadura direta na maior dose (1/2 SMP) elevou os teores de Ca2+ até 10cm de profundidade e de Mg+2 até a camada de 10 a 20cm. A abundância e a diversidade da fauna edáfica foram maiores nas áreas sob semeadura direta e pastagem, em relação ao solo sem cultivo, mostrando sensibilidade às alterações advindas do manejo do solo, mas sem correlação direta com as modificações químicas decorrentes da calagem.

This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of liming and its influence on chemistry and fauna properties of a Cambisol under no-tillage system. The experiment has been carried out in Lages, SC, southern Brazil, since May 2001. The treatments were: no-tillage with incorporated lime in the rate of 1 SMP (NT-inc); superficial liming in the rate of 1/5 SMP (NT-1/5sup), and 1/2 SMP (NT-1/2sup). As control treatment, bare soil without cultivation without lime application (BS), and plots with perennial pasture with incorporate lime in the rate of 1 SMP (Pp-inc) were used. Soil samples were collected in the layers of 0-5; 5-10; 10-20cm depth for analysis of Ca2+, Mg+2, Al3+, water and CaCl2 pH. Total organic carbon and soil fauna were analysed in the layer 0-10cm. The superficial liming in the no-tillage system in the highest rate (1/2 SMP) increased Ca2+ contents up to 10 cm depth and Mg+2 up to the layer of 10 to 20cm. The abundance and diversity of soil fauna were higher in cultivated plots under no-tillage and pasture, in relation to the bare soil, showing influences of soil management, but with no direct relation with chemical soil conditions created by liming.