1
|
da Costa Alves Filho PP, da Silveira Pereira WV, Dias YN, Ferreira de Moraes AL, Rodrigues FHS, Ramos SJ, Santos de Souza E, Fontes do Amaral AM, Fernandes AR. Artisanal mining of monazite and cassiterite in the Amazon: Potential risks of rare earth elements for the environment and human health. Environ Manage 2024:10.1007/s00267-024-01964-8. [PMID: 38573351 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-01964-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Artisanal mining is intensely carried out in developing countries, including Brazil and especially in the Amazon. This method of mineral exploration generally does not employ mitigation techniques for potential damages and can lead to various environmental problems and risks to human health. The objectives of this study were to quantify the concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) and estimate the environmental and human health risks in cassiterite and monazite artisanal mining areas in the southeastern Amazon, as well as to understand the dynamics of this risk over time after exploitation. A total of 35 samples of wastes classified as overburden and tailings in active areas, as well as in areas deactivated for one and ten years were collected. Samples were also collected in a forest area considered as a reference site. The concentrations of REEs were quantified using alkaline fusion and ICP-MS. The results were used to calculate pollution indices and environmental and human health risks. REEs showed higher concentrations in anthropized areas. Pollution and environmental risk levels were higher in areas deactivated for one year, with considerable contamination factors for Gd and Sm and significant to extreme enrichment factors for Sc. Human health risks were low (< 1) in all studied areas. The results indicate that artisanal mining of cassiterite and monazite has the potential to promote contamination and enrichment by REEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yan Nunes Dias
- Vale Institute of Technology, Belém, Pará, 66055-090, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Edna Santos de Souza
- Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará, São Félix do Xingu, Pará, 68380-000, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aguiar DCF, Nascimento DDNDS, Penner DF, de Castro BDSL, Virgolino RR, Neves AMP, Siqueira ADS, Gonçalves EC. First molecular detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi in a domestic cat ( Felis catus) from an urban area in eastern Amazon. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2023; 29:e20220048. [PMID: 37223440 PMCID: PMC10202461 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2022-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Domestic cats have been implicated as accidental hosts of Leishmania sp. However, in recent years, the recurrent description of new cases in endemic and nonendemic areas draw attention to the potential epidemiological role of cats as reservoir hosts. Although dogs are considered urban reservoirs, cats could act as a secondary natural reservoirs in these areas. Thus, feline leishmaniasis has become an emerging disease in several countries worldwide. Case presentation This study aimed to describe the first case of feline leishmaniasis in a stray animal that presented lesions compatible with the disease in Belém, Pará, Brazil, an important urban area in eastern Amazon. Serological tests for Leishmania infantum (ELISA and IFA) were nonreactive, whereas histopathological examination indicated infectious dermatitis caused by Leishmania spp. or Toxoplasma gondii. Cytopathological study of lesion aspirate confirmed the presence of Leishmania sp. amastigotes within macrophages. Finally, molecular analyses revealed that the feline infection was caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi. Conclusion To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports the first case of natural infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi in a feline from eastern Amazon. These findings suggest domestic cats as potential secondary reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp. in Belém, which reinforces the importance of further epidemiological investigation of feline leishmaniasis, especially in urban areas with human cases.
Collapse
|
3
|
de Jesus Corrêa-Neto J, Henriques AL. Horse Flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Mangrove Forests and Estuarine Floodplains on Marajó Island, Brazil. Neotrop Entomol 2023:10.1007/s13744-023-01047-z. [PMID: 37189001 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-023-01047-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Tabanids constitute an important group of hematophagous insects that can transmit zoonoses, but with studies on the ecological distribution of species still neglected in the Amazon. We evaluated the role of mangrove forests and estuarine floodplains located inside and outside a conservation unit (UC) on the coast of Marajó Island, Amazon River estuary, on the diversity and distribution of tabanids. Specifically, we studied whether the community of mangrove and estuarine floodplain tabanids located inside and outside the UC differ in abundance, richness, and species composition. We collected tabanids using a Malaise trap at 40 sampling points, resulting in 637 specimens distributed in 13 species and one morphotype, representing approximately 37% of the tabanid fauna ever recorded for the Marajó Island. There was no significant difference in the richness and composition of tabanids between the phytophysiognomies, but the abundance was significantly different, with greater abundance in the mangrove. The areas inside and around the UC had an influence on the tabanids, with the areas inside the UC having the highest number of specimens and species, also influencing the species composition. Two species are new records for the Marajó Island, bringing the number of species recorded to 38. Our results suggest that, along the Amazonian coast, mangroves and estuarine floodplains maintain part of the diversity of tabanids known for the Brazilian Amazon. Our data also indicate that the region's UC provides potentially important habitats for the maintenance of local tabanid populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José de Jesus Corrêa-Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Entomologia), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pereira WVDS, Ramos SJ, Melo LCA, Braz AMDS, Dias YN, Almeida GVD, Fernandes AR. Levels and environmental risks of rare earth elements in a gold mining area in the Amazon. Environ Res 2022; 211:113090. [PMID: 35278468 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal gold (Au) mining may have increased the concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in the Serra Pelada mine (southeastern Amazon, Brazil), which has not been evaluated so far. The objectives of this study were to determine the concentrations of cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), scandium (Sc), and yttrium (Y) in the surroundings of the Serra Pelada mine, as well as the environmental risks associated with these elements. Therefore, 27 samples were collected in agricultural, forest, mining, and urban areas, and submitted to chemical and particle size characterization. The concentrations of REEs were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and used to estimate pollution indices and environmental risks of the studied elements. All REEs had higher levels in the anthropized areas when compared to the forest area, except Sc in the mining and urban areas. Pollution load indices revealed that all areas are contaminated (>1) by the combined effect of REEs, especially the agricultural areas (index of 2.3). The element of greatest enrichment in the studied areas was Y, with enrichment factors of 18.2, 39.0, and 44.4 in the urban, agriculture, and mining areas, respectively. However, the potential ecological risk indices were low (<150) in all areas, indicating that there are no current environmental risks by the studied REEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sílvio Junio Ramos
- Vale Institute of Technology - Sustainable Development, 66055-090, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Leônidas Carrijo Azevedo Melo
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-900, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Yan Nunes Dias
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal Rural University of the Amazon, 66077-830, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lima MWD, Pereira WVDS, Souza ESD, Teixeira RA, Palheta DDC, Faial KDCF, Costa HF, Fernandes AR. Bioaccumulation and human health risks of potentially toxic elements in fish species from the southeastern Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil. Environ Res 2022; 204:112024. [PMID: 34516979 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities may have increased the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in fish from the southeastern Carajás Mineral Province in Brazil, which has not yet been studied. The objectives were to determine the quality parameters of surface water and bottom sediments, and to assess the bioaccumulation and risks of Al, Fe, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn in fish species from the southeastern Carajás Mineral Province. Water, sediments and fish species (Colossoma macropomum, Curimata cyprinoides, Geophagus sp., Leporinus trifasciatus, and Serrasalmus eigenmanni) were collected in 14 areas in the municipalities of Parauapebas, Marabá and Canaã dos Carajás, contemplating the Gelado Stream and the Parauapebas, Tapirapé and Itacaiúnas Rivers. Water samples were subjected to physicochemical analysis using a multiparameter meter. Concentrations of PTEs in all samples were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were calculated to study the sediment enrichment and contamination. Ecological and human health risk assessments were performed to determine the risks to the environment and population's health. EF and Igeo revealed that the sediments from the Parauapebas River and Gelado Stream are respectively enriched by Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb, and Ba, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and V. The concentrations of Fe (1.67 mg L-1) and Mn (0.11 mg L-1) in water and the concentrations of Cr (>0.1 mg kg-1) and Pb (>2 mg kg-1) in fish were above the Brazilian legislation thresholds. The ecological risk assessment revealed considerable risk from Ni and moderate risk from multiple PTEs in sediments from the Gelado Stream. Human health risks were detected for Pb in all fish species and for Mo in L.trifasciatus. These results indicate that techniques for monitoring and controlling contamination must be implemented by the environmental agencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Willians de Lima
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal Rural University of the Amazon, 66077-830, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| | | | - Edna Santos de Souza
- Xingu Institute of Studies, Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará, 68380-000, São Félix do Xingu, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Renato Alves Teixeira
- Institute of Studies on Regional Agrarian Development, Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará, 68507-590, Marabá, Pará, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Hain Figueiredo Costa
- Socioenvironmental and Water Resources Institute, Federal Rural University of the Amazon, 66077-830, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
da Silva Negrão MC, da Silva MRL, Videira MN, Viana LA. Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Calyptospora parasites Overstreet, Hawkins and Fournié, 1984 (Apicomplexa: Calyptosporidae) in fishes from the eastern Amazon, Brazil. Parasitol Int 2019; 73:101975. [PMID: 31421267 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.101975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This work reports the occurrence of coccidia of the genus Calyptospora in fishes from the eastern Amazon. Fish were collected on flood plains in the municipality of Macapá, State of Amapá, Brazil. Fresh squash preparations of liver, heart and gallbladder were examined under light microscope. Positive samples of Geophagus proximus and Hoplias malabaricus were used to detect parasites by PCR with Calyptospora-specific primers mRF and mrR, which amplify a region of the 18S rRNA gene. Oocysts were observed in 55% of 130 fishes examined. Parasite prevalence varied according to feeding habits, and was 100% in carnivores, 74% in omnivores (invertivores and detritivores) and 0% in herbivores. Variation in the frequency of parasitized organs showed 100% in the liver, 30% in the gallbladder, and 9% in the heart. The sequences obtained from G. proximus and H. malabaricus were identical and showed 99% similarity to Calyptospora serrasalmi. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of Calyptospora in 10 new species of fish from the region of the eastern Brazilian Amazon. The results demonstrate the occurrence of C. serrasalmi in the region and the research provides new primers for the diagnosis of Calyptospora spp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Regina Lucas da Silva
- Laboratory of Morphophysiological and Parasitic Studies, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá (UNIFAP), Macapá, AP 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Marcela Nunes Videira
- Laboratory of Morphophysiology and Animal Health, Amapá State University (UEAP), Macapá, AP 68900-070, Brazil
| | - Lúcio André Viana
- Laboratory of Morphophysiological and Parasitic Studies, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá (UNIFAP), Macapá, AP 68903-419, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Villar LM, Milagres FAP, Lampe E, Cruz HM, Scalioni LDP, Magalhães MDAFM, Romão AR, Gracie R, de Paula VS. Determination of hepatitis B, C and D prevalence among urban and Amerindian populations from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon: a cross sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:411. [PMID: 30126364 PMCID: PMC6102873 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV in urban populations and Amerindians living in the state of Tocantins (Eastern Amazon). Methods A total of 948 individuals were recruited in Tocantinopolis city (Tocantins state) of whom 603 were Amerindians (from 6 tribes) and 345 were non-Amerindians (6 urban areas of Tocantinópolis city). Anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-delta antibodies were determined using enzyme immunoassay. Results HBV cleared infection (both anti-HBc/anti-HBs+), chronic inactive/immune controlled HBV infection (anti-HBc + only), previous HBV vaccination (anti-HBs + only), active HBV infection (HBsAg+), individuals susceptible to HBV, and anti-HCV reactivity were found in 12.9, 1.8, 27.2, 0.5, 57.7, 1.2% in Amerindians and 12.1, 2.0, 37.1, 0.3, 55.4, 0.3% in non-Amerindians respectively. Out of 139 anti-HBc reactive individuals, 70 were anti-HBe reactive and none presented HBeAg or anti-HBc IgM. Anti-HBc prevalence was associated to older age (p < 0.0001). Overall anti-Delta prevalence was 0.3% and regarding anti-HBc reactive individuals, anti-delta prevalence was 3.4 and 0% in Amerindians and non-Amerindians respectively. Conclusions Overall low prevalence of HBV and HCV infection was found in the populations studied, but high HBV and HCV prevalence was observed in Amerindians compared to non-Amerindians suggesting that these individuals have a higher likelihood of acquiring to these infections. Anti-delta antibodies were found among Amerindians from Eastern Amazon suggesting a risk for this population. Of note is that nearly half of Amerindians had no anti-HBs, indicating a need for HBV vaccination campaigns in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Livia Melo Villar
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Helio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion - Ground Floor - Room B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos -, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil.
| | | | - Elisabeth Lampe
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Helio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion - Ground Floor - Room B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos -, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Helena Medina Cruz
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Helio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion - Ground Floor - Room B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos -, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Leticia de Paula Scalioni
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Helio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion - Ground Floor - Room B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos -, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | | | - Anselmo Rocha Romão
- Laboratory of Information in Health, Institute of Communication and technological and scientific information in Health (ICICT), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renata Gracie
- Laboratory of Information in Health, Institute of Communication and technological and scientific information in Health (ICICT), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|