Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are emerging pollutants that can potentially accumulate in aquatic ecosystems at significant levels, with the potential to impact the health of both animals and humans. Many scientists have correlated human exposure to high concentrations of EDCs with critical physiological impacts, including infertility, thyroid imbalance, early sexual development, endometriosis, diabetes, and obesity. Several substances, such as heavy metals, belong to this family, ranging from natural to synthetic compounds, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and plastic-derived compounds. Domestic sewage represents a significant source of EDCs in the surrounding aquatic ecosystems. To this day, most rural and urban domestic wastewater in the municipality of Maricá is directly discharged into local aquatic environments without any treatment. The present study aimed to assess the potential contamination of the riverine and lagoonal environment in the municipality of Maricá. Water and sediment samples were collected seasonally at 18 sites along the Maricá watershed and the main lagoon, into which most of the watershed’s contributors flow. Water physico-chemical parameters (pH, reduction–oxidation potential—Eh, dissolved oxygen levels, salinity, turbidity, temperature, and fecal coliforms) were analyzed to characterize the urban influence on the aquatic environment. Sediment samples were also analyzed for grain size, total organic carbon percentage, potential bioavailable fraction of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Zn), and metalloid As. Finally, the sediment toxicity was assessed using yeast estrogen screen (YES) assays. The results obtained already demonstrate the presence of estrogenic effects and raise concerns about water quality. The current study indicates that, despite the absence of agricultural and industrial activities in the city of Maricá, EDCs are already present and have the potential to impact the local ecosystem, posing potential risks to human health.

Estudo comparativo dos meios de transporte utilizados na coleta seletiva / Comparative study of transport means used in selective collection

Uma análise territorial do município do Rio de Janeiro é apresentada com o objetivo de contribuir com o planejamento da coleta seletiva de resíduos sólidos e a tomada de decisão na gestão pública de limpeza urbana. A metodologia aplicada levou em consideração dados primários e secundários do atual sistema de coleta de resíduos sólidos no contexto da geografia metropolitana, cruzando essas informações com os dados de infraestrutura viária, demografia e perfil socioeconômico da população municipal, por meio de ferramentas de geoprocessamento. Estas informações, conjugadas e espacializadas, indicaram que o uso de diferentes modais, conforme as características de cada região, podem otimizar o processo de coleta, reduzindo custos da operação e melhorando a prestação de serviços. Esses resultados corroboram a importância da análise de dados geográficos para a otimização de recursos, eficiência e qualidade dos programas de coleta seletiva, tendo em vista o atendimento à Política Nacional dos Resíduos Sólidos.

This article aims to evaluate the economic and environmental efficiency and the impacts on urban traffic of models of door-to-door collection and transportation of recyclable materials, through the analysis of the three models in execution in Brazil, namely: compactor truck, box truck and unmanned combustion engine vehicle, associated with a support point. Due to the scarce literature found related to the transportation of selective collection, this analysis intends to contribute as a subsidy to the decision-making by the agencies and institutions responsible for the management of municipal solid waste and in the planning of the best means of transportation for this purpose, taking into account the local characteristics. The work corroborates the thesis that adequate planning for the optimization of resources, efficiency and quality in the provision of services is fundamental for the implementation and maintenance of selective collection programs, in order to comply with the National Solid Waste Policy.

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are emerging pollutants that can potentially accumulate in aquatic ecosystems at significant levels, with the potential to impact the health of both animals and humans. Many scientists have correlated human exposure to high concentrations of EDCs with critical physiological impacts, including infertility, thyroid imbalance, early sexual development, endometriosis, diabetes, and obesity. Several substances, such as heavy metals, belong to this family, ranging from natural to synthetic compounds, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and plastic-derived compounds. Domestic sewage represents a significant source of EDCs in the surrounding aquatic ecosystems. To this day, most rural and urban domestic wastewater in the municipality of Marica is directly discharged into local aquatic environments without any treatment. The present study aimed to assess the potential contamination of the riverine and lagoonal environment in the municipality of Marica. Water and sediment samples were collected seasonally at 18 sites along the Maricá watershed and the main lagoon, where most of the watershed contributors flow. Water physico-chemical parameters (pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen levels, salinity, turbidity, temperature, and fecal coliforms) were analyzed to characterize the urban influence on the aquatic environment. Simultaneously, sediment samples were analyzed for grain size, total organic carbon percentage, and the potential bioavailable fraction of trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Zn, and As). Finally, the sediment toxicity was assessed using YES assays. The results obtained already demonstrate the presence of estrogenic effects and raise concerns about water quality. The findings from the present study suggest that, despite the absence of agricultural and industrial activities in the city of Maricá, EDCs are already present and have the potential to impact the local ecosystem, posing potential risks to human health.