It is generally expected that the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring health and social benefits to their host city and to Brazil. This assumption comes from “common sense”, as a logical conc...It is generally expected that the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring health and social benefits to their host city and to Brazil. This assumption comes from “common sense”, as a logical conclusion arising from the fact that host cities “inspire” and stimulate lifestyle changes. Benefits are also expected on tourism, self-image, architecture and the economy of the country as a whole. But are these expectations real and evidence-based? What parts of these “facts” are concrete and which ones are not? This paper suggests available ways of quantifying positive effects of hosting an Olympic Game, and puts the focus of this approach on the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games and their true legacy, seeking scientific certainties.展开更多
Soil bioengineering has been applied more and more in different regions of Brazil in recent years. The study in hand presents the installation of “new” riparian forest based on soil bioengineering techniques. This r...Soil bioengineering has been applied more and more in different regions of Brazil in recent years. The study in hand presents the installation of “new” riparian forest based on soil bioengineering techniques. This riverbank restoration work was implemented in the year 2010 and two onsite vegetation surveys, one shortly after the construction, and one in 2013. Besides that, the structures of reinforcement work, and its effectiveness were evaluated. By means of the vegetation survey, the applied species were examined for their ability to establish the riverbank in an environmentally sustainable way. Most notably, the species Calliandra brevipes Benth. (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae), Phyllanthus sellowianus Müller Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Salix humboldtiana Willd. (Salicaceae), Bauhinia forficate Link (Leguminosae), Inga marginata Willd. (Mimosoideae) and Ateleia glazioveana Baill. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) showed a good growth development. The proportion of spontaneous vegetation increased significantly, with Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. becoming a dominating species. Resulting from that, the intervention can be assessed as functional and safe, but the strong increase of spontaneous vegetation is undesirable due to less flood resistance. The vegetated riprap could be the best to meet the expectations of the construction elements. Partly, the anchored willows showed as well a good growth development whereas the species used for the hedge brush layer could not develop as expected in large parts of the construction.展开更多
Manadas Creek is an urban tributary of the Rio Grande that flows past a decommissioned antimony smelter and processing plant. This antimony plant is associated with heavy metal contamination in the creek and still pos...Manadas Creek is an urban tributary of the Rio Grande that flows past a decommissioned antimony smelter and processing plant. This antimony plant is associated with heavy metal contamination in the creek and still poses a threat to the surrounding aquatic environment. Corbicula fluminea was used to determine bioaccumulation from the water column and sediments in Manadas Creek. The metals arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and thallium (Tl) were analyzed in the water, sediments, gills, mantle, foot, digestive (DI) tract, gonads and shell of clams being monitored at eight sites between March and August 2013. Sediment, water, and dissected Corbicula fluminea samples from different sites in the Creek were acid-digested and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy. High levels of antimony (25.88 ug/L;75.96 mg/kg) and arsenic (8.26 ug/L;6.41 mg/kg) in the water and sediments were observed at the site downstream from the smelter. There were no detectable concentrations of arsenic, antimony, or thallium in the shell of C. fluminea. Arsenic and antimony were detected in the tissues of C. fluminea but thallium was not detected. Based on the results, the organotropism for arsenic is DI tract > gills > gonads > foot > mantle > shell and the organotropism for antimony is gills > DI tract > gonads > mantle > foot > shell. This study shows that the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) is a useful bio-monitor to provide data on the status of metal pollution in Manadas Creek, Laredo, Texas.展开更多
Extensive thickly folded sedimentary sequences are exposed onshore of the Rio del Rey Basin contrary to previous reports of their rarity. Shales predominate, frequently intercalated by marlstones, sandstones...Extensive thickly folded sedimentary sequences are exposed onshore of the Rio del Rey Basin contrary to previous reports of their rarity. Shales predominate, frequently intercalated by marlstones, sandstones, mudstones, limestones and marls and have been intruded in places by volcanic rocks of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). An integration of lithostratigraphic, paleontologic, granulometric and petrographic data generated from field and laboratory studies, permitted the identification of eleven (11) lithofacies which were subsequently grouped into three facies associations to facilitate the reconstruction of the paleo-depositional environment. Graphic logs constructed from the different outcrops studied revealed general coarsening upward sequences. Mega body fossils recovered from these sediments include severely altered, ferruginized fish and turtle-like heads, bivalve shells and moulds. Two bivalve taxa were identified: Exogyra ponderosa (Roemer) and members of theVenericardiinae sub-family. Textural and mineralogical details were obtained from granulometric and thin sections (microscopy). Interpretation of these data inferred an open relatively deeper marine, probably middle neritic to near shore transitional intertidal environments into which these sediments previously dated as Lower to Upper Cretaceous were deposited. Elements of a possible petroleum system: source and reservoir rocks, migratory pathways and trapping conditions, have been pointed out and thought to exist in space and time.展开更多
The world is in a whirlwind of diplomatic activities,indicative of the shifting sands of global aspirations and priorities.In a dynamic display of international diplomacy and economic strategy,the3lstAsia-Pacific Econ...The world is in a whirlwind of diplomatic activities,indicative of the shifting sands of global aspirations and priorities.In a dynamic display of international diplomacy and economic strategy,the3lstAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC)Economic Leaders'Meeting convened in Lima,Peru,on November 16,while the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,played host to the 19th Group of 20(G20)Summit days later on November 18-19.展开更多
This year,the Group of 20(G20)Summit took place in my home state of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,on November 18-19.Theworld's attention was drawn not only to Rio's breathtaking landscapes,but also to the pressing cha...This year,the Group of 20(G20)Summit took place in my home state of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,on November 18-19.Theworld's attention was drawn not only to Rio's breathtaking landscapes,but also to the pressing challenges facing emerging economies.In this sense,the city's beauty provided a more pleasant backdrop for the tough decisions that will shape our future.From the towering Sugarloaf Mountain to the iconic Copacabana beaches,Rio set the stage for discussions that could redefine global cooperation.展开更多
文摘It is generally expected that the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring health and social benefits to their host city and to Brazil. This assumption comes from “common sense”, as a logical conclusion arising from the fact that host cities “inspire” and stimulate lifestyle changes. Benefits are also expected on tourism, self-image, architecture and the economy of the country as a whole. But are these expectations real and evidence-based? What parts of these “facts” are concrete and which ones are not? This paper suggests available ways of quantifying positive effects of hosting an Olympic Game, and puts the focus of this approach on the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games and their true legacy, seeking scientific certainties.
文摘Soil bioengineering has been applied more and more in different regions of Brazil in recent years. The study in hand presents the installation of “new” riparian forest based on soil bioengineering techniques. This riverbank restoration work was implemented in the year 2010 and two onsite vegetation surveys, one shortly after the construction, and one in 2013. Besides that, the structures of reinforcement work, and its effectiveness were evaluated. By means of the vegetation survey, the applied species were examined for their ability to establish the riverbank in an environmentally sustainable way. Most notably, the species Calliandra brevipes Benth. (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae), Phyllanthus sellowianus Müller Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Salix humboldtiana Willd. (Salicaceae), Bauhinia forficate Link (Leguminosae), Inga marginata Willd. (Mimosoideae) and Ateleia glazioveana Baill. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) showed a good growth development. The proportion of spontaneous vegetation increased significantly, with Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. becoming a dominating species. Resulting from that, the intervention can be assessed as functional and safe, but the strong increase of spontaneous vegetation is undesirable due to less flood resistance. The vegetated riprap could be the best to meet the expectations of the construction elements. Partly, the anchored willows showed as well a good growth development whereas the species used for the hedge brush layer could not develop as expected in large parts of the construction.
文摘Manadas Creek is an urban tributary of the Rio Grande that flows past a decommissioned antimony smelter and processing plant. This antimony plant is associated with heavy metal contamination in the creek and still poses a threat to the surrounding aquatic environment. Corbicula fluminea was used to determine bioaccumulation from the water column and sediments in Manadas Creek. The metals arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and thallium (Tl) were analyzed in the water, sediments, gills, mantle, foot, digestive (DI) tract, gonads and shell of clams being monitored at eight sites between March and August 2013. Sediment, water, and dissected Corbicula fluminea samples from different sites in the Creek were acid-digested and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy. High levels of antimony (25.88 ug/L;75.96 mg/kg) and arsenic (8.26 ug/L;6.41 mg/kg) in the water and sediments were observed at the site downstream from the smelter. There were no detectable concentrations of arsenic, antimony, or thallium in the shell of C. fluminea. Arsenic and antimony were detected in the tissues of C. fluminea but thallium was not detected. Based on the results, the organotropism for arsenic is DI tract > gills > gonads > foot > mantle > shell and the organotropism for antimony is gills > DI tract > gonads > mantle > foot > shell. This study shows that the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) is a useful bio-monitor to provide data on the status of metal pollution in Manadas Creek, Laredo, Texas.
文摘Extensive thickly folded sedimentary sequences are exposed onshore of the Rio del Rey Basin contrary to previous reports of their rarity. Shales predominate, frequently intercalated by marlstones, sandstones, mudstones, limestones and marls and have been intruded in places by volcanic rocks of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). An integration of lithostratigraphic, paleontologic, granulometric and petrographic data generated from field and laboratory studies, permitted the identification of eleven (11) lithofacies which were subsequently grouped into three facies associations to facilitate the reconstruction of the paleo-depositional environment. Graphic logs constructed from the different outcrops studied revealed general coarsening upward sequences. Mega body fossils recovered from these sediments include severely altered, ferruginized fish and turtle-like heads, bivalve shells and moulds. Two bivalve taxa were identified: Exogyra ponderosa (Roemer) and members of theVenericardiinae sub-family. Textural and mineralogical details were obtained from granulometric and thin sections (microscopy). Interpretation of these data inferred an open relatively deeper marine, probably middle neritic to near shore transitional intertidal environments into which these sediments previously dated as Lower to Upper Cretaceous were deposited. Elements of a possible petroleum system: source and reservoir rocks, migratory pathways and trapping conditions, have been pointed out and thought to exist in space and time.
文摘The world is in a whirlwind of diplomatic activities,indicative of the shifting sands of global aspirations and priorities.In a dynamic display of international diplomacy and economic strategy,the3lstAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC)Economic Leaders'Meeting convened in Lima,Peru,on November 16,while the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,played host to the 19th Group of 20(G20)Summit days later on November 18-19.
文摘This year,the Group of 20(G20)Summit took place in my home state of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,on November 18-19.Theworld's attention was drawn not only to Rio's breathtaking landscapes,but also to the pressing challenges facing emerging economies.In this sense,the city's beauty provided a more pleasant backdrop for the tough decisions that will shape our future.From the towering Sugarloaf Mountain to the iconic Copacabana beaches,Rio set the stage for discussions that could redefine global cooperation.
