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The present study evaluated the influence of land use and occupation on water quality indices (WQI); the WQI developed by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), the WQI adapted by the Environmental Company of the Sao Paulo State (CETESB), WQI proposed by Bascaron and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) WQI, obtained for watersheds located in the Eastern Water Planning and Management Region (BA). The study also analyzed the divergences and similarities of these WQI methods. Water quality data were obtained from the Monitoring Program (Monitora) of Environment and Water Resources Institute of Bahia (INEMA), covering the period from 2008 to 2015, at thirteen (13) sampling sites, with quarterly collections, as well as land use and occupation data. The influence of land use and occupation on water quality indices was assessed by principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA showed that urban and agricultural/pasture areas were influencing factors on water quality variables, such as total phosphorus, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, turbidity total residues and consequently lower WQI values in the Cachoeira watershed. Among the tested methods to evaluate the water quality of watersheds in the study area, the most similar were the NSF WQI, CETESB WQI, and Objective Bascaron WQI.

A qualidade da água empregada em atividades agropecuárias influencia diretamente na produtividade, e na qualidade de vida das populações rurais da região semiárida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar a qualidade da água de 47 poços tubulares do Rio Grande do Norte, tendo em vista o uso do recurso para irrigação agrícola e dessedentação animal. A variabilidade da composição físico-química da água foi realizada através da Análise dos Componentes Principais e diagramas de Durov e Schoeller-Berkaloff. Sua classificação para irrigação foi determinada pela Razão da Adsorção do Sódio (RAS). A concentração de elementos químicos foi comparada com os limiares descritos em documentos de referência. Sete componentes principais permitiram representar aproximadamente 69% da variância dos dados. A classificação dos tipos de água demostrou que mais da metade dos poços (56%) apresentaram águas do tipo mista cloretada. Grande parte dos poços apresentou risco alto (43%) de salinização, porém, baixo para sodificação (45%). Todas as fontes hídricas analisadas mostraram-se inadequadas ao rendimento de plantas mais sensíveis (RAS ≥ 2), e com níveis de sódio (> 115 mg L-1) capaz de ocasionar-lhes algum grau de lesão foliar. Os parâmetros pH, condutividade elétrica, sólidos totais dissolvidos (STD), cloreto, manganês, urânio e zinco apresentaram concentrações acima dos limites recomendados para culturas vegetais. Para a produção de animais, STD, magnésio, sulfato e manganês apresentaram concentrações acima dos valores máximos recomendados. A maior parte das restrições de uso foram relacionadas à atividade de irrigação, quando comparada à dessedentação animal.

Pollution from sewage discharge is one of the most critical environmental problems worldwide, e.g., in Brazil, where basic sanitation is still scarce. As pollution can affect biomes, especially estuaries where intensive ecological and human activities occur, has caused widespread concern. This work aimed to study the water quality of the Jundiaí/Potengi Estuary (JPE) in an area close to the discharge of treated and untreated wastewater for 18 months. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters were measured and integrated using the Water Quality Index of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Ecotoxicological tests were performed with Brazilian endemic organisms to assess the impact of water pollution on biota. A generalized linear regression model was applied to understand the effects of water quality on ecotoxicological responses. Concentrations of metals, dissolved oxygen, total ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, and thermotolerant coliforms did not comply with Brazilian environmental regulations. A significant increase in the mortality rate of Mysidopsis juniae and Nitocra sp. and a significant decrease in the reproductive rate of Nitocra sp. indicated the most affected areas related to the discharge of treated and untreated wastewater. Only 10% of the samples from sites without direct wastewater impact showed a toxic response in at least one organism. Both water quality and sampling sites were statistical predictors of ecotoxicological response, describing not only the pollutant load but also the type of effluent. This study demonstrated the degradation of the environmental quality of the JPE, particularly due to the discharge of sanitary wastewater, and highlights the importance of protection and remediation measures to preserve this protected area.

Sea turtles face several threats and pollution has become a major concern for their conservation worldwide. We analyzed samples of the liver, muscles, and kidneys of 38 Chelonia mydas stranded along the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil, between 2015 and 2018 to determine the total Hg concentration (THg), as well as the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Ag, and Se. The relation between turtle size and element concentrations revealed a negative correlation for THg and Se (liver, muscles, and kidneys), Cu and Cd (liver and kidneys) and a positive correlation for Ag in the three organs analyzed. Concentrations of THg, Cu, Ag, and Se were high in the liver, highlighting the Cu concentration (median = 25.1150 μg g

Natural radioactivity is a public health concern worldwide. Its deleterious effects are largely associated with emitting ionizing particles which generate innumerable toxicological consequences to human being. The present study aimed to describe the research state of the art on natural radioactivity in Brazil through a systematic review limited to articles published in the twenty-first century in the PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs, and Google Scholar databases. A total of 55 research articles were considered for this purpose. Based on the collected sample types, the radiation analysis in most of the scientific reports was performed on solid samples (soil/sediment/rocks), followed by water and air. In fact, most of the available information came from geological studies. A wide range of concentrations and a variety of radionuclides have been assessed, with radium being the most cited. Most of the studies described radiation levels above the international guidelines, and consider the Brazilian territory as a high natural background radiation region (HNBR). In comparison with other HNBR areas, the scientific information about the related risks to human health is still scarce. There is uncertainty about the real impact of natural radioactivity on human health, as there is a lack of scientific information for most of the country about this issue. The analysis and comparison of the available information highlights the potential risks linked to natural radioactivity and the need to incorporate suitable environmental management policies about this issue.

In Latin America, the high proportion of arsenic (As) in many groundwaters and phreatic aquifers is related to the volcanism of the Andean Range. Nevertheless, there is still very little published research on As and other elements occurrence, and/or transference to biota in Southern regions such as Argentinean Patagonia and the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica, where there are active volcanoes and geothermal processes. Therefore, this study was aimed to describe water quality from the main rivers of Argentinean Northern Patagonia through physicochemical analysis. The Patagonian and Antarctic biota (including samples of animal, plants, algae and bacteria) was characterized through the analysis of their As and other elemental concentrations (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Se, Br, Rb and Sr), by synchrotron radiation x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SRXRF). Finally, the analysis of metal and As-proteins associations in As-accumulating organisms was performed by SRXRF after sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A wide range of metal concentration including As (up to 950 μg/L As) was found in water samples from Patagonian rivers. A hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the elemental concentration of analysed biological samples was related to volcanic environments and their place in the trophic chain. Moreover, the results suggest that Se, Co, Cu, Br, and Cl are strong predictors of As in biota. On the other hand, As was not detected in proteins from the studied samples, suggesting biotransformation into soluble As-organic compounds. This is the first study to describe environmental pollution as a consequence of active volcanism, and its influence on water quality and elemental composition of biota in Argentinean Northern Patagonia and Antarctica.

Cyanobacteria are important for ecosystem functioning, but eutrophication may affect the surrounding biome by losing ecosystem services and/or through affecting the cyanotoxins production that threatens ecological and human health. Pollution is an environmental issue that affects aquatic ecosystems worldwide, and the knowledge of the role of synthetic chemicals such as pharmaceuticals is still scarce. Therefore, studies coupling these two relevant issues are essential to better understand the ecological risks and the potential threats to public health. Thus, an overview of ecotoxicological tests performed in the literature exposing cyanobacteria to pharmaceuticals and the possible consequences regarding ecological and sanitary aspects was conducted. Moreover, a risk assessment was performed to enable a better understanding of pharmaceuticals affecting cyanobacteria ecology. Most of the studies found in the literature tested isolated pharmaceuticals in laboratory conditions, while others assessed mixture effects on in situ conditions. The endpoints most assessed were growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The studies also point out that cyanobacteria may present resistance or sensitivity depending on the concentrations and the therapeutic class, which may cause a change in the ecosystem dynamics and/or sanitary implications due to cyanotoxin production. The risk assessment highlighted that antibiotics are among the most relevant substances due to the chemical diversity and higher levels found in the environment than other therapeutic classes. This review highlighted gaps regarding cyanotoxin release into aquatic environments due to the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and the need for more realistic experiments to better understand the potential consequences for human and environmental health.

This study had the objectives to describe and analyze the perceptions and attitudes of snakebite victims in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied as snakebite victims to identify the characteristics of the accident, their daily life, as well as positive and negative attitudes towards snake conservation and knowledge about species. Information about the possible uses of traditional treatment, allopathic care characteristics along with the symptoms and sequelae resulting from the accident were also recorded. The results obtained revealed that accidents mostly occurred during the development of their daily activities (i.e. during agricultural activities, in hunting activities in the mountains, in caring for farm animals, etc); most accidents are associated with Caatinga lancehead (Jararaca; Bothrops erythromelas); the bites usually affect the limbs, 75% (n = 46) feet, and the victims resort to medical assistance for specific treatment, although some seek this service after using or ingesting medicinal or popular/home-made therapeutic resources. The most relevant characteristics detected in these accidents were the strong influence of myths about traditional treatment (20%, n = 12) and the knowledge about identifying common snake species in the region (66%, n = 40). No perception was detected about the importance of these animals, but there were negative attitudes when finding a snake, fear/panic (34%, n = 21); kill the snake (23%, n = 14), thus constituting facts which may be related to the deficiency in the education level of this population which is interfering in environmental and public health issues. Work on improving the knowledge and local perception could subsidize actions and policies aimed to prevent accidents, demystify snakes and contribute to the conservation of the species.

Background Ethnozoology comprehends human interactions with animals, including their knowledge, meaning, and use by societies. In this sense and from the point of view of the human relationship with snakes, this study had the objectives to describe and analyse the level of Ethnozoological knowledge of snakebite accident victims in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. Methods The accident records were accessed through case notifications registered in the SINAN between 2007 and 2016 in the Borborema Potiguar Microregion of Rio Grande do Norte State, specifically in the municipality of Santa Cruz, which was identified as a risk area. An effort was made to locate the snakebite accident victims during this period. Next, a semi-structured questionnaire was applied through an interview to identify the characteristics of the accident, record the victim’s perception of the snake and the accident, their daily life, as well as positive and negative attitudes towards snake conservation and knowledge about species. Information about the possible uses of traditional treatment, allopathic care characteristics along with the symptoms and sequelae resulting from the accident were also recorded. Results The most relevant characteristics detected in these accidents were the strong influence of myths about traditional treatment and the knowledge about identifying common snake species in the region. No perception was detected about the importance of these animals, but there were negative attitudes when finding a snake, thus constituting facts which may be related to the deficiency in the education level of this population which is interfering in environmental and public health issues. Conclusion Work on improving the knowledge and local perception could subsidize actions and policies aimed to prevent accidents, demystify snakes and contribute to the conservation of the species.

Environmental contamination is reaching ever higher levels and affecting several animal populations, including humans. In this context, studies are being developed to monitor and evaluate this environmental problem using bioindicators organisms, in addition to testing the toxicity of contaminants in the laboratory. In this perspective, reptiles are ideal animals for these types of studies, considering that they are ectothermic and have a slower metabolism directly influencing their recovery power, and therefore, they are more sensitive to xenobiotic effects. Among reptiles, lizards are animals that adapt to various environmental conditions, even being found in areas with arid characteristics. Therefore, a literature review was conducted in this study regarding the use of lizards as models for ecotoxicological studies, including biomonitoring, carried out in the last 10 years, with the aim of evaluating them as bioindicators in Brazilian semi-arid region. Studies were found involving ten lizard families, among which the most investigated was Lacertidae. The studies were classified into two categories: organic contaminants (pesticides, petroleum by-products, and explosives) and inorganic contaminants (metals such as zinc, lead and aluminum, and radionuclides). Contaminants directly contributed to DNA damage and to increasing the frequency of micronuclei in exposed animals, histopathological effects, and oxidative stress. The performed analysis highlights the usefulness of lizards as environmental biomonitors. However, the response profile is dependent on the exposure level and route, in addition to the environmental scenario analyzed. Therefore, future studies aimed at evaluating environmental contaminants are required under exposure conditions more related to the environmental reality to be studied.

Natural radiation of geological origin is a common phenomenon in Brazil, a country where radioactive agents such as uranium may be often found. As an unstable atom, uranium undergoes radioactive decay with the generation of a series of decay by-products, including radon, which may be highly genotoxic and trigger several pathological processes, among which cancer. Because it is a gas, radon may move freely between cracks and gaps in the ground, seeping upwards into the buildings and in the environment. In this study, two Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera, Drosophilidae) strains called Oregon-R and Wild (collected in a non-radioactive environment) were exposed to atmospheric radiation in the Lajes Pintadas city, in the semiarid zone of northeastern Brazil. After six days of environmental exposure, the organisms presented genetic damage significantly higher than that of the negative control group. The genotoxic effects observed reinforce the findings of other studies carried out in the same region, which warn about the environmental risks related to natural radioactivity occurrence. The results also validate the use of the Comet assay in hemocytes of D. melanogaster as a sensitive test to detect genotoxicity caused by natural radiation, and the use of a recently collected D. melanogaster strain in the environmental of radon.

Em regiões semiáridas, a escassez hídrica é uma problemática que põem em risco a sustentabilidade do desenvolvimento socioeconômico regional. Diante disso, o presente trabalho teve como intuito avaliar a qualidade da água produzida proveniente da indústria petrolífera no nordeste brasileiro no município de Mossoró-RN e seu potencial uso na irrigação. Amostras de água produzida foram avaliadas para caracterização físico-químicas (pH, condutividade, sólidos totais dissolvidos, salinidade, alcalinidade, carbonato, bicarbonato, cálcio, magnésio, dureza, cloreto, sódio, potássio, nitrato, sulfato, ferro) e toxicológicas (metais pesados: cádmio, cobre, chumbo, cromo, manganês, níquel, zinco e alumínio além do TOG). No que diz respeito às análises físico-químicas, os valores de NaHCO3, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ e Cl- estiveram fora dos limiares considerados pelo manual de irrigação da EMBRAPA. Para as análises toxicológicas, todos os metais ficaram conformes e apenas o TOG extrapolou o limite permitido pela CONAMA nº 430/2011, que trata sobre a gestão do lançamento de efluentes, indicando a necessidade de incorporação de processos para eliminar e/ou minimizar a ocorrência destes compostos, uma vez que a água utilizada neste estudo era um efluente, sem qualquer tipo de tratamento, garantindo a segurança sanitária deste recurso em práticas de irrigação. Sendo assim, a água produzida pode ser considerada um recurso hídrico alternativo para irrigação após tratamento adequado

Water deficit is a current problem of global relevance. This is a problem in Brazil, especially in the Semiarid region, which undergoes severe droughts for much of the year. This requires the search for alternatives, such as the planned wastewater use, which is a successful alternative in developed countries that is applied for various purposes, including agriculture. However, despite the increasing growth of agriculture in Brazil, there are no established control and monitoring policies to minimize its impacts on the environment and human health. The country does not have specific legislation that defines wastewater quality parameters for domestic sewage. The objective of this work was to compile international guidelines and legislations that address this issue and compare them with the national normative resolutions for quality of wastewater and its different uses. The most relevant and locally applicable parameters described in these documents were listed, and the reference limits were defined by comparing them with those found in the scientific literature applied to the Brazilian context. This compilation represents the first step towards the incorporation of regulations for water reuse, having the Brazilian Semiarid region as a first test field, but with expandable application to different regions of the country. RESUMO O déficit hídrico é uma problemática atual de relevância mundial. No Brasil, em especial no semiárido, essa realidade alcança níveis elevados de seca em boa parte do ano, sendo necessária a busca de alternativas mitigadoras, como o reúso planejado de águas residuárias, alternativa instaurada com sucesso nos países desenvolvidos, aplicado para diversos fins, inclusive na agricultura. No cenário nacional, mesmo diante do acentuado crescimento dessa atividade, não existem, políticas definidas de controle e monitoramento que visam minimizar impactos causados ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. Ademais, o país não dispõe de legislação específica que contemple parâmetros da qualidade de água de reúso proveniente de esgoto doméstico. Nesse sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar as diretrizes e legislações internacionais que tratam dessa temática associadas às normativas nacionais que discorrem sobre a qualidade da água de reúso em suas diversas aplicações. Foram elencados os parâmetros de maior relevância e aplicabilidade local, descritos nesses documentos, e os limites de referência definidos a partir da comparação com a bibliografia científica aplicada ao contexto brasileiro. Essa compilação representa o primeiro passo para uma futura incorporação regulamentar da atividade de reúso de águas, tendo como campo primário de aplicação o semiárido, mas expansível às diversas regiões do país.

High natural-background radioactivity levels occur in the semi-arid region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. We have studied the lizard Phyllopezus periosus, an endemic species of the Brazilian caatinga with saxicolous habitat, as a bioindicator of environmental quality. Specimens were collected in three areas, an environmental protection area and two areas recognized as having high natural background radiation, one of these being a mining area. Level of metals and gamma radiation emitters present in the water sources potentially used by the lizards were measured. The biological endpoints assessed were micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in blood samples. Significant differences in background radioactivity levels were found among the assessed areas. Statistically significant differences in micronuclei and nuclear abnormality frequencies were seen, among the study areas and a relationship between radioactivity level and genetic damage was observed.

Water pollution generated by industrial effluents discharge is a threat to the maintenance of aquatic ecosystems and human development. The Jundiai River estuarine, located in Northeast Brazil, receives an industrial pretreated effluent load from the city of Macaíba/RN/Brazil. The present study aimed to assess the water quality of this water reservoir through i) physicochemical characterization, ii) quantification of metal concentration and iii) by an ecotoxicological assessment carried out using Mysidopsis juniae and Pomacea lineata. The study was performed throughout the period comprising May to September 2014. Physicochemical variables such as chloride, total solids and electrical conductivity presented values in the waste discharge point, significantly different with those located out of the waste releasing point. Apart from that, metal concentration showed variable behavior throughout the monitored period. Levels of Al, Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Ag were over the considered guidelines. Both natural and anthropogenic sources seem to be involved in the resulting environmental scenario. A reduction in the fecundity rate (using Mysidopsis juniae) along with an increase in mortality rate (in both species) was observed ratifying the presence of toxic substances in this water reservoir. Moreover, a correlation analysis stated an association of the aforementioned toxicological effects with the delivery of industrial waste products. The ecotoxicological assessment performed highlighted the presence of toxic substance/s in water from the Jundiai River. Especially as a consequence of industrial activity, a fact that might threaten the bioma and, therefore, the human health of the population settled in the studied region.

Yam roots and other plants from Dioscorea genus have cultural, nutritional and economic importance to tropical and subtropical regions and have a great amount of diosgenin in its composition. In the present study the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic potential of diosgenin on HepG2 cells was investigated. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT and clonogenic assay. Genotoxic and mutagenic effects were performed using single cell gel electrophoresis and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, respectively. A reduction on cell viability was observed due to diosgenin treatment at concentrations higher than 30 μM. A genotoxic effect was shown by comet assay and CBMN. Besides, an increase in micronucleus frequency along with a significant cytostatic effect were observed. Diosgenin elicited DNA damage on HepG2 cells which could not be efficiently repaired contributing to the mutagenic effect observed. Those results suggest that diosgenin deleterious effect could take place through genetic instability, fact that affects the normal cell cycle, leading to cell's death.

The Brazilian semiarid region presents some adverse environmental conditions for the settled population such as a restricted water availability and the presence of radon and metal natural sources that can contaminate the water reservoirs and consequently become a concern for human health. The present study evaluated the water quality of the Riacho das Cachoeiras Dam located in the urban area of Lajes Pintadas (state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) as source for human consumption. An analysis of Physicochemical parameters, heavy metal content and Radon in water samples was performed along with the assessment of the water mutagenic potential through Micronucleus Test (MN) on Tradescantia pallida and Oreochromis niloticus . The content of metals in water for Al, Cd, and Ni were above water quality guidelines for human consumption. Moreover, high levels of Pb along with dissolved Radon were found. An acute and chronic mutagenic water capability was observed. These findings demonstrated that the water quality is unsuitable for human consumption due to the presence of high levels of contaminants mainly from geogenic origin and its deleterious effect on living systems.

Metal pollution is a current environmental issue as a consequence of unregulated anthropic activiy. A wide range of bioremediation strategies have been successfully implemented to recover contaminated areas. Among them, bacterial bioremediation stands out as a promising tool to confront these types of concerns. This study aimed to compare and discuss worldwide scientific evolution of bacterial potential for metal bioremediation in aquatic ecosystems. The study consisted of a systematic review, elaborated through a conceptual hypothesis model, during the period from 2000 to 2016, using PubMed, MEDLINE, and SciELO databases as data resources. The countries with the largest number of reports included in this work were India and the USA. Industrial wastewater discharge was the main subject associated to metal contamination/pollution and where bacterial bioremediations have mostly been applied. Biosorption is the main bioremediation mechanism described. Bacterial adaptation to metal presence was discussed in all the selected studies, and chromium was the most researched bioremedied substrate. Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosas and the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis bacteria were microorganisms with the greatest applicability for metal bioremediation. Most reports involved the study of genes and/or proteins related to metal metabolism and/or resistence, and Chromobacterium violaceum was the most studied. The present work shows the relevance of metal bacterial bioremediation through the high number of studies aimed at understanding the microbiological mechanisms involved. Moreover, the developed processes applied in removal and/or reducing the resulting environmental metal contaminant/pollutant load have become a current and increasingly biotechnological issue for recovering impacted areas.

Lucrecia city, known to harbor a high cancer rate, is located in a semiarid region characterized by the presence of mineral reservoirs, facing a high exposure to metal and natural radioactivity. The present study aimed to assess the environmental scenario at a semiarid region located in Northeastern Brazil. Metal concentration, alpha and beta radiation, and cyanobacteria content in tap water along with indoor radon and gamma emitters (U, K and Th) concentrations were measured. In addition, mutagenic and nuclear instability effects were assessed using buccal micronucleus cytome assay. The study included five samplings corresponding to a period between 2007 and 2009. Drinking water from Lucrecia city presented levels of Mn, Ni and Cr along with cyanobacteria in concentrations one to four times higher than regulatory guidelines considered. Furthermore, high levels of all the tested radionuclides were found. A high percentage of the houses included in this study presented indoor radon concentrations over 100 Bq m−3. The mean annual effective dose from Lucrecia houses was six times higher than observed in a control region. The levels of exposure in most of the Lucrecia houses were classified as middle to high. A significant mutagenic effect, represented as an increase of micronuclei (MN) frequency and nuclear abnormalities as nuclear buds (NB), binucleated cells (BN), and pyknotic cells (PYC) were found. The results obtained highlight the role of high background radioactivity on the observed mutagenic effect and could help to explain the exacerbated cancer rate reported in this locality.

The contamination of water bodies by heavy metals and ionizing radiation is a critical environmental issue, which can affect water quality and, thus, human health. This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of the Boqueirao de Parelhas Dam in the Brazilian semiarid region. A 1-year study (2013–2014) was performed through the assessment of physicochemical parameters, heavy metal content, and radioactivity along with the mutagenicity potential of water using micronuclei test in Orechromis niloticus (in vivo) and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in human lymphocytes (in vitro). A deterioration of water organoleptics characteristics by the presence of high levels of sulfate and total solids was observed. High concentrations of aluminum, nickel, silver, and lead along with the alpha particle content were higher than the limits suggested by the World Health Organization and Brazilian legislation for drinking water. An increase in the frequency of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities was observed in both experimental models. The results obtained confirmed the mutagenic potential present in water samples. This study highlights that geogenic agents affect water quality becoming a human health concern to be taken into account due to the relevance that this water reservoir has in the region.

The reuse is a growing practice in Brazil, given its relevance in minimizing the water scarcity. However, the environmental consequences and its sustainability have not been completely elucidated, being the risk perception analysis a starting point for understanding such concerns. In this perspective, the aim of this study was to evaluate the operation of Sewage Treatment Plants, the applicability of sewage reuse, and its influence on the quality of life of the population of Parelhas and Pedro Velho, counties of the semiarid and northeastern coast, respectively. From the results, it was found a great rejection in the operation of the stations, associated with the impacts produced such as odor and proliferation of mosquitoes, which imply economic, social and public health problems. Regarding reuse, acceptance is predominant for irrigation of crops for human and animal use. We emphasize the need for further research to diagnose the environmental risks arising from this activity. Resumen La reutilización es una práctica creciente en Brasil, dada su relevancia para minimizar la escasez de agua. Sin embargo, las consecuencias ambientales y su sostenibilidad no se han dilucidado, siendo el análisis de percepción del riesgo un punto de partida para comprender tales preocupaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el funcionamiento de las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales, la aplicabilidad de la reutilización de aguas residuales y su influencia en la calidad de vida de la población de Parelhas y Pedro Velho, respectivamente. A partir de los resultados, se encontró un gran rechazo al funcionamiento de las estaciones asociado con los impactos producidos como olor y la proliferación de mosquitos, que implican problemas económicos, sociales y de salud pública. En cuanto a la reutilización, predominó la aceptación para el riego de cultivos. Se enfatiza la necesidad de más investigación para diagnosticar los riesgos ambientales derivados. Resumo O reúso é uma prática crescente no Brasil, dada sua relevância em minimizar a escassez hídrica. No entanto, as consequências ambientais e sua sustentabilidade não têm sido completamente elucidada, sendo a análise da percepção de risco um ponto de partida para entender tais preocupações. Nessa perspectiva, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o funcionamento de Estações de Tratamento de Esgotos, a aplicabilidade do reaproveitamento do esgoto, e sua influência na qualidade de vida da população de Parelhas e Pedro Velho, municípios do semiárido e litoral nordestino, respectivamente. A partir dos resultados, constatou-se grande rejeição no funcionamento das estações, associada aos impactos produzidos como odor e proliferação de mosquitos, os quais implicam em problemas econômicos, sociais e de saúde pública. Quanto ao reúso, predominou-se a aceitação para irrigação de culturas de uso humano e animal. Ressalta-se a necessidade de pesquisas complementares para diagnosticar os riscos ambientais decorrentes dessa atividade.