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Pfaffia glomerata, popularly known as Brazilian-ginseng, stands out as a species of medicinal interest that has a high photoautotrophic potential for in vitro cultivation. This study aimed to analyze cell wall components of P. glomerata during in vitro cultivation in a CO2-enriched atmosphere. For this, P. glomerata plants were grown in MS medium without sucrose, in acrylic chambers with continuous forced air ventilation at 400 and 1000 μL L−1 CO2, and a control treatment with flasks put outside the chambers, without forced ventilation. The experiment was evaluated at 20, 30 and 40 days of cultivation, totaling nine treatments in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme (CO2 concentration × days), with 4 replications. Analyses of growth, photosynthesis and cell wall immunohistochemistry (using monoclonal antibodies JIM7, JIM13 and LM10) were done. The CO2 enrichment at the concentration of 1000 μL L−1 induced greater growth and accumulation of dry mass, in addition to increasing the photosynthetic rate. Immunohistochemistry analyses showed that the presence of homogalacturonan pectins detected by the JIM7 antibody decreased from 20 to 40 days, regardless of CO2 treatment. The deposition of heteroxylan and the JIM13 AGP epitope was detected exclusively in the secondary wall regions, with higher intensity in the treatment of 1000 µL L−1 CO2. This work opens new perspectives to understanding the dynamics between photoautotrophy and cell wall deposition in P. glomerata. P. glomerata under elevated CO2 produces more pectic polysaccharides and hemicelluloses in the cell wall; increasing pectic polymers and xylans are associated with dry biomass gain in P. glomerata under high CO2.

This paper presents an innovative modular autonomous underwater vehicle (MARA) developed for the exploration of underwater confined spaces such as underwater caves, flooded underground mines or complex tight infrastructures in underwater environments. The particular mission scenario of exploration of flooded underground mines was used as a key driver for the robot development. The autonomous underwater vehicle is described from the mechanical, hardware and software points of view. The availability of the INESC TEC underwater systems test tank and access conditions to Porto harbour and the Urgeirica mine allows for easy robot field validation. Preliminary results are also presented and discussed.

The objectives of this work were to evaluate if the pollution emitted by the pelletizing factory causes visual symptoms and/or anatomical changes in exposed Eugenia uniflora and Clusia hilariana, in active biomonitoring, at different distances from a pelletizing factory. We characterize the symptomatology, anatomical, and histochemistry alterations induced in the two species. There was no difference in the symptomatology in relation to the different distances of the emitting source. The foliar symptoms found in C. hilariana were chlorosis, necrosis, and foliar abscission and, in E. uniflora, were observed necrosis punctuais, purple spots in the leaves, and increase in the emission of new leaves completely purplish. The two species presented formation of a cicatrization tissue. E. uniflora presented reduction in the thickness of leaf. In C. hilariana, it was visualized hyperplasia of the cells and the adaxial epidermis did not appear collapsed due to thick cuticle and cuticular flanges. Leaves of C. hilariana showed positive staining for iron, protein, starch, and phenolic compounds. E. uniflora showed positive staining for total phenolic compounds and starch. Micromorphologically, there was accumulation of particulate matter on the leaf surface, obstruction of the stomata, and scaling of the epicuticular wax in both species. It was concluded that the visual and anatomical symptoms were efficient in the diagnosis of the stress factor. C. hilariana and E. uniflora showed to be good bioindicators of the atmospheric pollutants emitted by the pelletizing factory.

The morpho-anatomical leaf structure may be directly affected by variations in the environmental conditions to which plants are exposed during development. The “campos rupestres” vegetation (rocky fields) is subjected to several stress conditions and microclimatic variations that result in important adaptations that enable the survival in these environments. In this study, we analyzed the leaf morpho-anatomy of two bromeliads, Billbergia elegans Martius ex Schultes f. and Neoregelia mucugensis Leme, occurring in the rock fields of Itacolomi State Park, southeastern Brazil, and tested for morpho-anatomical variations in response to light conditions. The analysis followed usual techniques in plant anatomy. Both species exhibited variations in the shape of the rosette, leaf color, and size of leaf sheath and blade. Scale density was higher on both leaf surfaces of individuals exposed to high solar radiation. Thickness of the leaf blade, water-storage parenchyma, chlorenchyma, and stomatal density were higher in individuals exposed to low solar radiation, which disagrees with most previous studies and may be related to the environment where these species occur, where water availability is one of the main limiting factors. Our observations point out a need for studies on herb species from xeric environments, which may bring new information on adaptations to these environments.

A primary aluminum smelter, which is responsible for releasing fluoride and other pollutants to atmosphere, is located at the vicinities of rocky field ecosystem in Brazil. We aimed to evaluate the biological effects of the smelter emissions using Spondias dulcis as a bioindicator organism. Evaluations of rainwater quality, atmospheric oxidants and toxicity visual symptomatology were performed in 4 different sites. We also collected leaflets with and without visual toxicity symptoms for anatomical studies under light and scanning electron microscopes, histochemistry, X-ray microanalysis, and fluoride quantification. The fluoride detected on leaves was present in plants at all studied sites, principally at Site 1 (park entrance) and less detected at Site 3 (forest area). However, the fluoride quantity was not the main cause of damage, but the large amount of oxidants which was detected at the atmosphere. This amount of oxidants was increased with the distance from the emission source. It was noticed two types of visual symptoms on the leaflets: a darkening at the adaxial face and a wide brownish necrosis. The anatomical studies showed three damage patterns: superficial necrosis, reaching just the palisade and spongy parenchyma, deep necrosis, reaching the entire mesophyll and a punctual necrosis perceived only at the central veins. With scanning electron microscopy it was detected a turgor loss and a flattening of the cell's external periclinal wall. In the areas where the damage was more noticeable, there was an erosion of the epicuticular wax that lead to delayering, resulting on the epidermis rupture and internal tissue exposure. S. dulcis showed visual symptoms after few days of exposure, which culminated in structural alterations, thus indicating that these pollutants are impacting this important vegetation type from a rocky field ecosystem.

The soils developed under High Altitude Rocky Complexes in Brazil are generally of very low chemical fertility, with low base saturation and high exchangeable aluminium concentration. This stressful condition imposes evolutionary pressures that lead to ecological success of plant species that are able to tolerate or accumulate high amounts of aluminium. Several analytical methods are currently available for elemental mapping of biological structures, such as micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDX) and histochemical tests. The aim of this study was to combine μ-EDX analysis and histochemical tests to quantify aluminium in plants from High Altitude Rocky Complexes, identifying the main sites for Al-accumulation. Among the studied species, five showed total Al concentration higher than 1000 mg kg−1. The main Al-hyperaccumulator plants, Lavoisiera pectinata, Lycopodium clavatum and Trembleya parviflora presented positive reactions in the histochemical tests using Chrome Azurol and Aluminon. Strong positive correlations were observed between the total Al concentrations and data obtained by μ-EDX analysis. The μ-EDX analysis is a potential tool to map and quantify Al in hyperaccumulator species, and a valuable technique due to its non-destructive capacity. Histochemical tests can be helpful to indicate the accumulation pattern of samples before they are submitted for further μ-EDX scrutiny. Solos associados aos Complexos Rupestres de Altitude no Brasil destacam-se pela baixa fertilidade química, baixa saturação de bases e elevados teores de alumínio trocável. Esta condição estressante impõe pressões evolutivas que determinam o sucesso ecológico de espécies capazes de tolerar ou acumular grandes quantidades de alumínio. Vários métodos analíticos são utilizados para mapeamento de elementos químicos em estruturas biológicas, como microfluorescência de raios-X (μ-EDX) e testes histoquímicos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi combinar a μ-EDX e testes histoquímicos para quantificar o teor de Al em espécies vegetais de Complexos Rupestres de Altitude, e identificar os principais sítios de bioacumulação de Al. Cinco das espécies investigadas apresentaram concentração total de Al maior que 1000 mg kg−1. As principais hiperacumuladoras de Al, Lavoisiera pectinata, Lycopodium clavatum e Trembleya parviflora, apresentaram reação positiva nos testes histoquímicos com Chrome Azurol e Aluminon. Alta correlação positiva foi observada entre as concentrações totais de Al e as magnitudes de sinal obtidas por μ-EDX. A análise com o uso da μ-EDX mostrou-se uma ferramenta promissora para mapear e quantificar Al em espécies hiperacumuladoras, constituindo uma importante técnica não destrutiva. Testes histoquímicos podem ser úteis na identificação de padrões de acumulação de Al em amostras vegetais antes de serem submetidas a uma minuciosa análise com a μ-EDX.