Navegando por Autor "Ruchkys de Azevedo, Úrsula"

Agora exibindo 1 - 2 de 2

Texto publicado em revista
Microclimatic characterization of tourist caves in Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruaçu, Minas Gerais, Brazil Microclimatic characterization of tourist caves 2
(2020-12-07) Gomes, Mauro; Santos, Darcy; Ruchkys de Azevedo, Úrsula; Panisset Travassos, Luiz Eduardo
The cave environment has very peculiar atmospheric conditions that directly influence the existence and maintenance of biotic and abiotic, socioeconomic, and historical-cultural elements represented by or associated with caves. In caves where tourist activities occur, the human presence may affect the delicate balance of these conditions. This study was developed to characterize the cave microclimates of seven caves that are part of the tourist itinerary in the Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruaçu, located in the north of the state of Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil. Temperature and relative humidity data were collected through 41 automated meters that each accumulated more than 110,300 readings. This research stands out for being one of the only long-term studies (2017 to 2019) developed in the country. The information analysis enabled not only characterization of the cave microclimate, but also observation of the relationship of these attributes with the internal morphology and the position of the caves in relation to the karstic relief of the region. The methodology developed in this study could support the Programa de Monitoramento das Condições Ambientais das Cavernas (Cave Environmental Conditions Surveillance Programme) to be implemented by the administration of the National Park, and identification of more sensitive environments in the interior of the caves will enable reordering of the visitation of these attractions.
Texto publicado em jornal
Natural background levels and validation of the assessment of intrinsic vulnerability to the contamination in the Carste Lagoa Santa Protection Unit, Minas Gerais, Brazil
(2019-12-21) Aragão, Frederico; Nunes Menegasse Velásquez, Leila; Galvão, Paulo; de Castro Tayer, Thiaggo; Nogueira Lucon, Thiago; Ruchkys de Azevedo, Úrsula
The contamination of karst aquifers by anthropogenic activities causes a major issue regarding environmental policies, since they present high sensitivity, influenced by unique features such as dolines, swallow holes, and conduits. This paper is focused on the Carste Lagoa Santa Protection Unit, MG, Brazil, and presents three main objectives: to determine the natural background levels of chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate; to indicate the locations where the concentrations of those parameters exceed the natural background levels in the existing vulnerability map and, finally, to determine the proportion of the areas (in percentage) where this surpassing occurs, according to the vulnerability classes (high, moderate and low). Results have shown values (90th percentile) of 2.4 mg/L, 1.0 mg/L, 5.3 mg/L, and 0.1 mg/L, for Cl−, NO3−, SO4−2, and PO4−3, respectively, indicating that for all four parameters, there were areas (mainly distributed within moderate vulnerability portions) where the values were surpassed, which suggests anthropogenic activity due to the presence of urban settlements and agricultural activities. Therefore, the proposal of natural background levels was essential to understand the hydrochemistry of the studied region.