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A sanitary evaluation of sand and water from 16 beaches of São Paulo State, Brazil, was undertaken during spring of 1997 and summer of 1998. Ninety six samples each of wet and dry sand and seawater were collected and analysed for fecal indicator bacteria. A parasitological examination and Candida albicans analysis were also performed in sand samples and F-specific bacteriophages were determined in seawater. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated higher concentrations of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci in dry sand during summer. Correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship between fecal indicator densities in wet sand and seawater. There was a significant correlation between the densities of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci for both types of sand, and this correlation was higher in wet sand. Cysts and eggs of parasites were detected in 4.2% of the samples and Candida albicans was isolated in 18% of the samples. The high concentrations of fecal indicators detected in sand during summer demonstrate that there is a health risk to the users of these recreational areas and suggest the necessity of some criteria for microbiological control. Preventive measures, such as education campaings and some management actions are important precautionary measures.

Os manguezais de Bertioga localizam-se próximos ao limite sul de distribuição dessa comunidade vegetal na costa brasileira e no hemisfério sul. Esses bosques são compostos por três espécies: Rhizophora mangle L., A vicennia schaueriana Stapf & Leechman e Laguncu/aria racemosa Gaertn f. e apresentam estrutura pouco desenvolvida. O manguezal do-Rio lriri possui um diâmetro médio de 8,48 em, altura média de 6,55 m, densidade de 216 ind/0, 1 h a e área basal de 1,29 m 2 to, 1 h a. Já no Rio ltapanhaú, .o diâmetro médio do bosque é de 10,41 em, com altura média de 6,83 m, densidade de 173 ind/0,1 ha e área basal de 1 ,69 m 2 to, 1 h a. Estimativas de biomassa nos dois locais de estudo resultaram em valores de 42,3 t/ha para o Rio iriri e 59,7 t/ha para o Rio ttapanhaú e a produção anual de madeira foi de 3,6 e 1,9 t/ha respectivamente. Esse baixo desenvolvimento V. CONCLUSÕES .

Fecal bacterial indicator analyses have been widely used for monitoring the water quality. This study was designed to determine the ratio between the density of Escherichia coli and other Thermotolerant Coliforms (TtC) bacteria from freshwater samples collected for a two-year period of monitoring. TtC were enumerated by membrane filtration on mFC agar. E. coli enumeration was done by two methods: TtC colonies identified in mFC were inoculated in EC-MUG or water samples were filtered and inoculated in modified mTEC agar media, and both methods were compared for quantitative recovery of E. coli. The results pointed out a mean percentage of E. coli among other thermotolerant coliforms (E. coli/TtC ratio) of 84.3% in mFC media. Taking these results into account, a mandatory standard of 1000 thermotolerant coliforms would correspond to 800 E. coli and the adoption of these E. coli based standards will represent a major improvement for the monitoring of freshwater quality.

Regulating recreational water exposure to pathogens within the tropics is a major public health and economic concern. Although numerous epidemiological studies estimating the risk to recreational marine water exposure have been conducted since the 1950s, few studies have been done in the tropics. Furthermore, many have suggested that the use of fecal indicator bacteria for monitoring recreational water quality in temperate regions is not appropriate in the tropics. We analyzed a large cohort study of five beaches in Sao Paulo, Brazil, conducted during consecutive weekends in the summer of 1999 that estimated risk to water, sand, and food exposures. Enterococci and Escherichia coli concentrations were measured each day of the study. Elevated risks were estimated for both swimming (OR = 1.36 95% CI: 1.05-1.58) and sand contact (OR = 1.29 95% CI 1.05-1.58). A 1 log increase in enterococci concentration was associated with an 11% increase in risk (OR = 1.11 95% CI: 1.04-1.19). For E. coli a 1-log increase in concentration was associated with 19% increase in risk (OR = 1.19 95% CI: 1.14-1.28). Most countries with beaches in the tropics are lower or middle income countries (LMIC) and rely on tourism as a major source of income. We present data that suggests fecal indicator bacteria such as enterococci are an appropriate indicator of risk in tropical urban settings where contamination is coming from predominantly human sources. Additional studies in tropical settings could help inform and refine guidelines for safe use of recreational waters.

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This study aimed to assess the sanitary quality of water, and wet and dry sand from three beaches located in the South Coast region of São Paulo State, Brazil, selected taking into account the frequency of tourists and the water quality (good, fair and poor). Thirty-six water samples each of wet and dry sand and seawater were collected monthly over a period of one year and analyzed for fecal indicator bacteria (FIB: thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli, and enterococci), presumptive Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and dermatophytes. The results revealed FIB concentrations more elevated in dry sand followed by wet sand and water. P. aeruginosa and presumptive S. aureus were detected with a similar frequency in water and sand samples, but maximum concentrations and geometric means were higher in dry sand. C. albicans was detected only in water samples whereas the dermatophyte Microsporum sp. was isolated exclusively from dry and wet sand samples. This evaluation showed also that the environment had a significant influence on P. aeruginosa but not on presumptive S. aureus concentrations. According to threshold values proposed in the literature for E. coli and enterococci dry sand densities, none of the beaches would be considered of sufficient quality for recreational activities.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar por meio da integração de estudos da composição textural e das associações de foraminíferos a região próxima ao emissário submarino de esgotos domésticos de Cigarras, localizado no Canal de São Sebastião, município de São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brasil. A malha de amostragem, com 10 estações, foi posicionada em região circunjacente aos difusores do emissário submarino. Foram realizadas análises granulométricas, do conteúdo de matéria orgânica e das associações de foraminíferos. Os resultados das análises granulométricas e análises tafonômicas e morfométricas realizadas nas carapaças dos foraminíferos (tanatocenoses) indicam que a área de estudo é ambiente de fraco hidrodinamismo, o que possibilita a deposição de elevada concentração de matéria orgânica. Asbaixas riquezas, diversidades específicas e equitabilidades, observadas nas biocenoses, são indicativas de estresse ambiental, o qual pode ser associado ao enriquecimento orgânico que há na região. Ammonia tepida é a espécie predominante em todas as estações analisadas.