Environmental education for ecosystem health: a methodology for the Piracicaba River basin, southeast Brazil

A paradigm of an integrated transboundary environmental education, training, and technology transfer project

“…The need for environmental training as a basis for natural environment sustainability has been pointed out by many scientists (Barbosa et al 1999).…”

“…In the past, a lot of research was carried out on environmental education as a part of a national strategy plan (Kostova 1989;Martin et al 1993;Smyth 1996;Bekalo and Bangay 2002). Many case studies on environmental education have also been conducted at the regional or national level (Strokes 1992; Barbosa et al 2003;Kazimieras and Stasiskiene 2006;Hillman 2006). Thus, this is actually one of a number of times (NTEAP 2005) that such an integrated transboundary project on environmental education, training, and technology transfer has been implemented by these neighboring countries, despite not only their economic and social differences but also the fact that Greece and Bulgaria were adversaries at war in the past.…”

Mercury concentration in fish from Piracicaba River (Minas Gerais, Brazil)

“…The landscape characteristics, the soil and the vegetation, are directly related with the region climate, described as a mesothermic (Cwb, classification system of Köpper). It presents humid summer (precipitations of approximately 1,400 mm) and dry winter, with lighter temperature (Callisto et al 2002;Barbosa et al 1999;Ecodinâmica 1999). The basin proximity to the capital has contributed very much for the population growth and region development with some micro regional centers, which polluting activities are directly or indirectly linked to the Piracicaba River and tributaries.…”

“…The great concentration of industrial and mining companies in this area contributes for its water streams degradation, considering the majority of them do not treat its effluents conveniently, nor make the adequate disposal of its solid waste. Among the main polluting agents of the basin in study, it stands out actions of mining companies, erosion of the ground, indiscriminate use of abstergents and others (Barbosa et al 1999;Ecodinâmica 1999).…”