The aquatic systems responsible for water supply in the Brazilian Federal District (FD) have been threatened by anthropogenic pressures, especially considering the expressive demographic increase in the region during the last decades. The purposes of this research were: (a) to assess the water quality in streams located in the FD by monitoring physical-chemical variables; (b) to define baselines for these variables among different ecological status categories. The 14 investigated streams were sampled between 2006 and 2009, in the dry (August-September, 2006, 2008, 2009) and rainy (March-April, 2008, 2009) seasons. All sampling sites were classified in four categories ("very impacted", "impacted", "in transition" and "natural") using an adaptation of a rapid habitat assessment protocol. Differences in water quality among sites were generally well predicted in the four ecological status categories defined by the protocol, which showed a gradient in nutrient concentrations from reference sites classified as "natural" (medians: electrical conductivity = 7.3 μS cm(-1); nitrate = 0.040 mg L(-1); ammonium = 0.039 mg L(-1); soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) = <0.001 mg L(-1); total phosphorus (TP) = 0.006 mg L(-1); ) to those classified as "very impacted" (medians: electrical conductivity = 87.7 μS cm(-1); nitrate = 0.247 mg L(-1); ammonium = 0.219 mg L(-1); SRP = 0.010 mg L(-1); TP = 0.035 mg L(-1)). Point sources inputs were the main factor for water quality deterioration. The nutrient baselines reported were relatively low when compared to data collected from reference areas in Brazil (e.g., São Paulo State) or temperate regions, especially for TP.

Purpose Universities are an example of institutions that aggregate people around work/study who consume water, energy and produce waste daily in their activities, generating an impact on the environment. The purpose of this study is to determine the quantity, composition and recycling potential of waste generated at the Faculdade UnB Planaltina (FUP) campus, of the University of Brasilia in the Federal District, Brazil, to develop a waste management strategy compatible with national legislation and sustainable global practices. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on conducting on-site visits to identify the sources of generation, hazardousness, management and gravimetric characteristics of residual waste from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, a selective collection was implemented on the FUP campus, and since then, actions to raise awareness for the selective disposal and monitoring of waste were conducted with the academic community. Findings The results showed that the campus generates 148 kg of waste/day, whereas the per capita generation is 92 g/day. The production of hazardous waste is related to campus laboratories which manage it under a specific program. The campus restaurant is the place that generates the most waste, of which organic waste is the most representative. When categorizing the waste generated on campus, the authors found that the majority are recyclables at 67% of the total. This category includes material composed of cardboard, paper and plastic, all able to be recycled in the Federal District. Practical implications The recyclable waste generated at the FUP campus is being diverted from the city’s landfill because they are donated to a recycling cooperative. These actions promote income generation, social inclusion of waste pickers and a circular economy, all in compliance with the National Solid Waste Policy. As a result, the FUP campus is more in line with Brazilian legislation and the global context of adopting sustainable waste management amongst higher education institutions. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on sustainability in higher education by reporting the process of implementation of a waste management strategy in a university campus. Further, it presents tools and methods that can be used to achieve sustainability in waste management. The study also identifies that the crucial factor for the success of such actions is the mobilization and participation of the academic community in the process. It does so by presenting findings demonstrating how the University of Brasilia has been concerned with adopting pro-environmental measures for sustainable development.

RESUMOEste trabalho relata uma aplicação de métodos multicritérios no apoio à tomada de decisão para a escolha de um programa de controle da qualidade da água potável para consumo humano no Brasil. Dentre esses métodos, foi escolhido o AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) em função de permitir a agregação de informações quantitativas e qualitativas. A possibilidade de tratamento das variáveis qualitativas mostra um avanço nos métodos de análise de decisão, visto que elas introduzem a subjetividade à decisão, por exprimir as preferências e valores dos tomadores de decisão. Palavras-chave: monitoramento, análise multicritério, qualidade de água ABSTRACTThe present work aims to discuss the use of a multicriteria method in a decision support for choosing a water quality control program for human consumption in Brazil. Among multicriteria methods the AHP (Analitic Hierarchy Process) was chosen because this method permits qualitative and quantitative information aggregation. Possibility of qualitative variables treatment shows an evolution in decision analysis systems as it introduces subjectivity in the decision making and express value and preferences of decision makers.

A agricultura é uma atividade de risco e incerteza. O Zoneamento Agrícola de Risco Climático (ZARC) indica o que, onde e quando plantar para fugir dos eventos climáticos. O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar duas metodologias para o zoneamento agrícola de risco climático da soja (Glycine max (L) Merrill) no Bioma Cerrado. Utilizou-se o Índice de Satisfação da Necessidade de Água (ISNA) considerando às fases fenológicas críticas ao déficit hídrico: Fase I (germinação e emergência) e Fase III (floração e enchimento de grãos). Na primeira abordagem considerou-se a fase III. Na segunda abordagem consideraram-se as fases I e III. Utilizou-se o programa SARRAZON para a simulação do balanço hídrico. A zona de baixo risco climático correspondeu ao ISNA > 0,50 na fase I; e, o ISNA> 0,65 na fase III. Para fins de comparação considerou-se a época de semeadura, porcentagem das áreas de risco e quantidade de municípios recomendados. Na segunda metodologia, as zonas de baixo risco foram menores. A soja foi recomendada em solos com maior capacidade de água disponível. As áreas de alto risco situaram-se na transição entre os biomas Caatinga e Pantanal. Esse estudo orienta o risco agroclimático da soja e subsidia políticas públicas no Cerrado.Palavras-chave: agroclimatologia; gestão ambiental; política agrícola; planejamento ambiental. CLIMATIC RISK ZONING METHODOLOGIES FOR SOYBEAN CULTIVATION IN THE CERRADO BIOME ABSTRACT: Agriculture is an activity of risk and uncertainty. Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (ZARC) indicates what, where and when to plant to escape climate events. The objective of this work was to compare two methodologies for agricultural climate risk zoning of soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) in the Cerrado Biome. The Water Requirement Satisfaction Index (WRSI) was used considering the phenological phases critical to water deficit: Phase I (germination and emergence) and Phase III (flowering and grain filling). In the first approach, phase III was considered. In the second approach, phases I and III were considered. The SARRAZON program was used to simulate water balance. The low climate risk zone corresponded to WRSI > 0.50 in phase I; and WRSI > 0.65 in phase III. For comparison purposes, the sowing time, percentage of risk areas and number of recommended municipalities were considered. In the second methodology, the low risk zones were smaller. Soybean has been recommended in soils with the highest available water capacity. The high-risk areas were in the transition between the Caatinga and Pantanal biomes. This study guides soy agroclimatic risk and subsidizes public policies in the Cerrado.Keywords: agroclimatology; environmental management; agricultural policy; environmental planning.

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