Diagnóstico ambiental das águas do estuário Jundiaí-Potengi pela determinação dos índices de qualidade da água e toxidez

This study is an environmental diagnosis of the Jundiaí-Potengi/RN estuarine system waters, using calculations of pollution indicator indices such as the Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Toxicity Index (TI). The samples were collected at twelve points on the estuary, at high and low tide, between August and November 2007, over four campaigns. The study area, located in a high impact region, has various activities on its banks such as: discharge of untreated or undertreated domestic and industrial sewage, shrimp farming, immunizer stabilization lakes, riverside communities, etc. All the parameters analyzed were compared to the limits of CONAMA Resolution No. 357 of 2005 for healthy and saline Class 1 waters. The results found prove the impact caused by various activities, mainly the parameters related to the presence of organic material, such as DQO, DBO, COT and thermotolerant colliforms. The IQA for most of the collection points was of medium quality. For the metals, although values above the Resolution limits were found, most of them were lower than the detection limits of ICP-OES used, indicating that they tend to be transported by the dynamic of the tides or rainfall and are deposited in bottom sediments, resulting in a TI of 1.0 in this water, when they are absent, which occurs in most cases, or 0.0, when heavy metals are found in these waters

Avaliação das condições química e física dos sedimentos do estuário Jundiaí-Potengi

The aim of this study was to quantify the presence of major and minor elements in the sediments of the Jundiaí-Potengi estuary, bordering the municipalities of Macaíba, Natal and São Gonçalo do Amarante in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, considering the evidence of anthropic activity along this estuary, resulting in pollution by treated and untreated wastewaters as well as those produced by industry and shrimp farming. The assessment of the environmental status of this estuary was based on physical-chemical parameters, such as granulometry, organic matter and the major (Al, Fe, Mn and P) and minor (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) elements found in sediment samples. Two collections were made at 12 georeferenced points along the channel of the estuary at different times. Granulometric analysis was carried out and the percentage of organic matter was determined. The sediments were microwave digested using acid digestion and quantitative analyses of the elements Al, Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn were performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Sediment analysis followed the methodology proposed by US EPA 3051A for total elements analysis. The small correlation between the organic matter and the elements studied here suggests that they are of geochemical rather than anthropic origin. The analytical results obtained from the bottom sediment samples in the study area show that the concentration of elements was below the reference values for standard shales (Turekian & Wedepohl, 1961) at the vast majority of points analyzed, ruling out a possible contamination by metals

Avaliação da influência da matéria orgânica, na determinação quantitativa de metais em amostras de sedimento, por espectrometria de absorção atômica e análise de metais traços por fluorescência de raios-X

The proposal of this work is to evaluate the influence of the organic matter on the results of the analyses of the metals (Zn, Pb, Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Cd e Ni) for Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), so much in the extraction stage as in the reading using for that the chemometrics. They were used for this study sample of bottom sediment collected in river Jundiaí in the vicinity of the city of Macaíba-RN, commercial humus and water of the station of treatment of sewer of UFRN. Through the analyses accomplished by EAA it was verified that the interference of the organic matter happens in the extraction stage and not in the reading. With relationship to the technique of X Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRFS), the present work has as intended to evaluate the viability of this technique for quantitative analysis of trace metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr and Pb) in having leached obtained starting from the extraction with acqua regia for an aqueous solution. The used samples constitute the fine fraction (<0.063 mm) of sediments of swamp of the river Jundiaí. The preparation of tablets pressed starting from the dry residue of those leached it allowed your analysis in the solid form. This preliminary study shows that, in the case of the digestion chemistry partially of the fine fractions of bottom sediments used for environmental studies, the technique of applied EFRX to the analysis of dry residues starting from having leached with acqua regia, compared her it analyzes of the leached with ICP-OES, it presents relative mistakes for Cu, Pb, Sr and Zn below 10%

Análise das dificuldades de aprendizagem numa disciplina de química orgânica do curso de química na modalidade à distância da UFRN

In today`s society the use of so-called information technology and communication (ICT), is promoting a revolution in the forms of teaching and learning through the methods of distance learning courses, especially in higher education. Studies show that students in this way have great difficulties in the learning process, especially when dealing with experimental subjects that require high power of abstraction as chemistry. The goal of this work is to promote improvement in the teaching and learning in the discipline Chemistry of Life offered for the Bachelor`s Degree in Chemistry in distance UFRN. For this we analyzed evidence of the semester 2011.2, in order to identify what are the main difficulties of the students on the assessments. That`s why video lessons related to matters that create the majority of difficulties for students were developed, the final product this work. Being obtained the improvements by video classes in the learning process of the students, from a questionnaire answered by the students in the virtual learning environment, and from their success rate at the end of the course

Considerações sobre metodologia interativa aplicada à disciplinas de química orgânica de alguns cursos da UFRN

The aiming of this work is linked to chemical education, focusing organic chemistry classes of Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy and Zootechny graduate courses of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. For that, teaching-learning process related to basic chemical subjects which support the understanding of organic chemistry concepts was evaluated in a research period of two years. The education proposal linked to the theoretical content of the cited classes, pointed out the process of knowledge construction, in which educational commitment as well as dedication in the teaching-learning process was also valued. In that approach several didactic tools were applied, among them scientific articles were used as supplementary studies of the basic organic chemistry concepts and related. The acceptability of students, as well as their motivation, performance and learning process was justified by the data collection of the applied teaching methodology. The acceptability and commitment of the students facing this teaching interactive approach, which transversely contributed to the intellectual maturity growth of the students, as well their professional development, were evidenced by satisfactory obtained results that will be herein discussed

Caracterização e aplicação de vermicultura natural e quimicamente modificada na adsorção de azul de metileno

Chemical modification of clays has been extremely studied in the search for improvements of their properties for use in various areas, such as in combating pollution by industrial effluents and dyes. In this work, the vermiculite was chemically modified in two ways, characterized and evaluated the adsorption of methylene blue dye. First was changed with the addition of a surfactant (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, BHTA) making it an organophilic clay and then by adding an acid (HCl) by acid activation. Some analyzes were performed as X-ray fluorescence (FRX), X-ray diffraction (DRX), adsorption isotherms of methylene blue dye, infrared (FTIR) , scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis and spectroscopy energy dispersive (EDS). Analysis by FRX of natural vermiculite indicates that addition of silicon and aluminum, clay presents in its structure the magnesium, calcium and potassium with 16 % organic matter cations. The DRX analyzes indicated that the organic vermiculite was an insertion of the surfactant in the space between the lamellae, vermiculite and acid partial destruction of the structure with loss of crystallinity. The adsorption isotherms of methylene blue showed that there was a significant improvement in the removal of dye to the vermiculite with the addition of cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and treatment with acid using HCl 2 mol/L. In acid vermiculites subsequently treated with surfactant, the adsorption capacity increased with respect to natural vermiculite, however was much lower compared vermiculite modified with acid and surfactant separately. Only the acidic vermiculite treated with surfactant adjusted to the Langmuir model. As in the infrared spectrometry proved the characteristics of natural vermiculite. In the organic vermiculite was observed the appearance of characteristic bands of CH3, CH2, and (CH3)4N. Already on acid vermiculite, it was realized a partial destruction with decreasing intensity of the characteristic band of vermiculite that is between 1074 and 952 cm-1. In the SEM analysis, it was observed that there was partial destruction to the acid treatment and a cluster is noted between the blades caused by the presence of the surfactant. The TG shows that the higher mass loss occurs at the beginning of the heating caused by the elimination of water absorbed on the surface between layers. In the organic vermiculite also observed a loss of mass between 150 and 300 °C caused decomposition of the alkylammonium molecules (surfactants)

Poluição sonora: um grave problema na cidade de Mossoró-RN

In the latest decades, we have observed some environment alterations of big proportions in our planet. Sound pollution, visual pollution, water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, all the principal kinds of environment pollution have raised in the path of economy development. In Mossoró it is not different; the environment has suffered a long and continuous damage caused by predatory abuse. The river is polluted, the ciliar vegetation of Carnauba was totally altered and with it a part of the local fauna disappeared. In fact, the city urban environment has, and continues to be, deeply altered and the sound pollution is a reflex of the urban modifications undergone in the city as time goes by. Through bibliographic review, the gauging of noise and fieldwork, this research project had the objective of analyzing the principal activities that cause sound pollution in the urban perimeter of the city of Mossoró, RN, emphasizing the causes, effects and spacial distribution of the polluter agents, as well as understanding how the environmental laws treat the sound issue in the urban environment of the city. The President Dutra avenue, where popular events of Mossoró take place and an important access for the city, was the chosen place to study this pollution that became, recently, another hindrance that interferes on the life quality of the local population. The results of this brief research emphasizes the urgency to alert society, specially about the importance of law and public organs that are located in our city, therefore solving problems such as the aforementioned above

Modelagem da poluição difusa em uma bacia de drenagem urbana

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

A Experiência como ordenação da realidade: uma estratégia orgânica para a educação científica

Knowledge is understanding. According to the philosopher Gaston Bachelard our immediate contact with the reality is only worth as confusing and provisional data. This phenomenological contact requires inventory and classification. For this reason our first reading on any phenomenon is limited to a basic levels of reality. Elements such as dynamics, functioning or detailed characteristics of what is observed can only be accessed at higher levels of reality, explains the physicist Werner Heisenberg. The ideas woven by these two great intellectuals oxygenates the notion that a well-made thinking does not require only observation and description of the nature, but assigns value and meaning to the knowledge. Based on these ideas and on the cognitive horizon brought by the complexity sciences, this research aims to nurture a reflection on our understanding of the world built from a rational perspective of experience, as an organic sequence of research. This arguments, over the study, describes how the experience is able to oxygenate a well-made thinking, as the concept created by Edgar Morin and expanded by Conceição Almeida. I argue that the experience as a path of investigative research allows one to ventures in the shadows of the unknown to access upper layers of reality. The experience is, therefore, an organic strategy for a well-made thinking - A nutritious mud that oxygenates, regulates, repairs and configures the quality of understanding. As a thread to discuss this ideas I've used my professional journey over a year and a half as a Natural Sciences' teacher on the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, where I could see how experiences helped on breaking a simplified understanding of the world. I chose to work with the research problems developed by 398 students over these three semesters. The problems were essential to the questioning of the phenomena that once seemed obvious or uninteresting, bringing out operational reasons and dynamics of the observed structures. Experience, in this sense, is the founder of dynamic thinking, as the need to deconstruct the phenomena's first impressions, assigning value and meaning to gestated knowledge.

Avaliação do tratamento eletroquímico (direto e indireto) como alternativa de degradação do corante azul de metileno

Textile industry has been a cause of environmental pollution, mainly due to the generation of large volumes of waste containing high organic loading and intense color. In this context, this study evaluated the electrochemical degradation of synthetic effluents from textile industry containing Methylene Blue (AM) dye, using Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 and Ti/Pt anodes, by direct and indirect (active chlorine) electrooxidation. We evaluated the influence of applied current density (20, 40 and 60 mA/cm2 ), and the presence of different concentrations of electrolyte (NaCl and Na2SO4), as well as the neutral and alkaline pH media. The electrochemical treatment was conducted in a continuous flow reactor, in which the electrolysis time of the AM 100 ppm was 6 hours. The performance of electrochemical process was evaluated by UV-vis spectrophotometry, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC). The results showed that with increasing current density, it was possible to obtain 100 % of color removal at Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 and Ti/Pt electrodes. Regarding the color removal efficiency, increasing the concentration of electrolyte promotes a higher percentage of removal using 0,02 M Na2SO4 and 0,017 M NaCl. Concerning to the aqueous medium, the best color removal results were obtained in alkaline medium using Ti/Pt. In terms of organic matter, 86 % was achieved in neutral pH medium for Ti/Pt; while a 30 % in an alkaline medium. To understand the electrochemical behavior due to the oxygen evolution reaction, polarization curves were registered, determining that the presence of NaCl in the solution favored the production of active chlorine species. The best results in energy consumption and cost were obtained by applying lower current density (20 mA/cm2 ) in 6 hours of electrolysis.

Lâminas de água salina e doses de adubação orgânica na produção de palma Miúda adensada no semiárido

Cactus pear is an important forage for livestock in semi-arid region of Brazil, due to its adaptation to climate conditions in this region, high productivity and nutritional value. The yield of this cactus has positively responded to techniques such as planting density, fertilization and cutting managements, however, in Rio Grande do Norte State, only certain areas have favorable climate conditions to the development of this crop. Drip irrigation, with a small amount of water, has proven to be an alternative to the viability of cactus pear cultivation in these areas. The research aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of saline water and manure organic fertilization on the morphological characteristics and production of fresh and dry matter of the prickly-pear cactus cv. Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dick) in a dense planting system. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of Terras Secas (EMPARN), Pedro Avelino, latitude 5°31'21" South and longitude 36°23'14" West. The soil was classified as Typical Cambisol Haplicum Carbonate and the water used in irrigation, C4S1T3 (5,25 dS.m-1), with planting spacing of 2.0 x 0.25 m (20,000 plants ha-1). A completely randomized design in a split plot was used, where water levels (0, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mm month-1) with 10 days intervals, were the main plots and organic fertilization (0 , 25 and 50 Mg ha-1 yr-1) the subplots, with four replicates. The measured morphological characteristics were number of cladodes, height and volume of the plant; length, width, perimeter, thickness, area and cladodes area index, fresh and dry matter production, dry matter content, water use efficiency (WUE) and damage promoted by cochineal pest (Diaspis echinocacti) and soft rot (Erwinia carotovora). There was no influence (P>0.05) of organic fertilization on most variables, particularly in relation to the production of fresh and dry matter. The water levels had a significant influence (P<0.05) on most variables, promoting higher height and volume of the plants, larger and thicker cladodes, and increase on fresh and dry matter production (13.55 Mg DM ha-1 yr-1). The absence of irrigation caused a significant expansion in plant damage caused by the cochineal pest and when irrigated with different water levels there was an increase in damage and stand loss, caused by soft rot, been more intense at the higher water level.

Avaliação de processo de lodos ativos por batelada seguido de tratamento terciário com ênfase na remoção de matéria orgânica e na sedimentabilidade do lodo

This paper evaluate the performance of a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in sequential batch activated sludge modality with tertiary treatment step, located in high temperature region. It also presents the analysis of organic matter’s removal and the evaluation of sludge sedimentation conditions through reactors in bench scale, fed with different substrate’s and biomass’ concentrations, from the WWTP in study. The results showed high efficiency and stability of the treatment process using Sequential Batch Reactors for domestic sewage, even with sudden changes of organic and hydraulic load, reaching more than 90% of efficiency in the removal of biodegradable organic matter. The removal of organic matter and sedimentation tests in bench reactors showed the good performance in respect of the organic matter’s removal, however, the high concentration of micro-organism results in a lower sludge sedimentation rate, which can compromise the quality of the final effluent. The relation Food/Microorganism in the conditions of the WWTP’s current operation showed a value of 0.06 gCOD/gVSS.d. and zonal sedimentation velocity of 0.59 m/h, the great ratio of the concentration of the substrate by biomass concentration, which obtained the maximum operational efficiency, showed a value of 0.09 gCOD/gVSS.d. and zonal sedimentation velocity of 1.4 m/h.

Avaliação de processo de lodos ativos por batelada seguido de tratamento terciário com ênfase na remoção de matéria orgânica e na sedimentabilidade do lodo

This paper evaluate the performance of a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in sequential batch activated sludge modality with tertiary treatment step, located in high temperature region. It also presents the analysis of organic matter’s removal and the evaluation of sludge sedimentation conditions through reactors in bench scale, fed with different substrate’s and biomass’ concentrations, from the WWTP in study. The results showed high efficiency and stability of the treatment process using Sequential Batch Reactors for domestic sewage, even with sudden changes of organic and hydraulic load, reaching more than 90% of efficiency in the removal of biodegradable organic matter. The removal of organic matter and sedimentation tests in bench reactors showed the good performance in respect of the organic matter’s removal, however, the high concentration of micro-organism results in a lower sludge sedimentation rate, which can compromise the quality of the final effluent. The relation Food/Microorganism in the conditions of the WWTP’s current operation showed a value of 0.06 gCOD/gVSS.d. and zonal sedimentation velocity of 0.59 m/h, the great ratio of the concentration of the substrate by biomass concentration, which obtained the maximum operational efficiency, showed a value of 0.09 gCOD/gVSS.d. and zonal sedimentation velocity of 1.4 m/h.

Abundância e distribuição sazonal de espécies autóctones de camarões peneídeos no canal de abastecimento do sistema primar de aquicultura orgânica (Laguna de Guaraíras, Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil)

Guaraíras lagoon, located in Tibau do Sul in the eastern littoral of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), presents a permanent connection to the sea, which guarantees the occurrence of a rich biodiversity, which includes the autochthonous shrimp species Litopenaeus schmitti, Farfantepenaeus subtilis and Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis. In spite of being subject to a strong human intervention in the last decade, mainly related to the installation of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farms, the lagoon is still scarcely studied. The present study aims at characterizing the populations of the three autochthonous penaeid shrimp species inhabiting Guaraíras, taking into consideration their abundance and seasonal distribution in the inflow channel of Primar System of Organic Aquaculture (Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil). Twelve monthly samples were carried out from May 2005 to April 2006 with the aid of a circular cast net in the inflow channel, which is daily supplied with water from Guaraíras. Sampling months were grouped in trimesters according to the total pluviosity, thus comprising four trimesters. Water salinity was monitored twice a week and temperature values registered on a daily basis at noon, during the study period. The daily pluviosity data from the municipality of Tibau do Sul were supplied by Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte (EMPARN). Collected shrimp were identified, weighted, measured and sexed. L. schmitti specimens (0.2 g to 17.8 g) were distributed in 1.3 g weight classes intervals. From the eighth sampling month (December 2005) onwards, males were classified into three categories, in accordance with the development of their petasm: (a) rudimentary petasm, (b) partially formed petasm, and (c) completely formed petasm. Among the ecological variables, rainfall showed the greatest dispersion (s.d.=187.74Rainfall and abundance of L. schmitti were negatively correlated (r = -0.85) whereas its abundance and water salinity were positively correlated (r = 0.63). Among 1,144 collected individuals, 1,127 were L. schmitti, 13 were F. subtilis and 4 were F. brasiliensis, which corresponded to 98.51%, 1.14% and 0.35% of the total of collected individuals. L. schmitti occurred in 100 % of all samples. Differently, the presence of F. subtilis and F. brasiliensis was restricted to 33% and 17% of the collected samples, respectively. The present study confirmed the occurrence of L. schmitti, F. brasiliensis and F. subtilis in Guaraíras. However, this lagoon seems to be primarily inhabited by juvenile Litopenaeus schmitti. The population of L. schmitti analysed showed a seasonal pattern of distribution. In general, in the months of high salinity and absence of rain, the number of individuals was higher than in the wet months. Further studies on the reproductive biology and ecology of L. schmitti, F. brasiliensis and F. subtilis may elucidate questions referring to the abundance, period, and phase of occurrence of these shrimp genera in Guaraíras. Finally, the risks associated to the establishment of L. vannamei in the lagoon provide a novel outlet for studies in this biotope

Diagnóstico da possível influência da atividade petrolífera em sedimentos de fundo da Bacia Piranhas-Açu, região Baixo Açu/RN

It is located in an area of increasing oil exploration, the region of the Lower Açu is at the mercy of a possible pollution generated by this economic activity, which includes various chemical substances harmful to health, such as metals. This thesis aims to, diagnose the areas of River Piranhas-Açu, a region of the Lower Açu, which are polluted by traces factors and more. In this study, it was determined the concentration of the chemica elements Al, CD, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, V and Zn, through the technique of ICP-OES analysis and the size of sediments and their contents organic matter. Were mapped by GPS, 12 points from collections. The interpretations of the results, together associating that allowed pollution to a possible contamination by oil activity. The results showed tha some regions have low concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper, manganese and zinc unable to promote damage to human health. However, there are places where the concentrations of certain metals chromium, iron and zinc are moderately polluted compared to the results with the reference values of literature and others that are highly polluted by iron. However, due to a greater number of wells in production in those locations, those higher concentrations, it can be suggested a possible influence of oi production in some areas with concentrations of chromium and lead are higher than the rest of the points of monitoring. Moreover, it is observed that the highest levels of metals found in sediment of finer texture and more organic matter content