Síntese e caracterização de argilas pilarizadas com pilares mistos Al/Co

Two pillaring methods were tested to synthesize pillared clays containing mixed Al/Co pillars. Using the first method, based on the traditional procedure, were obtained materials containing different Co concentrations: 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % of Co in the pillaring solution. Just the experiments with low concentrations (10 and 25 % of Co) has formed pillared clays, whereas the sample with 25 % of cobalt showed best results compared with the one obtained just using Al as pillaring agent (basal spacing higher than 18 Å and surface area bigger than 300 m²/g). The 27Al NMR results pointed out the formation of mixed Al/Co pillars due to decreased between the intensities of AlVI/AlIV signals, indicating that the AlIV content decreased while Co content increased, suggesting the isomorphic substitution of Al atoms for Co in the Keggin ion structure (pillaring agent). For the samples containing 75 and 100 % of cobalt, it was verified the formation of others materials, which could be identified as hydrotalcite like compounds. The second pillarization method was named mixed layers, because the objective was to intercalate clay layers with hydrotalcite layers. Thus, after calcination, the hydrotalcite layers would dehydroxylate, resulting just in the metals oxides, intercalated between the clay sheets, thus generating, a pillared clay. For this purpose, were tested 4 synthesis procedures: physical mixture, mixture in water, ionic exchange under reflux and in situ synthesis. Of these, the method which showed the best results was the in situ synthesis, in which basal spacings of 14 Å (after calcination) were obtained, indicating that the samples are intercalated with metal oxides (Mg and Al). This procedure was reproduced with a Co-Al LDH (layered double hydroxide) and similar results were obtained, testifying the method reproducibility

A história do intemperismo na Província Borborema Oriental, Nordeste do Brasil: implicações paleoclimáticas e tectônicas

Until some years ago, weathering geochronology was primarily based on the K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar dating of supergene minerals. Recent advances in the analysis of supergene goethite by the (U-Th)/He method expanded the number of suitable minerals for such purpose, as well as the time of application for weathering geochronology. This study represents the first systematic approach in Brazil, combining both the 40Ar/39Ar e (U-Th)/He methodologies to improve the knowledge on the weathering and the age of nonfossiliferous sediments. Supported by geologic and geomorphologic correlations, we identified different types of weathering profiles occurring in the interior and coastal areas of northeastern Brazil. These profiles were correlated to main regional geomorphological domains: the Borborema Plateau , the Sertaneja Depression , and the Coastal Cuestas and Plains, and respective planation surfaces, which study is fundamental to understand the landscape evolution of the northern portion of the eastern Borborema Province. The depth and stratigraphic organization of the weathering profiles in each of the geomorphological domains permitted to establish that: (i) the profiles on the highlands that cap the Borborema Surface are deeper (up to 100 m) and can be considered as typical lateritic profiles; (ii) on the lowlands that form the Sertaneja Surface , the weathering profiles are shallow and poorly developed (2-5 m deep); (iii) the profiles along the coastal area are moderately developed (up to 25 m deep), and are characterized by thick saprolites and mottle zones. Aiming to establish the timing of the evolution of northeastern Brazil, we studied 29 weathering profiles representing distinct topographic levels of the Borborema Province, from the highlands to the coast, through the analysis of 248 grains of supergene manganese oxides using laser step-heating 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Additionally, we applied the (U-Th)/He method in 20 weathering profiles, by dating 171 grains of supergene iron oxides and hydroxides. Geochronological results for 248 grains of manganese oxides analyzed by the 40Ar/39Ar method indicate that the weathering profiles in the study area record the history of weathering from the Oligocene to the Pleistocene, with ages in the order of 31.4 ± 1.0 Ma to 0.8 ± 0.4 Ma. Dating of 171 grains of goethite by the (U-Th)/He method yielded ages ranging from 43.2 ± 4.3 Ma to 0.8 ± 0.1 Ma, suggesting the weathering processes last from the Eocene to the Pleistocene. The precipitation of supergene goethite in this interval confirms the age of the weathering processes identified from the manganese oxides record. 105 goethite grains from 8 different occurrences of the Barreiras Formation were dated by the (U-Th)/He method. Five grains collected from the cement in the Barreiras Formation sandstones, in the Lagoa Salgada and Rio do Fogo coastal cuestas, yielded ages of 17.6 ± 1.8 Ma, 17.3 ± 1.7 Ma, 16.3 ± 1.6 Ma, 16.2 ± 1.6 Ma and 13.6 ± 1.4 Ma. Results of 69 goethite grains from authigenic pisoliths collected in 7 different localities also yielded concordant ages, varying from 17.8 ± 1.8 to 7.5 ± 0.8 Ma. Results obtained from 31 detrital grains are concordant in 3 distinct localities (Lagoa Salgada, Praia da Garças e Ponta Grossa); they vary in the range of 43.2 ± 4.3 to 21.6 ± 2.2 Ma, and indicate that the maximum age for the Barreiras Formation deposition is around 22 Ma. 40Ar/39Ar results for 15 manganese oxides grains associated with the Barreiras Formation weathering profiles, in 3 different localities, vary from 13.1 ± 0.9 to 7.7 ± 0.4 Ma, in the same range of ages obtained by the (U-Th)/He method. The systematic application of the 40Ar/39Ar and (U-Th)/He methods, respectively for manganese oxides and goethites, show that the Barreiras Formation sediments were already deposited since ca. 17 Ma, and that the weathering processes were active until ca. 7 Ma ago. The ages obtained from manganese oxides collected in the Cenozoic basalts (Macau Formation) also reveal a weathering history between 19 and 7 Ma, pointing to hot and humid conditions during most of the Miocene. 40Ar/39Ar ages yielded by manganese oxides associated with the Serra do Martins Formation vary from 14.1 ± 0.4 to 10.5 ± 0.3 Ma. On the other hand, (U-Th)/He ages from iron oxides/hydroxides collected in the Serra do Martins Formation mesas vary from 20.0 ± 2.0 to 5.5 ± 0.6 Ma, indicating that those sediments are older than 20 Ma. 40Ar/39Ar and (U-Th)/He results produced in this study are in agreement with paleoclimatic interpretations based on stable isotopes and clay index values measured in the Atlantic Ocean sediments, validating the use of weathering geochronology to investigate paleoclimatic variations. The direct dating of the Barreiras Formation permitted, for the first time, confident inferences on the age of the brittle deformation recorded by this sedimentary unit in the Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará states. The first event, syn-deposition, occurred during the early Miocene; an younger event, related to the post-depositional deformation of the Barreiras Formation, is associated with tectonic activity from the very early Miocene to the Holocene. In agreement with data from other areas, results obtained in this study reveal that the depth and complexity of the weathering profiles reflect the time of exposition of such areas to the weathering agents close to the surface. However, there is no clear relationship between ages vs. altitude. The depth and the stratigraphic organization of weathering profiles in northeastern Brazil, contrary to the southeastern Brazil pattern, do not vary toward the coast. In our study area, field observations reveal the presence of ancient, thick and complex lateritic profiles preserved in the sedimentary mesas on the Borborema Plateau, as younger, narrow and incipient ones occur in the dissected areas. Geochronological results obtained for these profiles yielded older ages on the high altitudes, and younger ages in the lowlands, suggesting the scarp retreatment is the most reliable model to explain the regional landscape evolution. However, in the coastal lowlands, the relatively older ages obtained indicate that more complexes processes were involved in the modeling of the local relief

Fatores de riscos cardiovasculares em adolescentes da cidade do Natal-RN

Estudos têm demonstrado elevada prevalência de fatores de risco cardiovascular em adolescentes a redor do mundo, entretanto, é possível que esses fatores de risco se comportem de modo diferente em diferentes localidades. Objetivos: Examinar a prevalência do sobrepeso/obesidade e sua associação com outros fatores de risco cardiovasculares, em adolescentes, da cidade do Natal-Brasil. Métodos: Estudo observacional de delineamento transversal, realizado em 626 adolescentes (10 a 19 anos) de ambos os sexos. Foram estudadas as variáveis: peso, idade, gênero, cor, escolaridade, renda familiar, hábitos de vida, história familiar, peso, estatura, índice de massa corporal, relação cintura/quadril, pressão arterial, perfil lipídico, Glicose e Insulina de jejum e pós Dextrosol. Resultados: Foram avaliados 273 (43,6%) adolescentes do sexo masculino e 353 (56,4%) feminino. 26,4% dos adolescentes apresentaram sobrepeso/obesidade. A presença de obesidade familiar foi relatada por mais de 30 % da nossa amostra. Na análise de regressão logística múltipla; Idade, renda familiar, percentil de pressão sistólica, história familiar de hipertensão e obesidade, triglicerídeos, HDL colesterol, e HOMA RI mostraram-se associados com sobrepeso/obesidade. A relação cintura quadril apresentou-se mais elevada nas mulheres, e encontramos 10,9 % dos adolescentes com percentil de pressão sistólica (PAS) 95, e 7,4 % com percentil de pressão diastólica (PAD) 95. As dosagens de triglicerídeos, colesterol HDL e HOMA-RI alterados foram mais prevalentes nos que apresentavam IMC aumentado. As alterações do xi colesterol total, triglicerídios, glicemia pós dextrosol e HOMA teste, tiveram maior prevalência no gênero feminino. Na regressão logística binária, foram observadas associações do sobrepeso / obesidade com idade; OR 0,85, IC de 95% (0,78-0,92); p<0,001, pressão arterial sistólica; OR 2,65, IC de 95% (1,18- 5,94); p< 0,020, renda familiar; OR 2,34, IC de 95% (1,53-3,58); p< 0,001, história familiar de hipertensão arterial; OR 1,76, IC de 95% (1,15-2,71); p< 0,009, história familiar de obesidade; OR 1,50, IC de 95% (1,09-2,27); p< 0,04, aumento dos trigliceridios; OR 2,74, IC de 95% (1,69-4,43); p< 0,001, redução do colesterol; HDL OR 0,58, IC de 95% (0,38-0,87); p< 0,009 e o aumento do HOMA OR 3,16, IC de 95% (1,64 - 6,02); p<0,001. Conclusão: A prevalência de fatores de risco cardiovascular em Natal – Brasil se constitui em grave problema de saúde pública, atingindo níveis que se igualam ou até superam os de outras cidades tanto no Brasil, como em outros países

Síntese e caracterização de pós Ba(x)Sr(1-x)Co0,8Fe0,2O3- através do método de coprecipitação via oxalato

Ceramic powders based on oxides of perovskite-type structure is of fundamental interest nowadays, since they have important ionic-electronic conductivity in the use of materials with technological applications such as gas sensors, oxygen permeation membranes, catalysts and electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The main objective of the project is to develop nanostructured ceramic compounds quaternary-based oxide Barium (Br), Strontium (Sr), Cobalt (Co) and Iron (Fe). In this project were synthesized compounds BaxSr(1-x)Co0, 8Fe0,2O3- (x = 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8) through the oxalate co-precipitation method. The synthesized powders were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGADTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) with the Rietveld refinement using the software MAUD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the synthesis technique used was suitable for production of nanostructured ceramic solid solutions. The powders obtained had a crystalline phase with perovskite-type structure. The TGA-DTA results showed that the homogeneous phase of interest was obtained temperature above 1034°C. It was also observed that the heating rate of the calcination process did not affect the elimination of impurities present in the ceramic powder. The variation in the addition of barium dopant promoted changes in the average crystallite size in the nanometer range, the composition being BSCF(5582) obtained the lowest value (179.0nm). The results obtained by oxalate co-precipitation method were compared with those synthesis methods in solid state and EDTA-citrate method

Estudos sedimentológicos e o contexto estrutural da formação Serra do Martins, nos platôs de Portalegre, Martins e Santana/RN

This dissertation deals with sedimentological and structural framework of the siliciclastic rock of the Serra do Martins Formation (FSM) in the Portalegre, Martins and Santana plateau, located to the south of Potiguar Basin, in the southwest and central Rio Grande do Norte state. This formation, regarded as of Oligo-Miocene age based on intrusive relations of the Miocene Macau volcanics, has a still disputable age due to the lack of appropriate bio and/or chronostratigraphic markers. The FSSM deposits crop out along 650 to 750 m high plateau, as a remanescent sedimentary cover directly overlying topographically uplifted pre-cambrian crystalline rocks. During the last decades, these deposits were interpreted according to a Tertiary paleoclimatic evolutionary model, associated to pedogenetic processes. The sedimentological characterization of the FSM was done through a detailed study of its facies, petrography and diagenetic features. The facies study was based on description of field relations, textures and structures, the piling up of the strata and their lateral variations. The FSM was deposited by an anastomosing to coarse-meandering fluvial system, including deposits of lag, cannel-fill, ouver-bank and flood plain. The petrographic composition of the sediments, coupled to their facies and paleocurrent directions, suggest a rather distal sourcearea, to the south of the present plateau. The diagenetic study identified an incipient grain mechanical compaction, pronounced dissolution of the framework, matrix and/or cement components, intense precipitation of kaolinite, silic and, eventually, iron oxides, besides mechanical infiltration of the clays. Most of these events, regarded in the literature as associated to near-surface conditions (eo or telodiagenesis), indicate the FSM sediments were never deeply buried. Topographic relations along longitudinal and transversal sections reaching the Potiguar Basin to the north identified regional dips that allow to discuss stratigraphic correlations between the FSM and the basin formations. The sedimentological features of the different units and the intrusive relations of the Macau volcanics were also considered in these correlations,which support the Oligo-Miocene age previously accepted for the FSM. Concerning the tectonic framework of the FSM, this work investigated the pre-cambrian to cretaceous heritage and the cenozoic deformation, allowing the recognition of pre-, sin and post-FSM structures. The crystalline basement, belonging to the Seridó Belt, displays NE and WNW foliation trends related to the Brasiliano-age ductile shear zones. In this terrain, brittle-ductile and brittle NE- and NW-trending structures, associated with extensional joints filled with pegmatites and quartz veins, are related to an E-W compression by the end of Brasiliano Cycle. The E-W joints and NE-trending fractures were reactivated by N-S to N-S to NW extension during late Jurassic to Cretaceous times, controlling the emplacement of the Rio Ceará-Mirim basic dyke swarm and the opening of the Potiguar rift basin