Determinação da concentração de metais no material particulado (PM10 e PM2,5) do ar atmosférico em uma área urbana da cidade do Natal – RN

This study aimed to assess ambient air quality in a urban area of Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte (latitude 5º49'29 '' S and longitude 35º13'34'' W), aiming to determine the metals concentration in particulate matter (PM10 and PM2,5) of atmospheric air in the urban area o the Natal city. The sampling period for the study consisted of data acquisition from January to December 2012. Samples were collected on glass fiber filters by means of two large volumes samplers, one for PM2,5 (AGV PM 2,5) and another for PM10 (PM10 AGV). Monthly averages ranged from 8.92 to 19.80 g.m-3 , where the annual average was 16,21 g.m-3 for PM10 and PM2,5 monthly averages ranged from 2,84 to 7,89 g.m -3 , with an annual average of 5,61 g.m-3 . The results of PM2,5 and PM10 concentrations were related meteorological variables and for information on the effects of these variables on the concentration of PM, an exploratory analysis of the data using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed. The results of the PCA showed that with increasing barometric pressure, the direction of the winds, the rainfall and relative humidity decreases the concentration of PM and the variable weekday little influence compared the meteorological variables. Filters containing particulate matter were selected in six days and subjected to microwave digestion. After digestion samples were analyzed by with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations for heavy metals Vanadium, Chromium, Manganese, Nickel, Copper, Arsenic and lead were determined. The highest concentrations of metals were for Pb and Cu, whose average PM10 values were, respectively, 5,34 and 2,34 ng.m-3 and PM2,5 4,68 and 2,95 ng.m-3 . Concentrations for metals V, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cd were respectively 0,13, 0,39, 0,48, 0,45 and 0,03 ng.m-3 for PM10 fraction and PM2,5 fraction, 0,05, 0,10, 0,10, 0,34 and 0,01 ng.m-3. The concentration for As was null for the two fractions

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.

Estética do apocalipse: (re) considerações acerca da (des) arborização urbana de Natal e seu contributo à saúde pública

This study intends to establish a relation between environmental degradation, particularly the devastation of the green canopy, and public health. Utilizing a mapping of the trees included in the researched area, each individual tree was analyzed according to its age, taxonomic listing, architecture, shape and size (determined by aesthetic/convenience reasons or deformed by pruning). Initially investigated were the covert reasons lying underneath the constant aggression against trees (which many times seem to contain elements of hatred and contempt) within the urban environment. In addition to that, the aspects concerning environmental modifications and the consequent impact on public health were also assessed. Two main problems promptly emerged as a result of the removal of trees: a) without a canopy to protect the areas, they became subject to winds directly blown from SW Africa and impregnated with aerosol partic les, which are common causes for respiratory disorders and, b) direct UV solar radiation, which causes some types of skin cancers and eye disorders. To reach such results, we studied the origins and formation of UV radiation induced cancers and searched for the UV radiation spectra of action, e.g., usual intensity and quantity reaching clear and shadowed spaces in a certain area and its consequences. In a second instance, we also searched for pertinent data resources in order to confirm the increase of skin cancer cases due to exposure to UV radiation and the relation between the destruction of the green canopy and the above mentioned problems. We believe that a few significant results have been achieved by this study, namely: the relation between a culture based on medieval beliefs and its consequences on the environment; how this culture exploits and deforms nature in pursuit of financial and psychological interests to a point of transforming the landscape into a copy of something devoid of any relation to latitude and altitude; and above all, the indifference concerning the alarming results carried by these modifications