Qualidade do ar interior e conforto térmico : um estudo em espaços de estacionamento em Natal/RN

The recent tendency to utilize parking lots for other purposes has demonstrated that more time has been spent by visitors, mainly in great cities. Therefore, this paper investigates the thermal comfort and the air quality indoors in areas specifically used as parking lots by analyzing the direct relation between such environments and vehicular pollution. The thermal comfort and the quality of air indoors in parking lots with different architectonic typology (ground-floor and underground) are also studied, aiming to contribute to the proposition of suitable new areas designated to human usage. Field research was done, in two distinct periods within different weather conditions (January and July) in, two naturally cooled, parking lots located in Natal - RN. The internal environment agents were measured by using tools for air temperature, humidity, speed and direction; interviews with employees and visitors and chemical analysis through appropriate tools to analyze specific material, carbon monoxide and ozone. The results showed that chemical agents densely concentrate mostly in the closed parking space, aggravated by weather conditions, which dissatisfied the visitors. Still, it was shown that architectonic typology, alongside topographical aspects compromise internal environmental conditions, which increases the retention of pollution, leading to dissatisfactory thermal comfort levels and becoming less suitable for usage by visitors considering air and thermal comfort aspects. Consequently, they are not suitable for human stay due to the poor quality of the indoor air

Qualificação de edifícios residenciais verticais em Natal/RN à luz do regulamento técnico da qualidade para o nível de eficiência energética de edificações residenciais (RTQ-R)

The goal of the research was to investigate the energy performance of residential vertical buildings envelope in the hot and humid climate of Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte, based in the Technical Regulation of Quality for Energy Efficiency Level in Residential Buildings (RTQ -R), launched in 2010. The study pretends to contribute to the development of design strategies appropriate to the specific local climate and the increasing of energy efficiency level of the envelope. The methodological procedures included the survey in 22 (twenty two) residential buildings, the formulation of representative prototypes based on typological and constructives characters researched and the classification of the level of energy efficiency in the envelopment of these prototypes, using as a tool the prescriptive method of the RTQ-R and the parametric analyzes from assigning different values of the following variables: shape of the pavement type; distribution of housing compartments; orientation of the building; area and shading of openings; thermal transmittance, and solar absorptance of opaque materials of the frontage in order to evaluate the influence of these on the envelopment performance. The main results accomplished with this work includes the qualification of vertical residential buildings in Natal/RN; the verification of the adequacy of these buildings to local climate based from the diagnosis of the thermal energy of the envelopment performance, the identification of variables with more significant influence on the prescriptive methodology of RTQ-R and design solutions more favorable to obtain higher levels energy efficiency by this method. Finally, it was verified, that some of these solutions proved contradictory in relation to the recommendations contained in the theoretical approaches regarding environmental comfort in hot and humid weather, which indicates the need for improvement of the prescriptive method RTQ-R and further research on efficient design solutions

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

Avaliação da genotoxicidade e da qualidade das águas do açude de Lucrécia/RN

The occurrence of human cancer in the municipality of Lucrécia (RN, Brazil) has shown high frequencies (INCA, 2007). Tests of micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) were performed to assess the genotoxic potential of water from the Lucrécia dam, which is located in a semi-arid region under the influence of crop irrigation and irregular rainfall. Water samples were collected in this source for analyzing the concentration of cyanobacteria, metals and radioactivity. Erythrocytes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected in dam and cells of human oral mucosa in the urban area of this municipality for the bioassays of MN and NA. In fish were also analyzed concentrations of metals in samples of liver and gills. The genotoxicity tests with biological samples of fish and humans have shown significant increases in the frequencies of MN and NA (p ≤ 0.05) and are indicative of increased DNA damage in relation to the control groups. In conclusion, the results obtained from water samples and biological municipality of Lucrécia indicates that the presence of chemical and microbiological pollutants, and increase of genotoxic in human of this municipality. We suggest the implementation of advanced water treatment, to prevent further degradation of the aquatic environment and decrease in the life quality. This research of environmental quality assessment was performed in order to contemplate a multi and interdisciplinary character of this water resource and that can induce genotoxic damage in the organisms in this study region

Um modelo analítico da qualidade da dieta de adolescentes estudantes da rede publica de ensino de Natal, Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Variação da qualidade da água do escoamento superficial de duas bacias de drenagem de Natal/RN - Brasil

The urban drainage is one of the powers of environmental sanitation and its scope is the quantitative and qualitative aspects. In decision making of managers and the engineering aspects of design are almost always taken into account only the quantitative aspects. However, the waters of the runoff have the highest concentrations of pollutants at the beginning of precipitation. Thus, if the plot pollution removed, the remaining portion can be used for other purposes. This work has aimed to present the variation of water quality of two drainage basins in the city of Natal / RN-Brazil to support the implementation of drainage to consider the qualitative aspect, and identify potential for the use of water. The basins (M and C) are analyzed closed-type, are in the urban area, are predominantly residential occupation and its waters are used for detention ponds and infiltration. The samples were divided into three phases, the first two direct to final points in a basin and the third in traps distributed over the surface drainage. The parameters had been analyzed were pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, Color, Turbidity, COD, Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, Sediments solids, total solids, chloride, sulfate, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, Heavy Metals (Chromium, Cadmium, Lead, Zinc and Copper), Eschichia coli and total coliforms. The parameters studied showed high initial pollution load, events and located in different proportions, except nitrite, heavy metals and biological indicators. The size of the surface drainage and topographic its features influence the quality of water. However, the form of sampling is crucial in the qualitative study in the basin. The samplers developed at work, were generated economic and representative results. The urban rainwater presents organic faecal indicators. The runoff of water from both basins shows no risk of salinity and sodicity for use in irrigation, should be noted the content of chloride in the choice of method of irrigation

A questão urbana e a produção acadêmica do Serviço Social brasileiro em foco

O artigo aborda a questão urbana como objeto de pesquisa do Serviço Social. Resulta de pesquisa teórica e de análise das produções sobre esta temática, tendo por base artigos dos anais dos Encontros Nacionais de Pesquisadores em Serviço Social (ENPESS), no período 2000-2010. A ampliação e diversidade de espaços sócio-ocupacionais não correspondem necessariamente ao desenvolvimento de pesquisas, com aprofundamento teórico-metodológico exigido pela complexidade da questão urbana na contemporaneidade. Há crescente interesse pela temática de pesquisadores, profissionais e estudantes e esforços de sistematização e pesquisa evidenciados no número de trabalhos e na busca de qualidade dos mesmos. Mas há também necessidade de aprofundamento teórico-metodológico para uma produção do conhecimento em consonância com o Projeto Ético-Politico, o que supõe construção de vias de superação da sociabilidade capitalista

Arborização urbana e percepção ambiental: uma análise descritiva em dois bairros de Natal / RN.

The current paper aims to check the environmental population perception of the two east side districts of Natal / RN (Rocas and Petrópolis) on its afforestation. The issues related to the environmental perception and afforestation of cities are gaining prominence in the many different areas of knowledge. However, the approaches and methodologies that are following an analytical perspective that by the rule aimed an policy of spatial planning not always responds to the aspirations and needs of the urban population. The research has been consisted of a preliminary survey, collecting data through the representative population of the neighborhoods in Petrópolis and Rocas, which were applied 210 forms (with the households), 130 in the neighborhood of Rocas and 80 in Petrópolis, which corresponds to 5% of the total households of the two districts, using as indicators, among many others, the income, the level of education and the environmental characteristics of the neighborhood. Through analysis sample was possible to verify that Petrópolis neighborhood that, 68% of interviewee believes their lives in the neighborhood where good and only 2% consider bad, in Rocas neighborhood, 57% considered life in his neighborhood good and only 5% consider bad. When asked about the main characteristics that remind the neighborhood Petrópolis, 90% of residents mentioned that one of its main advantages are the means of transport available, followed by 82% who quoted the ventilation as one of the main benefits of the neighborhood. In Rocas neighborhood, items mentioned by residents, were the ventilation with 47% of all interviewee and 32% said that peace is one of the most positive point of the neighborhood. From the description of some of the environmental needs of the neighborhoods Petrópolis and Rocas, it is possible to infer that environmental issues in general, and afforestation are always present in the speech of the residents, even indirect way, it shows that regardless of the education degree or the income, environmental quality is present as one of the basic needs of urban areas with implications both in the personal and social life as of its inhabitants.

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

Modelagem da poluição difusa em uma bacia de drenagem urbana

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES

Evolução espaço-temporal da ocupação urbana sobre áreas naturais no município de Natal-RN

In this work the landscape morphodynamics was used to check the strength and importance of the changes carried out by man on the environment over time, in Natal-RN municipality. The occupation of partially preserved natural areas was analyzed, but environmentally fragile, such as riparian forests, vegetation on the banks of waterways, which play regulatory role of the water flow, and the dunes, which guarantee the rapid recharge of aquifers. The impacts of urban sprawl in Natal Southern and West zones Were identified and characterized, through a detailed mapping in the period between 1969 and 2013 the main Permanent Preservation Areas - PPA (banks of rivers and lagoons, and dunes remaining) and their temporal changes. For this were used aerial photographs and satellite imagery, altimetry data, and pre-existing information, which allowed the creation of a spatial database, and evolution of maps of impervious areas, evolution of the use and occupation and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) from contour lines with contour interval of 1 meter. Based on this study presents a diagnosis of the environmental situation and the state of conservation of natural areas, over the last 44 years, compared to human pressures. In general, it was found that the urban settlement has advanced about 60% of studied natural areas. This advance was growing by the year 2006, when there was a slowdown in the process, except for the Environmental Protection Zone (EPZ) 03, where the river Pitimbú and your PPA, which experienced a more significant loss area. The urban occupation affected the natural drainage and contributed to the contamination of groundwater Natal, due to increased sealed area, the release of liquid and solid waste, as well as the removal of riparian vegetation. Changed irreversibly the natural landscape, and reduced the quality and quantity of water resources necessary for the population. Thus, it is necessary to stimulate the adoption of use and protection of PPA planning measures, to the preservation of the San Valley Region inserted into the EPZ 01, and integrate more remaining dunes, in good condition, this EPZ, due to the importance of those remaining on the environment and the maintenance of quality of life. It is suggested, also, protection of catchment areas, such as PPA ponds and Pitimbú River. Finally, it is expected that this study can assist the managers in making decisions in urban and environmental planning of the municipality

Reservatório Tabatinga (Macaíba-RN): qualidade ambiental, conflitos e uso

The reservoirs are water sources built along the fluvial basins, between rivers and dams made by concrete or earth. In Brazil they are built for different purposes, standing out the generation of energy (hydroelectric power station), flowing regulation, water reserves and flooding control, therefore they have played and still play an important role in the modern society.In the Northeastern semiarid region, they are typically used to supply cities and as a source of food.In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, the large reservoirs are intended for the same purpose.The cities settled in the riverbanks, or which have river channels crossing them, face flooding related problems. In the city of Macaíba-RN, flooding occurred systematically during the rainy season, causing great inconvenience to the local population.As product of the collective claim Tabatinga Reservoir in Jundiaí river was built, upstream of the city. Facing this background, this thesis aimed to assess the sócio-environmental quality of this reservoir.To achieve this goal, methodologies pointed to assess water quality along with the aplication of a questionnaire were used aimed to verify the quality of water and to know the perception of the residents from urban and rural área settled near to the reservoir was performed. The results showed the existence of conflicts of residents of rural communities and the presence of the reservoir, while for the city's population, the reservoir is considered not only the right solution to solve flooding in urban areas, but also as economic source for the rural population. Considering the water source assessment, this study concluded that the Tabatinga Reservoir is unfit for human use, due to the presence of metals of toxicological significance with the potential to elicit damage to the genetic material of individuals that use water from this reservoir, leading to cause serious risks to health population.

Uma reflexão sobre a vitalidade urbana das praças de Natal/RN

Squares are urban public open spaces whose use combines a number of elements that can provide their vitality, some of which can be enhanced through strategic projects. Given this general framework, the starting question which triggered this thesis: Would the elements that the literature indicate influence the vitality of the squares be perceived by their users? The hypothesis put forward was that users give priority to elements directly involved in the appropriation of space, especially the furniture and existing equipment, levels of shade and security. The focus of empirical research were public squares located in the city of Natal-RN, with the aim to identify elements that contribute to the vitality of the public squares in the city, through the relationship between spatial morphology and environmental awareness. The methodology adopted was a Case Study conducted by multimethod, using the following procedures: morphological analysis based on literature and information at three levels (radius of influence, 500m; immediate surroundings; environment itself); systematic observation (behavioral mapping centred in the location); and semi-structured interviews with users. The results showed that the public spaces more integrated in the urban areas have greater potential for use, however, its effective use depends on the perception of individuals, so that its vitality is mainly due to items identified by users as central to their continued presence in the environment because they directly affect their wellbeing and the image of the location. So some elements, notably furniture and urban equipment, are more easily detected than others, revealing that they are essential to the perception of users, so that their presence, quality and location appeared to have greater impact on use. In addition, the amount of shade and security showed as items that ensure that individuals experience public spaces more often, since the (likely) users are aware of the conservation actions or abandonment that take place on these sites, revealing itself to be potentially involved in the rescue of these spaces. Overall, the general hypothesis is only partially proven because in many situations, the vitality of squares appeared not only to be related to the elements investigated, but also additional aspects - environmental, nature, economic, social and cultural - which should also be studied.

Qualidade do ar interior e conforto térmico : um estudo em espaços de estacionamento em Natal/RN

The recent tendency to utilize parking lots for other purposes has demonstrated that more time has been spent by visitors, mainly in great cities. Therefore, this paper investigates the thermal comfort and the air quality indoors in areas specifically used as parking lots by analyzing the direct relation between such environments and vehicular pollution. The thermal comfort and the quality of air indoors in parking lots with different architectonic typology (ground-floor and underground) are also studied, aiming to contribute to the proposition of suitable new areas designated to human usage. Field research was done, in two distinct periods within different weather conditions (January and July) in, two naturally cooled, parking lots located in Natal - RN. The internal environment agents were measured by using tools for air temperature, humidity, speed and direction; interviews with employees and visitors and chemical analysis through appropriate tools to analyze specific material, carbon monoxide and ozone. The results showed that chemical agents densely concentrate mostly in the closed parking space, aggravated by weather conditions, which dissatisfied the visitors. Still, it was shown that architectonic typology, alongside topographical aspects compromise internal environmental conditions, which increases the retention of pollution, leading to dissatisfactory thermal comfort levels and becoming less suitable for usage by visitors considering air and thermal comfort aspects. Consequently, they are not suitable for human stay due to the poor quality of the indoor air

Qualificação de edifícios residenciais verticais em Natal/RN à luz do regulamento técnico da qualidade para o nível de eficiência energética de edificações residenciais (RTQ-R)

The goal of the research was to investigate the energy performance of residential vertical buildings envelope in the hot and humid climate of Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte, based in the Technical Regulation of Quality for Energy Efficiency Level in Residential Buildings (RTQ -R), launched in 2010. The study pretends to contribute to the development of design strategies appropriate to the specific local climate and the increasing of energy efficiency level of the envelope. The methodological procedures included the survey in 22 (twenty two) residential buildings, the formulation of representative prototypes based on typological and constructives characters researched and the classification of the level of energy efficiency in the envelopment of these prototypes, using as a tool the prescriptive method of the RTQ-R and the parametric analyzes from assigning different values of the following variables: shape of the pavement type; distribution of housing compartments; orientation of the building; area and shading of openings; thermal transmittance, and solar absorptance of opaque materials of the frontage in order to evaluate the influence of these on the envelopment performance. The main results accomplished with this work includes the qualification of vertical residential buildings in Natal/RN; the verification of the adequacy of these buildings to local climate based from the diagnosis of the thermal energy of the envelopment performance, the identification of variables with more significant influence on the prescriptive methodology of RTQ-R and design solutions more favorable to obtain higher levels energy efficiency by this method. Finally, it was verified, that some of these solutions proved contradictory in relation to the recommendations contained in the theoretical approaches regarding environmental comfort in hot and humid weather, which indicates the need for improvement of the prescriptive method RTQ-R and further research on efficient design solutions