Chemical attributes of a degraded soil after application of water treatment sludges

Mining is an activity that tends to degrade the environment. The restoration of mining areas, aims to accelerate and improve the succession process according to its future use. The objective of this work was to rehabilitate a soil degraded by tin mining activities in the Amazon Basin (Jamari National Forest, State of Rondonia) with the application of water treatment sludge (WTS), and verify the effect of Sludge on Values of pH (CaCl2 0.01 mol L-1), organic matter, P, Ca, Mg, K, H+Al, and soil micronutrient contents when Cultivated with native plants, legumes, and grass species. A factorial (3 x 5) experimental design was used to optimize the rehabilitation of these areas including three N rates (100, 200, and 300 mg N ka(-1) soil supplied by WTS), five plant species (grasses, legumes, and native plants), and two controls (degraded soil with no fertilizer and degraded soil fertilized with mineral fertilizers), with four replications. WTS increased pH values. The chemical products used to treat the water contributed, in greater extension, to increase soil Ca and Fe contents. The use of WTS as fertilizer proved viable, since it contains nutrients for plants; however, nitrogen Should not be used as a criterion to define the rate of Sludge application, because it is present at small amounts in the WTS.

Estudo da eficiência de estações de tratamento de esgoto - RTE e estações de tratamento de água - ETA na elimnação de resíduos de estrógenos naturais e sintéticos na UGRHI-13 (Tietê-Jacaré)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Plant nutrients in a degraded soil treated with water treatment sludge and cultivated with grasses and leguminous plants

The objective of this work was to evaluate rates for applications of water treatment sludge (WTS) as a nutrient source for grasses and leguminous plants cropped in a soil degraded by tin mining in the Amazon Region (Natural Forest of Jamari, Rondonia State, Brazil). The treatments consisted of three rates of nitrogen supplied by WTS (100, 150 and 200 mg kg -1 soil), five combinations of plants, two controls (absolute control, without fertilization; and chemical control, soil+lime+chemical fertilizers). WTS modified the contents of macro and micronutrients in the degraded soil, but it was not, as used in the present study, sufficient for the rehabilitation of the degraded area. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of gene expression profiles under water stress in tolerant and sensitive sugarcane plants

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ultrasound efficiency in relation to sodium hypochlorite and filtration adsorption in microbial elimination in a water treatment plant

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Heavy metals in a degraded soil treated with sludge from water treatment plant

A aplicação do lodo de estação de tratamento de água (LETA) em solos degradados é uma alternativa tanto para disposição desse resíduo como para a recuperação do solo. Neste trabalho avaliaram-se os efeitos do LETA nos teores de metais pesados em um Latossolo degradado por mineração de cassiterita na Floresta Nacional do Jamari, RO, Brasil. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos: testemunha (n = 4); testemunha química, que recebeu apenas calagem (n = 4) e doses D100, D150 e D200 (respectivamente 100, 150 e 200 mg de N kg-1 solo na forma de LETA), aplicadas antes da calagem (n = 20). Após 30 dias da calagem, período em que o solo contido nos vasos foi mantido com teor de umidade próximo à capacidade de retenção, coletaram-se amostras de solo, que foram analisadas com relação aos teores totais e extraíveis de Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni e Cr. A aplicação de LETA aumentou os teores dos metais pesados do solo. A aplicação deste tipo de lodo em áreas degradadas pode causar impacto ambiental e, portanto, deve ser monitorada.

Sugarcane grown in an oxisol amended with sewage sludge and vinasse: nitrogen contents in soil and plant

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efficiency of geotextile filters in dewatering wastes (sludge) from water treatment works

This paper evaluates the efficiency of geotextile filters for sludge from a compact water treatment plant (WTP). The key aspects required in the methodology of selection and designing geotextile filters for sludge from dewatering was investigated based on laboratory tests results. The analyses were supported by the measured filtrated volume of water and turbidity resulting from variable head permeability tests carried out in two geotextiles and using the conventional granular filter (sand and gravel). The results of the present study showed that more than 75% of the dewatering sludge can be filtrated with low turbidity, which permits that this water can return to the treatment plan in order to be reuse in another cycle. The reduced volume of sludge retained by the geotextile that is transferred to the drying pound increases its efficiency by reducing the drying time. The low volume of the dry waste can be removed and the geotextile can be easily cleaned or replaced when needed. These procedures significantly reduce the volume of water needed in dewatering and also avoids waste discharges in the environment.

Design and ergonomics of package inserts of drugs in Brazil: a reality in construction

This research deals with the design of leaflets of medicines, evidencing the problems resulting from the lack of Brazilian normalization to promote the use of the graphical representation of instructional texts warnings. It approaches studies related to the effectiveness and efficiency of information systems, highlighting the semiotics and the cultural and informational ergonomics. The analysis of the context uses as method, an analytical study on selected warnings of thirty leaflets of medicines, followed by interviews lead with the public managers involved with the regulation of the pharmaceutical companies, and two experiments with users performed in city of Recife, in State of Pernambuco: one aiming at to identify how they interact with the leaflets of medicines, and the second one testing their understanding concerning standardized illustrations in the United States and the South Africa. The results show the need for improvements in presentation and graphic representation of leaflets of medicines, powering them to the role of communication, to ensure the consumption of medicine safely by its users. The conclusion congregates parameters and recommendations for the graphic representation of warnings in leaflets of medicines in Brazil.

Benzocaine loaded biodegradable poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanocapsules: factorial design and characterization

Local anesthetics are able to induce pain relief since they bind to the sodium channel of excitable membranes, blocking the influx of sodium ions and the propagation of the nervous impulse. Benzocaine (BZC) is a local anesthetic that presents limited application in topical formulations due to its low water-solubility. This study aimed to develop polymeric nanocapsules as a drug delivery system for the local anesthetic benzocaine (BZC). To do so, BZC loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanocapsules were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method and were characterized. The factorial experimental design was used to study the influence of four different independent variables oil response to nanocapsules drug loading. The physical characteristics of PLGA nanocapsules were evaluated by analyzing the particle size, the polydispersion index and the zeta potential, using a particle size analyzer. The results of the optimized formulation showed a size distribution with a polydispersity index of 0.12. an average diameter of 123 nm, zeta potential of -33.6 mV and a drug loading of more than 69%. The release profiles showed a significant difference in the release behavior for the pure drug in solution when compared with that containing benzocaine loaded PLGA nanocapsules. Thus, the prepared nonocapsules described here may be of clinical importance in both the processes of stabilization and delivery of benzocaine for pain treatment. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Eletrodos impressos descartáveis e de carbono vítreo modificados com grafeno e compósito de nanotubos de carbono-quitosana aplicados na determinação de corantes de cabelo

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

The occurrence of UV filters in natural and drinking water in São Paulo State (Brazil)

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely used in the formulation of personal care products (PCPs) to prevent damage to the skin, lips, and hair caused by excessive UV radiation. Therefore, large amounts of these substances are released daily into the aquatic environment through either recreational activities or the release of domestic sewage. The concern regarding the presence of such substances in the environment and the exposure of aquatic organisms is based on their potential for bioaccumulation and their potential as endocrine disruptors. Although there are several reports regarding the occurrence and fate of UV filters in the aquatic environment, these compounds are still overlooked in tropical areas. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of the organic UV filters benzophenone-3 (BP-3), ethylhexyl salicylate (ES), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), and octocrylene (OC) in six water treatment plants in various cities in Southeast Brazil over a period of 6 months to 1 year. All of the UV filters studied were detected at some time during the sampling period; however, only EHMC and BP-3 were found in quantifiable concentrations, ranging from 55 to 101 and 18 to 115 ng L(-1), respectively. Seasonal variation of BP-3 was most clearly noticed in the water treatment plant in Araraquara, São Paulo, where sampling was performed for 12 months. BP-3 was not quantifiable in winter but was quantifiable in summer. The levels of BP-3 were in the same range in raw, treated and chlorinated water, indicating that the compound was not removed by the water treatment process.

Bamboo as sustainable material used in design and civil construction: species, management, characterization and applications

The use of bamboo as construction and raw material for producing products can be considered a feasible alternative to the abusive use of steel, concrete and oil byproducts. Its use can also reduce the pressure on the use of wood from native and planted forests. Although there are thousands of bamboo species spread about the world and Brazil itself has hundreds of native species, the use and basic knowledge of its characteristics and applications are still little known and little disseminated. This paper's main objective is to introduce the species, the management phases, the physical and mechanical characteristics and the experiences in using bamboo in design and civil construction as per the Bamboo Project implemented at UNESP, Bauru campus since 1994. The results are divided into: a) Field activities - description of the technological species of interest, production chain flows, types of preservative treatments and clump management practices for the development, adaptation and production of different species of culms; b) Lab experiments - physical and mechanical characterization of culms processed as laminated strips and as composite material (glue laminated bamboo – glubam); c) Uses in projects - experiences with natural bamboo and glubam in design, architecture and civil construction projects. In the final remarks, the study aims to demonstrate, through practical and laboratory results, the material's multi-functionality and the feasibility in using bamboo as a sustainable material.

The effect of incorporation of a Brazilian water treatment plant sludge on the properties of ceramic materials

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)