Comparison of artificial and natural, new and reused, brackish water for the larviculture of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in a recirculating system

Differences in culture duration, metamorphosis rate and the productivity in hatchery culture of M. rosenbergii using a closed system with natural and artificial brackish water were evaluated. Reuse of brackish water in more than one hatchery cycle was also evaluated. Natural and artificial brackish water constituted the two tested treatments, which were distributed in four independent recirculating systems (tank and respective biofilter). Four batches of cultures were conducted and the 2nd and 4th reused the water from the 1st and 3rd, respectively. Mean duration of the hatchery period was 28 d in natural brackish water and 31 d in artificial brackish water. The metamorphosis rate and the average productivity for the natural brackish water treatment were 74% and 60 postlarvae/ L. respectively, and values obtained with artificial brackish water were 55% and 44 postlarvae/L. The successful hatchery culture of M. rosenbergii in this specific artificial brackish water suggests its potential use in enterprises located far from the coast. Brackish water can be used in two consecutive cultures without a negative effect on productivity.

MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION of A HEMODIALYSIS CENTER WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

The microbiological monitoring of the water used for hemodialysis is extremely important, especially because of the debilitated immune system of patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency. To investigate the occurrence and species diversity of bacteria in waters, water samples were collected monthly from a hemodialysis center in upstate São Paulo and tap water samples at the terminal sites of the distribution system was sampled repeatedly (22 times) at each of five points in the distribution system; a further 36 samples were taken from cannulae in 19 hemodialysis machines that were ready for the next patient, four samples from the reuse system and 13 from the water storage system. To identify bacteria, samples were filtered through 0.22 mu m-pore membranes; for mycobacteria, 0.45 mu m pores were used. Conventional microbiological and molecular methods were used in the analysis. Bacteria were isolated from the distribution system (128 isolates), kidney machine water (43) and reuse system (3). Among these isolates, 32 were Gram-positive rods, 120 Gram-negative rods, 20 Gram-positive cocci and 11 mycobacteria. We propose the continual monitoring of the water supplies in hemodialysis centers and the adoption of effective prophylactic measures that minimize the exposure of these immunodeficient patients to contaminated sources of water.

Thermoeconomic analysis applied in cold water production system using biogas combustion

In this paper is proposed the use of biogas generated in the Wastewater Treatment Plant of a Dairy industry. The objective is to apply a thermoeconomic analysis to the supplementary cold water production of an absorption refrigeration system (NH3 + H2O) by the burning of such gas. The exergoeconomic analysis is carried out to allow a comparison between an absorption refrigeration system and of an equivalent compression refrigeration system that uses NH3 as work fluid. The proposed exergoeconomic model uses functional diagrams and allows one to obtain the exergetic incremental functions for each component individually and for the system as a whole. The model minimizes the exergetic manufacturing cost (EMC) which represents the cost of supplementary cold water production at 1degreesC (exergetic base) needed for this dairy's cold storage. As a conclusion, the absorption refrigeration system is better than compression refrigeration system, when the biogas cost is not considered. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exigência Protéica e Relação Energia/Proteína para Alevinos de Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a exigência protéica e correspondente relação energia/proteína em dietas para alevinos de piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus. Seis dietas semi-purificadas isocalóricas foram formuladas para conter 3.000 kcal de energia metabolizável (EM)/kg e concentrações de proteína bruta (PB) de 24, 26, 29, 32, 36 e 42%. Para essas concentrações, as relações E/P das dietas foram de 12,3; 11,6; 10,4; 9,2; 8,5 e 7,1 kcal EM/g PB, respectivamente. As fontes de proteína, lipídios e carboidratos digestíveis foram, respectivamente, caseína/gelatina, óleo de fígado de bacalhau/óleo de soja e dextrina. Após condicionamento de cinco dias, as dietas foram fornecidas, até a saciedade, em duas alimentações diárias, a 162 alevinos (27 peixes/dieta), que apresentaram 8,38 ± 0,09 g de peso médio inicial, distribuídos em 18 tanques de fibra-de-vidro de 100 L, conectados a um sistema de recirculação de água. A temperatura média da água foi de 26,3°C, com extremos de 23,7 e 30,2°C. Após 90 dias, a concentração de proteína na dieta que proporcionou ganho em peso máximo aos peixes foi 29% PB, com relação E/P igual a 10,4 kcal EM/g PB. As dietas com concentrações de PB iguais a 32, 36 e 42% não se mostraram superiores para conversão alimentar, taxa de eficiência protéica, valor produtivo da proteína e retenção de energia bruta. A deposição corporal de proteína e gordura não sofreu influência da concentração de PB da dieta

Performance of the constructed wetland system for the treatment of water from the corumbataí river

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

Efeito da intensidade luminosa no desenvolvimento larval do camarão-da-amazônia, Macrobrachium amazonicum

The effects of four light intensities (0; 2.8 +/- 0.9; 5,5 +/- 1,8 e 7,8 +/- 2,5 mu mol s(-1) m(-2), about 136.5 +/- 87.5; 273 +/- 43.8 e 390 +/- 125 lux, respectively) on survival, productivity, weight gain and larval development of Macrobrachium amazonicum were investigated. Four treatments with three replicate tanks were evaluated. Newly hatched larvae were held in black tanks (80.2 +/- 0.6 larvae L(-1)) filled with 50-L-brackish water (salinity of 10), in a recirculating system. Tanks were covered with shadow cloth allowing 35% and 70% light, respectively, to reach light intensities of 2.8 +/- 0.9 and 5.5 +/- 1.8 mu mol s(-1) m(-2) at the water surface. Complete absence of light (0 mu mol s(-1) m(-2)) was obtained covering the tanks with opaque black plastic, and full-light condition used no covering (7.8 +/- 2.5 mu mol s(-1) m(-2)). Observations showed that the survival rate was not affected by light intensity. Productivity and weight gain were higher under 7.8 +/- 2.5 mu mol s(-1) m(-2) light intensity than under 0 and 2.8 +/- 0.9 1 mu mol s(-1) m(-2) intensities (P<0.05). The larval development index was similar among the treatments under the different light intensities. However, from stage VII this index was increased slightly in the treatment under 7.8 +/- 2.5 mu mol s(-1) m(-2) light intensity. In conclusion, light intensity affects larval development of M. amazonicum. Values as high as 7.8 mu mol s(-1) m(-2) (about 390 lux) improve the larval performance by enhancing development, productivity and weight gain compared to lower values.

Sistema de recirculação e rotina de manejo para larvicultura de camarões de água doce Macrobrachium rosenbergii em pequena escala

A recirculating system and a matching management schedule for small-scale freshwater prawn larviculture were described. The system comprised a 140 L larval culture tank in line with a 43 L biofilter filled with 24 L of calcareous substrate. Both the tank and biofilter were made of black colored fiberglass in a conical-cylindrical shape. The turnover rate of the water through the system was 24 times a day; water was pumped by airlift. Results of ten larvicultures showed that the system maintained temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, ammonium and nitrite stable and suitable to Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae. Survival and productivity varied from 60.5 to 72.4% and 37 to 72 post-larvae/L, respectively; both were compatible with results of commercial hatcheries. Therefore, this system may be very useful for research purposes or adapted for small-scale post-larvae production.

A dissolution and reaction modeling for hydrolysis of TEOS in heterogeneous TEOS-water-HCl mixtures under ultrasound stimulation

A simplified dissolution and reaction modeling was employed to study the hydrolysis of heterogeneous tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)-water-HCl mixtures under ultrasound stimulation. The nominal pH was changed from 0.8 to 2.0. The acid specific hydrolysis rate constant was determined as k = 6.1 mol(-1) 1 min(-1) [H+](-1) at 39 degreesC, in good agreement with the literature. Along the heterogeneous step of the reaction, the ultrasound maintains an additional quantity of water under a virtual state of dissolution besides the water dissolved due to the homogenizing effect of the alcohol produced in the reaction. The forced virtually dissolved water is probably represented by water at the TEOS-water interface during the heterogeneous step of the reaction. The mean radius of the heterogeneity represented by water dispersed in TEOS phase, while hydrolysis has not started yet, was evaluated as about 290 A. The HCl concentration accordingly increases the hydrolysis rate constant but its fundamental role on the immiscibility gap of the TEOS-water-ethanol system has not been unequivocally established. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Rn-222, Ra-226 and hydrochemistry in the Bauru Aquifer System, Sao Jose do Rio Preto (SP), Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Feature extraction in pressure signals for leak detection in water networks

Techniques based on signal analysis for leak detection in water supply systems typically use long pressure and/or flow data series of variable length. This paper presents the feature extraction from pressure signals and their application to the identification of changes related to the onset of a leak. Example signals were acquired from an experimental laboratory circuit, and features were extracted from temporal domain and from transformed signals. Statistical analysis of features values and a classification method were applied. It was verified the feasibility of using feature vectors for distinguish data acquired in the absence or presence of a leak.

Estrogênios em águas naturais e tratadas da região de Jaboticabal - São Paulo

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

Determinação de pesticidas organoclorados em água de manancial, água potável e solo na região de Bauru (SP)

This paper evaluates the presence of organochlorinated pesticides in the water supply system of the city of Bauru, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Soil samples were collected in agricultural areas and water samples at several points of the water source (river) and the distribution net. The results of the analyses of the water from the source were compared with the Brazilian classification system for inland waters (CONAMA/86) and the results of analyses of treated water were compared with Brazilian standards for finished drinking water.

Manejo da água e utilização de oxyfluorfen no controle de plantas daninhas na cultura do arroz irrigado no sistema pré-germinado

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Wetland projects developed in Brazil

The first studies with constructed wetlands undertaken in Brazil were the result of observations made from the Amazon flood plains. The first attempt to use this capacity to change the quality of the water, in the sense of purification performed in Brazil using constructed wetland systems, was made by Salati et al. After that, new technologies were developed in a focused attempt to increase the efficiency of the system and reduce investments. Over these 18 years, persuading the Brazilian scientific community as well as the environmental control agencies to give due attention to this kind of research has required endless efforts. Only in recent years have major institutions responsible for sewage treatment and potable water supply been concerned with this type of technology for solving real problems. These institutions are as follows: SABESP (Basic Sanitation Company of Sao Paulo State), SANEPAR (Sanitation Company of Parana State) and CESP (Electric Company of Sao Paulo State). One of the private institutions that has systematically worked in the design and projects of constructed wetlands is the Institute of Applied Ecology. This institution has enhanced and developed a water depuration system based on the purifying capacity of the soil. The wetlands with filtering soils are systems formed by overlapping layers of crushed stone, gravel and soil planted with rice. This technology has been used in sewage treatment and also in water supply systems.

Concentração de flúor nas águas de abastecimento público de municípios da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

It may be difficult for small and medium cities to obtain information about the fluoride content of public water, because of the lack of equipments and technicians. This study aimed to analyze the fluoride levels of the water supplied by the public treatment stations of 40 cities situated in the northwest region of São Paulo State, during a period of 6 months, to verify if fluoridation occurs in a continuous manner and if the fluoride levels are within the recommended. Maps of the water distribution system were obtained from the water treatment companies and utilized to randomize the addresses of the collection sites, so that they included all regions with treated water sources. One water sample by month was collected and analyzed in duplicate using an ion-specific-electrode. Samples with 0.6 to 0.8 mgF/L were considered acceptable. In the 38 cities that regularly provided the samples in the 6 months of the study, water from 144 collection sites was collected and a total of 864 samples were analyzed, of which 61.81 percent were classified as unacceptable. It was observed that 33 cities performed fluoridation but in 78.79 percent of these cities there were variations in the fluoride level among the sites and in the same site during the period of study. One can conclude that most of these cities do not control the fluoride levels in the public water, since fluoridation occurs in a discontinuous manner and in most of the situations not within the recommended concentrations.