Start-up of anaerobic reactors for slaughterhouse wastewater treatment

This study aimed to evaluate the start-up of a horizontal anaerobic fixed bed reactor (HAFBR) followed by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) for the slaughterhouse wastewater treatment. HAFBR was filled with bamboo rings and had 1.2 m in length, 0.10 m in diameter and volume of 7.5 L. The UASB had the volume of 15 L. The HAFBR and UASB operated at organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time average of 8.46 and 3.77 kg m-3 d-1 of COD and 0.53 and 0.98 days, respectively. During 150 days of monitoring system it was found pH 6.8, relatively high values of bicarbonate alkalinity (> 1000 mg L-1) and reduced values of volatile acids (70 to 150 mg L-1), which afforded average removal efficiencies of COD total and total suspended solids of the order of 31 and 23% in HAFBR and 79% and 63% in UASB. It can be concluded that the generation and consumption of bicarbonate alkalinity and total volatile acids, thereby maintaining the pH during the study indicated stable operation of the reactors. The COD removal in the reactors was satisfactory especially when it considers that the assessment was conducted in a period of adaptation of organisms to the effluent and also the high organic load applied during this period.

New species of Aulonemia and Chusquea (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae) from southeastern Brazil

Aulonemia fimbriatifolia and Chusquea longispiculata, two woody bamboo species from the Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil, are described as new and key characters are illustrated. Aulonemia fimbriatifolia is compared and contrasted with four other similar species, but it is considered unique within the genus and possibly among Neotropical woody bamboos due to its basally fimbriate foliage leaf blades. Chusquea longispiculata shares extremely reduced glumes I and II and reflexed lower inflorescence branches with a number of other Brazilian species of the genus, but is distinguished based on its spikelets that reach nearly 2 cm in length, as well as several vegetative features.