Lability of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn and Pb complexed by aquatic humic substances

The lability of Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Mn(II) and Pb(II) complexed by humic substances (HSs) was investigated by means of ion exchange on cellulose modified with p-aminobenzoic groups (Cell-PAB), using a batch procedure. The HSs were extracted from water samples using adsorption in a column packed with XAD 8 resin. The metal-HS complexes were prepared by adding solutions containing all the aforementioned metal ions ( Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Mn(II) and Pb(II) ). The results indicated that the distribution coefficients (Kd) of Cell-PAB decreased with the presence of HSs, and that the lability of metal fractions complexed by HSs decreases in pH values > 4.0, complexation time > 10 h and HS concentration > 500 mg L-1. The metal exchange between HSs and Cell-PAB exhibited the following order of metal ion lability: Cd < Pb < Mn @ Cr < Cu.

Immersion enthalpy variation of surface-modified mineral activated carbon in lead (II) aqueous solution adsorption: the relation between immersion enthalpy and adsorption capacity

An activated carbon was obtained by chemical activation with phosphoric acid, CM, from a mineral carbon. Afterwards, the carbon was modified with 2 and 5 molL-1, CMox2 and CMox5 nitric acid solutions to increase the surface acid group contents. Immersion enthalpy at pH 4 values and Pb2+ adsorption isotherms were determined by immersing activated carbons in aqueous solution. The surface area values of the adsorbents and total pore volume were approximately 560 m².g-1 and 0.36 cm³g-1, respectively. As regards chemical characteristics, activated carbons had higher acid sites content, 0.92-2.42 meq g-1, than basic sites, 0.63-0.12 meq g-1. pH values were between 7.4 and 4.5 at the point of zero charge, pH PZC. The adsorbed quantity of Pb2+ and the immersion enthalpy in solution of different pH values for CM activated carbon showed that the values are the highest for pH 4, 15.7 mgg-1 and 27.6 Jg-1 respectively. Pb2+ adsorption isotherms and immersion enthalpy were determined for modified activated carbons and the highest values were obtained for the activated carbon that showed the highest content of total acid sites on the surface.

Adsorption isotherm studies of Cd (II), Pb (II) and Zn (II) ions bioremediation from aqueous solution using unmodified and EDTA-modified maize cob

The need to clean-up heavy metal contaminated environment can not be over emphasized. This paper describes the adsorption isotherm studies of Cd (II), Pb (II) and Zn (II) ions from aqueous solution using unmodified and EDTA-modified maize cob. Maize cob was found to be an excellent adsorbent for the removal of these metal ions. The amount of metal ions adsorbed increased as the initial concentration increased. Also, EDTA - modification enhanced the adsorption capacity of maize cob probably due to the chelating ability of EDTA. Among the three adsorption isotherm tested, Dubinin-Radushkevich gave the best fit with R² value ranging from 0.9539 to 0.9973 and an average value of 0.9819. This is followed by Freundlich isotherm (Ave. 0.9783) and then the Langmuir isotherm (Ave. 0.7637). The sorption process was found to be a physiosorption process as seen from the apparent energy of adsorption which ranged from 2.05KJ\mol to 4.56KJ\mol. Therefore, this study demonstrates that maize cob which is an environmental pollutant could be used to adsorb heavy metals and achieve cleanliness thereby abating environmental nuisance caused by the maize cob.

Use of modified silica gel for concentrating Pb (II) and Cd (II) occurring in form of complex anions

The performance of silica gel, modified by the impregnation with a high molecular weight quaternary amine (triethyl octadecyl ammonium iodide), used for the concentration of heavy metals occurring in water is studied. The material under study captures Cd, Pb, which are capable of forming stable complexes with I- ions.The results obtained about the metal capture, under dynamic conditions, are described and metal ions are removed by desorption with EDTA and quantified by AAS.

Design of an adsorbent employing activated carbon fiber to remove lead

Zorflex® activated carbon fibers (ACF), reference FM100 198B, are used before and after an oxidizing procedure with H3PO4 to study the adsorption of Pb2+. The point of zero charge was determined for the modified and unmodified fiber giving values of 2.3 and 4.3, respectively. After oxidizing the ACF, the fiber showed to have a greater Pb2+ adsorption capacity in comparison with the unmodified fiber, which is related with the acid sites increase, where lead was mainly adsorbed. Determination of the BET area was carried out by nitrogen physisorption at 77K. ACFs presented superficial areas between 1000 and 1500 m²/g showing mostly, a microporous structure. The preliminary design of an adsorbent using the modified fiber is presented where the fiber superior physicochemical properties over the unmodified one are observed.

Influência de doses crescentes de chumbo sobre o teor e o conteúdo de nutrientes e Pb em mudas de ipê-roxo (Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart.) Standl.)

O efeito da aplicação de chumbo sobre o teor e o conteúdo de nutrientes e Pb na raiz, no caule e nas folhas de mudas de ipê-roxo (Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart.) Standl.) foi estudado em um experimento realizado em casa de vegetação do Departamento de Ciência do Solo da Universidade Federal de Lavras. As mudas foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva de Clark e submetidas a doses crescentes de Pb: 0, 48, 96, 192 e 288 mimol/l. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso, e após 60 dias de exposição ao metal pesado foram feitas avaliações do teor e do conteúdo de macro, micronutrientes e chumbo na matéria seca de raiz, caule e folha. Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação de chumbo aumentou o teor de P e praticamente não afetou os teores de S, Ca e Mg nas mudas. De modo geral os teores de Cu, Fe e Mn sofreram redução, o teor de Zn não foi afetado, enquanto o conteúdo de macro e de micronutrientes sofreu redução. O teor de Pb na matéria seca de raiz, caule e folha aumentou com as doses aplicadas, principalmente na raiz, e se mostrou pouco móvel nas plantas analisadas.

Manejo mecânico e cultura de cobertura na entrelinha da seringueira (PB 235 e RRIM 701) e os atributos físicos de um latossolo vermelho no Planalto Paulista

Objetivou-se avaliar o manejo do solo na entrelinha da seringueira de forma mecânica com grade e roçadora e com cultura de cobertura sobre as propriedades físicas do solo. Para isto, implantou-se a seringueira (PB 235 e RRIM 701) em Latossolo Vermelho em Jaboticabal-SP, em 1992, de forma que a área da entrelinha da cultura foi manejada com gradagem, roçadora e cultura de cobertura kudzu-tropical (Pueraria phaseoloides). Após 8 anos de cultivo, foram analisados alguns atributos físicos do solo (densidade, macro, micro e porosidade total, granulometria e argila dispersa em água), na entrelinha da cultura. O manejo mecânico e o de culturas de cobertura na entrelinha da seringueira afetaram as propriedades físicas do solo, especialmente a porosidade e a densidade, entretanto não influenciaram significativamente a granulometria do solo. As maiores alterações físicas em função do manejo da entrelinha da seringueira manifestaram-se especialmente na camada superficial do solo (0-20 cm). O manejo com roçadora reduziu significativamente a porosidade do solo (0,08-0,04 m³/m³) e aumentou a sua densidade (1,4-1,5 kg/dm³), ao passo que o manejo com grade não degradou as propriedades físicas do solo, comparado com roçadora e a cultura de cobertura com kudzu tropical.

Disgnóstico ambiental de ruas e bairros da cidade de Teixeira, PB

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar o ambiente de Teixeira, PB, analisando-se os impactos ambientais observados na cidade. A metodologia constou de visitas a todas as ruas, momento em que foram registrados os problemas ambientais. Em seguida, definiram-se os percentuais de cada parâmetro averiguado e priorizados pela metodologia de "Pareto". As análises dos dados indicaram, em ordem decrescente de ocorrências, os problemas ambientais, que foram: terrenos baldios; esgotos a céu aberto; entulho; lixo doméstico em terrenos baldios, lixos diversos (exceto os domésticos); lixo doméstico na rua; ruas e calçadas servindo de depósito para material de construção; e edificações deterioradas.

Relevo e fertilidade do solo em diferentes estratos da cobertura vegetal na bacia hidrográfica da represa Vaca Brava, Areia, PB

Este trabalho foi realizado na Mesorregião do Agreste da Borborema, em uma área de 1.404 ha, correspondente à bacia hidrográfica da represa Vaca Brava, em Areia, PB. Para avaliar relevo e fertilidade do solo, 360 amostras simples de solo (0-20 cm) dessa bacia hidrográfica, representando combinações de quatro usos do solo e cinco posições no relevo, foram analisadas. As propriedades químicas estudadas foram: carbono, nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, cálcio, magnésio e pH. Com relação às propriedades físicas, avaliaram-se a granulometria e densidade do solo. Pela análise descritiva, constatou-se que os dados de densidade do solo e pH foram os que menos variaram, enquanto o fósforo, potássio e magnésio apresentaram as maiores variações. As propriedades químicas e físicas mostraram-se influenciadas pelo uso do solo, com aumento nos teores no sentido agriculturafloresta. Entretanto, em relação ao fósforo disponível, a variabilidade ocorreu no sentido contrário.

Cinética de evolução de dióxido de carbono em área de caatinga em São João do Cariri-PB

Em decorrência da importância dos elementos meteorológicos nos diversos processos que ocorrem no solo, objetivou-se avaliar a cinética de evolução do dióxido de carbono (atividade microbiana) associada aos elementos meteorológicos em áreas de Caatinga, nas condições do semiárido paraibano. O experimento foi instalado em campo, na área da Bacia Escola/CCA/UFPB, Município de São João do Cariri, PB. A atividade microbiana diurna, medida pela liberação de CO2, foi avaliada mensalmente durante o período de janeiro a dezembro de 2008, em três áreas contíguas de Caatinga, correspondendo aos tratamentos: T1 (10 animais 1 animal/3.200 m²), T2 (5 animais 1 animal/6.400 m²) e T3 (Controle Sem animais). A área do experimento totalizou 9,6 ha, e em cada tratamento foi utilizada uma área de 3,2 ha. Foram selecionados em cada tratamento seis pontos de coleta (definidos ao acaso). Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos inteiramente casualizados e arranjados em parcela subsubdividida (3x12x6), sendo três taxas de lotação (Parcela), 12 épocas de avaliação (Subparcelas) e 6 h de avaliação (Subsubparcelas) e três blocos. A metodologia baseou-se no princípio de que o CO2 liberado por uma área de solo é absorvido por uma solução de KOH 0,5 N e determinado por titulometria com HCl 0,1 N. A evolução do CO2 variou ao longo do dia em função dos elementos meteorológicos, principalmente temperatura. A taxa de CO2 apresentou tendência à maior liberação no final da tarde. Em decorrência da importância da temperatura do solo e do ar nos inúmeros processos que ocorrem no solo, são necessários mais estudos na região semiárida do Brasil.

Cloroplast pigments as indicators of lead stress

Plants respond to environmental adversities, becoming an indicator for assessing the environment quality. In this aspect, chlorophyll contents as well, carotenoids are used as a reliable indicator to associate environmental quality and pollution, mainly regarding the toxicity of heavy metals in higher plants. So, we aimed to evaluate the content of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophylls and carotenoids in plants vetiver [Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash], maize (Zea mays L.) cv. AG 1051, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. BRS 122/V-2000, and castor beans (Ricinus communis L. ) cv . Northeastern BRS grown in contaminated soil with lead, with and without correction of soil pH, so they were used as indicators of metal stress by the soil. From the biochemical point of view, the correction of soil pH values caused chlorophyll a, b and total statistically higher for vetiver species and castor beans in the analyzed periods, except for the analysis performed 60 days after transplanting where only the species vetiver benefited from the correction of soil pH on the content of chlorophyll b and total. On the other hand plants without correction of soil pH showed a decrease of all chlorophyll levels. In addition, the largest increase in the synthesis of carotenoids, indicated that under stress the plants have developed alternative routes of dissipation of energy in order to avoid problems of photo-inhibition and photo-oxidation.

Lead poisoning in cattle and chickens in the state of Pará, Brazil

The present study describes the occurrence of lead poisoning in cattle and chickens in Pará, Brazil. In a lot composed of 80 calves from a dairy herd, 10 animals became sick and nine died, but one animal recovered after being removed from the paddock. Upon inspection of this paddock, the presence of truck batteries used to store energy captured by solar panels was found. The clinical signs observed in calves included difficult breathing, nasal discharge, excessive salivation, corneal opacity, pushing of the head against objects and recumbency. The chickens had decreased oviposition and produced eggs with thin or malformed shells. The necropsy findings of the cattle, as well as the histopathological changes observed, were of little significance except for one animal that showed mild astrocytosis histopathology in the cerebral cortex. In one of the chickens, renal histopathology showed mild multifocal acute tubular necrosis. The mean lead concentrations in the livers and kidneys of the cattle were 93.91mg/kg and 209.76mg/kg, respectively, and the mean concentration detected in chicken livers was 105.02mg/kg. It was concluded that the source of lead poisoning in these calves and chickens were the truck battery plates, which were within reach of the animals.

Lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) inhibit the dipsogenic action of central beta-adrenergic stimulation by isoproterenol

We have previously demonstrated that acute third ventricle injections of both Pb2+ and Cd2+ impair the dipsogenic response elicited by three different situations: dehydration and central cholinergic or angiotensinergic stimulation. ß-Adrenergic activation is part of the multifactorial integrated systems operating in drinking behavior control in the central nervous system. In the present study acute third ventricle injections of Pb2+ (3, 30 and 300 pmol/rat) or Cd2+ (0.3, 3 and 30 pmol/rat) blocked the dipsogenic response induced by third ventricle injections of isoproterenol (ISO; 160 nmol/rat) in a dose-dependent manner. Normohydrated animals receiving ISO + NaAc (sodium acetate) or saline (controls) displayed a high water intake after 120 min (ISO + saline = 5.78 ± 0.54 ml/100 g; ISO + NaAc = 6.00 ± 0.6 ml/100 g). After the same period, animals receiving ISO but pretreated with PbAc at the highest dose employed (300 pmol/rat) drank 0.78 ± 0.23 ml/100 g while those receiving ISO and pretreated with the highest dose of CdCl2 (30 pmol/rat) presented a water intake of 0.7 ± 0.30 ml/100 g. Third ventricle injections of CdCl2 (3 nmol/rat) or PbAc (3 nmol/rat) did not modify food intake in rats deprived of food for 24 h. Thus, general central nervous system depression explaining the antidipsogenic action of the metals can be safely excluded. It is concluded that both Pb2+ and Cd2+ inhibit water intake induced by central ß-adrenergic stimulation

Opiatergic participation in the thirst-inhibiting effect of acute third ventricle injections of cadmium (Cd2+) and lead (Pb2+)

We have previously demonstrated that acute third ventricle injections of both lead and cadmium prevent the dipsogenic response elicited by dehydration or by central injections of dipsogenic agents such as angiotensin II, carbachol and isoproterenol in rats. We have also shown that the antidipsogenic action of cadmium may be due, at least in part, to activation of thirst-inhibitory central serotonergic pathways. In the present paper we show that in Wistar male rats the antidipsogenic effect of both lead acetate (3.0 nmol/rat) and cadmium chloride (3.0 nmol/rat) may be partially dependent on the activation of brain opiatergic pathways since central injections of naloxone (82.5 nmol/rat), a non-selective opioid antagonist, blunt the thirst-inhibiting effect of these metals. One hundred and twenty minutes after the second third ventricle injections, dehydrated animals (14 h overnight) receiving saline + sodium acetate displayed a high water intake (7.90 ± 0.47 ml/100 g body weight) whereas animals receiving saline + lead acetate drank 3.24 ± 0.47 ml/100 g body weight. Animals receiving naloxone + lead acetate drank 6.94 ± 0.60 ml/100 g body weight. Animals receiving saline + saline drank 8.16 ± 0.66 ml/100 g body weight whilst animals receiving saline + cadmium chloride drank 1.63 ± 0.37 ml/100 g body weight. Animals receiving naloxone + cadmium chloride drank 8.01 ± 0.94 ml/100 g body weight. It is suggested that acute third ventricle injections of both lead and cadmium exert their antidipsogenic effect by activating thirst-inhibiting opioid pathways in the brain.

Effect of lead acetate on neurobehavioral development of rats

We investigated the effects of lead exposure during the pre- and postnatal period on the neurobehavioral development of female Wistar rats (70-75 days of age, 120-150 g) using a protocol of lead intoxication that does not affect weight gain. Wistar rats were submitted to lead acetate intoxication by giving their dams 1.0 mM lead acetate. Control dams received deionized water. Growth and neuromotor development were assessed by monitoring daily the following parameters in 20 litters: body weight, ear unfolding, incisor eruption, eye opening, righting, palmar grasp, negative geotaxis, cliff avoidance and startle reflex. Spontaneous alternation was assessed on postnatal day 17 using a T maze. The animals' ability to equilibrate on a beaker rim was measured on postnatal day 19. Lead intoxication was confirmed by measuring renal, hepatic and cerebral lead concentration in dams and litters. Lead treatment hastened the day of appearance of the following parameters: eye opening (control: 13.5 ± 0.6, N = 88; lead: 12.9 ± 0.6, N = 72; P<0.05), startle reflex (control: 13.0 ± 0.8, N = 88; lead: 12.0 ± 0.7, N = 72; P<0.05) and negative geotaxis. On the other hand, spontaneous alternation performance was hindered in lead-exposed animals (control: 37.6 ± 19.7; lead: 57.5 ± 28.3% of alternating animals; P<0.05). These results suggest that lead exposure without concomitant undernutrition alters rat development, affecting specific subsets of motor skills.