Efficiency and environmental indexes to evaluate the sustainability of mineral and organic fertilization in an irrigated melon crop

Melon is traditionally cultivated in fertigated farmlands in the center of Spain with high inputs of water and N fertilizer. Excess N can have a negative impact, from the economic point of view, since it can diminish the production and quality of the fruit, from the environmental point of view, since it is a very mobile element in the soil and can contaminate groundwater. From health point of view, nitrate can be accumulated in fruit pulp, and, in addition, groundwater is the fundamental supply source of human populations. Best management practices are particularly necessary in this region as many zones have been declared vulnerable to NO3- pollution (Directive 91/676/CEE) During successive years, a melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) was grown under field conditions applying mineral and organic fertilizers under drip irrigation. Different doses of ammonium nitrate were used as well as compost derived from the wine-distillery industry which is relevant in this area. The present study reviews the most common N efficiency indexes under the different management options with a view to maximizing yield and minimizing N loss.

Yield, nutrient utilization and soil properties in a melon crop amended with wine-distillery waste

In Spain, large quantities of wine are produced every year (3,339,700 tonnes in 2011) (FAO, 2011) with the consequent waste generation. During the winemaking process, solid residues like grape stalks are generated, as well as grape marc and wine lees as by-products. According to the Council Regulation (EC) 1493/1999 on the common organization of the wine market, by-products coming from the winery industry must be sent to alcohol-distilleries to generate exhausted grape marc and vinasses. With an adequate composting treatment, these wastes can be applied to soils as a source of nutrients and organic matter. A three-year field experiment (2011, 2012 and 2013) was carried out in Ciudad Real (central Spain) to study the effects of wine-distillery waste compost application in a melon crop (Cucumis melo L.). Melon crop has been traditionally cultivated in this area with high inputs of water and fertilizers, but no antecedents of application of winery wastes are known. In a randomized complete block design, four treatments were compared: three compost doses consisted of 6.7 (D1), 13.3 (D2) and 20 t compost ha-1 (D3), and a control treatment without compost addition (D0). The soil was a shallow sandy-loam (Petrocalcic Palexeralfs) with a depth of 0.60 m and a discontinuous petrocalcic horizon between 0.60 and 0.70 m, slightly basic (pH 8.4), poor in organic matter (0.24%), rich in potassium (410 ppm) and with a medium level of phosphorus (22.1 ppm). During each growing period four harvests were carried out and total and marketable yield (fruits weighting <1 kg or visually rotten were not considered), fruit average weight and fruit number per plant were determined. At the end of the crop cycle, four plants per treatment were sampled and the nutrient content (N, P and K) was determined. Soil samplings (0-30 cm depth) were carried before the application of compost and at the end of each growing season and available N and P, as well as exchangeable K content were analyzed. With this information, an integrated analysis was carried out with the aim to evaluate the suitability of this compost as organic amendment.

Callose Deposition Is Responsible for Apoplastic Semipermeability of the Endosperm Envelope of Muskmelon Seeds1

Semipermeable cell walls or apoplastic “membranes” have been hypothesized to be present in various plant tissues. Although often associated with suberized or lignified walls, the wall component that confers osmotic semipermeability is not known. In muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds, a thin, membranous endosperm completely encloses the embryo, creating a semipermeable apoplastic envelope. When dead muskmelon seeds are allowed to imbibe, solutes leaking from the embryo are retained within the envelope, resulting in osmotic water uptake and swelling called osmotic distention (OD). The endosperm envelope of muskmelon seeds stained with aniline blue, which is specific for callose (β-1,3-glucan). Outside of the aniline-blue-stained layer was a Sudan III- and IV-staining (lipid-containing) layer. In young developing seeds 25 d after anthesis (DAA) that did not exhibit OD, the lipid layer was already present but callose had not been deposited. At 35 DAA, callose was detected as distinct vesicles or globules in the endosperm envelope. A thick callose layer was evident at 40 DAA, coinciding with development of the capacity for OD. Removal of the outer lipid layer by brief chloroform treatment resulted in more rapid water uptake by both viable and nonviable (boiled) seeds, but did not affect semipermeability of the endosperm envelope. The aniline-blue-staining layer was digested by β-1,3-glucanase, and these envelopes lost OD. Thus, apoplastic semipermeability of the muskmelon endosperm envelope is dependent on the deposition of a thick callose-containing layer outside of the endosperm cell walls.

Viability of irrigation by porous capsule method in arid and semi-arid regions.

This paper presents the results of four field experiments carried out with the objetive of evaluating the feaibility of irrigation by porous capsule method, from 1979 to 1983, at Bebedouro Experiment Station, EMBRAPA-CPATSA, Petrolina, PE, Brazil. The irrigation system consisted of fulcrum of cone shaped porous capsules, interconnected with conduit pipe and installed in the soil at equidistance and 0.10 m deep along contour lines. The hydrostatic pressures studies did not significantly influence the crop yield, but influenced, at 0.10 level, the daily water release from porous unit. The mean yields for watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Shard), var. Charleston Gray, for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) var. Valenciano Amarelo, and for maize (Zea mays L.), var. Centralmex, estimated in ton/2,500 units/ha or in cobs/2,500 units/ha, were 28.5, 10 and 17,500, respectively. The water consumption for watermelon, musk melon and maize was, respectively, 60 mm, 60 mm and 100 mm in a deep sandy yellow-red latosol. The cost of the system was US$ 1.677,41/ha.

Alterações na estabilidade estrutural do solo após adubação verde.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a estabilidade estrutural do solo cultivado com mel��o (Cucumis melo L.), após a utilização de diferentes adubos verdes e dois tipos de manejo do solo. O estudo foi realizado em solo de textura média/argilosa, classificado como Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo distrófico pl��ntico. O delineamento estatístico constituiu-se de blocos ao acaso em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as mesmas compostas por dois sistemas de manejo ? com revolvimento (CR) e sem revolvimento (SR), e as subparcelas por três tipos de adubos verdes (dois coquetéis vegetais (CV1 ? 75% leguminosas + 25% não-leguminosas; CV2 ? 75% não- leguminosas + 25% leguminosas) ? e vegetação espontânea (VE). O uso de coquetéis vegetais, por quatro ciclos de cultivo, aumentou a proporção de agregados nas clases de maior tamanho (2 mm a 0,25 mm). A incorporação da palhada aumentou a proporção de agregados com menor diâmetro (? 0,125 mm).

Impacts of trace element pollution on sewage sludge and soil-plant systems: developing remediation techniques and assessing plant uptake prevention measures

Trace Elements (TEs) pollution is a significant environmental concern due to its toxic effects on human and ecosystem health and its potential to bioaccumulate in the food chain and to threaten species survival, leading to a decline in biodiversity. Urban areas, industrial and mining activities, agricultural practices, all contribute to the release of TEs into the environment posing a significant risk to human health and ecosystems. Several techniques have been developed to control TEs into the environment. This work presents the findings of three-year PhD program that focused on research on TEs pollution. The study discusses three fundamental aspects related to this topic from the perspective of sustainable development, environmental and human health. (1) High levels of TEs contamination prevent the use of sewage sludge (SS) as a fertilizer in agriculture, despite its potential as a soil amendment. Developing effective techniques to manage TEs contamination in SS is critical to ensure its safe use in agriculture and promote resource efficiency through sludge reuse. Another purpose of the study was to evaluate different strategies to limit the TEs uptake by horticultural crops (specifically, Cucumis Melo L.). This study addressed the effect of seasonality, Trichoderma inoculation and clinoptilolite application on chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) content of early- and late-ripening cultivars of Cucumis Melo L.. Finally, the accumulation of copper and the effect of its bioavailable fraction on bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of two vineyards, featuring two different varieties of Vitis vinifera grown for varying lengths of time, were evaluated.

Deterpenation of Bergamot Essential Oil Using Liquid-Liquid Extraction: Equilibrium Data of Model Systems at 298.2 K

The deterpenation of bergamot essential oil can be performed by liquid liquid extraction using hydrous ethanol as the solvent. A ternary mixture composed of 1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-yl-cydohexene (limonene), 3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl-acetate (linalyl acetate), and 3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol (linalool), three major compounds commonly found in bergamot oil, was used to simulate this essential oil. Liquid liquid equilibrium data were experimentally determined for systems containing essential oil compounds, ethanol, and water at 298.2 K and are reported in this paper. The experimental data were correlated using the NRTL and UNIQUAC models, and the mean deviations between calculated and experimental data were lower than 0.0062 in all systems, indicating the good descriptive quality of the molecular models. To verify the effect of the water mass fraction in the solvent and the linalool mass fraction in the terpene phase on the distribution coefficients of the essential oil compounds, nonlinear regression analyses were performed, obtaining mathematical models with correlation coefficient values higher than 0.99. The results show that as the water content in the solvent phase increased, the kappa value decreased, regardless of the type of compound studied. Conversely, as the linalool content increased, the distribution coefficients of hydrocarbon terpene and ester also increased. However, the linalool distribution coefficient values were negatively affected when the terpene alcohol content increased in the terpene phase.

Mapping Binary Liquid-Vapor or Liquid-Liquid-Vapor Equilibria Regions, including the Different Azeotropic Behaviours, as a Function of the NRTL Binary Parameters

13th Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering (Sociedad Española de Química Industrial e Ingeniería Química, Fira Barcelona, Expoquimia), Barcelona, September 30-October 3, 2014

Automated determination of rifampicin in plasma samples by in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography

A sensitive and automated method is described for determination of rifampicin in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring by in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography (in-tube SPME/LC). Important factors in the optimization of in-tube SPME are discussed, such as coating type, sample pH, sample draw/eject volume, number of draw/eject cycles, and draw/eject flow rate. Analyte pre-concentrated in the polyethylene glycol phase was directly transferred to the liquid chromatographic column by percolation of the mobile phase, without carryover. The method was linear over the 0.1-100 mu g/mL range, with a linear coefficient value (r(2)) of 0.998. The inter-assay precision presented coefficient of variation <= 1.7%. The effectiveness and practicability of the proposed method are proven by analysis of plasma samples from ageing patients undergoing therapy with rifampicin. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Polydimethylsiloxane/polypyrrole stir bar sorptive extraction and liquid chromatography (SBSE/LC-UV) analysis of antidepressants in plasma samples

A new polymeric coating consisting of a dual-phase, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polypyrrole (PPY) was developed for the stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) of antidepressants (mirtazapine, citalopram, paroxetine, duloxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline) from plasma samples, followed by liquid chromatography analysis (SBSE/LC-UV). The extractions were based on both adsorption (PPY) and sorption (PDMS) mechanisms. SBSE variables, such as extraction time, temperature, pH of the matrix, and desorption time were optimized, in order to achieve suitable analytical sensitivity in a short time period. The PDMS/PPY coated stir bar showed high extraction efficiency (sensitivity and selectivity) toward the target analytes. The quantification limits (LOQ) of the SBSE/LC-UV method ranged from 20 ng mL(-1) to 50 ng mL(-1), and the linear range was from LOQ to 500 ng mL(-1), with a determination coefficient higher than 0.99. The inter-day precision of the SBSE/LC-UV method presented a variation coefficient lower than 15%. The efficiency of the SBSE/LC-UV method was proved by analysis of plasma samples from elderly depressed patients. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Equil��brio l��quido-l��quido dos sistemas biodiesel de castanha do Brasil + metanol + (glicerina ou água): determinação experimental e modelagem termodinâmica

O biodiesel é definido como sendo uma mistura de monoésteres de ácidos graxos derivados de gorduras animal ou óleos vegetais, obtido por meio do processo de transesterificação com alcoóis de cadeia curta. Durante a sua produção é utilizada uma quantidade em excesso de álcool e um catalisador para favorecer a reação de formação dos ésteres; desta forma a corrente de saída do reator contém o catalisador, o álcool que não reagiu e os produtos da transesterificação, biodiesel e glicerina, formando um sistema bifásico; dependendo do grau de solubilidade desses compostos, pode haver quantidades de biodiesel na fase rica em glicerina e quantidades de glicerina na fase rica em biodiesel. Durante o processo de purificação do biodiesel é necessário executar uma lavagem com água, para promover a retirada do catalisador e impurezas do produto de interesse. Devido à quantidade de compostos envolvidos na produção e purificação é essencial conhecer os dados de equil��brio l��quido-l��quido para poder predizer as proporções em que os compostos coexistem e, posteriormente, proceder com a purificação sob condições adequadas para obtenção do biodiesel com maior rendimento e auxiliar no projeto do reator e sistemas de separação. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram produzir o biodiesel a partir de uma planta oleaginosa nativa da região, a castanha do Brasil (Bertholletia excelsa H. B. K.) e, determinar dados de equil��brio l��quido-l��quido (ELL) para os sistemas ternários: biodiesel de castanha do Brasil + metanol + glicerina e biodiesel de castanha do Brasil + metanol + água nas temperaturas de 30°C e 50°C. O biodiesel produzido foi inicialmente caracterizado segundo as normas da Agência Nacional de Petróleo (ANP) utilizando métodos físico-químicos. Os dados obtidos foram posteriormente correlacionados com os modelos termodinâmicos NRTL e UNIQUAC para o calculo do coeficiente de atividade de cada componente na fase liquida, com estimativa de novos parâmetros de interação energética. Os resultados obtidos com a modelagem foram satisfatórios, e foi observado que o modelo NRTL representou melhor os dados experimentais.

Construção de curvas binodais para sistemas ternários, contendo biodiesel, álcool e água

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química

HIGH PRESSURE VAPOR-LIQUID EQUILIBRIA OF PALM FATTY ACIDS DISTILLATES-CARBON DIOXIDE SYSTEM

Vapor-Liquid equilibria of palm fatty acids distillates/carbon dioxide system has been investigated experimentally at temperatures of 333, 353, and 373 K and pressures of 20, 23, 26, and 29 MPa using the static method. Experimental data for the quasi-binary system palm fatty acids distillates/carbon dioxide has been correlated with Redlich-Kwong-Aspen equation of state. Modeling shows good agreement with experimental data. Selectivity obtained indicates that supercritical carbon dioxide is a reasonable solvent for separating saturated (palmitic acid) and unsaturated (oleic+linoleic acids) fatty acids from palm fatty acids distillates in a continuous multistage countercurrent column.

Estudo de um sistema híbrido de destilação solar para polimento de águas produzidas

The oil industry, experiencing a great economic and environmental impact, has increasingly invested in researches aiming a more satisfactory treatment of its largest effluent, i.e., produced water. These are mostly discarded at sea, without reuse and after a basic treatment. Such effluent contains a range of organic compounds with high toxicity and are difficult to remove, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, salts, heavy metals, etc.. The main objective of this work was to study the solar distillation of produced water pre-treated to remove salts and other contaminants trough of a hybrid system with a pre-heater. This developed apparatus was called solar system, which consists of a solar heater and a conventional distillation solar still. The first device consisted of a water tank, a solar flat plate collector and a thermal reservoir. The solar distillator is of simple effect, with 1m2 of flat area and 20° of inclination. This dissertation was divided in five steps: measurements in the solar system, i.e. temperatures and distillate flow rate and weather data; modeling and simulation of the system; study of vapor-liquid equilibrium of the synthetic wastewater by the aqueous solution of p-xylene; physical and chemical analyses of samples of the feed, distillate and residue, as well as climatology pertinent variables of Natal-RN. The solar system was tested separately, with the supply water, aqueous NaCl and synthetic oil produced water. Temperature measurements were taken every minute of the thermal reservoir, water tank and distillator (liquid and vapor phases). Data of solar radiation and rainfall were obtained from INPE (National Institute for Space Research). The solar pre-heater demonstrated to be effective for the liquid systems tested. The reservoir fluid had an average temperature of 58°C, which enabled the feed to be pre-heated in the distillator. The temperature profile in the solar distillator showed a similar behavior to daily solar radiation, with temperatures near 70°C. The distillation had an average yield of 2.4 L /day, i.e., an efficiency of 27.2%. Mathematical modeling aided the identification of the most important variables and parameters in the solar system. The study of the vapor-liquid equilibrium from Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis indicated heteroazeotropia and the vapor phase resulted more concentrated in p-xylene. The physical-chemical analysis of pH, conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chlorides, cations (including heavy metals) and anions, the effluent distillate showed satisfactory results, which presents a potential for reuse. The climatological study indicates the region of Natal-RN as favorable to the operation of solar systems, but the use of auxiliary heating during periods of higher rainfall and cloud cover is also recommended

Fractionation of lemon essential oil by solvent extraction: Phase equilibrium for model systems at T=298.2 K

The fractioning of lemon essential oil can be performed by liquid-liquid extraction using hydrous ethanol as a solvent. A quaternary mixture composed of limonene, gamma-terpinene, beta-pinene, and citral was used to simulate lemon essential oil. In this paper, we present (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data that were experimentally determined for systems containing essential oil compounds, ethanol, and water at T = 298.2 K. The experimental data were correlated using the NRTL and UNIQUAC models, and the mean deviations between calculated and experimental data were less than 0.0053 in all systems, indicating the accuracy of these molecular models in describing our systems. The results show that as the water content in the solvent phase increased, the values of the distribution coefficients decreased, regardless of the type of compound studied. However, the oxygenated compound always showed the highest distribution coefficient among the components of the essential oil, thus making deterpenation of the lemon essential oil a feasible process. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.