Avaliação do desempenho de argamassas à base de cimento Portland para rejuntamento de placas cerâmicas tipo II com adição de pó de borracha de pneus

In this work it is assessed the performance of Portland cement-based mortar to the grouting of type II ceramic plates with the addition of unusable tire rubber powder. It is presented a bibliographical review about the subject in which is done the theoretical and methodological foundation of the whole investigative process. The analyzed universe comprises a sample of mortar to the grouting of conventional ceramic plates type II (reference sample) and five more samples to the grouting of ceramic plates type II, which were made up of the addition of unusable tire rubber powder in the respective proportion (in mass) of 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20%. These mortar samples were subject to the trials of determination of the consistency index (Brazilian Standard NBR 13276:2005), water retention ( Brazilian Standard NBR 14992 Attachment B:2003), permeability in 240 minutes (Brazilian Standard NBR 14992 Attachment G:2003), absorption of water by immersion (Brazilian Standard NBR 9781:2013), resistance to compression (Brazilian Standard NBR14992 Attachment D: 2003), resistance to traction in the flexion (Brazilian Standard NBR 13279:2005), resistance of traction adherence (Brazilian Standard NBR 14081 part 4:2012) and hardened mass density (Brazilian Standard NBR 13280: 2005). It has been found out from the analyzes of the results in the trial the following situation: the reference mortar used met the established requirements in the norms of specifications corresponding to only six from the eight parameters assessed in the research; the mortar with addition of 4,0% of tire rubber powder met the established requirements corresponding to only the resistance to compression and the resistance of adherence to traction. Thus, the other kinds of mortar with addition of 8,0 %, 12,0 %, 16,0 % and 20,0 % of tire rubber powder met the requirements of specifications corresponding to only the resistance to compression and the resistance of adherence to traction. This result concludes that the adding of tire rubber powder does not grant improvement to the mortar of type II grouting to the laying of ceramic plates.

Avaliação do desempenho de argamassas à base de cimento Portland para rejuntamento de placas cerâmicas tipo II com adição de pó de borracha de pneus

In this work it is assessed the performance of Portland cement-based mortar to the grouting of type II ceramic plates with the addition of unusable tire rubber powder. It is presented a bibliographical review about the subject in which is done the theoretical and methodological foundation of the whole investigative process. The analyzed universe comprises a sample of mortar to the grouting of conventional ceramic plates type II (reference sample) and five more samples to the grouting of ceramic plates type II, which were made up of the addition of unusable tire rubber powder in the respective proportion (in mass) of 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20%. These mortar samples were subject to the trials of determination of the consistency index (Brazilian Standard NBR 13276:2005), water retention ( Brazilian Standard NBR 14992 Attachment B:2003), permeability in 240 minutes (Brazilian Standard NBR 14992 Attachment G:2003), absorption of water by immersion (Brazilian Standard NBR 9781:2013), resistance to compression (Brazilian Standard NBR14992 Attachment D: 2003), resistance to traction in the flexion (Brazilian Standard NBR 13279:2005), resistance of traction adherence (Brazilian Standard NBR 14081 part 4:2012) and hardened mass density (Brazilian Standard NBR 13280: 2005). It has been found out from the analyzes of the results in the trial the following situation: the reference mortar used met the established requirements in the norms of specifications corresponding to only six from the eight parameters assessed in the research; the mortar with addition of 4,0% of tire rubber powder met the established requirements corresponding to only the resistance to compression and the resistance of adherence to traction. Thus, the other kinds of mortar with addition of 8,0 %, 12,0 %, 16,0 % and 20,0 % of tire rubber powder met the requirements of specifications corresponding to only the resistance to compression and the resistance of adherence to traction. This result concludes that the adding of tire rubber powder does not grant improvement to the mortar of type II grouting to the laying of ceramic plates.

Effects of time-controlled and continuous grazing on total herbage mass and ground cover

Grazing practices in rangelands are increasingly recognized as a management tool for environmental protection in addition to livestock production. Long term continuous grazing has been largely documented to reduce pasture productivity and decline the protective layer of soil surface affecting environmental protection. Time-controlled rotational grazing (TC grazing) as an alternative to continuous grazing is considered to reduce such negative effects and provides pasture with a higher amount of vegetation securing food for animals and conserving environment. To research on how the grazing system affects herbage and above ground organic materials compared with continuous grazing, the study was conducted in a sub-tropical region of Australia from 2001 to 2006. The overall results showed that herbage mass under TC grazing increased to 140% in 2006 compared with the first records taken in 2001. The outcomes were even higher (150%) when the soil is deeper and the slope is gentle. In line with the results of herbage mass, ground cover under TC grazing achieved significant higher percentages than continuous grazing in all the years of the study. Ground cover under TC grazing increased from 54% in 2003 to 73%, 82%, and 89% in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively, despite the fact that after the high yielding year of 2004 herbage mass declined to around 2.5 ton ha^(−1) in 2005 and 2006. Under continuous grazing however there was no significant increase over time comparable to TC grazing neither in herbage mass nor in ground cover. The successful outcome is largely attributed to the flexible nature of the management in which grazing frequency, durations and the rest periods were efficiently controlled. Such flexibility of animal presence on pastures could result in higher water retention and soil moisture condition promoting above ground organic material.

Rainfall infiltration and soil hydrological characteristics below ancient forest, planted forest and grassland in a temperate northern climate

How rainfall infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics develop over time under forests of different ages in temperate regions is poorly understood. In this study, infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics were investigated under forests of different ages and under grassland. Soil hydraulic characteristics were measured at different scales under a 250-year-old grazed grassland (GL), 6-year-old (6yr) and 48-year-old (48yr) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations, remnant 300-year-old individual Scots pine (OT) and a 4000-year-old Caledonian Forest (AF). In situ field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) was measured, and visible root:soil area was estimated from soil pits. Macroporosity, pore structure and macropore connectivity were estimated from X-ray tomography of soil cores, and from water-release characteristics. At all scales, the median values for Kfs, root fraction, macroporosity and connectivity values tended to AF>OT>48yr>GL>6yr, indicating that infiltration rates and water storage increased with forest age. The remnant Caledonian Forest had a huge range of Kfs (12 to >4922mmh-1), with maximum Kfs values 7 to 15 times larger than those of 48-year-old Scots pine plantation, suggesting that undisturbed old forests, with high rainfall and minimal evapotranspiration in winter, may act as important areas for water storage and sinks for storm rainfall to infiltrate and transport to deeper soil layers via preferential flow. The importance of the development of soil hydrological characteristics under different aged forests is discussed.

Design of passive methane oxidation biosystems considering their response to the presence of capillary barrier effect

La construction des biosystèmes d’oxydation passive du méthane (BOPM) est une option économique et durable pour réduire les émissions de méthane des sites d’enfouissement de déchets et des effets subséquents du réchauffement climatique. Les BOPM sont constitués de deux couches principales: la couche d'oxydation du méthane (MOL) et la couche de distribution du gaz (GDL). L'oxydation du méthane se produit dans la MOL par les réactions biochimiques des bactéries méthanotrophes, et la GDL est construite sous la MOL pour intercepter et distribuer les émissions fugitives de biogaz à la base de la MOL. Fondamentalement, l'efficacité d'un BOPM est définie en fonction de l'efficacité d'oxydation du méthane dans la MOL. Par conséquent, il est indispensable de fournir des conditions adéquates pour les activités bactériennes des méthanotrophes. En plus des paramètres environnementaux, l'intensité et la distribution du biogaz influencent l'efficacité des BOPM, et ils peuvent rendre le matériau de la MOL - avec une grande capacité d'accueillir les activités bactériennes - inutilisables en termes d'oxydation du méthane sur place. L'effet de barrière capillaire le long de l'interface entre la GDL et la MOL peut provoquer des émissions localisées de méthane, due à la restriction ou la distribution non uniforme de l’écoulement ascendant du biogaz à la base de la MOL. L'objectif principal de cette étude est d'incorporer le comportement hydraulique non saturé des BOPM dans la conception des BOPM, afin d’assurer la facilité et la distribution adéquates de l'écoulement du biogaz à la base de la MOL. Les fonctions de perméabilité à l'air des matériaux utilisés pour construire la MOL des BOPM expérimentaux au site d’enfouissement des déchets de St Nicéphore (Québec, Canada), ainsi que celles d'autres de la littérature technique, ont été étudiés pour évaluer le comportement d'écoulement non saturé du gaz dans les matériaux et pour identifier le seuil de migration sans restriction du gaz. Ce dernier seuil a été introduit en tant que un paramètre de conception avec lequel le critère de conception recommandé ici, c’est à dire la longueur de la migration sans restriction de gaz (LMSG), a été défini. La LMSG est considérée comme la longueur le long de l'interface entre la GDL et la MOL où le biogaz peut migrer à travers la MOL sans restriction. En réalisant des simulations numériques avec SEEP/W, les effets de la pente de l'interface, des paramètres définissant la courbe de rétention d'eau, de la fonction de la conductivité hydraulique du matériau de la MOL sur la valeur de la LMSG (représentant la facilité d'écoulement du biogaz à l'interface) et de la distribution de l'humidité (et par conséquent celle du biogaz) ont été évalués. Selon les résultats des simulations, la conductivité hydraulique saturée et la distribution des tailles de pores du matériau de la MOL sont les paramètres les plus importants sur la distribution de l'humidité le long de l'interface. Ce dernier paramètre influe également sur la valeur du degré de saturation et donc la facilité du biogaz à la base de la MOL. La densité sèche du matériau de MOL est un autre paramètre qui contrôle la facilité d'écoulement ascendant du biogaz. Les limitations principales de la présente étude sont associées au nombre de matériaux de MOL testés et à l'incapacité de SEEP/W de considérer l'évapotranspiration. Toutefois, compte tenu des hypothèses raisonnables dans les simulations et en utilisant les données de la littérature, on a essayé de réduire ces limitations. En utilisant les résultats des expériences et des simulations numériques, des étapes et des considérations de conception pour la sélection du matériau de MOL et de la pente d'interface ont été proposées. En effet,le comportement hydraulique non saturé des matériaux serait intégré dans les nécessités de conception pour un BOPM efficace, de sorte que la capacité maximale possible d'oxydation du méthane du matériau de la MOL soit exploitée.

Obtenção e caracterização de queratinase de bacillus sp. P45 a partir de coprodutos e aplicação na produção de queijos cremosos enriquecidos com chia e quinoa

As proteases constituem 60-65% do mercado global das enzimas industriais e são utilizadas na indústria de alimentos no processo de amaciamento de carne, na síntese de peptídeos, preparo de fórmulas infantis, panificação, cervejarias, produtos farmacêuticos, diagnósticos médicos, como aditivos na indústria de detergentes e na indústria têxtil no processo de depilação e transformação do couro. Proteases específicas produzidas por micro-organismos queratinolíticos são chamadas de queratinases e distinguem-se de outras proteases pela maior capacidade de degradação de substratos compactos e insolúveis como a queratina. Atualmente, processos que apontem o uso total das matérias-primas e que não resultem em impactos negativos ao meio ambiente tem ganhado destaque. Dentro desta temática, destacam-se a reutilização da farinha de penas residual durante o cultivo do Bacillus sp. P45 para produção de proteases e a biomassa residual de levedura, ambas com elevados teores de proteínas, podendo ser utilizadas no cultivo do Bacillus sp. P45 para obtenção de proteases. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter a enzima queratinase purificada em grandes quantidades, sua caracterização, bem como a sua aplicação em processos de coagulação enzimática do leite para o desenvolvimento de um queijo cremoso enriquecido com farinha de chia e quinoa. Além disso, aplicar diferentes coprodutos para produção de enzimas proteolíticas e queratinolíticas. A presente tese foi dividida em quatro artigos: no primeiro foi realizado a obtenção da queratinase purificada em maiores quantidades e a determinação dos parâmetros de estabilidade térmica e a influência de componentes químicos na atividade enzimática. A obtenção da enzima em maiores quantidades alcançou fatores de purificação de 2,6, 6,7 e 4,0 vezes, paras 1º SAB, 2º SAB e diafiltração, respectivamente. A recuperação enzimática alcançou valores de 75,3% para o 1º SAB, 75,1% no 2º sistema e 84,3% na diafiltração. A temperatura de 55ºC e o pH 7,5 foram determinados como ótimos para atividade da enzima queratinase. O valor da energia de desativação (Ed) médio foi de 118,0 kJ/mol e os valores de z e D variaram de 13,6 a 18,8ºC, e 6,9 a 237,3 min, respectivamente. Além disso a adição de sais (CaCl2, CaO, C8H5KO4 e MgSO4) elevou a atividade da enzima na presença destes compostos. O segundo artigo apresenta a aplicação da queratinase como coagulante de leite bovino e sua aplicação na obtenção de queijo cremoso enriquecido com chia e quinoa. A enzima mostrou atividade de coagulação semelhante ao coagulante comercial, na concentração de 30mg/mL. A enzima purificada foi empregada de forma eficiente na fabricação do queijo cremoso, que apresentou valores de pH de 5,3 e acidez de 0,06 a 0,1 mol/L, com elevação durante os 25 dias de armazenamento. O terceiro artigo apresenta o perfil do queijo cremoso enriquecido com farinha de chia e quinoa, o qual apresentou alto índice de retenção de água (>99,0%) e baixos valores de sinérese (<0,72%). Elevados teores de fibras foi verificado (3,0 a 5,0%), sugerindo seu consumo como fonte de fibras. As análises microbiológicas foram de acordo com a legislação vigente. Na análise sensorial foi verificado altos valores de suavidade ao paladar e verificado maiores valores de consistência e untabilidade nas amostras com maiores concentrações de nata e quinoa. O quarto artigo traz a extração de β-galactosidase por ultrassom e o uso da biomassa residual da levedura, bem como o uso de farinha de penas residuais como substrato para obtenção de proteases. O ultrassom foi eficiente para ruptura celular e extração de β-galactosidase, apresentando alta atividade (35,0 U/mL) e rendimento (876,0 U/g de biomassa). A maior atividade proteolítica (1300 U/mL em 32 h) e queratinolítica (89,2 U/mL) verificadas ocorreram utilizando-se a biomassa e a farinha de penas residuais, respectivamente. Maior produtividade proteolítica (40,8 U/mL/h) foi verificado no meio utilizando biomassa residual como substrato. Já a maior produtividade queratinolítica (2,8 U/mL/h) foi alcançada utilizando farinha de penas reutilizada.

Aproveitamento de resíduos minerais na formulação de argamassas para a construção civil

Current environmental concerns include the excessive consumption and inefficient use of non-renewable natural resources. The construction industry is considered one of the largest consumers of natural raw materials, significantly contributing to the environmental degradation of the planet. The use of calcareous quarry (RPPC) and porcelain tile polishing residues (RPP) as partial replacements of the cement in mortars is an interesting alternative to minimize the exploration of considerably large amounts of natural resources. The present study aimed at investigating the properties of fresh and hardened mortars produced using residues to replace cement. The residues used were fully characterized to determine their specific mass, unitary mass, particle size distribution and morphology, and composition. The performance of the mortars was compared to that of reference compositions, prepared without residues. A total of 18 compositions were prepared, 16 using residues and 2 reference ones. The mortars were prepared using Portland CP II F 32 cement, CH I hydrated lime, river sand and tap water. The compositions of the mortars were 1:1:6 and 1:0.5:4.5 (vol%), and water to cement ratios of 1.87 and 1.45 were used, respectively. The mortars in the fresh state were evaluated by consistency index, water retention, density of mass and incorporated air content tests. In their hardened state, the mortars were evaluated by apparent mass density, modulus of elasticity, flexural tensile strength, compressive strength and water absorption by capillarity. The mortars were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence. Finally, they were classified according to NBR 13281 standards. The mortars prepared using residues partially replacing the cement exhibited lower modulus of elasticity compared to the reference compositions, thus improving the performance in their intended use. On the downside, the water absorption by capillarity was affected by the presence of residues and both the tensile and compressive strength were reduced. However, from the overall standpoint, the replacement of cement by calcareous quarry or porcelain tile polishing residues did not result in significant changes in the properties of the mortars. Therefore, compositions containing these residues can be used in the construction industry

Síntese, aplicação e avaliação do efeito do teor de fósforo da celulose fosfatada em argamassa de alvenaria com aditivo comercial a base de hidroxi-etil-metil celulose (HEMC)

Generally, cellulose ethers improves mortar properties such as water retention, workability and setting time, along with adherence to the substrate. However, a major disadvantage of the addition of cellulose ethers in mortars is the delay in hydration of the cement. In this paper a cellulose phosphate (Cp) was synthesized water soluble and has been evaluated the effect of their incorporation into mortar based on Portland cement. Cellulose phosphate obtained was characterized by spectrophotometry Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mortar compositions were formulated with varying phosphorus content in cellulose and cellulose phosphate concentrations, when used in partial or total replacement of the commercial additive based hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC). The mortars formulated with additives were prepared and characterized by: testing in the fresh state (consistency index, water retention, bulk density and air content incorporated) and in the hardened state (absorption by capillarity, density, flexural and compression strength). In mixtures the proportion of sand:cement of 1:5 (v / v) and factor a / c = 1.31 and water were held constant. Overall, the results showed that the celluloses phosphates employed in mortars added acted significantly when partially substituting the commercial additive. With regard to consistency index, water retention and bulk density in the fresh state and absorption by capillarity and bulk density apparent in the hardened state, showed no appreciable differences as compared to the commercial additive. The incorporated air content in the fresh state reduced markedly, but did not affect other properties. The mortars with cellulose phosphate, partially replacing the commercial additive showed an improvement of the properties of flexural strength and compressive strength

Desenvolvimento de argamassa para restauração utilizando resíduo do polimento do porcelanato

The coatings mortars are essential elements of building structures because they execute an important role in protecting walls and are particularly exposed to aggressive action responsible for its degradation over time. The importance of wall coverings has been the subject of discussion and analysis in the conservation and rehabilitation of old buildings. Are sometimes removed and replaced with inappropriate solutions of constructive point of view or architecture. The most commonly used coatings on walls of old buildings is based on traditional hydraulic lime mortars. The present study aims at the formulation of new lime- based mortars and aerial fine aggregate, in order to contribute to a better field of conservation and restoration mortar coating of old buildings. Residue was used for polishing porcelain as fine aggregate, replacing the aggregate (sand), in percentages 05-30% by mass. We conducted a thorough evaluation of the mortar properties in fresh and hardened state by comparing the performance of the same with a reference mortar. The residue used was characterized as the density, bulk density, and particle size laser, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. Formulations were produced 7, 6 with residue and one commonly used formulation, which served as a reference. In the formulations of lime mortars air (hydrated lime powder CH-I) has been adopted a stroke volume (1:3) with constant binder, was varied and the water / binder and aggregate and waste. For evaluation of mortars fresh, proceeded to consistency analysis, specific gravity, water retention and air content embedded. In the hardened state assays were performed in specific gravity, water retention, modulus of elasticity, tensile strength in bending, compressive strength, water absorption by capillary action, adhesion, tensile strength, resistance to shrinkage and salts by of crystallization trials with resources chloride solution, nitrate and sulfate all sodium in prismatic at 90 days of age, in addition to the micro structural analysis of mortars. Based on the results we can see that the mortar formulated with 10% content of waste and the reference free retraction feature more stable closer to neutrality. The composition of 10% was obtained better performance against the action of the salt crystallization. The mortar with 15% residue obtained better density, lower air content embedded and high capacity for water retention developing good workability. The replacement of 20% of waste generates a satisfactory utilization of resistance to compression, flexion and traction grip the base. And, finally, it can be seen that the mortar with 10, 15 and 20% residual show, in principle, good suitability as coatings, thus enabling a final result consistent with durability, workability and aesthetics developing therefore a material with better performance to repair or replace existing mortars in old buildings

Comportamento mecânico de um agregado reciclado a partir de resíduos de construção e demolição submetido a carregamentos cíclicos

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geotecnia, 2016.

Potential hydraulic barrier performance of cyclic organic carbonate modified bentonite complexes against hyper salinity

The effect of adding glycerol carbonate (GC) or propylene carbonate (PC) to sodium (Na)-bentonite on the hydraulic performance of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) under hypersaline conditions is examined. Fluid loss (FL), swell index (SI) and solution retention capacity (SRC) measurements were carried out to compare the potential hydraulic performance of these two cyclic organic carbonates (COCs) as bentonite modifiers. A modified FL test enabled quantitative measurement of both the water retention characteristics of untreated and COC modified bentonites as well as calculation of hydraulic conductivity values. Tests under aggressively saline conditions (ionic strength, I ≥ 1 M of NaCl and ≥3 M of CaCl2) showed that at a mass ratio of 1:1 (GC to bentonite), the FL of a GC-Na-bentonite was ≈40–104 mL in NaCl and ≈61–91 mL in CaCl2. This was about 10–20 mL and 70–200 mL, respectively, lower than that of a comparable PC-Na-bentonite (1:1 PC to bentonite) and untreated Na-bentonite. Greater swelling (SI) and greater solution retention capacity (SRC) was observed for the GC treated Na-bentonite compared to untreated Na-bentonite in all salt solutions, and for PC-Na-bentonite at high ionic strength of both NaCl and CaCl2 solutions, demonstrating the superior hydraulic barrier performance of COC-bentonites under severely saline conditions. Experiments conducted in flexible-wall permeameters with I = 3 M CaCl2 showed approximately one order of magnitude lower (∼10−11 m/s vs ∼1.9 × 10−10 m/s) hydraulic conductivity of GC treated bentonite cake compared to the k value of the untreated Na-bentonite cake. Calculated hydraulic conductivity from fluid loss tests estimated the measured values in a conservative way (overestimation).

Amino-functionalized mesoporous silica based polyethersulfone-polyvinylpyrrolidone composite membranes for elevated temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells

It is important to find alternative membranes to the state-of-the-art polybenzimidazole based high temperature proton exchange membranes with high proton conductivity at elevated temperature but with simple synthesis procedures. In this work, inorganic-organic nanostructured hybrid membranes are developed based on a polyethersulfone-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PES-PVP) polymeric matrix with hollow mesoporous silica (HMS), amino-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica (NH2-HMS) and amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (NH2-meso-silica). The composite membranes show a significant increase in proton conductivity and a decrease in the activation energy for proton diffusion in comparison with the phosphoric acid (H3PO4, PA) doped PES-PVP membrane. And the composite membrane with NH2-HMS shows the best performance under the conditions in this study, achieving the highest proton conductivity of 1.52 × 10-1 S cm-1 and highest peak power density of 480 mW cm-2 at 180 °C under anhydrous conditions, which is 92.7% higher than that of the PA doped PES-PVP membrane at identical conditions. Such enhancement results from the facilitated proton transportation in the ordered mesoporous channels via the hydrogen bond between the -NH2 groups and H3PO4. The high water retention capability of silica materials with a hollow structure also contributes to the decrease of the activation of proton diffusion. Consequently, the results show promising potential of the NH2-HMS based PES-PVP composite membrane for the elevated temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Hydro-Physical Characterization of Media Used in Agricultural Systems to Develop the Best Management Practices for operation of an Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Enterprise

Florida is the second leading horticulture state in the United States with a total annual industry sale of over $12 Billion. Due to its competitive nature, agricultural plant production represents an extremely intensive practice with large amounts of water and fertilizer usage. Agrochemical and water management are vital for efficient functioning of any agricultural enterprise, and the subsequent nutrient loading from such agricultural practices has been a concern for environmentalists. A thorough understanding of the agrochemical and the soil amendments used in these agricultural systems is of special interest as contamination of soils can cause surface and groundwater pollution leading to ecosystem toxicity. The presence of fragile ecosystems such as the Everglades, Biscayne Bay and Big Cypress near enterprises that use such agricultural systems makes the whole issue even more imminent. Although significant research has been conducted with soils and soil mix, there is no acceptable method for determining the hydraulic properties of mixtures that have been subjected to organic and inorganic soil amendments. Hydro-physical characterization of such mixtures can facilitate the understanding of water retention and permeation characteristics of the commonly used mix which can further allow modeling of soil water interactions. The objective of this study was to characterize some of the locally and commercially available plant growth mixtures for their hydro-physical properties and develop mathematical models to correlate these acquired basic properties to the hydraulic conductivity of the mixture. The objective was also to model the response patterns of soil amendments present in those mixtures to different water and fertilizer use scenarios using the characterized hydro-physical properties with the help of Everglades-Agro-Hydrology Model. The presence of organic amendments helps the mixtures retain more water while the inorganic amendments tend to adsorb more nutrients due to their high surface area. The results of these types of characterization can provide a scientific basis for understanding the non-point source water pollution from horticulture production systems and assist in the development of the best management practices for the operation of environmentally sustainable agricultural enterprise

19th c. Coloured stuccos and plasters from Grilos' Church (Oporto, Portugal): Materials and techniques employed

The Oporto's St. Lourenço Church of the Jesuit College is locally known, since the St. Augustin Barefooted Eremites occupation (1779/80), as Grilos' Church. The Oporto's siege laid by D. Pedro and D. Miguel (1832/33) succeed in the college abandonment by Grilo's Friars. Throughout Augustin Friars presence period, the white plasters of the nave (end of 18th c.) were executed and it was constructed the Holly Sacrament Chapel (early 19th c.) with neoclassic coloured stuccos and plasters, influenced by Robert Adam, Luigi Chiari and Teixeira Barreto ornamental motifs. Pigments were added to the external layer to imitate the marble and to achieve the “base” colour of the panels. This study of the blue, rose and white stuccos and plasters of H.S. Chapel of Grilo's Church allows carrying out useful database on the original mortars composition by the use of different analytical techniques, important to select the most adequate solutions for restoration interventions. Optical microscopy, XRD, TG-DTA, SEM-EDS, XRF analysis results were considered to identify the composition of different layers and to provide mineralogical, microstructure and chemical characterization of the mortars components and to quantify the binder content in those mortars. These results were compared with collected information on compositions from other sources. This study allowed the identification of the decay causes of decorative stuccos and plaster, suggesting that water retention in the masonries and wooden laths structure of the dome of the chapel is the main factor.

Physical soil attributes of Conilon coffee (Coffea canephora) under organic and conventional management systems.

Coffea sp. is cultivated in large areas, using both conventional and organic management. However, information about the sustainability of these two management systems is still deficient. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physical properties of soil cultivated with Conilon coffee (C. canephora) under organic and conventional management. Two areas cultivated with Conilon coffee (under organic and conventional management) and a fragment of Atlantic forest, used as a reference, were selected for the experiment. Soil granulometry, hydraulic conductivity, water retention curve, resistance to penetration, porosity, optimal hydric interval, and other physical characteristics were measured at depths of 0 to 10 and 10 to 20 cm. The data was submitted to multivariate and descriptive statistical analyses. Higher similarity was observed between the soil cultivated with Conilon coffee under organic management and the Atlantic forest soil. Soil resistance to penetration at 10, 30, 100, 500 and 1500 kPa, macro porosity, density and total porosity were the main physical properties that differentiated both management systems studied. The non-use of agricultural machinery and the addition of organic matter may be the main reasons for higher soil sustainability observed under organic management when compared with the conventional system.