Hydro(radio)chemical relationships in the giant Guarani aquifer, Brazil

This investigation was carried out within the Parana sedimentary basin and involved the sampling of 78 pumped tubular wells for evaluating the hydrochemistry and radioactivity due to the nuclides (238)U, (234)U, (222)Ra, (226)Ra, and (228)Ra in the Brazilian part of Guarani aquifer. Several significant correlations were found involving the geostatic pressure, for instance, specific flow rate, CO(3)(2-), SO(4)(2-) temperature, dissolved O(2), free CO(2), pH, redox potential Eh, conductivity, Na, HCO(3)-, CO(3)(2-) , SI(calcite), Cl(-), F(-), SO(4)(2-), and B. Carbonates precipitation was evidenced by inverse correlation between CO(3)(2-) and Ca, Mg, Sr, and Ba, whereas Na exhibited an opposite trend, dissolving rather than precipitating with increasing CO(3)(2-) concentration. An inverse correlation between 3 and K was found, possibly related to the increasing tendency of K to recombine with the thickness of the clayey layers. HCO(3)-played an important role on Na, Ca, Mg, and Sr dissolution. The dissolved U content and (234)U/(238)U activity ratio data were plotted on a two-dimensional diagram that was successfully utilized on identifying an unreported zone of U accumulation, though not necessarily of economic size and grade. The variability in chemical and radionuclides data indicated an important influence of the underlying Paleozoic sediments in the composition of waters from Guarani aquifer. The available data allowed estimate the groundwater residence time by two U-isotopes disequilibrium methods. Values of 45-61 ka were initially calculated, depending on the adopted porosity (15-20%), but a longer residence time (- 640 ka) was also estimated, which is more compatible with the hydraulic conductivity data in Guarani aquifer and groundwater flow velocity occurring at Milk River aquifer, Alberta, Canada. Such time range agrees with previously reported (14)C ages exceeding 30 ka BP at the more central parts of the Parana sedimentary basin. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

U-ages in soils and groundwater evidencing wet periods 400-600 kyr ago in southeast Brazil

U-238 and its radiogenic daughter U-234 have been utilized for dating soil formation and groundwater residence time during the last 1.5 million years, in this case based on the U-clissolution/precipitation occurring during modifications of the oxidation-reduction conditions. In this paper, we report a 400-600 kyr proxy of wet periods from sediments occurring in a soil profile developed over rocks outcropping at the Parana sedimentary basin in Brazil, and from groundwater exploited of Guarani aquifer at the same basin. The approaches indicated successful use of the U-modeled ages for suggesting wet periods exceeding the past 116-210 kyr from previous studies. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wastes released by tanneries at Patrocinio Paulista, São Paulo State, Brazil

This investigation was carried out within the Parana sedimentary basin, Brazil, and involved the sampling of sludge and residuary waters that were collected from reservoirs/decantation ponds settled in two tanneries situated at Patrocinio Paulista, São Paulo State Two samples from each tannery were collected, stored in appropriate flasks and transported to the LABIDRO for chemical analysis The LABIDRO (Laboratory of Isotopes and Hydrochemistry) of the Petrology Department at the Geosciences and Exacts Sciences Institute of UNESP is situated in Rio Claro city, about 240 km distant from the investigated area The data for residuary waters were compared with guideline values established by two different legislations (a) Rule No 12486 (NTA60) established in 20(th) October 1978 by São Paulo State for defining the potable water standards and (b) Register 997 published on 31 May 1976 that defines the permissible concentration limits in effluents to be released to water bodies (coastal, fresh or ground water) in São Paulo State The results confirmed that leather production is an activity with high environmental impact, despite improvements that may be achieved by tanneries

Some possible evolutionary scenarios suggested by Cl-36 measurements in Guarani aquifer groundwaters

The Guarani aquifer underlies 1.2 M km(2) in the Parana sedimentary basin of South America and is an important source of water for industry, agriculture, and domestic supplies. To determine the sustainability of this aquifer we need to understand the dynamics of the groundwater system. This paper describes the first Cl-36 measurements on aquifer groundwaters and some measurements on South American rainwaters, thought to be indicative of the recharge water. The results are compared to previous work in the region, including other radioisotope analyses. A simple model is developed, incorporating radioactive decay, allowing scenarios to be developed for mixing different waters at different mixing rates. Thus, mixing scenarios consistent with other hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical data could be assessed. A model that mixes fresh recharging waters with formational waters, that contain elevated chloride levels, but low (in situ) Cl-36 levels, can explain most of the results presented here. The expectation that rainwater samples would provide a good end-member for modelling recharge proved problematic, however. As a consequence, it is suggested that either: the recharge waters are not sourced from the same locations as the rains; that the current rainfall and fallout conditions were significantly different in the past; or that the low levels of chloride in rainfall may have allowed some contamination of the samples by old (Cl-36-free) chloride during the recharge process. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of fats, oil and grease by spectro-photometry and its application on different sites at São Paulo State, Brazil

This investigation was carried out within the Parana sedimentary basin, Brazil, involved the sampling of effluents and groundwater from monitoring stations situated at different sites at São Paulo State, and was realized with the purpose of evaluating the presence of fats, oil and grease (FOG) in different matrices. Several tests were realized with very distinct materials (cooking oil, butter, margarine, pig fat, vacuum pump oil) in order to properly calibrate the spectrophotometric system. Each matrix was dissolved with 1,1,1-trichloroethane and from the stock solutions it was prepared working standards from different dilutions. The data obtained were plotted on absorbance vs. concentration graph that yielded a successful calibration curve when a mineral oil for vacuum pump was utilized in the experiments at a wavelength corresponding to 410 mn. The results obtained for the analyzed samples were compared with the limiting value established by the São Paulo State legislation on the prevention and pollution control of the environment that was established in 8(th) September 1976 by Rule No. 8468.

Hydrochemical evaluation of different spring waters for bottling

This investigation was carried out within the Parana sedimentary basin in São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul States, Brazil, and involved the sampling of different spring water samples with the purpose of evaluating their quality for bottling Several methods were utilized for acquiring the hydrochemical data, such as methyl orange end-point titration, potentiometry, ion selective electrodes, spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry The results obtained for the analyzed samples were compared with the guideline values established by the São Paulo State and Brazilian Health Ministry legislations for defining the potable water standards The Brazilian Code for Mineral Waters that was established by Register 7841 published on 8 August 1945 was also taken into account for verifying if the spring waters are mineralized The hydrochemical data allowed the identification of anthropogenic and geogenic inputs of some constituents in most of the samples, which affected the water quality and did not allow them to be utilized for commercial purposes (bottling) The waters of these springs can only become appropriate for human consumption after previous chemical treatment

Hydrochemistry and weathering rates on Corumbatai River basin, São Paulo State, Brazil

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

Zoneamento bioclimático da ovinocultura no Estado do Paraná

Utilizaram-se 45 fêmeas ovinas adultas (15 Hampshire Down [HD], 15 Texel [TE] e 15 Ile de France [IF]), para propor um zoneamento bioclimático da ovinocultura no Estado do Paraná. Mediram-se a temperatura retal (Tr), da epiderme (Te), do interior do velo (Tiv) e da superfície do velo (Tsv); a frequência respiratória (Fr); a temperatura do ar (Ta), pressão de vapor (e), velocidade do vento (v) e carga térmica radiante (CTR). O Índice de Conforto Térmico utilizado foi ICT= 0,6678Ta + 0,4969e + 0,5444Tg + 0,1038v. A regressão do ICT sobre Tr mostrou efeito quadrático para as três raças. Para ICT=24,3, 27,3 e 20,6, os valores de Tr foram respectivamente: 39,10ºC para a raça HD, 39,05ºC para TE e 39,09ºC para IF, atingindo 40,40; 40,50; e 40,28ºC, respectivamente, para ICT=58. As três raças aumentaram sua Tr a partir de ICT=26, com a TE apresentando menor Tr até o valor ICT=46; neste ponto, as três raças foram semelhantes, tendo a TE apresentado maiores valores. Para ICT igual a 27,6; 29,7; e 27,0, os valores de Fr foram, respectivamente, 89,63; 77,08; e 78,77 resp./min., para as raças HD, TE e IF. A raça TE apresentou menor Fr (77,08 resp./min.), para ICT=29,7 e para ICT=48, valores semelhantes aos da IF (181,96 resp./min.); a partir deste índice, passou a ser maior que as demais raças, atingindo valores de 288,66 resp./min. no ICT=56, porém inferior à HD (289,01 resp./min.). Neste índice, a raça IF foi a que apresentou a menor Fr (275,72 resp./min.). Uma extensa faixa ao longo do litoral do Estado, entrando cerca de 200 km para o interior até os limites das cidades de Castro, Telêmaco Borba, Laranjeiras do Sul e Pato Branco, permite a criação das três raças, sem exigir grandes esforços de termorregulação.

Sprawl e o modal de transporte motorizado: impactos na cidade de Londrina, PR

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aplicação preliminar do método QRAM para avaliação de riscos para segurança ocupacional na construção civil

A segurança ocupacional é imprescindível na indústria da construção civil e a análise e avaliação de riscos para a segurança ocupacional (AARSO) é o primeiro e fundamental passo para alcançá-la, baseado na definição e implementação de programas de prevenção. A AARSO é um processo complexo, que implica a consideração e análise de muitos parâmetros quantitativos e/ou qualitativos que são difíceis de quantificar. As metodologias AARSO utilizadas na indústria da construção civil são baseadas em informação sujeita a incerteza (sendo tratada por técnicas probabilísticas e/ou estatísticas), difusa, imprecisa e/ou incompleta. Isso implica algumas limitações, como, por exemplo, obrigar os analistas a estimar parâmetros ou efetuar comparações com outros canteiros de obras (o que afasta do sistema real em estudo). O objetivo inicial deste estudo foi efetuar a pré-validação de um método AARSO, o QRAM, em duas cidades brasileiras, de médio e grande porte.

Movimento de gaveta em joelhos de cães submetidos à estabilização extracapsular após secção do ligamento cruzado cranial in vitro

A técnica TightRope, que procura aperfeiçoar a estabilização extra-capsular com sutura lateral, por meio da realização de mínimas incisões e criação de túneis ósseos em pontos isométricos, que permitem a inserção de mecanismo que anula o movimento de gaveta, além de reduzir a ocorrência de complicações graves. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar a modificação da técnica TightRope em joelhos de cadáveres caninos com a finalidade de disponibilizar um procedimento simples e de custo reduzido para tratamento da Ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial (RLCCr). Experimentalmente, foram utilizados 20 membros pélvicos de dez cadáveres caninos, provenientes do setor de patologia da Universidade Norte do Paraná, os quais pesavam entre 6,3 e 24kg. Para estabilização do LCCr, rompido intencionalmente, foi adotada a técnica de TightRope modificada utilizando fio de poliamida, cavilha e emprego de um parafuso ortopédico para proporcionar a fixação óssea. Comparando os valores de deslocamento obtidos durante a realização do movimento de gaveta previamente à ruptura do LCCr e após a realização do procedimento cirúrgico, observou-se que a modificação da técnica TightRope promoveu estabilidade significativa para a maioria (12 de 20) dos joelhos testados (P=0,0033). Contudo, essa estabilidade foi inferior, quando comparada à estabilidade do ligamento intacto.

Matéria-prima da formação Corumbataí na região do pólo cerâmico de Santa Gertrudes, SP, com características naturais para fabricação de argila expandida

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

Liming in the transition to no-till under a wheat-soybean rotation

Soil and subsoil aluminium toxicity has been one of the main limiting factors for soybean and wheat yields in tropical soils. Usually liming is the most effective way to deal with soil acidity and Al toxicity, but in no-till systems the soil is not disturbed making it impossible to incorporate lime in the arable layer, and lime has been usually applied on the soil surface. In this paper soybean and wheat responses to lime applied on the soil surface and/or incorporated in the soil arable layer were evaluated during the transition from conventional tillage to a no-till system. The experiment was conducted for 3 years in Parana, Brazil, using a wheat-soybean rotation. Lime rates ranging from 0.0 to 9.0 t ha(-1) were incorporated down to 20 cm and 4.5 t ha(-1) were spread or not on the soil surface. Soil samples were taken down to 60 cm, 39 months after the first lime application. Soil chemical characteristics were affected by lime application down to 60 cm deep in the profile. Soybean responded to lime irrespective of application method, but the highest accumulated yield was obtained when lime was incorporated into the arable layer. For wheat, the more sensitive the cultivar, the greater was the response to lime. During the introduction of a no-till system, lime must be incorporated into the arable layer when the wheat cultivar is Al-sensitive. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nutritional-requirements of Cryptococcus-laurentii in sugar-cane vinasse medium

The growth of the yeast Cryptococcus laurentii in complete broth for yeast and in liquid and semi-solid sugar cane vinasse media supplemented with several nitrogen and phosphorus sources was analysed in order to evaluate its potential utilization as biomass producer from vinasse. The trials were performed in a 1-liter fermentor, at 30-degrees-C, under magnetic agitation for 48 hours, and initial pH 5.0 for the liquid media. The parameters analysed were biomass, protein, and final pH. For the semi-solid media, agitated flasks under rotational agitation for 24 hours, at 30-degrees-C, and initial pH 5.0 were used. The results obtained showed that the yeast did not grow well in liquid sugar cane vinasse media, both supplemented or not, in comparison to the complete broth for yeast. The protein content was also lower in liquid sugar cane vinasse media. The medium pH did not alter markedly during the cultivation. The best results were obtained in semi-solid sugar cane vinasse media with supplementation, probably due to the known polysaccharide production by this species, which allows a better survival to solid substrates.

PHYTOCHROME CONTROLLED SEED-GERMINATION IN LIGHT INSENSITIVE SEEDS OF RAPHANUS-SATIVUS L CV REDONDO GIGANTE

Seed germination of Raphanus sativus is inhibited by light only under low water potential of the medium. Curves of fluence response to white, red and far-red lights demonstrated that the inhibition of seed germination is dependent on light irradiance being far-red light the more effective than the formers and the germination being inhibited by intermitent light indicates phytochrome involvement through the high irradiance reactions in the control of seed germination in radish seeds under water stress conditions.