Tratamento de materiais contaminados com bifenilas policloradas (PCBS) via extração convencional e fluído supercrítico

The decontamination of the materials has been subject of some studies. One of the factors that it increases the pollution is the lack of responsibility in the discarding of toxic trash, as for example the presence of PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) in the environment. In the Brazilian regulations, the material contaminated with PCB in concentrations higher than 50 ppm must be stored in special places or destroyed, usually by incineration in plasma furnace with dual steps. Due to high cost of the procedure, new methodologies of PCBs removal has been studied. The objective of this study was to develop an experimental methodology and analytical methodology for quantification of removal of PCBs through out the processes of extractions using supercritical fluid and Soxhlet method, also technical efficiency of the two processes of extraction, in the treatment of contaminated materials with PCBs. The materials studied were soils and wood, both were simulated contamination with concentration of 6.000, 33.000 and 60.000 mg of PCB/ kg of materials. Soxhlet extractions were performed using 100 ml of hexane, and temperature of 180 ºC. Extractions by fluid supercritical were performed at conditions of 200 bar, 70°C, and supercritical CO2 flow-rate of 3 g/min for 1-3 hours. The extracts obtained were quantified using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The conventional extractions were made according to factorial experimental planning technique 22, with aim of study the influence of two variables of process extraction for the Soxhlet method: contaminant concentration and extraction time for obtain a maximum removal of PCB in the materials. The extractions for Soxhlet method were efficient for extraction of PCBs in soil and wood in both solvent studied (hexane and ethanol). In the experimental extraction in soils, the better efficient of removal of PCBs using ethanol as solvent was 81.3% than 95% for the extraction using hexane as solvent, for equal time of extraction. The results of the extraction with wood showed statistically it that there is not difference between the extractions in both solvent studied. The supercritical fluid extraction in the conditions studied showed better efficiency in the extraction of PCBs in the wood matrix than in soil, for two hours extractions the obtain percentual of 43.9 ± 0.5 % for the total of PCBs extracted in the soils against 95.1 ± 0,5% for the total of PCBs extracted in the wood. The results demonstrated that the extractions were satisfactory for both technical studied

Productivity, biological efficiency, and number of Agaricus blazei mushrooms grown in compost in the presence of Trichoderma sp. and Chaetomium olivacearum contaminants

Foi avaliado o efeito dos fungos contaminantes Trichoderma sp. e C. olivacearum na produtividade, eficiência biológica e número de cogumelos da produção do A. blazei em composto (mistura de cana-de-açúcar, palha de capim coast-cross, farelo de soja, gesso e calcário calcítico). O delineanamento foi inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos (Trichoderma sp., C. olivacearum e testemunha) e oito repetições (caixa com 12 kg de composto colonizado com A. blazei). Após a colonização do composto pelo A. blazei, adicionou-se 150g de inóculo à base de triticale de cada um dos fungos contaminantes na superfície do composto seguido da camada de cobertura. O experimento foi conduzido em estufa com cobertura plástica, umidade relativa entre 60-90% e temperatura de 20-34ºC. A produtividade foi determinada pela relação entre a massa fresca de basidiomas e a massa úmida do composto. A eficiência biológica foi determinada pela relação entre a massa fresca de basidiomas e a massa seca do composto ao final do período de colheita. de acordo com os resultados obtidos, os fungos contaminantes C. olivacearum e Trichoderma sp. não afetaram a produtividade, eficiência biológica e número de cogumelos da produção do A. blazei em compostos previamente colonizados.

Dominance of legume trees alters nutrient relations in mixed species forest restoration plantings within seven years

Failures in reforestation are often attributed to nutrient limitation for tree growth. We compared tree performance and nitrogen and phosphorus relations in adjacent mixed-species plantings of contrasting composition, established for forest restoration on Ultisol soil, originally covered by tropical semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest in Southeast Brazil. Nutrient relations of four tree species occurring in both planting mixtures were compared between a legume-dominated, species-poor direct seeding mixture of early-successional species ("legume mixture"), and a species-diverse, legume-poor mixture of all successional groups ("diverse mixture"). After 7 years, the legume mixture had 6-fold higher abundance of N(2)-fixing trees, 177% higher total tree basal area, 22% lower litter C/N, six-fold higher in situ soil resin-nitrate, and 40% lower in situ soil resin-P, compared to the diverse mixture. In the legume mixture, non-N(2)-fixing legume Schizolobium parahyba (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) had significantly lower proportional N resorption, and both naturally regenerating non-legume trees had significantly higher leaf N concentrations, and higher proportional P resorption, than in the diverse mixture. This demonstrate forms of plastic adjustment in all three non-N(2)-fixing species to diverged nutrient relations between mixtures. By contrast, leaf nutrient relations in N(2)-fixing Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) did not respond to planting mixtures. Rapid N accumulation in the legume mixture caused excess soil nitrification over nitrate immobilization and tighter P recycling compared with the diverse mixture. The legume mixture succeeded in accelerating tree growth and canopy closure, but may imply periods of N losses and possibly P limitation. Incorporation of species with efficient nitrate uptake and P mobilization from resistant soil pools offers potential to optimize these tradeoffs.

Produção de serapilheira e ciclagem de nutrientes de uma floresta estacional semidecidual em zona ripária

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

Suplementacao de zinco orgânico na racão de frangos de corte alojados em cama nova ou reutilizada

Abstract: Several factors can affect the development of the broiler, among them we can highlight nutrition and management. In the context nutritional, mineral supplementation is a necessary practice because, in general, the diets did not contain these elements in sufficient quantity to meet the needs of poultry. Zinc is a trace mineral essential to life, participating in several important functions in the body. Generally zinc is added to diets of birds in inorganic forms (oxides, carbonates or sufatos), however in its organic form or chelated presents more bioavailable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of levels of organic zinc (ZnO) in the diet of broilers from 1 to 42 days, housed in new or reused litter. The experiment was conducted in the poultry sector of the Special Unit for Agricultural Sciences EAJ / UFRN. 576 chicks were used 1 day of commercial strain Cobb, distributed in a completely randomized in a 4x2 factorial arrangement with four levels of ZnO 0, 40, 80 and 120 ppm and two environments, new bed (COn) and reused litter (CRE) resulting in eight treatments with six replications of 12 birds. In the pre-initial responses were linearly increasing levels of ZnO on feed intake and quadratic effect on body weight and weight gain. The levels of 72.41 and 70.05 ppm of ZnO in the diet of chicks improved body weight and weight gain, respectively. There was interaction between ZnO and the type of bedding used. The ZnO did not affect broiler performance in the growing phase. There was an interaction between levels of ZnO and type of bed used. The levels of 61.50 and 85.30 ppm organic zinc improves immunity and increases the deposition of zinc in tibia of broilers at 42 days, respectively. ZnO also increases the resistance of the skin of broilers at 42 days of age. Using Cre improves performance of broilers from 1 to 42 days old

Mercury emissions from forest burning in southern Amazon

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

Álcool e sociabilidade: a farra das adolescentes

The experience as a school psychologist allowed me to notice that expressions like I was like trash in the gang s barbecue , and we chatted away, only the girls, and we all got drunk , are very common in conversations between Elementary and High School students, pointing out to a concerning incidence of alcohol consumption among female adolescents. However, studies about this theme haven t gone deep in the nowadays reality these girls are living in. This study aimed at comprehending the aspects of the relation between girls and alcohol, starting from the point that exaggerated consumption indicates introductory rituals for some groups, making social relations easier and becoming a sociability factor. To give this study some support, a questionnaire was applied to 1028 female teenagers, between 12 and 18 years old, students in private schools in Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte. The context chosen for the development of the study - private schools -, arose from the notion that the majority of the data collection carried out about alcohol and other psychotropic drugs aim at public school students. The instrument used was divided in two parts, one that treated about the first contact with alcohol (experimentation), and other that points to the current relation with alcoholic beverages, with 27 closed questions but nevertheless with available space for manifestation like if other; which?, applied collectively in classrooms. The data received a statistic treatment from SPSS and showed that the first contact with alcoholic beverage happens in domestic environment, having parents and friends as companions, very precociously, around 10 years of age, as curiosity. At this moment, Ice drink is the most consumed beverage. The main reason that leads them to drink is to pass the time in parties, and they don t drink alone (93% of students researched), what gives alcohol this recreational and socializing characteristic. They do consider alcohol a kind of drug, but are not afraid of getting addicted. People that drink usually show to be extroverted, they get happier (40,3%) and are not shy at all (29,4%), have attitudes of moral character, like to get involved with unknown boys (18,5%), get numb (9,9%), or get sad (1,9%). They label as vulgar the girls that drink, depending on the amount, and to be stimulated by the boys to drink. The study shows that systematic interventions of the school are necessary, once it is an institution that should care about education and personality traits of children and adolescents, as well as the important role of the psychologist in this context. Besides, it claims the society to get effectively involved with the public policies that already exist

Straw decomposition of nitrogen-fertilized grasses intercropped with irrigated maize in an integrated crop-livestock system

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos alelopáticos de extratos vegetais na germinação, colonização micorrízica e crescimento inicial de milho, soja e feijão

Restos vegetais e liteira podem interferir no desenvolvimento de plantas. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos alelopáticos de extratos aquosos de Pinus sp., milheto (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) e mucuna (Stizolobium aterrimum Piper & Tracy) sobre a germinação, colonização micorrízica e crescimento inicial de milho (Zea mays L.), soja (Glycine max L.) e feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Os extratos foram elaborados utilizando folhas trituradas. O experimento in vitro empregou papel Germitest umedecido com extratos ou água destilada por sete dias. O experimento em casa de vegetação teve esquema fatorial 3 x 3 x 4, com quatro repetições: três espécies vegetais (soja, milho e feijão), três extratos aquosos (Pinus, milheto e mucuna) e quatro doses de extrato (0,0; 0,5; 1,0; e 2,0 kg L-1). O substrato foi Latossolo Vermelho coletado no município de Selvíria-MS, no bioma Cerrado. Após a semeadura, os vasos receberam, a cada cinco dias, por 45 dias, 50 mL dos extratos. Para a soja, extratos de mucuna e milheto diminuíram o comprimento do hipocótilo e da radícula e os de Pinus aumentaram esses comprimentos. em feijão, o extrato de Pinus diminuiu o comprimento do hipocótilo e da radícula, mas os extratos de mucuna e milheto aumentaram-no. O extrato do milheto reduziu a percentagem e a velocidade de germinação em feijão. Todos os extratos reduziram a colonização micorrízica e o número de esporos de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em soja, milho e feijão.

Association of diabetes and cigarette smoke exposure on the glycemia and liver glycogen of pregnant Wistar rats

Purpose: To evaluate cigarette smoke exposure and/or diabetes association effects on the glycemia and liver glycogen levels of pregnant Wistar rats. Methods: 60 adult rats were randomly distributed into (n= 10/group): non-diabetic exposed to filtered air (G1); non-diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke only before pregnancy (G2); non-diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke before and during pregnancy (G3); diabetic exposed to filtered air (G4); diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke only before pregnancy (G5), and diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke before and during pregnancy (G6). Glycemia was determined at days 0 and 21 of pregnancy. Liver samples were collected for liver glycogen determinations. Results: At day 21 of pregnancy, glycemia was higher in G5 and G6 compared to G4 group. G2 (2.43 +/- 0.43), G3 (3.20 +/- 0.49), G4 (2.62 +/- 0.34), G5 (2.65 +/- 0.27) and G6 groups (1.94 +/- 0.35) presented decreased liver glycogen concentrations compared to G1 (4.20 +/- 0.18 mg/100mg liver tissue) (p<0.05). G5 and G6 groups presented decreased maternal weight gain and litter weight. Conclusions: Severe diabetes and cigarette smoke exposure, alone or associated, caused impairment in liver glycogen storage at term pregnancy. Due to the fact that liver glycogen storages were considered determinant for glucose tolerance, it is relevant to point out a rigid clinical glycemic control and to stop smoking so earlier in pregnancy programming.

Participação social e designação de espécie-bandeira: ações complementares à conservação de um parque estadual em área urbana

Facing environmental problems the planet appears several alternative preventive and control on behalf of the equation between development and environmental protection. One of the alternatives implemented in Brazil to conservation of biodiversity was the creation of protected natural areas regulated by the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC). This is an integrated study of the Comunication / Environmental Conservation, which prioritizes social participation as a complementary in the conservation process, the particular case of the Dunas do Natal State Park, the first conservation area in Rio Grande do Norte, for full protection. It takes into account the roles environmental, scientific and Park, which harbors a unique biodiversity, including endemic species and the fact being located in an urban area. It proposes the use of two complementary instruments, such as strategies for conservation. Considering the various individual experiences, it was analyzed the perception that the community is directly related to the Park. From this promoted the democratization of information about the park, its biodiversity and conservation. As another conservation tool, it was suggested the use of a flagship species for the park, or a body chosen symbol for environmental or social reasons, in order to protect and conserve certain natural environments, from the understanding and co -community participation. In this case, as proposed flag Coleodactylus natalensis species, the lizard-the-litter, to be endemic remnants of Atlantic Forest Park as having the type locality, be one of the smallest species of the world, South America's lowest-dependent shadow of the forest, sensitive to human action and therefore very vulnerable. This suggestion finds support in the degree of public acceptance that interacts directly with the Park, as a result of the evaluation of their perceptions. It was further observed in this study that this symbology to be used in order to promote the democratization of the Park and its biodiversity has an identification result, curiosity and probable involvement of the population with the issues of the Park

Effects of hypertension on maternal adaptations to pregnancy: experimental study on spontaneously hypertensive rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Similitudes na gestão dos resíduos sólidos urbanos em países centrais e periféricos

A emergência na necessidade de se manejar os resíduos sólidos urbanos leva as administrações públicas em países centrais e periféricos a utilizarem modelos de gestão de resíduos bastante similares. A gestão dos resíduos nos países centrais é caracterizada pela eficiência na execução dos serviços (limpeza, coleta, transporte e destino final), uso de aparatos tecnológicos na execução de ditos serviços e forte tradição na separação dos materiais recicláveis a ser destinados para a reciclagem. Nos países periféricos, a gestão tradicional (coletar e descartar resíduos em lixões à céu aberto) vem sendo substituída pela gestão moderna, sobressaindo-se o controle dos resíduos em detrimento das estratégias de prevenção. Também, destaca-se a presença de trabalhadores informais que coletam e separam materiais, destinando-os à reciclagem. A partir do levantamento à referência bibliográfica especializada e na consulta a documentos oficiais e produzidos por entidades diversas, o presente artigo analisa as similitudes na gestão dos resíduos sólidos em países centrais e periféricos. A busca pela modernização nos serviços dos resíduos sem levar em conta as recomendações de documentos como a Agenda 21 caracteriza a gestão dos resíduos em países centrais e periféricos pelo ambientalismo econômico, no qual as ações de controle dos resíduos são justificadas pelos aspectos ambientais e sociais dessa gestão

Effect of exercise on the reproductive outcome and fetal development of diabetic rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Impact of maternal mild hyperglycemia on maternal care and offspring development and behavior of Wistar rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)