Índice de gestão ambiental no setor sucroenergético: um estudo comparativo com outros setores

Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre o panorama do setor sucroenergético no ano de 2013, em comparação com outros setores e, fundamentalmente, apresenta a evolução/involução de alguns aspectos relevantes para o setor, comparando-se os anos de 2012 e 2013. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva que utilizou como base os dados secundários publicados na revista Análise Ambiental (2013-2014). Observou-se que, em pelo menos três indicadores (política ambiental; estrutura da gestão ambiental e plantio de árvores), o setor sucroenergético supera a média dos demais setores analisados. Para o indicador ISO 14001, em que o setor apresentou índice bastante baixo, infere-se que o setor esteja empenhando-se na busca por certificações mais específicas, o que não foi possível detectar a partir dos dados desta pesquisa. Quando comparado com o índice médio dos demais setores, o setor sucroenergético apresenta baixo desempenho nos indicadores Impactos Ambientais e Relação com Fornecedores. De forma geral, os resultados obtidos na análise permitiram apontar alguns indicadores em que o setor sucroenergético tem avançado e outros que carecem de maior atenção, notadamente quando comparado aos demais setores considerados na pesquisa.

PENTECOSTAIS, POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS E MEIO AMBIENTE: Estudo Socioambiental em Rio Grande da Serra, periferia urbana no Grande ABC Paulista

O tema central de nossa pesquisa são as interações dos pentecostais com as questões socioambientais. Portanto, trata-se do estudo do grau de envolvimento dos pentecostais com as políticas públicas ambientais e o meio ambiente em periferia urbana - Rio Grande da Serra - Grande ABC Paulista. A intensa presença dos pentecostais nos bairros mais periféricos da cidade permitiu-nos indagar sobre as relações que esses mantêm com a expansão urbana nas áreas a serem protegidas, com os impactos ambientais, com consumo e pós-consumo na região, na participação de políticas públicas, bem como, os discursos e práticas religiosas interferem no comportamento dos religiosos frente a todas essas questões, uma vez que, a cidade está inserida em Área de Proteção e Recuperação de Mananciais, imbricada em um dos biomas terrestres mais ameaçados de extinção - o Bioma da Mata Atlântica. Como procedimentos metodológicos servimo-nos das observações empíricas, registro dos aspectos e impactos ambientais, aplicação de formulários e entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado, elementos que constituíram uma tríade instrumental analítica. Concluímos que os pentecostais embora sejam atuantes em questões sociais, todavia, não o são quanto às questões ambientais na cidade, pois, não participam de maneira mais efetiva nas políticas públicas ambientais. Entretanto, os pentecostais demonstram uma potencialidade em participar do planejamento urbano participativo e dos processos de gestão urbana a médio e longos prazos, desde que sejam estimulados, primando dessa maneira, pela proteção, defesa e justiça ambiental nessas áreas de vulnerabilidade socioambiental.

Estudo comparativo de diferentes sistemas de injeção de vapor aplicados à remediação de solos contaminados por diesel

Among the potentially polluting economic activities that compromise the quality of soil and groundwater stations are fuel dealers. Leakage of oil derived fuels in underground tanks or activities improperly with these pollutants can contaminate large areas, causing serious environmental and toxicological problems. The number of gas stations grew haphazardly, without any kind of control, thus the environmental impacts generated by these enterprises grew causing pollution of soil and groundwater. Surfactants using various techniques have been proposed to remedy this kind of contamination. This study presents innovation as the application of different systems containing surfactant in the vapor phase and compares their diesel removal efficiencies of soil containing this contaminant. For this, a system that contains seven injection wells the following vaporized solutions: water, surfactant solution, microemulsion and nanoemulsion, The surfactants used were saponified coconut oil (OCS), in aqueous solution and an ethoxylated alcohol UNTL-90: aqueous solution , and nanoemulsion and microemulsion systems. Among the systems investigated, the nanoemulsion showed the highest efficiency, achieving 88% removal of residual phase diesel, the most ecologically and technically feasible by a system with lower content of active matter

Expressão heteróloga de biossurfactantes identificados em bibliotecas metagenômicas

The microorganisms have a vast genetic diversity and they are present throughout the biosphere, however, only about 1% of the species can be cultivated by traditional cultivation techniques. Within this diversity there is a huge pool genetic and biological being explored. The metagenomics has enabled direct access to microbial genome derived from environmental samples using independent methods of cultivation. The methodology enables to obtain functional information about the proteins, as well as identify potential products with biotechnological interest and new industrially exploitable biological resources, such as new solutions to environmental impacts. Oil-contaminated areas are characterized by a large accumulation of hydrocarbons and surfactants may be used for bioremediation. Thus, the metagenomic approach was used in this study in order to select genes involved in the degradation and hydrocarbon emulsification. In a previous work, the environmental DNA (eDNA) was extracted from soil samples collected from two different areas (Caatinga and Saline River) of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), the metagenomic libraries were constructed and functionally analyzed. The clone able to degrade the oil was evaluated for the ability to synthesize biosurfactants. The sequence analysis revealed an ORF with 897 bp, 298 amino acids and a protein with around 34 kDa. The search for homology in GenBank revealed sequence similarity with a hypothetical protein of representatives Halobacteriaceae family, who were recently shown as strains producing biosurfactants. The presence of the inserted coding sequence and the acquired phenotype was confirmed. Primers were designed and the ORF amplified by PCR. The ORF was subcloned into pETDuet-1 expression vector for subsequent purification of the protein of interest containing a histidine tail. The tests performed to confirm the biosurfactant activity and the ability of hydrocarbon degradation showed positive results. The immunodetection test (western blot) using the monoclonal AntiHis® confirmed the presence of the environmental protein. This study was the first to report a possible protein with biosurfactant activity obtained from a metagenomic approach

Utilização do resíduo grosso do beneficiamento da scheelita em aplicações rodoviárias

Mining is an activity of great economic and social value, assisting in the development of the country. However, it can be extremely harmful to the environment if no proper waste management study exists as mitigation measure its effects. Sample some of these harmful effects are pollution: water, through the seepage of waste into the groundwater; soil; of fauna and flora; sound (due to the noise of machines); visual from the residue stored in the open, changing the local landscape; and air. One way to mitigate environmental impacts caused by mining is the proper management of their waste through their use on highways. To that end, this paper proposes to give an appropriate destination to grit coming from the beneficiation of scheelite, due to mining activity from mining group Tomaz Salustino in Brejuí mine, located in the city of Currais Novos in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. This work was developed in four stages. The first comprised the chemical and mineralogical tests, DRX and FRX in which they sought to discover the composition of the material studied. The next step involved the physical characteristics of the waste by means of specific tests and grinding the solid mass, LL and LP. The third stage included the specific tests applied to the pavement, with the compaction test and test Index Support California. Finally, the fourth stage was the mechanical characterization, represented by direct shear tests, both in the flooded condition and not in flooded condition. The technical feasibility of using the modified energie compacted in layers of subbase power has been verified. In normal and intermediate energies is feasible to use less noble as layers as the subgrade. The incorporation of the waste in layers of road pavements provide an alternative to conventionally used in paving aggregates, providing a proper disposal of tailings from scheelite, as well as environmental preservation

Obtenção de Mo2C com adição de Co por reação gás-sólido em reator de leito fixo

Sulfur compounds emissions have been, on the late years, subject to more severe environmental laws due to its impact on the environment (causing the acid rain phenomena) and on human health. It has also been object of much attention from the refiners worldwide due to its relationship with equipment’s life, which is decreased by corrosion, and also with products’ quality, as the later may have its color, smell and stability altered by the presence of such compounds. Sulfur removal can be carried out by hydrotreating (HDT) which is a catalytic process. Catalysts for HDS are traditionally based on Co(Ni)-Mo(W)/Al2O3. However, in face of the increased contaminants’ content on crude oil, and stricter legislation on emissions, the development of new, more active and efficient catalysts is pressing. Carbides of refractory material have been identified as potential materials for this use. The addition of a second metal to carbides may enhance catalytic activities by increasing the density of active sites. In the present thesis Mo2C with Co addition was produced in a fixed bed reactor via gas-solid reaction of CH4 (5%) and H2(95%) with a precursor made of a mix of ammonium heptamolybdate [(NH4)6[Mo7O24].4H2O] and cobalt nitrate[Co(NO3)2.6H2O] at stoichiometric amounts. Precursors’ where analyzed by XRF, XRD, SEM and TG/DTA. Carboreduction reactions were carried out at 700 and 750°C with two cobalt compositions (2,5 and 5%). Reaction’s products were characterized by XRF, XRD, SEM, TOC, BET and laser granulometry. It was possible to obtain Mo2C with 2,5 and 5% cobalt addition as a single phase at 750°C with nanoscale crystallite sizes. At 700°C, however, both MoO2 and Mo2C phases were found by XRD. No Co containing phases were found by XRD. XRF, however, confirmed the intended Co content added. SEM images confirmed XRD data. The increase on Co content promoted a more severe agglomeration of the produced powder. The same effect was noted when the reaction temperature was increased. The powder synthesized at 750°C with 2,5% Co addition TOC analysis indicated the complete conversion from oxide material to carbide, with a 8,9% free carbon production. The powder produced at this temperature with 5% Co addition was only partially converted (86%)

Aplicação da tecnologia eletroquímica para a remoção e monitoramento de metais pesados em efluentes aquosos

Heavy metals are present in industrial waste. These metals can generate a large environmental impact contaminating water, soil and plants. The chemical action of heavy metals has attracted environmental interest. In this context, this study aimed to test t he performance of electrochemical technologies for removing and quantifying heavy metals. First ly , the electroanalytical technique of stripping voltammetry with glassy carbon electrode (GC) was standardized in order to use this method for the quantificatio n of metals during their removal by electrocoagulation process (EC). A nalytical curves were evaluated to obtain reliability of the determin ation and quantification of Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ separately or in a mixture. Meanwhile , EC process was developed using an el ectrochemical cell in a continuous flow (EFC) for removing Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ . The se experiments were performed using Al parallel plates with 10 cm of diameter (  63.5 cm 2 ) . The optimization of conditions for removing Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ , dissolved in 2 L of solution at 151 L h - 1 , were studied by applying different values of current for 30 min. Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ concentrations were monitored during electrolysis using stripping voltammetry. The results showed that the removal of Pb 2 + was effective when the EC pro cess is used, obtaining removals of 98% in 30 min. This behavior is dependent on the applied current, which implies an increase in power consumption. From the results also verified that the stripping voltammetry technique is quite reliable deter mining Pb 2+ concentration , when compared with the measurements obtained by atomic absorption method (AA). In view of this, t he second objective of this study was to evaluate the removal of Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ (mixture solution) by EC . Removal efficiency increasing current was confirmed when 93% and 100% of Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ was removed after 30 min . The increase in the current promotes the oxidation of sacrificial electrodes, and consequently increased amount of coagulant, which influences the removal of heavy metals in solution. Adsortive voltammetry is a fast, reliable, economical and simple way to determine Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ during their removal. I t is more economical than those normally used, which require the use of toxic and expensive reagents. Our results demonstrated the potential use of electroanalytical techniques to monitor the course of environmental interventions. Thus, the application of the two techniques associated can be a reliable way to monitor environmental impacts due to the pollution of aquatic ecosystems by heavy metals.

Análise da problemática socioambiental de nascentes urbanas no município de Garanhuns-PE

Garanhuns City, in Pernambuco, undergoes a rapid, polluting and non-organized urban development affecting its freshwater springs around the urban environment. These sources are of great importance to the district as well as to the hydrographic basin of the Mundaú River. In this view, this paper aims at analyzing the socio-environmental problems resulting from the urban expansion surrounding the Garanhuns’ sources. The study considers the social and environmental dynamics and follows the theoretical contributions of socio-environmental geography proposed by Mendonça’s Urban Environmental System methodological and theoretical model (2004), as well as the conceptual values of Santos’ space theory (2002a). The data treatment included bibliographical and documental research, evaluation of environmental impact, and water analysis. It revealed that Garanhuns possesses many local environmental traits favoring the coming out of freshwater springs and that these sources have played an important role in the making and development of that village. The environmental impacts on freshwater springs, like Olho D’água, Bom Pastor, Vila Maria, Pau Amarelo and Pau Pombo have been evaluated through the environmental impact score IIAN. It put alight serious cases of socio-environmental impacts on the dynamics of the freshwater springs. In the period of April 2013 and April 2014, it monitored the superficial water quality expelled by the Pau Pombo, Pau Amarelo e Vila Maria water sources, and the analyses of the contents followed the determinations of the Environmental National Board, whose parameters are dissolved oxygen, biochemical demand of oxygen, nitrate, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and electrical conductivity. The results recollected suggest the existence of organic pollution and deep alteration in the water coming out from the sources. In consequence, it seems important the putting out of measures destined to stop those impacts and guaranteeing protection and maintenance of the freshwater springs and their micro-basins.

Caracterização de resíduos oriundos do beneficiamento do minério de ferro para uso em pavimentação

Mining in Brazil has a key role in economic and social development, contributing directly to improve the lives of the population. However, the mining activity even if done responsibly and with a proper study of waste management to reduce the impact of its effects, may cause harmful damage to the environment. Other forms of pollution are also caused due to mining activity. The visual pollution caused by the waste storage at open sky, in addition to the noise pollution caused by the excessive noise of the machines both in the extraction of ore, as in processing. An alternative way to lessen the environmental impacts caused by mining is the use of waste in layers that will compose the pavements along the highways. Thus, this work sets out to give a proper disposal of the wastes from the processing of iron ore, resulting from the mining activity of the group of mining Mhag Services and Mining S/A, in the mine of Bonito, located in Jucurutu, a town in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The residues of the iron ore were stabilized with a granular soil from the city of Macaiba, also in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, which is being used in the duplication of the BR-304 referring to the entitled passage of Reta Tabajara. The present work was developed in three stages, being the first one divided by the chemical and mineralogical tests, by the tests of physical characterization and by the tests of paving for the residues of the iron ore. The second stage corresponds to the same tests being performed for granular soil. The third stage includes the essays abovementioned for three different mixtures of iron ore waste and granular soil, being they: 15% of iron-ore waste and 85% of granular soil, 25% of iron-ore waste and 75% of granular soil, 50% of iron-ore waste and 50% of granular soil. The technical feasibility of using waste from the iron ore beneficiation was checked, compressed in the intermediate energy and modified for use in base layers, sub-base, reinforcement subgrade and subgrade. The incorporation of the residues originating from the improvement of the iron ore in highways will provide an alternative to the use of aggregate conventionally used in the paving, besides preserving the environment.

Água residuária da mandioca como fertilizante orgânico em pasto de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu

Brazil is the world's second largest producer of cassava, which most of the production is used to make flour and starch, generating large amounts of waste, cassava. In general, this waste is disposed of directly into the soil and waterways, causing serious environmental impacts. In view of this, the aim of this work was to evaluate the use of cassava wastewater water (cassava) as organic fertilizer in Brachiaria brizantha pasture. Marandu. The experiment was conducted at the Campus Macaíba the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. The treatments were increasing rates of cassava, applied to the soil as organic fertilizer. The experimental design was a randomized block design with six treatments and four replications. The treatments consist of cassava doses (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 m³ ha- 1 ) and a treatment with mineral fertilizer (AM) in the form of NPK (140: 30: 120 kg ha-1 ). Three cuts with an interval of 60 days were carried out. The variables evaluated were: plant height; accumulation of morphological components of fodder; Trapping Light (IL); Leaf Area Index (LAI); Total chlorophyll (CT); Feature Production Seca (PMS). The dry matter production at a dose of 120 m³ha-1 had a quantitative increase, with a total production in 2796 kg ha-1 DM in the second cut, providing an increase of 493% compared to control, and the residual effect observed in the third cut caused a 100% increase compared to 0 m³ ha-1 . Comparing the PMS obtained with the use of AM and other treatments it was observed that it was the second cut equivalent to a dose of 120 m³ ha-1 and the third equivalence has been cut at doses 60 and 120 m³ha-1. For the variables plant height, IL, IAF, CT and leaves Mass adding cassava in the soil promoted a positive linear increase for the three cuts. However, with the AM the IAF was superior to the other treatments. The thatched mass reached its highest production (838 kg ha-1 DM) in the second cut when using a dose of 120 m³ha-1 . In dead material mass in the second and third sections, there was increased linearly increased total of 322 and 452% respectively, compared to a dose of 0 m³ha-1 . The use of cassava showed herbicidal effect for the variable mass of the undesirable negative linear response resulting in decreasing the amount of residue with increasing doses. Manipueira can be used as organic fertilizer in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu for improvements in the productive characteristics, as promoted significant increases in 8 most of the variables studied, especially at a dose of 120 m³ha-1 . This benefits the environment by being alternative for disposal of cassava.

Tratamento de cascalho de perfuração utilizando sistemas microemulsionados

The oil industry is one of the activities that generates more waste to the environment. The drill cuttings is a waste generated in large quantities in the drilling process and that may cause environmental damage such as soil contamination and consequently the contamination of groundwater if disposed of without prior treatment. Arises the need to develop scientific activities and research ways to adapt these wastes the current environmental standards. In the case of solid wastes, the NBR 10004: 2004 of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) classifies them into class I waste (hazardous) and class II (not dangerous), which determines which wastes may or may not be discarded in the environment without causing environmental impact. This study presents a novel alternative for treating drill cuttings, where this waste was classified as class I (Abreu & Souza, 2005), mainly by removing the n-paraffin present in it, since this arises when using drilling fluids base oil. Using microemulsion systems promotes the removal of this contaminant drill cuttings samples from wells located in Alto do Rodrigues - RN. Initially, we determined the concentration of paraffin using infrared method in samples were extracted with ultrasound, we obtained a paraffin concentration in the range from 36.59 to 43.52 g of paraffin per kilogram of cuttings. Used two microemulsion systems containing two nonionic surfactants from different classes, one is an alcohol ethoxylated (UNTL-90) and the other an nonylphenol ethoxylated (RNX 110). The results indicated that the system UNTL-90 surfactant has better efficiency than the system with RNX 110. The study of the influence of contact time at the extraction showed that for times greater than 25 minutes has a tendency to increase the percentage extraction with increasing contact time. It was also observed that the extraction is fast because at 1 minute contact has 22.7% extraction. The reuse of the microemulsion system without removing the paraffin extracted in previous steps, showed reduction of 29.32 in percentage of extraction by comparing the first and third extraction, but by comparing the first and second extractions reduction is 8.5 in percentage extraction, so the systems reuse optimization can be an option for economically viable removing paraffin from cuttings. The extraction with shaking is more effective in the treatment of cuttings, reaching the extraction percentage of 87.04%, that is, obtaining a drill cuttings with 0.551% paraffin. Using the percentage of paraffin employed in non-aqueous drilling fluids and fluid maximum limit on cuttings for disposal established by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States (US EPA), one arrives at the conclusion that the level of paraffin on gravel cannot exceed 3.93%. Conclude that the amount of paraffin in the treated cuttings with the microemulsion system with shaking is below the established by US EPA, showing that the system used was efficient in removing the paraffin from the drill cuttings.

Incorporação do resíduo de cascalho de perfuração de poços de petróleo em formulações cerâmicas

During its operations, the oil industry generates a lot of waste, including gravel from drilling. Control of environmental impacts caused by this waste represents a major challenge. Such impacts can be minimized when it is given an appropriate management by being properly treated and properly disposed or recycled. The properties of these materials can be greatly influenced when a waste is added to its composition. This work aims to study the incorporation of gravel waste oil-well drilling in the standard body for production of red ceramic from a ceramic industry in São Gonçalo do Amarante / RN. The success of the incorporation can minimize costs in the production of ceramic pieces and reduce the environmental impacts caused by waste. The raw materials used were collected, characterized, and formulated with the percentages of 0%, 20% and 40% by weight of substitution of residue were synthesized at temperatures of 900, 1.010 and 1.120 °C using 30 minute firing intervals, 1 hour and 30min and 2 hours and 30 minutes, based on a factorial design 2³. Samples were then subjected to the tests of Water Absorption, Linear Retraction Firing, Flexural Rupture Strength, Apparent Porosity and Apparent Specific mass and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of break section. The results showed that the use of the residue for the manufacture of the ceramic products is possible (tiles, bricks and massive hollow bricks) replacing the clay to 40%, meeting the requirements of the standard and the literature for the technological properties of the final product.

Diagnóstico ambiental da área de influência do complexo sucroalcooleiro Usina Vale do São Simão Ltda

One of the most widespread renewable energy sources in Brazil is ethanol, from sugarcane, therefore, the sugar and alcohol sector is expanding, with positive impacts for the economy of the country. Sugar cane was introduced in Brazil as a crop during its colonization, for the production of sugar, and put the country in the global scenario. The expansion of this crop occurred in the seventies, to reduce the reliance in fossil energy sources and to stimulate the development of the agricultural activity. Thus, the federal government has promoted the sugar cane crop and the production of ethanol as a fuel. However, it is important to minimize possible impacts that the crop may cause to the environment. Sugar cane has expanded in the frontiers of the mesoregion of Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba-MG, and, in this perspective, the agroindustrial complex known as Companhia Energética Vale do São Simão Ltda., with the Mill located in the county of Santa Vitória, Minas Gerais, was adopted to evaluate the environmental impacts caused by the sugarcane in the area of influence of the mill. The mill has a polygonal area corresponding to 53,525.20 hectares, and for its establishment a Study and Report of Environmental Impacts (EIA/RIMA) was presented, as required as an environment protection instrument by the Environment National Policy (Law nº 6.938/81), and detailed by the Resolution CONAMA nº 01/1986. These studies pointed that native vegetation fragments in the Area of Influence of the Mill, before its implantation, corresponded to approximately 20.7% of the area. Therefore, this study evaluated the impacts of the installation of Usina Vale do São Simão, between 2007 and 2012, determining its reflex on the environmental regularization of the farms, and the vegetation fragments existing in the area, in the recovery and recomposition of areas defined as Legal Reserve and Permanent Preservation. Previous studies of the area were analyzed, soil use and occupation was mapped for the years 2007 and 2012, and the areas of permanent preservation and native vegetation fragments were marked. In general, there was a decline in native vegetation coverage in the period, although it cannot be stated that such reduction was a direct effect of the milling activity. Therefore, the legal requirement of preserving such areas was not capable of bringing the positive effects of protection and recovery as demanded by the Law, highlighting that the current legislation was not enough to protect such areas.

Contributo para a avaliação do desempenho ambiental de telha cerâmica através da aplicação da pegada ambiental do produto

O presente projeto tem como objetivo principal a aplicação da metodologia da pegada ambiental do produto (PAP) no sector da indústria cerâmica, nomeadamente, para o caso de estudo da telha, permitindo a aferição e comunicação do desempenho ambiental ao longo do ciclo de vida da telha Advance Lusa na tonalidade vermelho natural. Com este intuito procedeu-se à avaliação do ciclo de vida (ACV) dos impactos ambientais gerados pela sua produção, desde a extração de matérias-primas até à fase de distribuição, ou seja, com base numa análise ‘cradle-to-gate’. A implementação da metodologia requer o cálculo dos potenciais impactos ambientais tendo em conta as etapas relevantes no contexto dos limites definidos para o sistema em estudo. O método de avaliação de impactos utilizado é o método ILCD Midpoint + através da utilização do software SimaPro e com recurso às respetivas bibliotecas de bases de dados. A avaliação do perfil de utilização dos recursos e emissões possibilita assim aferir o desempenho ambiental da telha em estudo através da identificação de pontos críticos do sistema considerado. Os resultados indicam que os impactos ambientais se devem, principalmente, à utilização de gás natural na etapa de cozedura e, que a fase de produção e/ou fabrico de telha é a que salienta maiores preocupações do ponto vista ambiental, pelo que deverão ser definidas estratégias com o propósito de verificar a aplicabilidade das melhores técnicas disponíveis (MTDs) e de técnicas emergentes, contribuindo assim, para a procura da sustentabilidade dos processos integrantes do presente estudo.