Biodegradation evaluation of bacterial cellulose, vegetable cellulose and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) in soil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Índice de análise ambiental simplificado na avaliação de impactos nos recursos hídricos da bacia hidrográfica do Ribeirão do Meio, Leme, São Paulo, Brasil

This study evaluated environmental impacts at Meio Creek watershed, Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A simplified environmental analysis index was applied correlating land use and occupation (vegetation elimination or modification, wildlife, color, smell, grease, oils, foams, larvae and red worms) with water quality parameters (conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature). The simplified environmental analysis index showed that 27.8% visited places had a high or worrying environmental impact and 5.6% had a really high impact. As to the results of physical and chemical parameters, pH and conductivity values showed the conditions and standards that water Class 2 and 3 should have. These parameters were not the same for dissolved oxygen levels at most of the analyzed points. Despite the current environmental legislation at federal, state and municipal levels, Leme city does not have an effective environmental plan to control and protect springs and Meio Creek watershed and its tributaries.

Impactos ambientais na bacia hidrográfica do Ribeirão Monjolo Grande, Ipeúna, SP

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

Indicadores morfométricos: uma ferramenta no diagnóstico da vulnerabilidade ambiental

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Análise Energética do processo experimental de produção de Biodiesel a partir do óleo de frango

There is a great global concern about the depletion and the high cost of fossil fuel reserves exploitation, more than ever, it is necessary to make a profound study and take advantage of alternative sources that can be used as energy efficiency with an appropriate pricing and low environmental impact. Brazil, which has highlighted using alternative energy sources as the use of ethanol and, in recent years, has been encouraging the expansion of its energy matrix in which the biodiesel will have a strategic importance within the agrobusiness area. Biodiesel is a fuel that can replace the diesel, which is a petroleum derivative. It is an ester, produced in the transesterification reaction of vegetable oils and animal greases, in an alcohol with an additional catalyst, are converted into fatty acids and result in esters with glycerol as sub products. The objective of this study was to estimate the final energy balance for the process biodiesel production from oil chicken waste. The energy balance estimation was quantified in calorific value according to the energy expenditure by calorimetric bomb method. The relationship between input and output of energy was around 0.97. In a first evaluation, the procedures adopted should be improved enough, so the process can become energetic and economically viable.

Características agronômicas e demanda energética de cultivares de soja sob efeito dos sistemas de preparo do solo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of preparation: intermediate grade, minimum tillage and no-till on the agronomic characteristics and energy demand of transgenic soybean cultivars and non-GMO soybeans. Soil preparation aims at improving physical, chemical and biological conditions, aiming at good emergence and plant development. The different types of tillage may interfere with the agronomic characteristics and productivity of plants, and in energy use which can cause variation in production costs. Genetically modified plants can be one of the alternatives for reduction of production costs in crops by reducing pesticide applications, enabling higher productivity with less environmental impact. The test was conducted in 2010/2011 at the agricultural Experimental Farm Lageado, belonging to the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences – UNESP, located in the city of Botucatu, SP in an area using no-till systems for the past 12 years. The experiment was carried out in a 3 x 2 factorial, randomized treatments were comprised of three soil preparation systems, minimum cultivation, intermediate grade preparation and no-till, with two cultivars of soybeans: MGBR-46 Conquest (conventional), Valuable RR (Transgenic). The data obtained was submitted to variance analysis using Tukey test at a 5% probability. With the results analyzed it might be observed that there was no significant difference between treatments, in the variables, the percentage of soil cover, final soybean plant population, grain yield and plant height. The results obtained show that the no-till system resulted in higher productivity than conventional tillage and minimum cultivation. The higher specific energy use per area was observed in minimum cultivation with a chisel plough, when compared to the preparation across the grid. The greatest fuel consumption was to treat minimum cultivation with chisel plough. The highest values were found in the skating system of minimum cultivation, being greater in conventional tillage system. It is more satisfactory for the producer to sow transgenic soy using a no-till system, because productivity retrieved from that system compensates for fuel expenditure.

Degradação urbana decorrente da atividade de mineração para a construção civil em Teresina - PI

Pós-graduação em Geografia - IGCE

Efeito do gradiente interior-borda-matriz, e do tipo de matriz sobre a entomofaúna edáfica em fragmentos de cerrado

edge effect. Thus, under the influence of the adjacent matrix, fragments undergo microclimatic alterations that accentuate changes in species composition and community structure. In order to better understand edge and matrix effects on the richness and abundance of edaphic arthropods, this study assessed: (a) the difference between habitat (fragment) and non-habitat (matrix); (b) whether there is a continuous interior-edge-matrix gradient; and (c) the difference between matrices for arthropod orders richness and abundance. We selected 15 landscapes, 5 of which contained a cerrado fragment surrounded by sugarcane cultivation, 5 with a cerrado fragment within eucalyptus and 5 with a cerrado fragment within pasture. In each landscape the soil fauna was collected along with the soil and then extracted with the aid of the modified Berlese-Tullgren funnel. We chose the orders Coleoptera, Collembola, Mesostigmata and Oribatida for analysis, and after separation of the individuals we used model selection analysis via AIC. The model type fragment x matrix was the most likely to explain richness, total and relative abundances of the four orders (wAICc between 0,6623 and 1,0). The model of edge distance (edge effect) was plausible to total abundance and relative abundance of Mesostigmata order (wAICc=0,2717 and 0,186). Local environmental variables (soil texture, temperature and relative humidity), and fragment size were also measured to avoid confounding factors and were not presented as plausible models to explain the patterns. So edaphic arthropods, despite protecting themselves under the ground, are extremely sensitive to fragmentation, even with the replacement of natural habitat by agricultural use, such as sugarcane, pasture and eucalyptus. This group should be studied environmental impact assessments because provides important ecosystem se ravincde s inacnludd eisd ainn efficient bio-indicator

Investigação dos métodos de separação, uso e aplicação da Lignina proveniente da biomassa lignocelulósica

This study investigated the main methods of separation of components of lignocellulosic biomass, with an emphasis on obtaining lignin and its application. The work was developed based on the concept of Biorefinery proposing full use of renewable raw materials and / or the use of lignocellulosic agricultural residues by biochemical or biotechnological conversion in obtaining high value added products with minimal environmental impact. From this premise, a literature review was performed in refereed journal articles and theses in order to gather enough material for critical analysis of usual and alternative methods in the literature. When researching methods that add value to lignin, it was found that with the technology found today, the cost required to have a degree of competitiveness is still too high, preventing much of the process. However, the isolated lignin can be used as raw material in the production of numerous types of biocomposites and polymers and other products such as phenols, benzene, dispersants, vanillin, emulsifying agents, antioxidants, pesticides, fertilizers, charcoal, concrete additives, among others. As an industrial production level is necessary, because the consumption of biomass will only grow over the years, it is necessary that new methods or technologies to be created in order to facilitate the extensive use of lignocellulosic biomass

Efeito do gradiente interior-borda-matriz, e do tipo de matriz sobre a entomofaúna edáfica em fragmentos de cerrado

edge effect. Thus, under the influence of the adjacent matrix, fragments undergo microclimatic alterations that accentuate changes in species composition and community structure. In order to better understand edge and matrix effects on the richness and abundance of edaphic arthropods, this study assessed: (a) the difference between habitat (fragment) and non-habitat (matrix); (b) whether there is a continuous interior-edge-matrix gradient; and (c) the difference between matrices for arthropod orders richness and abundance. We selected 15 landscapes, 5 of which contained a cerrado fragment surrounded by sugarcane cultivation, 5 with a cerrado fragment within eucalyptus and 5 with a cerrado fragment within pasture. In each landscape the soil fauna was collected along with the soil and then extracted with the aid of the modified Berlese-Tullgren funnel. We chose the orders Coleoptera, Collembola, Mesostigmata and Oribatida for analysis, and after separation of the individuals we used model selection analysis via AIC. The model type fragment x matrix was the most likely to explain richness, total and relative abundances of the four orders (wAICc between 0,6623 and 1,0). The model of edge distance (edge effect) was plausible to total abundance and relative abundance of Mesostigmata order (wAICc=0,2717 and 0,186). Local environmental variables (soil texture, temperature and relative humidity), and fragment size were also measured to avoid confounding factors and were not presented as plausible models to explain the patterns. So edaphic arthropods, despite protecting themselves under the ground, are extremely sensitive to fragmentation, even with the replacement of natural habitat by agricultural use, such as sugarcane, pasture and eucalyptus. This group should be studied environmental impact assessments because provides important ecosystem se ravincde s inacnludd eisd ainn efficient bio-indicator

Investigação dos métodos de separação, uso e aplicação da Lignina proveniente da biomassa lignocelulósica

This study investigated the main methods of separation of components of lignocellulosic biomass, with an emphasis on obtaining lignin and its application. The work was developed based on the concept of Biorefinery proposing full use of renewable raw materials and / or the use of lignocellulosic agricultural residues by biochemical or biotechnological conversion in obtaining high value added products with minimal environmental impact. From this premise, a literature review was performed in refereed journal articles and theses in order to gather enough material for critical analysis of usual and alternative methods in the literature. When researching methods that add value to lignin, it was found that with the technology found today, the cost required to have a degree of competitiveness is still too high, preventing much of the process. However, the isolated lignin can be used as raw material in the production of numerous types of biocomposites and polymers and other products such as phenols, benzene, dispersants, vanillin, emulsifying agents, antioxidants, pesticides, fertilizers, charcoal, concrete additives, among others. As an industrial production level is necessary, because the consumption of biomass will only grow over the years, it is necessary that new methods or technologies to be created in order to facilitate the extensive use of lignocellulosic biomass

Methodology of CO2 emission evaluation in the life cycle of office building facades

The construction industry is one of the greatest sources of pollution because of the high level of energy consumption during its life cycle. In addition to using energy while constructing a building, several systems also use power while the building is operating, especially the air-conditioning system. Energy consumption for this system is related, among other issues, to external air temperature and the required internal temperature of the building. The facades are elements which present the highest level of ambient heat transfer from the outside to the inside of tall buildings. Thus, the type of facade has an influence on energy consumption during the building life cycle and, consequently, contributes to buildings' CO2 emissions, because these emissions are directly connected to energy consumption. Therefore, the aim is to help develop a methodology for evaluating CO2 emissions generated during the life cycle of office building facades. The results, based on the parameters used in this study, show that facades using structural glazing and uncolored glass emit the most CO2 throughout their life cycle, followed by brick facades covered with compound aluminum panels or ACM (Aluminum Composite Material), facades using structural glazing and reflective glass and brick facades with plaster coating. On the other hand, the typology of facade that emits less CO2 is brickwork and mortar because its thermal barrier is better than structural glazing facade and materials used to produce this facade are better than brickwork and ACM. Finally, an uncertainty analysis was conducted to verify the accuracy of the results attained. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Water Quality Assessment in Piracicamirim Creek Upstream and Downstream a Sugar and Ethanol Industry Through Toxicity Tests With Cladocerans

An environmental impact study was conducted to determine the Piracicamirim's creek water quality in order to assess the influence of effluents from a sugar industry in this water body. For this, toxicity tests were performed with a water sample upstream and downstream the industry using the microcrustaceans Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Ceriodaphnia silvestrii as test organisms, as well as physical and chemical analysis of water. Results showed that physical and chemical parameters did not change during the sampling period, except for the dissolved oxygen. No toxicity was observed for D. magna and reproduction of C. dubia and C. silvestrii in both sampling points. Thus, the industry was not negatively impacting the quality of this water body.

Strategic environmental assessment in tourism planning - Extent of application and quality of documentation

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) has been applied throughout the world in different sectors and in various ways. This paper reports on results of a PhD research on SEA applied to tourism development planning, reflecting the situation in mid-2010. First, the extent of tourism specific SEA application world-wide is established. Then, based on a review of the quality of 10 selected SEA reports, good practice, as well as challenges, trends and opportunities for tourism specific SEA are identified. Shortcomings of SEA in tourism planning are established and implications for future research are outlined. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characterization and use of swine deep bedding ashes in cementitious composites

The deep bedding is a swine alternative production, especially in the finishing phase, whose byproduct can be recycled, reducing the environmental impact. The objectives of this study were to characterize the ash coming from the controlled burning of the swine deep bedding (SDBA) based on rice husk, and to evaluate their performance in composites as a partial substitute for Portland cement (PC). To measure the differences between SDBA and rice husk ash (RHA) as a reference, we have characterized: particle size distribution, real specific density, x-ray diffraction, electrical conductivity, scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis and loss on ignition. Samples were prepared for two experimental series: control, and another one with the partial replacement of 30% of SDBA in relation to the mass of the Portland cement. According to the results obtained for physical and mechanical characterization, the composites with SDBA can be used as a constructive element in the rural construction.