Bioma cerrado: um estudo de valoração e conservação da biodiversidade e dos recursos naturais

The region of the biome Cerrado is under threat due to the replacement of their native areas for expansion of agriculture and livestock. This occupation is responsible for the loss of about 50% of two million square kilometers of original native savannah. The land use, without control or zoning, has caused serious damage to natural resources of this biome, considered as an international hotspot area. As a result, some problems caused by ecological imbalances already topping the urban and rural environments, such as species extinction, water scarcity and desertification. Any occupation in this biome should be evaluated with caution, because this region, besides being considered one of the most productive of Brazil, is also rich in biodiversity and water resources. The understanding of the importance of the Cerrado biome and its remaining areas, allows the preparation of detailed studies of environmental valuation, which is essential for the development of conservation policies, avoiding even greater environmental impacts. To meet the growing demand for food, you can increase productivity through agroforestry, for example, and to preserve the remaining areas, you can create new protected areas and tailor existing units

Os impactos da política nacional de resíduos sólidos no setor de eletrônicos

A Revolução Tecnológica vem colocando no mercado um número cada vez maior de equipamentos eletrônicos, enquanto a absorção dos impactos pelo ecossistema se torna cada vez mais difícil. A Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos reúne o conjunto de princípios, diretrizes, metas e ações para o gerenciamento ambientalmente adequado dos resíduos. Comparando o cenário brasileiro com medidas de outros países, a proposta é analisar os impactos econômicos e ambientais da nova lei sobre a indústria de produtos eletroeletrônicos

Urbanização, turismo e seus impactos nos recursos naturais no município de Ilhabela - SP

The urbanization process in the Brazilian cities is directly linked to its main economic activities, and causes several impacts on the natural resources. It can be seen at the city of Ilhabela, an archipelago located at the north coast of the state of São Paulo, that still has a great area of preserved Atlantic Rainforest, and where today the tourism is the main economic activity. With this in sight, this paper aimed to make a prospect of the current situation of the city, looking at the main aspects of its economic and urban development and the environmental impacts related to them. Among the aspects studied, are the irregular occupations at preservation areas on the island: the pressure on the sea ecosystems by the fishing and the boat circulation, and at the beaches by the tourists flow. Were also observed the characteristics of the city’s urban infrastructure, such as the water supply, sewer and road networks and the waste collecting. Finally, it was analyzed the way that the government acts over the preservation of the island’s natural resources, by the Municipality and the Ilhabela State Park, so that the acting of these two agents could be compared

Fungos fitopatógenos associados às formigas cortadeiras (Formicidae: Tribo Attini)

The ants of genus Atta belong to the Attine tribe (order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae, subfamily Myrmicinae) and are commonly known as leaf-cutting ants for having the habit of cutting several vegetable species used as substrate for growing mutualistic fungus (Agaricales: Lepiotaceae). Recent studies showed that, in addition to that, other fungi may occur in the nests in a dorment state or participate in the functioning dynamic of this symbiosis. Researches related to surveys of fungus biodiversity in nests of different Atta species have found important phytopathogenic representatives. In Brazil, studies about integrated management of plagues, developed by Embrapa Meio Ambiente (Embrapa Environment), point out the need of higher investments in projects that involve the phytopathogenic transmission by insects in order to reduce costs to control them or minimize environmental impact. The purpose of this study was to broaden the knowledge about the ecology of these fungi, isolating and identifying species associated with Attine tribe ants, thus understanding the scope of pathogenic and phytopathogenic species spread by these ants. For that reason, gynes were collected from Atta laevigata and Atta capiguara anthills located at Unesp Botucatu (São Paulo, Brazil) campus. In order to isolate the fungus, the mineral oil floating technique was used. The identification of the isolated fungi was done based on microscopic and molecular characteristics using DNA ribosomal sequencing. The most highly abundant genera found so far were: Cladosporium, Exophiala, Penicillium, Acremonium, Phialophora and Teratosphaeria. Representatives of the genera Exophiala, Phialophora and Cladosporium may be human pathogens, whereas Teratosphaeria and Penicillium are related to diseases in Eucalyptus and citric fruits, respectively. The results show that these ants may host important fungal species besides the ones already... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Caracterização física e mecânica de compensado produzido com dois diferentes adesivos em duas variações de pressão de prensagem

The adhesives used in the production of engineered boards have been object of study over the years in order to improve the properties of the boards with less energy consumption, lower production costs and reduced environmental impact. In addition to that, process variables may affect the properties of the board. The present study aimed to characterize sheets of plywood, manufactured with two types of adhesives, under two different pressing conditions. The adhesives used for the study were Phenol-formaldehyde and Polyurethane castor oil based. The pressure of pressing was varied in a range from 75 to 160 Bar, in order to verify how they influence the physical and mechanical properties of the board. The tests performed resulted in a conclusion that shows that the moister content of the veneers interferes on the physical and mechanical tests. In general, boards produced with polyurethane resin showed superior physical and mechanical results; although the ones produced with phenol formaldehyde at a pressure of 75 Bar had always equal or higher values, compared to what is found in literature

Produção e caracterização físico-mecânica de painel de compensado de Eucalyptus sp. e adesivo PVA

Studies on new adhesives and resins for bonding wood and wood products are being conducted with the intention of improving their properties, taking into account a lower environmental impact. For this reason new formulations of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesives have been developed, because they have no chemicals in its composition extremely polluting and harmful to health, as is the case of formaldehyde-based resins, which in turn are the most commonly used today for wood panels production. This study tested three different formulations of PVA adhesives, with different times and temperatures of pressing for the production of Eucalyptus sp. Plywood, coming up in satisfactory results with respect to shear strength at the bondline, which was higher for the PVA adhesives compared with urea-formaldehyde and phenol. The results of MOE and MOR were lower than those values of the panels produced with urea and phenol-formaldehyde, and the results of physical tests showed to be close to the panels produced with these same adhesives

Técnicas construtivas e procedimentos sustentáveis – estudo de caso: edifício na cidade de São Paulo

The environmental problems generated by construction activity have been widely discussed in Brazil, which has begun to incorporate sustainable building techniques in your ventures. Based on these facts, this work focused on addressing the main characteristics of a sustainable building project. Among them are water conservation, energy efficiency in buildings, managing a construction site with little environmental impact and reuse of materials and construction elements. This work, after the presentation of the main characteristics of a sustainable building project, shows a case study about the implementation of environmental certification LEED Gold level in a large building, located in São Paulo - SP, Brazil. With that, we want to produce a research document about the topic of sustainable buildings

Análise da viabilidade de motorização elétrica do soprador no ciclo regenerativo da unidade de craqueamento catalítico fluidizado em uma refinaria

One of the biggest environmental problems of today is the climate change. Experts affirm that this global warming is related to the greenhouse effect. Its causes are directly related to human activity, especially the use of fossil fuels. In this context, companies around the world are challenged to improve energy efficiency in order to reduce the environmental impact and work toward the so-called tripod of sustainable development that focuses on the social, economic and environmental aspects of a business strategy. The first step a company can make in this regard is to conduct an inventory of emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The reduction of GHG emissions in a refinery can be achieved by replacing steam turbines with electric motors to drive big machines, this reduction is achieved by relieving the steam consumption for electric power available or purchased. An important aspect associated with the reduction of GHG emissions is the best performance of the Energy Intensity Index (ERI). The objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility of the blower motorization in the regenerative cycle of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit at a specific refinery. For development work, two methods were used, the initial screening and optimization scenarios with the help of software Butyl. The results indicate that after a certain cost of natural gas this substitution becomes favorable. In addition, there is a large reduction of CO2 emissions avoided by burning fuel

Proposta para melhoria da qualidade dos produtos cerâmicos e de criação de um polo cerâmico artesanal na cidade de Indiana - SP

This work presents a proposal to create a Polo Ceramic Craft in the town of Indiana - SP, through the potter’s organization in a cooperative that will coordinate activities to add value to ceramic pieces. To achieve this, two things are essential: improving the ceramic body and improve the properties of the ceramic material. For the first action it’s necessary to create a Central Mass Production of Ceramics, to provide raw materials and homogeneous composition that results in differentiated ceramic after burning process (sintering). To this end, we propose the incorporation of additives (which act as fluxes) to the clay material. These additives can be mineral such as feldspar and nefelinas or leavings, such as glass powder obtained from disposable containers. For the second action is necessary to acquire an oven, electric or gas, it reaches higher temperatures (around 1200 ° C). The presence of the additive and burning at higher temperatures will enable better production of sintered ceramic material with less porosity and water absorption and higher mechanical strength, and pieces vitrified and glazed, allowing them to assign a higher value. For the production of these materials (thinner walls) requires a smaller volume of clayey raw materials. Besides benefiting the ceramic pieces, the proposed changes reduce the environmental impact caused by burning wood, since it will be replaced by natural gas (or electricity), and even will reduce the disposal of glass containers in the environment by recycling and incorporating this material in the clay. From a social standpoint, the cooperative is crucial to the viability of the proposed project, to coordinate activities and commercial production, which will result in better wages and profits for companies and consequently for the city and its population

Incorporação de um sistema nobreak com ultracapacitor em um microcomputador

The objective of this work is to analyze the viability of incorporation in a microcomputer box of a nobreak with an ultracapacitor as energy storage device, substituting the conventional chemical battery. An advantage of this inclusion is cost reduction because a specific metallic or plastic frame won’t be necessary to protect the components of the nobreak; the microcomputer metallic frame offers the necessary protection for both equipments. Moreover, a large quantity of internal space of microcomputers box isn’t used, and is possible to use it to wrap up the nobreak. This work uses data about average power consumption of microcomputers; operation of switching mode power supplies for microcomputers; electrical and mechanical characteristics of ultracapacitors and operation of power circuits of nobreaks, with the purpose of present a study of energy storage capacity that an ultracapacitor should have to allow a safe switching off of a microcomputer in case of electrical network fail. It was noticed that the use of ultracapacitors is feasible to feed an 180 W load for 75 s, using a capacitive bank with sixteen ultracapacitors, with a total capacitance of 350 F and voltage of 10,8 V. The use of the proposed nobreak increases the reliability of the microcomputer by reducing the probability of user data losses in case of an electrical network fail, offering a high cost/benefit product. The substitution of the battery by an ultracapacitor allows a quick nobreak recharge, with low maintenance costs, since ultracapacitors have a lifetime bigger than batteries; beyond reducing the environmental impact, because they don’t use potentially toxic chemical compounds

Viabilidade de turbinas eólicas de pequeno porte no Brasil

Facing a global scenario where oil is scarce and the emission of CO2 in the atmosphere is a world concern, the search for new methods of energy production becomes the focus of all countries. Based on these assumptions, the wind power gains highlight and happen to be the most exploited around the world, since this does not produce toxic waste, since it uses the wind, no raw material shortage and its cost and efficiency are increasingly attractive. Taking advantage of the geographical features of Brazil, coastal and territorial extension, this study aims to analyze the feasibility of using wind turbines widely used in Germany, one of the countries with the highest production of energy through wind, in Brazil. In order to increase the energy production without causing more environmental impacts, geographical analyses will be made, and to determine the features and costs of production of this type of energy generation, and at the end of this dissertation, will finish for one of the turbines, Montana, is it feasible to install, however due to the Government's little incentive return is not very expressive. With respect to the turbine Passaat, this is infeasible to install under current conditions

Biorremoção do corante acid blue 29, usando serragem (Pinus sp.) como biossorvente

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da auto-suficiência energética de reatores anaeróbios no tratamento de esgoto sanitário e água cinza

The anaerobic treatment of sewage is widely employed in Brazil and it is an appreciated way for the treatment of effluents, helping to reduce the environmental impact in rivers. The methane gas obtained from the process can be applied to improve the energetic efficiency of the system, reducing the amount of waste and the cost of the treatment process. This work presents the net energy balance of anaerobic reactors applied to the treatment of sewage. The analysis was performed considering full-scale and laboratory-scale treatment systems. In laboratory scale, the results from three kinds of systems were compared regarding the biological treatment of greywater. Two of them (UASB7 and UASB12) were anaerobic and the other one was a combined anaerobic-aerobic system (UASB7/SBR6). Greywater methanization (compared to theoretical maximum) was calculated considering 100% removal (g BOD/day), the literature percentage removal and the anionic surfactant presence in the effluentt. For each of these three cases, the efficiencies were, respectively, 16.9%, 43.6% and 51.3% in UASB7 reactor, 25.6%, 50.3% and 59.2% in UASB12 reactor and 30.6%, 61.2% and 71.9% in UASB7/SBR6 reactor. The energetic potential was found to be 4.66x10-4, 7.77x10-4 and 5.12x10-4 kWh/L for the UASB7, UASB12 and UASB7/SBR6 reactors, respectively. The pumping system, the aeration (in the anaerobic-aerobic system) and the temperature controlled heating system were considered to calculate the energetic consumption. However, the third one was not employed since tropical regions like Brazil do not need heating systems and also because of its high energetic consumption. The calculated net energy balance in the reactors was negative in the case of greywater, respectively -0.16, -0.28 and -0.18 kWh/L for the reactors UASB7, UASB12 and UASB7/SRB6. In full scale (ETE Jardim das Flores - Rio Claro, SP), the average energy... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Amazônia em xeque

Com o intuito de promover uma ação internacional para a gestão sustentável, conservação e desenvolvimento das florestas e chamar a atenção da população para o papel destas na geração de benefícios econômicos, sociais e ambientais, principalmente para os povos que dependem delas para sobreviver, a Assembléia Geral da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU), declarou 2011 como o Ano Internacional das Florestas. Paradoxal a esta ação, o ano de 2011 é também marcado pela inauguração da Rodovia Interoceânica Sul (IOS) no Peru, que ao conectar-se a malha rodoviária brasileira cria um elo de ligação direta entre o Oceano Atlântico e o Oceano Pacífico. Segundo seus idealizadores, o projeto aumentará as possibilidades de comércio internacional. Além de incrementar o comércio bilateral e integrar a Macro-Região Sul do Peru ao restante do país, a IOS proporciona ao Brasil uma alternativa de acesso ao Oceano Pacífico e aos mercados da Ásia e, ao Peru, um acesso mais eficiente ao Atlântico e aos mercados da costa leste dos EUA e da Europa. Por outro lado, a IOS passa por uma das mais preservadas regiões da Amazônia e, é considerada de importância única em termos de risco para os esforços mundiais de conservação da biodiversidade e de respeito aos direitos das últimas populações humanas que ali vivem sem ou com muito pouco contato com a sociedade moderna. Os impactos socioambientais ligados à construção e/ou reabilitação de estradas em territórios tropicais úmidos adquiriram fama mundial precisamente com a BR- 364, trecho principal desse corredor no território brasileiro. A pavimentação desta estrada nos anos 1980 provocou desastres ambiental e social gravíssimos no norte de Mato Grosso, em Rondônia e no Acre. Desta forma, a presente pesquisa tem por objetivo fazer um estudo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Tecnologias, conceitos e propostas de materiais de construção sustentável do Centro de Vivências da UNESP, Rio Claro/SP

Due to the great impact caused by construction, the university has a major role in the development of alternative projects and studies aimed at sustainable development. This project presents the advantages and importance of building in a sustainable manner from the beginning to end of the Center of Experiences at UNESP, Rio Claro / SP. It will be presented alternative building materials that have high environmental performance and that bring the least negative impacts as possible. Providing a Center of Experiences through a sustainable building is in need of the university to renovate the new trends of society in which the construction is in harmony with the environment in which it is inserted. This sustainable building will serve as a model for students and residents of Rio Claro, since the building itself will serve as a way of learning to the audience goer, as well as for the other campuses of UNESP. Thus, this project will serve as a guide for decision makers facing the huge amount of building materials available in the market