Early detection of injuries in leaves of Clusia hilariana Schltdl. (Clusiaceae) caused by particulate deposition of iron

This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of microscopic parameters of asymptomatic leaves of Clusia hilariana Schltdl. subjected to particulate deposition of iron (2.14 mg cm-2 day-1) for 45 consecutive days. Samples of young and expanded leaves without symptoms were collected and subjected to light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The height of the epidermal cells on both surfaces of the leaf and the thickness of the hypodermis, the chlorophyll parenchyma, and the leaf blade were measured. Micromorphological injury occurred in the abaxial surface of young leaves and on both surfaces of expanded leaves. Erosion of the epicuticular wax and cuticle rupture were frequent on the adaxial surface, while on the abaxial surface of both leaves there was a loss of sinuosity on the anticlinal wall of the epidermal cells, stomatal deformity and obstruction. Micromorphometric alterations were seen in all leaf tissues except in the height of epidermic cells, probably due to the thick cuticle and prominent cuticular flanges. The highest difference in thickness of the leaf blade was seen in young leaves of plants subjected to SPMFe, indicating greater sensibility to particulate iron in comparison to the expanded leaves. The micromorphological and micromorphometric alterations in the leaf blade of Clusia hilariana Schltdl. showed the prognostic potential of these tools on the evaluation of impacts caused by the deposition of particulate matter, especially in the 'Restinga' natural vegetation, where the exposure is increasing due to the presence of iron ore industry in their surroundings.

Rotina computacional e equação simplificada para modelar o transporte de sedimentos num Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram desenvolver rotina computacional para a solução da equação de Yalin e do diagrama de Shields e avaliar uma equação simplificada para modelar a capacidade de transporte de sedimento num Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico que possa ser utilizada no Water Erosion Prediction Project - WEPP, assim como em outros modelos de predição da erosão do solo. A capacidade de transporte de sedimento para o fluxo superficial foi representada como função-potência da tensão cisalhante, a qual revelou ser aproximação da equação de Yalin. Essa equação simplificada pôde ser aplicada em resultados experimentais oriundos de topografia complexa. A equação simplificada demonstrou acuracidade em relação à equação de Yalin, quando calibrada utilizando-se da tensão média cisalhante. Testes de validação com dados independentes demonstraram que a equação simplificada foi eficiente para estimar a capacidade de transporte de sedimento.

Raw water use charge reduction for the rural sector in the PCJ Watershed

The deficient environmental preservation on agricultural properties has reflected in great soil losses for erosion and the high rate of sedimentation. Therefore, this work brings the application of software to demonstrate that planters can get benefits by the conservationist practices. The benefits will be obtained from the environment aspect (erosion and sedimentation control), as well as economical aspect (financial incentives). A proposal has been created by the Technical Chamber of Rural Water Use and Conservation (CT-Rural) to estimate the reduction in raw water use charge for the rural water users of the PCJ Watershed - this reduction is being possible since January 2007, at the PCJ Committee. The software develops a simple relationship, so that if the rural conservationist action goes more efficient, such as if the conserved rural area goes larger, then the reduction value will bring better benefits for the rural water users. Within the purposes of this study, there is the idealization of mechanisms that may support specific management matters related to the water users of federal rivers from the rural sector of PCJ Watershed.

Carbonation of Mg(OH)2 in a pressurised fluidised bed for CO2 sequestration

I takt med den ekonomiska tillväxten har CO2-utsläppen till atmosfären ständigt ökat, och utan kraftiga åtgärder kommer de att fortsätta att öka i allt snabbare takt. Konsekvenserna av en påtagligt förhöjd atmosfärisk CO2-halt är fortfarande osäkra (men eventuellt katastrofala) och fenomenet går under namnet global uppvärmning eller klimatförändring. CCS från engelskans ”carbon dioxide capture and storage” framstår som ett alternativ för att bekämpa de ständigt ökande CO2-utsläppen. Ett av de mer intressanta, och för Finlands del ända CCS-alternativet, baserar sig på naturens egna sätt att begränsa atmosfärisk CO2, nämligen vittring. Naturlig vittring, som förenklat innefattar nedbrytningen av sten/berg (även känd som erosion) och de därpå följande reaktionerna med CO2-mättat regnvatten. Slutresultatet är en utfällning av fasta mineraler som nu bundit CO2 i form av kalcium- och magnesiumkarbonat. Kalciumkarbonat är även bättre känt som kalksten, d.v.s. CO2 blir bundet i sten. Det gäller dock att snabba upp denna process, som i naturen är ytterst långsam, på ett ekonomiskt och miljömässigt hållbart sätt. Hittills har ett antal metoder för att påskynda naturlig vittring, eller med andra ord öka CO2-upptagningsförmågan av olika mineraler föreslagits. De mera etablerade uttrycken (lånade från engelskan) talar om mineralkarbonatisering och CO2-mineralisering. Till skillnad från många andra CO2-mineraliseringsalternativ är det alternativ som behandlas i denna avhandling i hög grad baserat på möjligheten att utnyttja den värme som frigörs vid karbonatisering. I teorin är det möjligt att föreställa sig en mineraliseringsprocess som inte kräver extern energi, men tillsvidare har man dock inte lyckats uppnå detta mål. Den process som presenteras i denna avhandling går ut på att man utvinner magnesium ur i naturen vanligt förekommande magnesiumrika mineraler, konverterar det till magnesiumhydroxid och därefter karbonatiserar det till magnesiumkarbonat. I rätta förhållanden kan magnesiumhydroxid reagera med CO2 mycket snabbt och i nuläget har processen potential att minska CO2-utsläppen från industri där spillvärme finns till förfogande (t.ex. cement- och stålindustrin). Fortsatt forskning är dock ett måste för att kunna påverka CO2-utsläppen i en globalt signifikant skala.

Spatial variability of the rainfall erosive potential in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Information about rainfall erosivity is important during soil and water conservation planning. Thus, the spatial variability of rainfall erosivity of the state Mato Grosso do Sul was analyzed using ordinary kriging interpolation. For this, three pluviograph stations were used to obtain the regression equations between the erosivity index and the rainfall coefficient EI30. The equations obtained were applied to 109 pluviometric stations, resulting in EI30 values. These values were analyzed from geostatistical technique, which can be divided into: descriptive statistics, adjust to semivariogram, cross-validation process and implementation of ordinary kriging to generate the erosivity map.Highest erosivity values were found in central and northeast regions of the State, while the lowest values were observed in the southern region. In addition, high annual precipitation values not necessarily produce higher erosivity values.

Evaluation of an indicator for water yield in a watershed of Alto Rio Grande Region, State of Minas Gerais , Brazil

The Brazilian Law stipulates that water is a limited natural resource doted of economic value, thus it is necessary to develop mechanisms for its adequate management. Actions that encourage the farmers to apply soil conservation practices with the purpose of increase water yield from springs and to promote improvement of its quality, reducing production of sediment transportation, is being encouraged by governments, even with financial compensation for owners. From these assertions, this study aims to quantify the benefits of the conservation actions of the management units and to characterize a Water Yield Indicator (WYI) to support sustainable actions in the watershed of Alto Rio Grande region, in the state of Minas Gerais (MG). To assess the impact of actions it were identified four scenarios of land use and occupation of the watershed from Marcela stream which is located in Alto Rio Grande Region. After analyzing the results, it can be stated that the scenarios simulation has demonstrated important changes in water yield and that the definition of the Water Yield Index from the junction of the erosion potential with the water storage potential, has proved effective, as it integrate quantity and quality of water.

Water distribuition characteristics and soil loss of LEPA Quad-Spray emitter nozzles

The objective of this study was to characterize water application rate, water application pattern width, flow rate, water distribution uniformity and soil loss caused by nozzles of the Low Energy Precision Aplication (LEPA) type Quad-Spray emitter. The study was carried out at the Hydraulic and Irrigation Laboratory of the Department of Engineering at the Federal University of Lavras, in Lavras, state of Minas Gerais - MG, Brazil. Twenty-two (22) LEPA Quad-Spray emitter nozzles were evaluated, with nozzle diameter ranging from 1.59 to 9.92 mm. The experimental design used was entirely randomized, with three replications.Increasing values of nozzle flow rate ranging from 77.44 up to 3,044 L h-1, were obtained with increasing nozzle diameter sizes. Application pattern width ranged from 0.56 up to 3.24m, according to nozzles diameter size. Low values of CDU (maximum of 35.73%) were observed when using the Quad-Spray nozzles. Observed average water application rates covered the range between 68.05 mm h-1 (the lowest value that was obtained with the 2.38mm nozzle) and 258.15 mm h-1 (the highest value that was observed with the 9.92 mm). Average water application rates increased in a simple non-linear function with the increase of nozzle size diameter. However, the weighted average increase in the amount of soil loss by erosion was not related to the increase of weighted average water application values.

Silting in the dense reservoir network of the Pereira de Miranda catchment

This study aims to analyze the impacts of the reservoir network within Pereira de Miranda - CE catchment (also called Pentecoste) over sediment transport and storage capacity of the system. The survey of the "damming" was carried out using satellite images. We identified 502 erosion units, derived from overlaying maps of the Universal Soil Loss Equation parameters, which allowed the estimation of localized erosion in the basin and identification of areas potentially generating sediment. In order to estimate silting in Pentecoste reservoir, different system structure scenarios were considered. An average erosion rate of 59 t ha-1year-1 was estimated. According to the model, the silting of Pentecoste reservoir may vary from 1.1 to 2.6% per decade, depending on the scenario considered. It is also observed that the reservoirs upstream can retain up to 58% of the sediment that would reach the Pentecoste reservoir. Very small reservoirs with a capacity of up to 100,000 m³, although representing only 1.83% of the system water availability, are able to retain almost 8% of total sediment produced.

Evaluation of sediment production and siltation in a small earth dam in Fernandópolis, SP

The siltation is a natural process, but can be accelerated by human actions and results in major problems for the reservoirs, reducing its useful volume for irrigation. An example of this problem was the reduction of the area of mirror water of Fernandópolis municipal dam in 48.3% during 20 years. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the production of sediments and siltation of Fernandópolis municipal dam from a methodology that can be applied to small earth dams for agricultural purposes. For this, it was monitored, monthly throughout the year, the volume of sediment deposited in the reservoir. The percentage of retention sediment in Fernandópolis municipal dam ranged from 53.9 to 94.5%, that associated with a high specific sediment yield, will cause its full silting in at most 57 years. It is recommended to minimize this process the restoration of permanent preservation areas and the removal of 17,500 m³ of sediment from the riverbed of the dam.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus: causa rara de hemorragia digestiva maciça

Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a unusual syndrome manifested by hemorrhage into the pancreatic duct and by blood loss through the ampulla of Vater: It may be caused by tumors, arteriovenous malformation, pancreatic lithiasis, aneurism rupture from adjacent vessels, or erosion of pancreatic and peripancreatic vessels due to chronic pancreatitis. The authors describe a case of massive and recurrent gastrointestinal upper hemorrhage in a 26-year-old man without known risk factors for pancreatitis. This man underwent urgent surgery due to gastrointestinal bleeding during the ínvestigation. During the procedure, blood was found in the intestinal lumen and a tumor in the head of pancreas with two centimeters of diameter: A gastroduodenopancreatectomy was performed. Histological study showed chronic pancreatitis with a fistula from the pancreatic vessels to the Wirsung duct. The patient was discharged without postoperative complications and after months, remains assymptomatic.

People and the intertidal : human induced changes, biodiversity loss, livelihood implications and management in the Western Indian Ocean

Vad händer i tidvattenzonen? Var går gränsen mellan land och hav, vad händer i tidvattenzonen och vem ansvarar för detta? I västra Indiska oceanen (VIO) kan avståndet mellan den lägsta nivån för lågvattnet och den högsta nivån för högvattnet vara flera kilometer och nivåskillnaderna upp till 6 meter och detta skapar ett stort och föränderligt område. Syftet med min avhandling är att öka förståelsen för tidvattenzonen i tropiska och subtropiska västra Indiska oceanen. Sammanfattningsvis visar mina studier att det finns ett mycket stort värde i den komplexa tidvattenzonen, men också att det här området hotas från både land och hav, genom t.ex. överexploatering, erosion och föroreningar. Uttnyttjandet av tidvattenzonen är stort och min avhandling har visat att aktiviteter såsom fiske i form av plocking av musslor och andra ryggradslösa djur och hamnaktiviteter påverkar den biologiska mångfalden negativt, vilket leder till försämrad levnadsstandard för resursutnyttjande människor i regionen. För att förbättra situationen krävs det mer forskning, miljöövervakning och bättre förvaltning av tidvattenzonen. Experter i regionen har rangordnat förslag på förvaltningsstrategier som skulle kunna testas för att förbättra miljön och skapa ett mer hållbart nyttjande. Avhandlingen visar även att det är möjligt att använda fjärranalysteknik såsom satellitbildsanalys för att kvantifiera mängden sjögräsvegetation (i form av biomassa), vilket kan ha stor betydelse för att förbättra storskalig miljöövervakning av kustnära naturtyper (habitat). I avhandlingsarbetet har jag använt mig av ett multidisciplinärt tillvägagångssätt och använt metoder såsom ekologisk och biologisk provtagning, intervjuer, observationer, diskussionsgrupper, frågeformulär och fjärranalys. Resultaten presenterade i denna avhandling ger en ökad kunskap om tidvattenzonen i utvecklingsländerna inom VIO-regionen som kan användas för att initiera och fortsätta att utveckla hållbara förvaltningsstrategier av biologiska resurser.

Element speciation and behaviour in metal-rich Boreal river and estuarine systems using ultrafiltration and chemical modelling

The bioavailability of metals and their potential for environmental pollution depends not simply on total concentrations, but is to a great extent determined by their chemical form. Consequently, knowledge of aqueous metal species is essential in investigating potential metal toxicity and mobility. The overall aim of this thesis is, thus, to determine the species of major and trace elements and the size distribution among the different forms (e.g. ions, molecules and mineral particles) in selected metal-enriched Boreal river and estuarine systems by utilising filtration techniques and geochemical modelling. On the basis of the spatial physicochemical patterns found, the fractionation and complexation processes of elements (mainly related to input of humic matter and pH-change) were examined. Dissolved (<1 kDa), colloidal (1 kDa-0.45 μm) and particulate (>0.45 μm) size fractions of sulfate, organic carbon (OC) and 44 metals/metalloids were investigated in the extremely acidic Vörå River system and its estuary in W Finland, and in four river systems in SW Finland (Sirppujoki, Laajoki, Mynäjoki and Paimionjoki), largely affected by soil erosion and acid sulfate (AS) soils. In addition, geochemical modelling was used to predict the formation of free ions and complexes in these investigated waters. One of the most important findings of this study is that the very large amounts of metals known to be released from AS soils (including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Si, U and the lanthanoids) occur and can prevail mainly in toxic forms throughout acidic river systems; as free ions and/or sulfate-complexes. This has serious effects on the biota and especially dissolved Al is expected to have acute effects on fish and other organisms, but also other potentially toxic dissolved elements (e.g. Cd, Cu, Mn and Ni) can have fatal effects on the biota in these environments. In upstream areas that are generally relatively forested (higher pH and contents of OC) fewer bioavailable elements (including Al, Cu, Ni and U) may be found due to complexation with the more abundantly occurring colloidal OC. In the rivers in SW Finland total metal concentrations were relatively high, but most of the elements occurred largely in a colloidal or particulate form and even elements expected to be very soluble (Ca, K, Mg, Na and Sr) occurred to a large extent in colloidal form. According to geochemical modelling, these patterns may only to a limited extent be explained by in-stream metal complexation/adsorption. Instead there were strong indications that the high metal concentrations and dominant solid fractions were largely caused by erosion of metal bearing phyllosilicates. A strong influence of AS soils, known to exist in the catchment, could be clearly distinguished in the Sirppujoki River as it had very high concentrations of a metal sequence typical of AS soils in a dissolved form (Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb and Sr). In the Paimionjoki River, metal concentrations (including Ba, Cs, Fe, Hf, Pb, Rb, Si, Th, Ti, Tl and V; not typical of AS soils in the area) were high, but it was found that the main cause of this was erosion of metal bearing phyllosilicates and thus these metals occurred dominantly in less toxic colloidal and particulate fractions. In the two nearby rivers (Laajoki and Mynäjoki) there was influence of AS soils, but it was largely masked by eroded phyllosilicates. Consequently, rivers draining clay plains sensitive to erosion, like those in SW Finland, have generally high background metal concentrations due to erosion. Thus, relying on only semi-dissolved (<0.45 μm) concentrations obtained in routine monitoring, or geochemical modelling based on such data, can lead to a great overestimation of the water toxicity in this environment. The potentially toxic elements that are of concern in AS soil areas will ultimately be precipitated in the recipient estuary or sea, where the acidic metalrich river water will gradually be diluted/neutralised with brackish seawater. Along such a rising pH gradient Al, Cu and U will precipitate first together with organic matter closest to the river mouth. Manganese is relatively persistent in solution and, thus, precipitates further down the estuary as Mn oxides together with elements such as Ba, Cd, Co, Cu and Ni. Iron oxides, on the contrary, are not important scavengers of metals in the estuary, they are predicted to be associated only with As and PO4.

Ohkolanjoen valuma-alueen suojavyöhykkeiden yleissuunnitelma

Vantaanjoen vesistöalueella sijaitsevan Ohkolanjoen valuma-alueella laadittiin maatalousalueiden suojavyöhykkeiden yleissuunnitelma syksyllä 2010. Kartoituksessa löytyneet kohteet sisällytettiin yleissuunnitelmaan karttojen muodossa. Suojavyöhykkeet pidättävät tehokkaasti maatalousmaalta vesistöön kulkeutuvia ravinteita ja kiintoainesta. Maisemallisesti suojavyöhykkeet elävöittävät ympäristöä ja edistävät luonnon monimuotoisuutta maatalousalueilla. Suojavyöhykkeitä voidaan perustaa vesistöön tai valtaojaan rajoittuville tai tulvaherkille pelloille, sekä pohjavesialueille. Suojavyöhyke perustetaan ympäristötukikelpoiselle lohkolle ja tukea hakevan viljelijän täytyy olla sitoutunut ympäristötukeen. Yleissuunnittelun tavoitteena on löytää ne kohteet, joissa suojavyöhykkeistä olisi eniten hyötyä vesiensuojelun kannalta. Huomioon on otettu myös maisemalliset arvot ja luonnon monimuotoisuus. Suojavyöhykkeiden perustamiseen voi hakea maatalouden ympäristötuen erityistukea. Yleissuunnitelmassa esitetyt kohteet ovat suosituksia, maatalouden erityistukien hakeminen on aina vapaaehtoista. Ohkolanjoen valuma-alueen yleissuunnitelmassa esitetään suojavyöhykesuositusta yhteensä 25,7 kilometrin matkalle. Tästä erittäin tarpeellisia on 11,4 km ja tarpeellisia 14,3 km. Pohjavesialueella peltoa on vain vähän.

Degenerative joint disease in cattle and buffaloes in the Amazon region: a retrospective study

A retrospective study of the epidemiological and clinic-pathological aspects of cattle and buffaloes with degenerative joint disease (DJD) was conducted in the state of Pará, Brazil. From 1999 to 2014, eleven cattle and 24 buffaloes were evaluated. All the treated animals with suspected DJD underwent a clinical examination of the musculoskeletal system. In seven cattle and eight buffaloes with clinical signs of the disease postmortem examination was performed. The common clinical signs observed in both species were chronic lameness, stiff gait, postural changes, audible crackles in the affected limb, prolonged recumbency, difficulty in getting up and progressive weight loss. The lesions observed at necropsy were: irregular articular surfaces, erosion of the articular cartilage and the underlying bone tissue, and proliferation of the periarticular bone tissue with formation of osteophytes. The most affected joints in cattle and buffaloes wereof the hind limb. In buffaloes, the main predisposing factor to the onset of DJD was phosphorus deficiency. In cattle, defects of the anatomical conformation of the hind limbs, chronic trauma due to the activities performed, such as semen collection, and advanced age possibly contributed to the emergence of the disease.

Model-based estimation of liquid flows in the blast furnace hearth and taphole

This thesis presents a set of methods and models for estimation of iron and slag flows in the blast furnace hearth and taphole. The main focus was put on predicting taphole flow patterns and estimating the effects of various taphole conditions on the drainage behavior of the blast furnace hearth. All models were based on a general understanding of the typical tap cycle of an industrial blast furnace. Some of the models were evaluated on short-term process data from the reference furnace. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was built and applied to simulate the complicated hearth flows and thus to predict the regions of the hearth exerted to erosion under various operating conditions. Key boundary variables of the CFD model were provided by a simplified drainage model based on the first principles. By examining the evolutions of liquid outflow rates measured from the furnace studied, the drainage model was improved to include the effects of taphole diameter and length. The estimated slag delays showed good agreement with the observed ones. The liquid flows in the taphole were further studied using two different models and the results of both models indicated that it is more likely that separated flow of iron and slag occurs in the taphole when the liquid outflow rates are comparable during tapping. The drainage process was simulated with an integrated model based on an overall balance analysis: The high in-furnace overpressure can compensate for the resistances induced by the liquid flows in the hearth and through the taphole. Finally, a recently developed multiphase CFD model including interfacial forces between immiscible liquids was developed and both the actual iron-slag system and a water-oil system in laboratory scale were simulated. The model was demonstrated to be a useful tool for simulating hearth flows for gaining understanding of the complex phenomena in the drainage of the blast furnace.