Treatment of aqueous effluents contaminated with ionic liquids

Ionic liquids are a class of solvents that, due to their unique properties, have been proposed in the past few years as alternatives to some hazardous volatile organic compounds. They are already used by industry, where it was possible to improve different processes by the incorporation of this kind of non-volatile and often liquid solvents. However, even if ionic liquids cannot contribute to air pollution, due to their negligible vapour pressures, they can be dispersed thorough aquatic streams thus contaminating the environment. Therefore, the main goals of this work are to study the mutual solubilities between water and different ionic liquids in order to infer on their environmental impact, and to propose effective methods to remove and, whenever possible, recover ionic liquids from aqueous media. The liquid-liquid phase behaviour of different ionic liquids and water was evaluated in the temperature range between (288.15 and 318.15) K. For higher melting temperature ionic liquids a narrower temperature range was studied. The gathered data allowed a deep understanding on the structural effects of the ionic liquid, namely the cation core, isomerism, symmetry, cation alkyl chain length and the anion nature through their mutual solubilities (saturation values) with water. The experimental data were also supported by the COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS), and for some more specific systems, molecular dynamics simulations were also employed for a better comprehension of these systems at a molecular level. On the other hand, in order to remove and recover ionic liquids from aqueous solutions, two different methods were studied: one based on aqueous biphasic systems, that allowed an almost complete recovery of hydrophilic ionic liquids (those completely miscible with water at temperatures close to room temperature) by the addition of strong salting-out agents (Al2(SO4)3 or AlK(SO4)2); and the other based on the adsorption of several ionic liquids onto commercial activated carbon. The first approach, in addition to allowing the removal of ionic liquids from aqueous solutions, also makes possible to recover the ionic liquid and to recycle the remaining solution. In the adsorption process, only the removal of the ionic liquid from aqueous solutions was attempted. Nevertheless, a broad understanding of the structural effects of the ionic liquid on the adsorption process was attained, and a final improvement on the adsorption of hydrophilic ionic liquids by the addition of an inorganic salt (Na2SO4) was also achieved. Yet, the development of a recovery process that allows the reuse of the ionic liquid is still required for the development of sustainable processes.

Assessing the effectiveness of chemical treatment with nanomaterials in improving the quality of different industrial effluents

Industrial activities are the major sources of pollution in all environments. Depending on the type of industry, various levels of organic and inorganic pollutants are being continuously discharged into the environment. Although, several kinds of physical, chemical, biological or the combination of methods have been proposed and applied to minimize the impact of industrial effluents, few have proved to be totally effective in terms of removal rates of several contaminants, toxicity reduction or amelioration of physical and chemical properties. Hence, it is imperative to develop new and innovative methodologies for industrial wastewater treatment. In this context nanotechnology arises announcing the offer of new possibilities for the treatment of wastewaters mainly based on the enhanced physical and chemical proprieties of nanomaterials (NMs), which can remarkably increase their adsorption and oxidation potential. Although applications of NMs may bring benefits, their widespread use will also contribute for their introduction into the environment and concerns have been raised about the intentional use of these materials. Further, the same properties that make NMs so appealing can also be responsible for producing ecotoxicological effects. In a first stage, with the objective of selecting NMs for the treatment of organic and inorganic effluents we first assessed the potential toxicity of nanoparticles of nickel oxide (NiO) with two different sizes (100 and 10-20 nm), titanium dioxide (TiO2, < 25 nm) and iron oxide (Fe2O3, ≈ 85x425 nm). The ecotoxicological assessment was performed with a battery of assays using aquatic organisms from different trophic levels. Since TiO2 and Fe2O3 were the NMs that presented lower risks to the aquatic systems, they were selected for the second stage of this work. Thus, the two NMs pre-selected were tested for the treatment of olive mill wastewater (OMW). They were used as catalyst in photodegradation systems (TiO2/UV, Fe2O3/UV, TiO2/H2O2/UV and Fe2O3/H2O2/UV). The treatments with TiO2 or Fe2O3 combined with H2O2 were the most efficient in ameliorating some chemical properties of the effluent. Regarding the toxicity to V. fischeri the highest reduction was recorded for the H2O2/UV system, without NMs. Afterwards a sequential treatment using photocatalytic oxidation with NMs and degradation with white-rot fungi was applied to OMW. This new approach increased the reduction of chemical oxygen demand, phenolic content and ecotoxicity to V. fischeri. However, no reduction in color and aromatic compounds was achieved after 21 days of biological treatment. The photodegradation systems were also applied to treat the kraft pulp mill and mining effluents. For the organic effluent the combination NMs and H2O2 had the best performances in reduction the chemical parameters as well in terms of toxicity reduction. However, for the mine effluent the best (TiO2/UV and Fe2O3/UV) were only able to significantly remove three metals (Zn, Al and Cd). Nonetheless the treatments were able of reducing the toxicity of the effluent. As a final stage, the toxicity of solid wastes formed during wastewater treatment with NMs was assessed with Chironomus riparius larvae, a representative species of the sediment compartment. Certain solid wastes showed the potential to negatively affect C. riparius survival and growth, depending on the type of effluent treated. This work also brings new insights to the use of NMs for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. Although some potential applications have been announced, many evaluations have to be performed before the upscaling of the chemical treatments with NMs.

Práticas de projecto e construtivas para a construção sustentável

O sector da construção é responsável por uma grande percentagem da degradação do meio ambiente. É absolutamente necessário actuarmos a todos os níveis - desde os pequenos edifícios até aos grandes empreendimentos - no sentido de não comprometermos o futuro das gerações vindouras. Neste artigo evidenciam-se práticas de projecto e construtivas de simples aplicação, que podem e devem desde já ser implementadas no sentido da construção de edifícios sustentáveis. Estas práticas enquadram-se em quatro grandes áreas: gestão energética; gestão da água; gestão de materiais e gestão de resíduos de construção e demolição.

Comparison of methods of eutrophication assessment in a coastal lagoon (Ria Formosa)

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão da Água e da Costa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2010

Estudo da regeneração da paisagem após o fogo de 2004 na Serra do Caldeirão

Dissertação de mest., Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Univ. do Algarve, 2008

Trilhos da sustentabilidade turística

A intervenção, em forma de ensaio, traz ao debate uma postura cautelosa relativamente aos modelos correntes de sustentabilidade, enquanto expressão de uma moldura mais ampla inscrita na crise da modernidade, ao mesmo tempo que visa transaccionar informação para a compreensão dos sentidos em que são formulados e se encontram emersos os discursos contemporâneos sobre esta questão. Tomada a sustentabilidade como corolário conjectural de mudança dos sistemas técnicos e sociais, com influentes derrames no turismo, procura-se anotar algumas contradições nas lógicas que amparam as suas matrizes discursivas, quer em termos de propostas de construção imaginária de um futuro desejável, quer em termos do entendimento das condições da sua viabilização. A construção de modelos de sustentabilidade, perspectivada entre o operativismo tecnológico e o decisionismo político, e os tipos de intervenção correlatos, ao se articularem com triplo eixo da preservação-turismo-consumo e com um marketing vigoroso, não deixam de interpelar a natureza de muitas das estratégias de figuração e refiguração da experiência turística que, em discurso, procuram tomá-la como catalizadora da dinamização das economias locais, ao mesmo tempo que preserva a cultura e o meio ambiente.

Estudo das condições para o delineamento de um novo tipo de programa de certificação ambiental: contribuição para a promoção da qualidade, sustentabilidade e reconhecimento dos campos de golfe no Algarve

Dissertação de mest., Engenharia do Ambiente (Avaliação e Gestão Ambiental), Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Univ. do Algarve, 2011

Aplicação do RSECE a pequeno edifício de serviços, com climatização e análise comparativa de resultados

O aumento do consumo de energia tem vindo a criar um efeito nefasto no meio ambiente, sobretudo pelo excessivo consumo de combustíveis fósseis, que libertam durante a sua combustão gases com efeito de estufa (GEE), promovendo um aumento da temperatura média da superfície terrestre, que se traduz em alteração climáticas. A problemática das alterações climáticas, assume-se como um dos mais importantes, desafios ambientais com que o planeta se irá debater durante este século. O objetivo de reduzir globalmente as emissões dos gases com efeito de estufa (GEE), em especial de dióxido de carbono, e de estabilizar as suas concentrações na atmosfera, exige uma resposta concertada de todos os países e coloca desde logo, questões relacionadas com o funcionamento das sociedades humanas e com o desenvolvimento das economias. Têm vindo a ser criadas medidas, tanto a nível internacional como nacional, no sentido de reduzir o consumo excessivo de combustíveis fósseis e aumentar a rentabilidade da energia através de energias renováveis. De entre essas medidas, destaca-se o Programa para a Eficiência Energética em Edifícios, e o Sistema Nacional de Certificação Energética e da Qualidade do Ar Interior nos Edifícios (SCE) e os dois importantes regulamentos: o RSECE (Regulamento dos Sistemas Energéticos e de Climatização nos Edifícios) e o RCCTE (Regulamento das Características de Comportamento Térmico dos Edifícios), os quais estabelecem os parâmetros que os edifícios novos devem cumprir. A presente tese baseia-se na análise das diferenças de dois métodos de simulação do comportamento energético de edifícios. Nomeadamente o RCCTE-STE, para a Simulação Dinâmica Simplificada e o DesignBuilder para a Simulação Dinâmica Detalhada. Será desenvolvido e justificado as diferenças de resultados obtidos com os dois programas de simulação dinâmica utilizados, procurando-se contribuir para o conhecimento das capacidades e fragilidades de cada Software.

Bio-synthesis of nanosized semiconductors using mine wastes as material sources

This work describes the synthesis of nanosized metal sulfides and respective SiO2 and/or TiO2 composites in high yield via a straightforward process, under ambient conditions (temperature and pressure), by adding to aqueous metals a nutrient solution containing biologically generated sulfide from sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The nanoparticles‘ (NPs) morphological properties were shown not to be markedly altered by the SRB growth media composition neither by the presence of bacterial cells. We further extended the work carried out, using the effluent of a bioremediation system previously established. The process results in the synthesis of added value products obtained from metal rich effluents, such as Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), when associated with the bioremediation process. Precipitation of metals using sulfide allows for the possibility of selective recovery, as different metal sulfides possess different solubilities. We have evaluated the selective precipitation of CuS, ZnS and FeS as nanosized metal sulfides. Again, we have also tested the precipitation of these metal sulfides in the presence of support structures, such as SiO2. Studies were carried out using both artificial and real solutions in a continuous bioremediation system. We found that this method allowed for a highly selective precipitation of copper and a lower selectivity in the precipitation of zinc and iron, though all metals were efficiently removed (>93% removal). This research has also demonstrated the potential of ZnS-TiO2 nanocomposites as catalysts in the photodegradation of organic pollutants using the cationic dye, Safranin-T, as a model contaminant. The influence of the catalyst amount, initial pH and dye concentration were also evaluated. Finally, the efficiency of the precipitates as catalysts in sunlight mediated photodegradation was investigated, using different volumes of dye-contaminated water (150 mL and 10 L). This work demonstrates that all tested composites have the potential to be used as photocatalysts for the degradation of Safranin-T.

Pegada ecológica da aplicação de fertilizantes em citrinos na Região Algarvia

Disssertação de mestrado, Engenharia do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

Technical and economic viability of traps in the portuguese fishery of deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris)

Dissertação de mestrado, Aquacultura e Pescas, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

Route planning in wireless sensor networks for data gathering purposes

Dissertação de Mestrado, Engenharia Informática, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

The function of drosophila integrin adhesion complexes in pupal hemocyte migration in vivo

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2014

Motorização de fármacos na água bruta e na água para consumo humano por cromatolografia líquida de ultra eficiência associada à espectrometria de massa tandem

Tese de doutoramento, Farmácia (Bromatologia), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, 2014

Test and development of microcapsules for rigid polyurethane foam

Tese de mestrado em Química Tecnológica, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2016