The Water Quality Of The CÉrtima River Basin (Central Portugal)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the water quality of the Cértima River basin (Central Portugal). For that purpose, surface water samples were collected in March, May and July 2003, at 10 selected sampling sites, and were analysed for physicochemical parameters, namely temperature, conductivity, pH, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus. Results revealed an acceptable water quality during the spring season. Maxima of 64 mg dm⁻³ for BOD₅, 39 mg dm⁻³ for Kjeldahl nitrogen, and 5.2 mg dm⁻³ for total phosphorus, were recorded during summer, indicating a significant degradation of the water quality in a river stretch located downstream of the town of Mealhada. These values, which did not comply with the objectives of minimum quality for surface waters prescribed by the Portuguese legislation, were related to domestic wastewater discharges and runoff waters from a cattle farm. Besides their effects on the middle stretch of the river, these pollution sources were the most likely cause of the high nutrient load in downstream waters, and thus may have a major impact on the trophic status of Pateira de Fermentelos, a sensitive wetland area located in the lower Cértima basin.     

Combining Ion‐exchange (IX) technology and biological reduction for perchlorate removal

Ion‐exchange (IX) resin is perhaps the most promising technology to remove the contaminant perchlorate (ClO₄^?) from waters. However, ion exchange is only a separation technology that transfers the perchlorate from waters to the waste solutions used to regenerate the resins. The waste solutions contain high perchlorate concentrations, and treatment technologies for these regenerant solutions are needed. In this article, we review the latest knowledge on perchlorate removal by ion‐exchange resins; propose three systems that combine ion‐exchange resins (for perchlorate removal) and biological reduction for treating the waste solutions resulting from resin regeneration; and discuss the challenges and research needed to fully develop the proposed technology. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A review on human attitudes towards reptiles in Brazil

For many millennia humans and reptiles have interacted, but the attitude of humans towards these animals has depended on culture, environment, and personal experience. At least 719 reptile species are known to occur in Brazil and about 11% of this fauna has been exploited for many different purposes, including bushmeat, leather, ornamental and magic/religious uses, and as folk medicines. Brazil can therefore serve as an interesting case study for better understanding reptile use by human societies, and the present paper catalogues some of the reptile species being used in Brazil and discusses implications for their conservation. A literature review indicated that 81 reptile species are culturally important in this country, with 47 (58%) species having multiple uses, 54 being used for medicinal purposes, 38 as food, 28 for ornamental or decorative purposes, 20 used in magic/religious practices, 18 as pets, and 40 are commonly killed when they come into contact with humans. Regarding their conservation status, 30 (37.5%) are included on State's Red List, Brazilian Red List or the IUCN Red List. There are many forms of interaction between reptiles and humans in Brazil-although most of them are quite negative in terms of wildlife conservation-which reinforces the importance of understanding such uses and interactions in the context of protecting reptiles in Brazil. A better understanding of the cultural, social, and traditional roles of these reptiles is fundamental to establishing management plans for their sustainable use.     

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Guaribas river water (Piauí, Brazil), influenced by anthropogenic action

In general, tropical rivers have a great impact on human activities. Bioaccumulation of toxins is a worldwide problem nowadays and has been, historically, overlooked by the supervisory authorities. This study evaluated cytogenotoxic effects of Guaribas river (a Brazilian river) water during dry and rainy seasons of 2014 by using the Allium cepa test system. The toxicogenetic variables, including root growth, mitotic index, and chromosomal aberrations, were analyzed in meristematic cells of A. cepa exposed to water samples taken from the up-, within, and downstream of the city Picos (state: Piauí). The physical-chemical parameters were also analyzed to explain water quality and possible anthropogenic action. Additionally, the presence of heavy metals was also analyzed to explain water quality and possible damaging effects on eukaryotic cells. The results suggest that the river water exerted cytotoxic, mutagenic, and genotoxic effects, regardless of the seasons. In addition, Guaribas river presented physico-chemical values outside the Brazilian laws, which can be a characteristic of human pollution (domestic sewage, industrial, and local agriculture). The genetic damage was positively correlated with higher levels of heavy metals. The pollution of the Guaribas river water may link to the chemical contamination, including the action of heavy metals and their impacts on genetic instability in the aquatic ecosystem. In conclusion, necessary steps should be taken into account for further toxicogenetic studies of the Guaribas river water, as it has an influence in human health of the same region of Brazil.     

LED irradiated photo-Fenton for the removal of estrogenic activity and endocrine disruptors from wastewater treatment plant effluent

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The goal of this work was to evaluate the performance of the LED irradiated photo-Fenton process on the removal of (i) estrogenic activity and (ii)...     

Au@Ag bimetallic nanoparticles deposited on palygorskite in the presence of TiO2 for enhanced photodegradation activity through synergistic effect

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Herbicides are hazardous organic pollutants that contribute to the risk of environmental contamination. The aim of this work was to investigate the...     

Lithium bioaccumulation in Lentinus crinitus mycelia grown in media with different lithium sources and pH values

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Lentinus crinitus bioaccumulates lithium in mycelia, but bioaccumulation may be affected by pH of the culture medium. Lithium is used in clinical...     

Short- and long-term consistency in the foraging niche of wandering albatrosses

The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is regarded as a generalist predator, but can it be consistent in its foraging niche at an individual level? This study tested short- and long-term consistency in the foraging niche in terms of habitat use, trophic level and, by inference, prey selection. Fieldwork was carried out at Bird Island, South Georgia, in May–October 2009, during the chick-rearing period. Blood (plasma and cells) and feathers for stable isotope analyses (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were sampled from 35 adults on their return from a foraging trip during which they carried stomach temperature, activity and global positioning system loggers. Results suggest short-term consistency in foraging niche in relation to both oceanic water mass and trophic level, and long-term consistency in use of habitat. Consistent differences between individuals partly reflected sex-specific habitat preferences. The proportion of consistent individuals (i.e., with a narrow foraging niche) was estimated at c. 40?% for short-term habitat and trophic level (prey) preferences and 29?% for longer-term habitat preference, suggesting this is an important characteristic of this population and potentially of pelagic seabirds in general. Foraging consistency was not related to body condition or level of breeding experience; instead, it may reduce intraspecific competition.     

Decontamination of produced water containing petroleum hydrocarbons by electrochemical methods: a minireview

Produced water (PW) is the largest waste stream generated in oil and gas industries. The drilling and extraction operations that are aimed to maximize the production of oil may be counterbalanced by the huge production of contaminated water (called PW) with pollutants, such as heavy metals, dissolved/suspended solids, and organic compounds. PW is conventionally treated through different physical, chemical, and biological methods. In offshore platforms, because of space constraints, compact physical and chemical systems are used. However, major research efforts are being developed with innovative technologies for treating PW in order to comply with reuse and discharge limits. Among them, electrochemical technologies have been proposed as a promising alternative for the treatment of this kind of wastewaters. Then, this paper presents a minireview of efficient electrochemical technologies used until now for treating PW generated by petrochemical industry.