Biodegradation assessment of PLA and its nanocomposites

Poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites containing Cloisite 15A, Cloisite 30B, and Dellite 43B were prepared by melt-mixing in a batch mixer and were exposed to UV radiation, temperature, and microorganism in solution and in a compost. Exposed samples, collected along the time, were characterized by several techniques. While the addition of organoclays had a positive effect on thermal stability, the degradation rate of nanocomposites increased when exposed to UV radiation and microorganism. Moreover, the degradation rate depends on the organoclay type. Even though the degradation rate is higher for nanocomposites, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and gel permeation chromatography results demonstrated that the degradation mechanism is the same.     

Endocrine and metabolic changes in Anguilla anguilla L. following exposure to beta-naphthoflavone--a microsomal enzyme inducer

Anguilla anguilla L. were exposed during 24 and 48 h to 2.7 muM beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), a known microsomal enzyme inducer. The BNF effects on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4) and cortisol plasma levels were investigated. Alterations on plasma glucose and lactate levels were also measured as an indication of energy-mobilizing hormones alterations. BNF showed to be able to decrease significantly A. anguilla plasma T4 levels, whereas TSH, T3 and cortisol plasma remained constant. However, plasma glucose levels were significantly increased, demonstrating that intermediary metabolism has been affected. These results demonstrate that BNF a PAH-like compound alters the normal functioning of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in A. anguilla.     

Energy conservation and CO2 emission reductions due to recycling in Brazil

The present paper aims to make the energy saving potential provided by waste recycling in Brazil evident by pointing out more specifically the benefits regarding climate change mitigation. In this case, based on the energy saved due to the recycling process of an exogenous amount of waste, we have built two scenarios in order to show the potential for indirectly avoiding CO2 emissions in the country as a result of the recycling process. According to the scenario, 1 Mt and 3.5 Mt of CO2, respectively, would be avoided per year due to solid waste recycling. The international context for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol has been taken into account.     

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)...     

How does drought affect native grasses’ photosynthesis on the revegetation of iron ore tailings?

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The revegetation of areas degraded by iron ore mining is a difficult challenge mainly due to water availability and impoverished metal-rich...     

Occurrence and risk assessment of organophosphate esters in urban rivers from Piracicaba watershed (Brazil)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are substances globally used as flame retardants and plasticizers that have been detected in all environmental...     

Determining subsampling effort for the development of a rapid bioassessment protocol using benthic macroinvertebrates in streams of Southeastern Brazil

The purpose of this study was to establish a subsampling procedure for benthic macroinvertebrates to aid in the development of a multimetric index to assess the biological condition of streams. Data from six streams that are considered minimally impaired were used. Subsampling was done using a device divided into 24 quadrats. The sediment from each quadrat was sorted, and all organisms were removed and identified. Richness metrics were the most affected by subsample size. Relative-abundance metrics were the most stable, proving that the sample was well distributed throughout the tray and abundance proportions were maintained. The results showed that the macroinvertebrate assemblage present in the six quadrats was similar to that present in the full sample. These analyses indicated that six quadrats, randomly designated, with a minimum of 200 collected specimens could be used in place of the full sample. In routine water management, managing time and costs are a major challenge; therefore, this type of simplification is absolutely necessary to ensure that a biomonitoring tool is useful for practical applications.     

Influence of the current density on the electrochemical treatment of concentrated 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride solutions on diamond electrodes

This paper focuses on the influence of the current density treatment of a concentrated 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMImCl) solution on an electrochemical reactor with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode. The decrease in the total organic carbon (TOC) and the BMImCl concentration demonstrate the capability of BDD in oxidizing ionic liquids (ILs) and further mineralizing (to CO₂ and NO₃ ^?) more rapidly at higher current densities in spite of the reduced current efficiency of the process. Moreover, the presence of Cl^? led to the formation of oxychlorinated anions (mostly ClO₃ ^? and ClO₄ ^?) and, in combination with the ammonia generated in the cathode from the nitrate reduction, chloramines, more intensely at higher current density. Finally, the analysis of the intermediates formed revealed no apparent influence of the current density on the BMImCl degradation mechanism. The current density presents therefore a complex influence on the IL treatment process that is discussed throughout this paper.     

Monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a produced water disposal area in the Potiguar Basin,Brazilian equatorial margin

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Potiguar Basin has oil and gas production fields offshore and onshore. All treated produced water (PW) from these fields is discharged through...     

Illumina sequencing-based analysis of a microbial community enriched under anaerobic methane oxidation condition coupled to denitrification revealed coexistence of aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophs

Methane is produced in anaerobic environments, such as reactors used to treat wastewaters, and can be consumed by methanotrophs. The composition and structure of a microbial community enriched from anaerobic sewage sludge under methane-oxidation condition coupled to denitrification were investigated. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis retrieved sequences of Methylocaldum and Chloroflexi. Deep sequencing analysis revealed a complex community that changed over time and was affected by methane concentration. Methylocaldum (8.2%), Methylosinus (2.3%), Methylomonas (0.02%), Methylacidiphilales (0.45%), Nitrospirales (0.18%), and Methanosarcinales (0.3%) were detected. Despite denitrifying conditions provided, Nitrospirales and Methanosarcinales, known to perform anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification (DAMO) process, were in very low abundance. Results demonstrated that aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophs coexisted in the reactor together with heterotrophic microorganisms, suggesting that a diverse microbial community was important to sustain methanotrophic activity. The methanogenic sludge was a good inoculum to enrich methanotrophs, and cultivation conditions play a selective role in determining community composition.