Enhanced removal of mercury and lead by a novel and efficient surface-functionalized imogolite with nanoscale zero-valent iron material

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A novel hybrid nanomaterial, nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI)-grafted imogolite nanotubes (Imo), was synthesized via a fast and straightforward...     

Solar photocatalysis as strategy for on-site reclamation of agro-wastewater polluted with pesticide residues on farms using a modular facility

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - One of the consequences of phytosanitary treatments applied to crops is the generation of a great volume of agro-wastewater having pesticide residues....     

Vegetation productivity under climate change depends on landscape complexity in tropical drylands

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change - All Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects are designed to contribute to the sustainable development of the host country. Livelihood is...     

Green synthesis silver nanoparticles Bougainvillea glabra Choisy/LED light with high catalytic activity in the removal of methylene blue aqueous solution

In this study, we evaluated, in a pioneering way, the influence of wavelengths from the decomposition of white light on the production and physicochemical properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Bearing in mind a process of green synthesis, an extract of the bracts of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy (BgC) was used, a species native to tropical and subtropical regions and frequently used in ornamentation, possessing in its photochemical composition, biomolecules capable of acting as reducing agents for convert Ag⁺ to Ag⁰. We used light-emitting diodes (LED) to obtain the desired wavelengths (violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red) in the test called rainbow, and we evaluated the obtaining of AgNPs compared to white LED light, nature, and absence of light. In the rainbow assay, we obtained a gradual increase in the intensity of the plasmonic band resonance from the red wavelength (0.124 ± 0.067 a.u.) to violet (0.680 ± 0.199 a.u.), indicating a higher reaction yield in obtaining AgNPs. Smaller hydrodynamic sizes (approximately 150 nm) at more energetic wavelengths (violet, blue, and green) about less energetic wavelengths (yellow, orange, and red) (approximately 400 nm) were obtained. Analysis by SEM microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction indicates the presence of silver nanoparticles in all LED colors used together with white LED light and Laboratory light (natural light). Due to the high environmental demand to remove pollutants from water sources, including textile dyes, we applied AgNPs/BgC to remove methylene blue (MB) dye from an aqueous solution. A minimum removal percentage greater than 65%, with emphasis on formulations synthesized by the colors of violet LED (84.27 ± 2.65%) and orange LED (85.91 ± 1.95%), was obtained.

     

Distribution of potentially harmful elements in soils around a large coal-fired power plant

An understanding of the spatial distribution and contribution of a power plant to local soil contamination is important for the planning of soil use and prioritizing remedial actions for public safety. Consequently, the aim of this study was to map the spatial distribution of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs; Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cd, As, and Se) in soils around a large (796 MW) coal-fired power plant in Brazil. For the purpose, 33 soil samples were collected in the area within a radius of approximately 17.5 km from the plant and subsequently analyzed for PHEs. The frequency and direction of winds were also obtained from a meteorological station in the region. The sampling area was divided into four quadrants (northwest: N-NW; northeast: N-NE; southeast: S-SE; southwest: S-SW), and there were significant negative correlations between the distance and the concentrations of Se in the S-SE quadrant and As in the S-SW and S-SE quadrants. There were positive correlations between distance from the plant and the concentration of Mn in the N-NE quadrant and the concentration of Cd in the S-SW quadrant. The dominant direction of the winds was N-NE. The indexes used in this study showed low-to-moderate enrichment factor, but detailed analysis of the dominant quadrant of the winds showed a correlation with higher concentrations in the soils closer to the power plant for at least seven of the PHEs analyzed, especially with regard to As. Therefore, we conclude that the distribution of the metalloid As can be used as a marker of the spatial distribution of contamination from the thermoelectric plant, but the dynamics of the other elements suggests that the presence of other sources of contamination may also compromise the quality of local soils.

     

Assessing the effectiveness of integrating ergonomics and sustainability: a case study of a Mexican maquiladora

In 2015, the United Nations defined sustainable industrialization as one of 17 sustainable development goals. In this article, an analysis is performed to assess the opportunities for ergonomics to contribute toward sustainability in the manufacturing industry. To that effect, a case study was carried out in a maquiladora of electronic components in the northwestern region of Mexico. The investigation was developed in four stages: (a) diagnosis; (b) planning; (c) implementations; (d) verification of results. Barriers found during each stage are presented. Finally, a discussion of the obtained results is provided, and areas of opportunity for programs or actions to prevent health risks are identified.     

Behavior, distribution and variability of surface ozone at an arid region in the south of Iberian Peninsula (Seville, Spain)

In order to improve our knowledge of the surface ozone in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, annual, monthly, weekly and daily ozone concentrations have been closely monitored in the Seville metropolitan area highlighting those episodes that exceed the European Ozone Directive. A three-year period (2003-2005) and eight ozone stations were used; five of them located in the city's busiest areas and the rest in adjacent zones ( approximately 25km). In addition, the wind regime was also studied in order to understand the main characteristics of the surface atmospheric dynamics. The lowest ozone concentrations 17-33microgm(-3) took place in January while the highest 57-95microgm(-3) occurred in June. The ozone concentration week-weekend differences from May to September indicate that this phenomenon does not affect the ozone stations analysed. Daily cycles show minimum values between 7:00 and 8:00 UTC and maximum at noon, exceeding 90microgm(-3) during summer months. From March to October the ozone concentrations were above the target value for the protection of human health, especially during the summer months, with values up to 30% over the limit. The information threshold has been exceeded at all ozone stations studied but with greater frequency in the stations far from the city centre. In addition, at these latter stations the alert threshold was also exceeded on six occasions. This study in the city of Seville indicates that the high ozone levels are due to local atmospheric effects, mainly since the ozone air masses may undergo recirculation processes. The ozone is transported to the city from the S-SW, having a major impact in the NE areas.     

Mental health and media links based on five essential elements to promote psychosocial support for victims: the case of the earthquake in Chile in 2010

This paper reviews the role of news with respect to the mental health of a population exposed to a disaster. It is based on the five essential elements of psychosocial care presented by Stevan E. Hobfoll et al. (2007) that can be introduced after a potentially traumatic event: promoting a sense of safety, calming, self and collective efficacy, connectedness, and hope. This study developed a method to relate these elements to television coverage and applied it to the stories (n=1,169) aired by the main networks in Chile in the 72 hours after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck on 27 February 2010. Of the five elements, promoting a sense of safety occurred most often (82.72 per cent), whereas the others were barely present (less than 10 per cent). The study argues that these elements can increase the possibility of framing the news, given that the audience watching can also be affected by a disaster.