Assessment of water quality in the Alqueva Reservoir (Portugal) using bioassays

Background, aim, and scope  

Alqueva Reservoir is the biggest artificial freshwater reservoir in Europe and is an important water supply for human and agricultural consumption in the Alentejo region (Portugal). Pollution can impair environmental and human health status, and to assure water quality and ecological balance, it is crucial to frequently monitor water supplies. In this study, we used an ecotoxicological test battery to identify the potential toxicity of water from this reservoir.     

Carnauba (Copernicia prunifera) palm tree biomass as adsorbent for Pb(II) and Cd(II) from water medium

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Plant-based biomass (CFB (carnauba fruit biomass)) obtained from the fruit exocarp of the species Copernicia prunifera (Mill.) H.E. Moore (carnauba)...     

Environmental and socio-economic assessment of co-combustion of coal, biomass and non-hazardous wastes in a Power Plant

Under the framework of the European project named COPOWER, the possibility to partially substitute coal used in a 243 MW_th Power Plant by biomass and non-hazardous wastes for the production of electricity and steam was assessed. Three combustion scenarios were studied, based on the combustion tests performed in a Power Plant located in Duisburg (Germany): Scenario 0 (Sc0) - combustion of coal; Scenario 1 (Sc1) - combustion of coal + sewage sludge (SS) + meat and bone meal (MBM); Scenario 2 (Sc2) - coal + SS + wood pellets (WP). An environmental and socio-economic assessment of these three scenarios was performed. In the environmental point of view, Sc0 was the worst scenario, mainly due to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). Sc1 was the best scenario, mainly due to the reduction of GHG emission, eutrophication chemical species and ozone depletion gases. In the socio-economic point of view, Sc0 was the worst scenario, mainly due to the absence of GHG abatement, and Sc1 was the best scenario due to the best cost of electricity production and negative cost of avoided emissions.     

From Waste to Reuse: Manufacture of Ecological Composites Based on Biopolyethylene/wood Powder with PE-g-MA and Macaíba Oil

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - This work aimed to investigate the biopolyethylene (BioPE)/wood powder (WP) composites compatibilized with polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA),...     

Hexavalent Chromium Sorption by Modified Cellulose Macro and Nanofibers Obtained from Eucalyptus Residues

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Exposure to potentially toxic metallic elements (PTME) released in watercourses by industries results in irreversible damage to living beings or even...     

Coastal features analysis using GIS tools–stretch Esmoriz-Furadouro

The aim of this study is to identify morphological features and hydrodynamic patterns (e.g. coastal forms, wave breaking zones, rip current patterns, submerged bars), based on aerial photograph datasets. Understanding past patterns may help to increase the ability to predict future ones. To achieve the proposed objectives, a methodology to analyse aerial photograph datasets was developed. The analysis consists of visual identification of coastal features and patterns in a GIS environment. A GIS database was created to store the existing data and the result of the analysis. Several coastal features and patterns were identified, measured and correlated to the wave climate and other parameters. This correlation indicates that the presence and the dimensions of coastal features and patterns are closely related with the wave conditions and tide level, although the latter has less significance.     

A Sustainable Perspective for Macadamia Nutshell Residues Revalorization by Green Composites Development

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Macadamia is a nut widely used globally in food, personal hygiene products, and human health. After removing the nut, high amounts of the shell residual,...