Inter-annual variability in the breeding performance of six tropical seabird species: influence of life-history traits and relationship with oceanographic parameters

We investigated inter-annual variability in the breeding performance of six tropical seabirds with different life histories. We further examined the extent to which presumed differences among years in food availability to seabirds were related to large-scale oceanic processes (El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole) or local features around the colony (Sea Surface Temperature—SST, chlorophyll-a concentration, wind patterns, association with underwater predators). Two food shortages were recorded: (1) a short-term event operating at a local-scale, lacking any relationship with any measured oceanographic parameters and affecting only a few seabird species; (2) a generalized and protracted event, strikingly characterized by low SST, possibly induced by a La Niña and/or negative IOD event, and with detrimental impacts in the whole seabird community. Overall, species with inflexible feeding habits and fast chick growth rates were more affected by food shortage events than those with more plastic life-history traits.     

Tolerance to iron accumulation and its effects on mineral composition and growth of two grass species

This study aimed to assess the influence of excess iron on the capacity of accumulation of this heavy metal, mineral composition, and growth of Setaria parviflora and Paspalum urvillei. Seedlings were submitted to 0.009; 1; 2; 4; and 7 mM of Fe-EDTA. In both species there was an increase in the concentration of Fe, Zn, P, and Ca and a decrease in Mn, K, and Mg in the iron plaque. Both species accumulated more iron in roots. In the shoots, S. parviflora showed higher iron content, except at 7 mM. Iron altered the contents of Fe, Cu, K, and Mg in roots, and of Fe, Mn, Zn, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in shoots. The two species tolerated high iron concentrations and accumulated high content of this element in both shoots and roots. The iron did not reduce their growth. Both species are indicated for studies aiming restoration of iron-contaminated areas.     

Solid industrial wastes and their management in Asegra (Granada, Spain)

ASEGRA is an industrial area in Granada (Spain) with important waste management problems. In order to properly manage and control waste production in industry, one must know the quantity, type, and composition of industrial wastes, as well as the management practices of the companies involved. In our study, questionnaires were used to collect data regarding methods of waste management used in 170 of the 230 businesses in the area of study. The majority of these companies in ASEGRA are small or medium-size, and belong to the service sector, transport, and distribution. This was naturally a conditioning factor in both the type and management of the wastes generated. It was observed that paper and cardboard, plastic, wood, and metals were the most common types of waste, mainly generated from packaging (49% of the total volume), as well as material used in containers and for wrapping products. Serious problems were observed in the management of these wastes. In most cases they were disposed of by dumping, and very rarely did businesses resort to reuse, recycling or valorization. Smaller companies encountered greater difficulties when it came to effective waste management. The most frequent solution for the disposal of wastes in the area was dumping.     

Metal separation from mixed types of batteries using selective precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction techniques

The purpose of this paper is to study metal separation from a sample composed of a mixture of the main types of spent household batteries, using a hydrometallurgical route, comparing selective precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction separation techniques. The preparation of the solution consisted of: grinding the waste of mixed batteries, reduction and volatile metals elimination using electric furnace and acid leaching. From this solution two different routes were studied: selective precipitation with sodium hydroxide and liquid-liquid extraction using Cyanex 272 [bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphoric acid] as extracting agent. The best results were obtained from liquid-liquid extraction in which Zn had a 99% extraction rate at pH 2.5. More than 95% Fe was extracted at pH 7.0, the same pH at which more than 90% Ce was extracted. About 88% Mn, Cr and Co was extracted at this pH. At pH 3.0, more than 85% Ni was extracted, and at pH 3.5 more than 80% of Cd and La was extracted.     

Main differences on European regulations in the frame of the Seveso Directive

Since the first Seveso Directive was issued 25 years ago, each Member State of the European Union developed own regulations to enforce its application. The lack of a common approach generated differences between Member States, or even between regions within a Member State, which in practical terms caused that establishments falling under the field of application of the Seveso Directive face a different level of requirements. This situation causes significantly different impact on social, technical and financial aspects.Factors like industrial background, accidental history, actual land use, social attitude towards risk, economical and political structures play an important role in how the decisions about hazardous activities are perceived and handled.Answering the question: “Is there a right methodology for the assessment of the risk of major accidents?” may be sterile or impossible. Many tools are appropriate and the main concern is to use them properly. Technically, the causes and consequences of, e.g., a fire in a port in Spain on the Mediterranean Sea or in the port of Basel (Switzerland) in the Rhine River could be assessed using the same methods and criteria, but this is not usually the case.This paper shows, with practical examples, the differences existing while applying different regulations in the field of prevention of major accidents and the potential effects that these differences may generate regarding the definition and management of emergency plans outside establishments.If the existing unequal situation is not faced, the comparative disagreements between Member States will prevail. Therefore, the application of the Seveso Directive will generate a different impact on the society, operators and regulators, and may become a factor which may cause a risk transfer between Member States. Efforts should be addressed to harmonize criteria in this subject.     

Structure-activity relationships for association of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates with activated sludge

Sorption of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) on sludge particles from wastewater treatment plants was studied. The effect of alkyl chain length and the water hardness were investigated. Sorption on sludge increases with increasing alkyl chain length in the LAS molecules. The results are interpreted in terms of a hydrophobic bonding mechanism being the critical micelle concentration a good index of the surfactant hydrophobicity. The increase in free energy of adsorption for the addition of successive methylene groups to the alkyl chain was estimated as 2.4 kJ/mol. Water hardness clearly enhances the sorption of LAS homologues on sludge and seems to promote cooperative sorption at high surfactant and calcium ion concentrations. An empirical equation was provided that allow to estimate the partition coefficient between aqueous and solid phases for LAS homologues as a function of the alkyl chain length and the water hardness.     

Anaerobic degradation and toxicity of commercial cationic surfactants in anaerobic screening tests

Anaerobic biodegradability and toxicity on anaerobic bacteria of di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride (DHTDMAC) and two esterquats have been investigated. A batch test system containing municipal digester solids as a source of anaerobic bacteria, based on the method proposed by the ECETOC, has been applied. To evaluate the potential toxicity of such surfactants on anaerobic sludge, a co-substrate, an easily biodegradable compound in anaerobic conditions, has been added to the samples to test and the effects on biogas production have been determined. For the esterquats studied high biodegradation levels were obtained and no toxic effects on anaerobic bacteria were observed even at the highest concentrations tested, 100 and 200 mg C/l, respectively. On the contrary, DHTDMAC was not degradated at the same test conditions. However, no inhibitory effects on the biogas production were detected for this surfactant at concentrations <100 mg C/l.     

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) micropollutant herbicide removing from water using granular and powdered activated carbons: a comparison applied for water treatment and health safety

Abstract

Activated carbons are well-known porous materials as an effective adsorbent used for the removal of emerging contaminants, such as herbicides, which are increasingly present in water bodies. Most water treatment plants, specially in Brazil, are unable to completely remove such contaminants by the conventional process and advanced treatment using activated carbons is required. The aim of this paper was to verify the influence of the activated carbons granulometry and specific surface area on the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide removal efficiency using distilled-deionized water and filtered water collected from a conventional Water Treatment Plant. Commercial activated carbons samples used in this work were obtained from two different manufacturers. Activated carbons were analyzed by the specific surface area, pore size and volume distribution, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and x-ray spectroscopy, moisture, volatile matter and ash contents. Batch adsorption isotherms experiments were used and performed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. Granular and powdered activated carbons removed over 99% of 2,4-D in distilled water and near to 99% using filtered water. The activated carbons evaluated in this work presented high performance and played a key role in water treatment by removing 2,4-D herbicide, ensuring the protection of human health and the ecosystem.     

Comparative study of methodologies for the analysis of PCDDs and PDCFs in powdered full-fat milk. PCB, PCDD and PCDF levels in commercial samples from Spain

Feasibility of two different extraction methods involving solid-liquid extraction and Soxhlet extraction, previously used for the determination of lipid contents and PCB levels on powdered full-fat milk, are now examined for simultaneous PCDD/F analysis. The results of this study are consistent with those found for PCBs. The solid-liquid procedure provides the most efficient extraction of both labelled spiked and endogenous PCDD/Fs with the lowest variability. The average recoveries were 101% (R.S.D. = 6.9%) for 13C12-2,3,7,8-TCDD and 95% (R.S.D. = 11%) for 13C12-1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD. The R.S.D.s for endogenous 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs were in the 9.3-25% range. In addition, this methodology simplified the subsequent clean-up step as it allowed a semi-selective extraction of the apolar lipids from the milk. The proposed method was applied to simultaneous PCB and PCDD/F analyses in different brands of powdered full-fat milks commercially available in Spain. In all cases, very similar PCB and PCDD/F levels were found. Differences among batches from the same manufacturer were even lower. The total i-TEQ average for PCDDs and PCDFs in the 22 powdered full-fat milk samples analysed was 1.87 pg/g fat basis. This value was similar to those found in cow's milk from other European countries.