Trace elements in muscle of three fish species from Todos os Santos Bay,Bahia State,Brazil

In this study, an analysis was performed on the concentrations of the trace elements Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in muscle of two carnivorous and one planktivorous fish species collected at Todos os Santos Bay (BTS). The accumulation order of the trace elements in Lutjanus analis was Al >Zn >Fe >Cr >Ba >Ni. In Cetengraulis edentulus, the order was Al >Fe >Zn >Cr >Ni >Mn >As. In the species Diapterus rhombeus, the order was Al >Fe >Zn >Cr >Ni >Mn >Cd. To determine the risk related to the consumption of fish, toxicity guidelines were used as standard references. It was observed that the species C. edentulus contained concentrations of As exceeding WHO limits, but these concentrations were acceptable according to the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) guidelines. Cd levels were found only in D. rhombeus and in low concentrations according to the determinations of WHO and ANVISA. Pb levels were not detected in any of the three fish species. The analyzed elements did not differ statistically according to the species and feeding habits. The results point to possible risks of human contamination by As related to the consumption of the fish species C. edentulus from the BTS.     

Process,Characterization and Biodegradability of Aliphatic Aromatic Polyester/Sisal Fiber Composites

The biodegradability, morphology, and mechanical properties of composite materials made of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and sisal fiber (SF) were evaluated. Composites containing acrylic acid-grafted PBAT (PBAT-g-AA/SF) exhibited noticeably superior mechanical properties due to greater compatibility between the two components. The dispersion of SF in the PBAT-g-AA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of ester formation between the carboxyl groups of PBAT-g-AA and hydroxyl groups in SF and the consequent creation of branched and cross-linked macromolecules. Each composite was subjected to biodegradation tests in Rhizopus oryzae compost. Morphological observations indicated severe disruption of film structure after 60 days of incubation, and both the PBAT and the PBAT-g-AA/SF composite films were eventually completely degraded. Water resistance of PBAT-g-AA/SF was higher than that of PBAT/SF, although weight loss of composites buried in Rhizopus oryzae compost indicated that both were biodegradable, even at high levels of SF substitution. The PBAT-g-AA/SF films were more biodegradable than those made of PBAT, implying a strong connection between these characteristics and biodegradability.     

Effects of Alkali Treatment on the Properties of Short Flax Fiber–Poly(Lactic Acid) Eco-Composites

In this study, the influence of alkali (NaOH) treatment on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of eco-composites of short flax fiber/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was investigated. SEM analysis conducted on alkali treated flax fibers showed that the packed structure of the fibrils was deformed by the removal non-cellulosic materials. The fibrils were separated from each other and the surface roughness of the alkali treated flax fibers was improved. The mechanical tests indicated that the modulus of the untreated fiber/PLA composites was higher than that of PLA; on the other hand the modulus of alkali treated flax fiber/PLA was lower than PLA. Thermal properties of the PLA in the treated flax fiber composites were also affected. T_g values of treated flax fiber composites were lowered by nearly 10 °C for 10% NaOH treatment and 15 °C for 30% NaOH treatment. A bimodal melting behavior was observed for treated fiber composites different than both of neat PLA and untreated fiber composites. Furthermore, wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystalline structure of cellulose of flax fibers changed from cellulose-I structure to cellulose-II.     

Effects of gas flaring on blood parameters and respiratory system of laboratory mice, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mus musculus</Emphasis>

In order to evaluate the potential harmful effects of gas flaring on mammals, albino mice, Mus musculus, were exposed to gas flares for 8 weeks under laboratory conditions. The effect of gas flaring on blood parameters includes a reduction in white blood cell counts among mice exposed to 8-h daily of gas flaring when compared to control mice. The red blood cells also showed varied abnormalities such as stacked erythrocytes (rouleaux formation), crenated (spicule) cells and teardrop cells (dacrocytes). The detection of the increasing level of eosinophils in the blood of mice exposed to gas flares was observed to be indicative of a degenerative disease condition and usefulness as a good marker of pollution for monitoring, and early detection of adverse effects of gas flares was recommended. Histopathological examination of the lungs of exposed mice revealed distortions in the segmental bronchus and alveoli of the respiratory organ, with interspersed brown pigments and polymorphonuclear cells, which were absent in the controls. The environmental implications including the health hazards posed by the exposure of mammals to gas flares in crude oil production areas were discussed.     

Achieving uniform regulation of environmental lead exposure and poisoning in wildlife and humans

Lead from spent ammunition causes preventable lead exposure in wildlife and humans that may ingest it. Nontoxic substitutes for lead ammunition exist but are not adopted widely because of hunter opposition. Other forms of lead exposure in the human environment have been heavily regulated because there is no safe level of exposure. The use of lead ammunition should be regulated similarly to protect wildlife from this common disease.     

Efficacy of vermicomposting for recycling organic portion of hospital wastes using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia fetida</Emphasis>: standardization of cow manure proportion to increase enzymatic activities and fungal biomass

Hospital wastes are infectious wastes generated in hospitals and need to be disposed in such a way that they do not spread disease. In this experiment, 5, 10, 15 and 20% cow manure (CM) were mixed with hospital wastes (HW), and mixed wastes were subjected to vermicomposting. In control treatment, only HW was used for vermicomposting. Results suggested that significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher total nitrogen content was recorded in vermicomposts when 10% or more CM was added to HW. Higher mineralization rate (decrease in C/N ratio) and cellulase activity is probably responsible for rapid organic matter decomposition (loss of total organic carbon). Ergosterol content i.e., total fungal biomass and cellulolytic fungal population were almost constant initially, but increased in the latter stage of vermicomposting. All the vermicompost samples, prepared in this experiment, showed the absence of coliform bacteria. Therefore, it could be concluded that 10% CM addition with HW was the most economical to obtain best quality vermicompost in terms of nutrient content and microbial status.     

Preparation of Economically Viable and Environment Friendly Composites from Effluents of Aleuritic Acid Industry

The synthesis of aleuritic acid from shellac is associated with generation of huge quantity of waste whose disposal leads to clogging of the sewage system and contaminates the water bodies into which the drain leads. The shellac waste, which was collected from the factory site and Jute fiber has been used to form a sustainable, eco-efficient and economical composite. Characterization of the resin and composite was done by FTIR, TG, DSC and SEM. Mechanical properties of the composites like tensile strength and impact strength etc. were measured.     

Preparation of Viscose Fibres Stripped of Reactive Dyes and Wrinkle-Free Crosslinked Cotton Textile Finish

The chemical recycling of cellulosic fibres may represent a next-generation fibre–fibre recycling system for cotton textiles, though remaining challenges include how to accommodate fibre blends, dyes, wrinkle-free finishes, and other impurities from finishing. These challenges may disrupt the regeneration process steps and reduce the fibre quality. This study examines the impact on regenerated viscose fibre properties of a novel alkaline/acid bleaching sequence to strip reactive dyes and dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneureas (DMDHEU) wrinkle-free finish from cotton textiles. Potentially, such a bleaching sequence could advantageously be integrated into the viscose process, reducing the costs and environmental impact of the product. The study investigates the spinning performance and mechanical properties (e.g., tenacity and elongation) of the regenerated viscose fibres. The alkaline/acid bleaching sequence was found to strip the reactive dye and DMDHEU wrinkle-free finish from the cotton fabric, so the resulting pulp could successfully be spun into viscose fibres, though the mechanical properties of these fibres were worse than those of commercial viscose fibres. This study finds that reactive dyes and DMDHEU wrinkle-free finish affect the viscose dope quality and the regeneration performance. The results might lead to progress in overcoming quality challenges in cellulosic chemical recycling.