Batch and continuous adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution on bi-functionalized sugarcane-based biosorbent

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A new one-pot synthesis method optimized by a 23 experimental design was developed to prepare a biosorbent, sugarcane bagasse cellulose succinate...     

Ecotoxicological assessment of leachates from MSWI bottom ashes

In this paper, chemical and ecotoxicological data of leachates from bottom ashes collected in different Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators (MSWI) are shown. The bottom ashes were collected in Belgium (three incinerators--samples B1 to B3), France, Germany, Italy and United Kingdom (one incinerator in each country--samples F1, D1, I1 and UK1, respectively). Both chemical and ecotoxicological characterizations of leachates were done on the framework of the European Directive 91/689/EEC and the European Council Decision 94/904/EC. This work was carried out under the European project called Valomat, which was supported by the European Commission through Brite-Euram III program. Twenty-one inorganic parameters were analyzed. The ecotoxicological assays were done under standard laboratory conditions, using the bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum, the freshwater alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, the crustacean Daphnia magna and the vegetable Lactuca sativa. Chemical data varied from sample to sample. Similar results were obtained in biological assays. The samples can be classified as ecotoxic/hazardous according to the French proposal for a Criterion and Evaluation Methods of Waste Ecotoxicity (CEMWE) and the German regulation on Hazardous Waste Classification (HWC). However, samples B1, B2, B3 and D1 comply the maximum limits for direct valorization category defined in the French Classification of Bottom Ashes based on their Polluting Potential (CBAPP). Sample B1 presented the lowest level of ecotoxicity, being considered as the most interesting to be used in the development of new materials for civil engineering works.     

Assessment of the environmental impact of management measures for the biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste in São Paulo City

There is increasing concern about landfilling of biodegradable wastes. Therefore, biological treatment processes such as composting and biogasification have been considered as alternative strategies for managing those wastes. In this work, life cycle assessment was employed to compare the environmental impacts of landfilling, composting, and biological treatment of municipal solid waste in S?o Paulo City, Brazil. Energy consumption, recovered resources, and emissions to air and water were quantified and analyzed in terms of their potential contribution to global warming, acidification, and nutrient enrichment impact. The results demonstrated that processes that require high levels of energy consumption, such as wastewater treatment, play an important role in the outcome of environmental impact potentials. It was found that the landfilling of all waste is generally the worst strategy from an environmental point of view. However, significant reductions in the resulting impacts can be accomplished through biogasification and composting of the biodegradable fraction. Regarding composting, the application of a biofilter for gas treatment reduced significantly the gaseous emissions.     

Influence of particle size on the physico-mechanical and energy properties of briquettes produced with coffee husks

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Briquetting is a technology with the potential to convert agricultural wastes into solid biofuels with improved handling, transport, storage, and...     

Mice exposure to tannery effluents changes their olfactory capacity,and their response to predators and to the inhibitory avoidance test

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The current study has assessed whether the oral and/or dermal exposure of C57Bl/6 J mice to tannery effluent (a complex pollutant consisting of...     

Assessment of the allelopathic effect of leaf and seed extracts of Canavalia ensiformis as postemergent bioherbicides: A green alternative for sustainable agriculture

The herbicidal potential of aqueous extracts prepared from leaves and seeds of Canavalia ensiformis was tested by applying them postemergence to the crop weeds Ipomoea grandifolia and Commelina benghalensis. Considering the possible objective of using this bioherbicide on soybean fields, the extracts were also tested for deleterious effects on both transgenic and conventional soybean (Glycine max). In addition, the concentrations of four phenolic compounds and alkaloids with allelopathic properties in these extracts were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The seed extract at concentrations of 25 g L^?1 and 50 g L^?1 was the most efficient postemergent bioherbicide. By applying these extracts, the development of the weed seed was progressively hindered until no recovery was observed. The application of 3.5 mL of crude extract on a plant that takes 30 days after germination of the seed to develop is sufficient for full control of the species within 5 days. Since both Ipomoea grandifolia and Commelina benghalensis are broadleaf dicotyledons, it is possible that other species with these characteristics can also be controlled or suffer the same effects under the action of the seed extract, if the same volume and mode of application are used. The selectivity of the treatments with 25 g L^?1 and 50 g L^?1 was assessed on transgenic and conventional cultivars. The treatments did not visibly affect the soybean cultivars, which developed normally during the observation period that continued up to 15 days after the death of the weeds.     

Photo-oxidation of NO using an exterior paint--screening of various commercial titania in powder pressed and paint films

The present work aims to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of photo-TiO(2) from various producers (Evonik, Kemira, Kronos, Millennium, Sachtleben and Tayca), in the form of powder pressed films and upon incorporation in a water-based paint, for outdoor NO abatement. The photocatalytic activity of the different samples was evaluated in terms of NO conversion and selectivity towards nitrite and nitrate ions following approximately the ISO 22197-1:2007(E) standard. The highest yields obtained for powder pressed films were achieved with VLP7000 (0.70), followed by VLP7101 (0.55) and UVLP7500 (0.55), all from Kronos. On the other hand, when incorporated in paint films, the highest yields were obtained with PC500 and PC105 from Millennium and UV100 from Sachtleben (ca. 0.15). The paint matrix plays an important role on the photocatalytic activity. In particular, the time for steady state is one or two orders of magnitude higher when the photocatalysts are incorporated in paint films in relation to the powder pressed films. The paint films were activated following the procedure recommended by the above-mentioned standard. However, the photocatalytic activity of films incorporating P25 (Evonik) was displayed only when higher power radiation and higher humidity conditions were used. This allowed for similar levels of photocatalytic activity as the other paint films.     

Copaiba oil and vegetal tannin as functionalizing agents for açai nanofibril films: valorization of forest wastes from Amazonia

The applicability of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) has received attention due to their attractive properties. This study proposes the functionalization of açai CNFs with copaiba oil and vegetal tannins to produce films with potential for packaging. Bio-based films were evaluated by vapor permeability, colorimetry, and mechanical strength. CNFs were produced by mechanical fibrillation, from suspensions of bleached açai fibers and commercial eucalipytus pulp. Moreover, copaiba oil and vegetal tannin were added to the CNFs to produce films/nanopapers by casting from both suspensions with concentrations of 1% (based on CNF dry mass). The bulk densities of the eucalyptus CNF films were higher (1.126–1.171 g cm^?3) compared to the açai CNF ones. Films from eucalyptus and açai pulps containing copaiba oil and tannins presented higher Tonset and Tmax, respectively (312 and 370 °C). Films with açaí CNFs functionalized with copaiba oil and tannin showed the lowest permeability value (370 g day^?1 m^?2). Films produced with eucalyptus pulp, and eucalyptus pulp functionalized with copaiba oil highlighted by superior mechanical strength, achieving 133.8 and 121.4 MPa, respectively. The evaluation of colorimetry showed a greater tendency to yellowing for açai films, especially those functionalized with vegetal tannins. Besides the low cost, functionalized vegetal-based nanomaterials could have attractive properties, with potential for application as some kind of packaging, for transporting basic products, such as breads, flours, or products with low moisture content, enabling efficient utilization of forest wastes.

     

Cultivable microbiome and its resistance to antimicrobials isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zaprionus indianus</Emphasis>

The objective of this study was to identify Z. indianus in PEJC and PESCAN. Listed are the following methods: to isolate bacteria from the integument of the Z. indianus species collected and to check the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics. Collections of Z. indianus were performed in four seasons of the two parks. The results obtained suggest that the low amount of Z. indianus collected can be justified by environmental factors such as high average temperature and low average humidity. It is noted that there is a predominance of bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family found in both the PEJC and the PESCAN. The antibiogram performed for the isolated PEJC bacteria shows statistical significance when comparing the edge and inside values of the park. Studies with fungi were also carried out, and it was evidenced that Trichophyton spp. was the genus that most inhabited the two environments studied. The ability of fluconazole and ketoconazole to inhibit fungal growth was also investigated, and considering the concentration tested may suggest that they have good action spectra. Plasmid profile data show that 60% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have plasmids. The values found show that Z. indianus can act as vectors of microorganisms that affect the healthy animals and humans and that these organisms may be influenced by seasons.