Magnetic photocatalysts from δ-FeOOH and TiO2 and application in reactions for degradation of methylene blue and paracetamol with UV-C and sunlight

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Water contamination is a common problem, especially considering dyes and drugs disposal. A possible and effective treatment method to remove these...     

Tracking mercury in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: the use of tuna and tuna-like species as indicators of bioavailability

Mercury is a trace element that is potentially dangerous due its high toxicity and tendency to bioaccumulate in organisms. Currently, high mercury concentrations are seen in the environment especially due climate changes. Studies regarding mercury bioavailability in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean using tuna and tuna-like species are rare. The aim of the present study was to use tuna and tuna-like species (Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus albacares, Katsuwonus pelamis, Euthynnus alletteratus, Coryphaena hippurus and Sarda sarda) as indicators of the availability of total mercury (THg) in oceanic food webs of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. THg concentrations varied significantly among species for both muscle and liver (Kruskal–Wallis test; H5,130 = 52.7; p < 0.05; H5,130 = 50.1; p < 0.05, respectively). The lowest concentrations were found in C. hippurus (0.008 mg kg−1 wet weight in the muscle and 0.003 mg kg−1 wet weight in the liver), and the highest concentrations were reported in the muscle of T. atlanticus (1.3 mg kg−1 wet weight) and in the liver of S. sarda (2.5 mg kg−1 wet weight). The continued monitoring of tuna and tuna-like species is necessary to assist in their conservation since tuna can be sentinels of mercury pollution.     

Rate of occurrence of failures based on a nonhomogeneous Poisson process: an ozone analyzer case study

Atmospheric pollutant monitoring constitutes a primordial activity in public policies concerning air quality. In São Paulo State, Brazil, the São Paulo State Environment Company (CETESB) maintains an automatic network which continuously monitors CO, SO₂, NO _x , O₃, and particulate matter concentrations in the air. The monitoring process accuracy is a fundamental condition for the actions to be taken by CETESB. As one of the support systems, a preventive maintenance program for the different analyzers used is part of the data quality strategy. Knowledge of the behavior of analyzer failure times could help optimize the program. To achieve this goal, the failure times of an ozone analyzer—considered a repairable system—were modeled by means of the nonhomogeneous Poisson process. The rate of occurrence of failures (ROCOF) was estimated for the intervals 0–70,800 h and 0–88,320 h, in which six and seven failures were observed, respectively. The results showed that the ROCOF estimate is influenced by the choice of the observation period, t ₀?=?70,800 h and t ₇?=?88,320 h in the cases analyzed. Identification of preventive maintenance actions, mainly when parts replacement occurs in the last interval of observation, is highlighted, justifying the alteration in the behavior of the inter-arrival times. The performance of a follow-up on each analyzer is recommended in order to record the impact of the performed preventive maintenance program on the enhancement of its useful life.     

Sustainability indicators in the swine industry of the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina

In recent decades, there has been a growing concern about measuring and evaluating the results of intensive production practices, such as the mode of integration practiced on a large scale by agro-industries. The present study discusses the application and the results of a Sustainability Indicators System in the context of the swine industry in the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina. These indicators, focused on the level of sustainability maturity, can be used as a way to diagnose and compare the efficiency of the industry from a broader perspective. The research findings indicate that most of the pig farms that have been studied can be classified as “in search of sustainability or sustainable.” Nevertheless, there are differences among the dimensions and between the most ranked farms and the others which must be considered for a better design and application of public policies and company strategies toward an effective and balanced social, economic and environmental sustainability.     

Characterization of EVA/PLA Blends When Exposed to Different Environments

EVA/PLA blends compatibilized with EVA-g-PLA grafted copolymers synthesized by reactive extrusion, through transesterification reaction between ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) and polylactide (PLA) using titanium propoxide (Ti(OPr)₄) as catalyst, were characterized when exposed to different environments. Stability to UV radiation was assessed exposing the samples to a Xenon lamp, which simulates the sun UV spectrum and the biodegradability was evaluated by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in a closed respirometer. Exposed samples were removed periodically and analyzed by several analytical techniques, such as, FTIR, DSC, rheology and tensile tests. The results obtained evidenced that UV radiation induces structural modifications, which affect substantially rheological and mechanical properties. Moreover, the blend with higher amount of copolymer exhibits lower photo durability and greater biodegradability. From the environmental point of view, these new materials are very promising for application with short lifetime, like packaging.     

Effect of variations in the redox potential of Gleysol on barium mobility and absorption in rice plants

Two assays were designed to obtain information about the influence of redox potential variations on barium mobility and bioavailability in soil. One assay was undertaken in leaching columns, and the other was conducted in pots cultivated with rice (Oryza sativa) using soil samples collected from the surface of Gleysol in both assays. Three doses of barium (100,300 mg kg⁻¹ and 3000 mg kg⁻¹-soil dry weight) and two redox potential values (oxidizing and reducing) were evaluated. During the incubation period, the redox potential (Eh) was monitored in columns and pots until values of −250 mV were reached. After the incubation period, geochemical partitioning was conducted on the barium using the European Communities Bureau of Reference (BCR) method. Rainfall of 200 mm d⁻¹ was simulated in the columns and in the planting of rice seedlings in the pots. The results of the geochemical partitioning demonstrated that the condition of reduction favors increased barium concentrations in the more labile chemical forms and decreased levels in the chemical forms related to oxides. The highest barium concentrations in leached extracts (3.36 mg L⁻¹) were observed at the highest dose and condition of reduction at approximately five times above the drinking water standard. The high concentrations of barium in the soil did not affect plant dry matter production. The highest levels and accumulation of barium in roots, leaves, and grains of rice were found at the highest dose and condition of reduction. These results demonstrate that reduction leads to solubilization of barium sulfate, thereby favoring greater mobility and bioavailability of this element.     

Beyond selectivity: Are behavioral avoidance and hormesis likely causes of pyrethroid-induced outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis?

Secondary pest outbreak is a counterintuitive ecological backlash of pesticide use in agriculture that takes place with the increase in abundance of a non-targeted pest species after pesticide application against a targeted pest species. Although the phenomenon was well recognized, its alternative causes are seldom considered. Outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis are frequently reported in Brazilian coffee farms after the application of pyrethroid insecticides against the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella. Selectivity favoring the red mite against its main predatory mites is generally assumed as the outbreak cause, but this theory has never been tested. Here, we assessed the toxicity (and thus the selectivity) of deltamethrin against both mite species: the southern red mite and its phytoseid predator Amblyseius herbicolus. Additionally, behavioral avoidance and deltamethrin-induced hormesis were also tested as potential causes of red mite outbreak using free-choice behavioral walking bioassays with the predatory mite and life-table experiments with both mite species, respectively. Lethal toxicity bioassays indicated that the predatory mite was slightly more susceptible than its prey (1.5×), but in more robust demographic bioassays, the predator was three times more tolerant to deltamethrin than its prey, indicating that predator susceptibility to deltamethrin is not a cause of the reported outbreaks. The predator did not exhibit behavioral avoidance to deltamethrin; however insecticide-induced hormesis in the red mite led to its high population increase under low doses, which was not observed for the predatory mite. Therefore, deltamethrin-induced hormesis is a likely cause of the reported red mite outbreaks.     

A critical look at residential electricity conservation campaigns in a developing country environment

This paper analyses survey results of the effectiveness of information campaigns to promote energy efficiency among residential consumers in Brazil. The survey found that consumers have a relatively good knowledge of conservation measures to improve electricity usage. Nevertheless, other approaches are needed to promote energy conservation in the household sector.     

Efficient use of Fe metal as an electron transfer agent in a heterogeneous Fenton system based on Fe0/Fe3O4 composites

In this work a novel heterogeneous Fenton system based on Fe(0)/Fe3O4 composites is described. The composites with several Fe(0)/Fe3O4 ratios were prepared by two different methods, i.e. mechanical alloying of Fe(0) and Fe3O4 powders and controlled reduction of Fe3O4 with H2. Reaction studies and detailed Conversion Electron M?ssbauer surface characterization of the composites Fe(0)/Fe3O4, Fe(0), Fe3O4, alpha-Fe2O3 and gamma-Fe2O3 suggested that Fe2+surf species are essential to produce an active Fenton system. Kinetic studies for the oxidation of the dye methylene blue, used as an organic model molecule, and for the peroxide decomposition suggest that the reactions proceed via HO* radicals generated from Fe2+surf species and H2O2 in a Fenton like mechanism. The increase in activity caused by the addition of Fe(0) is discussed in terms of a creation of Fe2+surf species during the preparation of the composite and by an electron transfer mechanism from Fe(0) to Fe3+surf during the Fenton reaction to regenerate the Fe2+surf active species.