Carlos Roberto Bellato

ASSESSMENT OF WATER SYSTEMS FOR CONTAMINANTS FROM DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL SEWAGES

The State of Minas Gerais represents one of Brazils most outstanding mining resources. The contamination of river waterfrom kaolin processing activities may be harmful to people inthe way of slow but chronic poisoning. On the other hand, the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated domestic sewage into aquatic environments can also cause deleterious effects to the health. However, no reliable figures are available for pollutant occurrences in river water. This draws attention to thevery precarious situation that exists with respect to pollutionby organic and inorganic toxic wastes, especially with respect to humans and fauna in all its expressions. Thus, with the purpose of establishing a preliminary report to trace out industrialisation outcomes, samples of river water, vegetation and fish were collected and analysed to detect pollutant inputs.The concentration of metals was determined in suspended particle,vegetation and fish, while those of nitrite, nitrate, phosphateand chloride were determined in river water samples. The concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) was measured in river water at the time of collection. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were also determined. Metalinputs in the samples analysed appeared to be related to effluentdischarges into the rivers. The suspended particles showed highconcentrations (in mg kg-1) of zinc (62 600) and aluminium(559 000), while vegetation samples collected near rivers wereheavily contaminated with iron (7680). The fishes examined werecontaminated with chromium (1.5 mg kg-1). In general, the concentrations of nitrite, nitrate, chloride, phosphate and BOD in river water were lower than the maximum values established bythe Brazilian Environmental Standards.

Concentrações de selênio em alimentos consumidos no Brasil

OBJECTIVE To determine the selenium content of foods consumed in Brazil. METHODS The project was carried out between 1993 and 1999. The food samples were collected in stores in several Brazilian states. The levels of selenium were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry and by wet oxidation. RESULTS The highest levels of selenium were found in animal products, especially fish, and in wheat products. We found that plant products generally had selenium levels of less than 5.0 micrograms/100 g. CONCLUSIONS In Brazil a diet rich in animal products, especially fish, is important in ensuring consumption of the recommended levels of selenium.Objetivo. Determinar os teores de selenio em alimentos consumidos no Brasil. Metodos. O trabalho foi desenvolvido de 1993 a 1999. As amostras de alimentos foram coletadas no comercio varejista em varios estados do Brasil. Os teores de selenio foram determinados por meio de espectrofotometria de absorcao atomica, utilizando-se a tecnica de geracao de hidretos, e oxidacao da materia orgânica por via umida. Resultados. Os teores mais elevados de selenio foram encontrados nos produtos de origem animal, sobretudo nos pescados, e nos produtos derivados do trigo. Observou-se que os teores de selenio nos alimentos de origem vegetal foram, de modo geral, inferiores a 5,0 µg/100g. Conclusoes. No Brasil, a presenca de pescados, principalmente, e de outros produtos de origem animal e importante na dieta para garantir o consumo dos teores recomendados de selenio.

REMOVAL OF Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, AND Cd FROM ELECTROPLATING WASTES AND SYNTHETIC SOLUTIONS BY VERMICOMPOST OF CATTLE MANURE

ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to evaluate the retention of Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cd under laboratory conditions from synthetic solution and electroplating wastes by vermicompost. A glass column was loaded with vermicompost, and metal solutions were passed through it. Metal concentrations were then measured in the eluate in order to evaluate the amounts retained by the vermicompost. Measurements of pH, metal concentrations, moistness, organic matter and ash contents, and infrared and XRD spectroscopy were used for vermicompost characterisation. Vermicompost residues obtained from this process were used for plant nutrition in eroded soil collected from a talus near a highway. Metal retention (in g of metal/kg of vermicompost) from effluents ranged from 2 for Cr and Zn to 4 in the case of Ni. In synthetic solutions, the values for metal retention were 4 for Cd and Zn, 6 for Cu and Ni, and 9 for Cr. The results also showed that metal concentrations in the purified effluents were below the maximum values established for waste discharges into rivers by the Brazilian Environmental Standards. The relatively high available Cd concentration of the vermicompost residue resulted in plant damage. This effect was attributed to the presence of Cd in the synthetic solution passed through the vermicompost. The data obtained do not give a complete picture of using vermicompost in cultivated lands, but such values as are determined do show that it can be suitable to remove heavy metals from industrial effluents.

Caracterização química e física de vermicomposto e avaliação de sua capacidade em adsorver cobre e zinco

The physical and chemical characterization of vermicompost from bovine manure has been studied. It was examined the pH and cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), organic matter content, electric conductivity and elementary and XRD analyses, among other characteristics. The vermicompost was then applied to the retention and competition of metal micronutrients and pollutants (Cu and Zn) from metal nitrate solutions. The retention was affected by both the pH and adsorption time, while the competitive character of these metals for the substrate was relevant to each pH examined.

Preparation and evaluation of chitosan beads immobilized with Iron(III) for the removal of As(III) and As(V) from water

The crosslinked chitosan-Fe(III) (Ch-FeCL) adsorbent was developed using Fe(III) immobilized on chitosan beads. After drying, the beads presented a diameter of approximately 1 mm and are stable in air. The adsorption behavior of As(III) and As(V) on the Ch-FeCL was evaluated at pH 7 by studies conducted in batch and in columns. Maximum adsorption capacities estimated by the Langmuir adsorption model were 21.24 and 27.59 mg g-1 for As(III) and As(V), respectively. Adsorption kinetics is described by the pseudo second order kinetic equation. The results of column adsorption indicated that arsenic was not found in the effluent solution from roughly 60 and 759 bed volumes for As(III) and As(V), respectively. Results were satisfactory when employing the adsorbent for removal of As(III) and As(V) from groundwater, tap water and river water samples.

Caracterização química e física de turfa litorânea e avaliação da adsorção competitiva por cobre e zinco

The chemical and physical characterization of coastal peat has been studied. It was examined the pH, organic matter content and elementary and XRD analyses, among other characteristics. The peat was then applied to the retention and competition of metal micronutrients (Cu and Zn) from metal nitrate solutions. The retention was affected by both the pH and time of adsorption, while the competitive character of these metals for the substrate was relevant to each pH examined.

Remoção de cromo (VI) de soluções aquosas utilizando o compósito magnético calcinado hidrotalcita-óxido de ferro: estudo cinético e de equilíbrio termodinâmico

In this work, hydrotalcite, a layered double hydroxide, had its ion exchange properties combined with the magnetic properties of iron oxide to produce a magnetic adsorbent, HT-Fe 500. These magnetic composites can be used as adsorbents for anionic contaminants in water and subsequently removed from the medium by a simple magnetic process. Removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solutions using HT-Fe 500 was achieved using batch adsorption experiments. The adsorption capacity, calculated with the Langmuir-Freundlich model showed to be dependent on temperature, reaching values of 25.93 and 48.31 mg g-1, respectively, for temperatures of 25 and 30 oC.

Preparation and evaluation of magnetic chitosan particles modified with ethylenediamine and Fe(III) for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions

The adsorption of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution by magnetic particles of crosslinked chitosan-ethylenediamine-Fe(III) (MPCh-EDA-FeCL) was studied in a batch system. Fe3+ in the MPCh-EDA-FeCL permitted that adsorption of Cr(VI) occurred with maximum efficiency between pH 3 and 11. The maximum adsorption capacity at pH 7.0 was 81.04 mg g-1 at 25 oC. The adsorption kinetic process was described by the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters indicated spontaneous, exothermic and chemical adsorption nature. The adsorbent was successively regenerated using a 0.1 mol L-1 NaOH solution. Results were satisfactory for treatment of wastewater from the electroplating industry.

Adsorção de arsênio(V) pelo compósito magnético hidrotalcita: óxido de ferro

In this work, hydrotalcite, a layered double hydroxide, had its adsorption and ion exchange properties combined with the magnetic properties of iron oxide to produce a magnetic adsorbent, HT-Fe. The removal of As(V) by a HT-Fe adsorbent was evaluated under various conditions. The Kinetic process was well described by a pseudo-second order rate model. The maximum adsorption capacity, calculated with the Langmuir model showed to be dependent on pH, reaching values of 24.09, 10.19 and 7.44 mg g-1, respectively, for pH values of 4.0, 7.0 and 9.0. The inhibition by competition of anions is dependent on the type of ionic species.

Heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO2 for the oxidation of arsenic and its removal from water by coprecipitation with ferric sulfate

The oxidation of arsenic (As(III) to As(V)) in water samples was performed by heterogeneous photocatalysis using a TiO2 film immobilized inside a photochemical reactor. After oxidation, As(V) was removed from the water samples by coprecipitation with ferric sulfate. The final conditions of oxidation and arsenic removal (TiO2 film prepared with a suspension: 10% (w/v); pH: 7.0; oxidation time: 30 min and Fe3+ concentration: 50 mg L-1) were applied in natural water samples which were supplemented with 1.0 mg L-1 of As(III) to verify the influence of the matrix. After treatment, more than 99% of arsenic was removed from the water.