Eduardo Pavan Korf

The Environmental Sustainability of Brazilian Universities: Barriers and Pre-conditions

The aim of this paper is to discuss the application of sustainability in Brazilian universities, emphasizing the preconditions for implementation and the barriers and difficulties for its application. The methodology approach is based in a theoretical background and on the gathering of empirical evidence. Due to the scope of the study and the nature of the methodological approach, the survey, by no means, can be regarded as representative. However, since it is combined with the review of the literature, it builds a rough profile of the status of the sustainability in Brazilian universities. Larger studies can be undertaken at a later stage, provided that the necessary staff time and funding are available. The results indicate positive experiences and opportunities; risks, threats and obstacles; creativity and new solutions for Brazilian universities. This paper will be useful to academics and researchers interested in the topic of sustainability in higher education institutions in Brazil and other developing countries.

RETENÇÃO DE METAIS EM SOLO DA ANTIGA ÁREA DE DISPOSIÇÃO DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS URBANOS DE PASSO FUNDO - RS

A crescente contaminacao de solos e aguas subterrâneas pelos residuos solidos produzidos diariamente nas cidades ascende a necessidade de estudos que elaborem diagnosticos capazes de determinar a retencao desses contaminantes no solo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterizacao de metais no solo e a investigacao da capacidade de retencao de metais em um solo de uma antiga area de disposicao de residuos solidos urbanos na cidade de Passo Fundo, RS. A caracterizacao dos metais foi realizada atraves do metodo de extracao por digestao e analise em espectrofotometro de absorcao atomica. Dois ensaios de coluna foram realizados para simular o fluxo dos contaminantes por um solo original e nao-contaminado da area, sobre o qual foi realizada disposicao do lixo. Os metais analisados foram: Cromo, Zinco, Cobre e Manganes. Um lixiviado artificial, com concentracoes de metais inseridas, foi percolado pelo solo. A retencao de metais no solo original do aterro foi relevante, sendo maior para os metais Cobre, Cromo e Zinco. Apenas o Manganes atingiu o limite de retencao. Portanto, o solo natural da area possui alta capacidade de remediar estes metais. Palavras-chave: residuos solidos; retencao; ensaio de coluna. ABSTRACT Metals retention in soil of ancient area of disposal of urban solid waste in Passo Fundo – RS. The crescent soil contamination by urban solid waste (USW) denotes the necessity to find a solution to determine the soils attenuation capacity. The aim of this paper is the characterization of metal soil and metals natural attenuation capacity in a soil from one ancient disposal site of USW in Passo Fundo city, located in the south of Brazil. The characterization of metals was realized using the method of extraction by digestion and analysis in atomic absorption spectrometer. Two column tests were carried out to stimulate the flux of contaminants by na original and non-contaminated soil of the area. The metals analyzed in this work were: Chromium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese. An artificial leaching, with concentrations of metals, was used in soil percolation. The metals attenuation in the soil was relevant and it was higher for Copper, Chromium, and Zinc. Only Manganese reached the limit of attenuation. Thus, the natural soil has high capacity to mitigate these metals. Key words: solid waste, attenuation, columns test

Passive samplers for air quality monitoring in a Brazilian university

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the applicability of passive samplers for the monitoring and diagnosis of air pollution at Passo Fundo University, focusing on atmospheric pollutants NO2 and O3. The samplers were built in accordance with already verified methodologies and were placed in several locations in the university campus, namely: energy generator, pool heating boiler, entrance porch, an exhaustion chamber and a place with less anthropic influence to represent the blank. Higher concentrations of pollutants were encountered in the samplers located near the energy generator, followed by the ones in the boiler. Nevertheless, all the results were pursuant to the Brazilian legislation for air quality. The cost of these samplers was also considered and was regarded as viable for academic use and as a first step in air quality control.

Competitive Sorption of Metallic Species under Different pH in a Residual Clayey Soil

AbstractSoil contamination by toxic metals is a major environmental issue, mainly due to inadequate methods of waste disposal and accidental spills. Studies on fate and transport of contaminants he...

Quality Air Monitoring in a Brazilian University: The Use of Passive Samplers

The aim of this paper is to monitor the air pollution at Campus I of Passo Fundo University, south Brazil, focusing on atmospheric pollutants SOx, NO2 and O3. To monitor the air quality we used passive samplers placed in several locations in the university campus, namely: energy generator, pool heating boiler, entrance porch, an exhaustion chamber and a place with less anthropic influence to represent the blank. The monitoring period went monthly from July 2012 to March 2014. After monitoring the sample’s membranes with absorbing solutions were analysed in the laboratory, by analytical methods specific for each gas. The results obtained for NO2, O3 e SOx from all monitoring sites varied between 0.11–8.20, 0.66–9.50 and 0–1594 µg/m3, respectively. The results of the various monitoring locations on campus were, with the exception of SOx, below those recommended by the legislation. It was also observed that the energy generator was the site where pollution was highest. Thus, it is recommended that combustion gases are treated before they are discharged into the atmosphere. Finally, by showing a case study, this paper emphasizes the importance of monitoring the environmental aspects from the different activities in the university campus.

DIRETRIZES PARA ELABORAÇÃO DE PROGRAMAS DE GERENCIAMENTO DE RISCOS DE ACIDENTES AMBIENTAIS E OCUPACIONAIS (PGR) PARA APLICAÇÃO EM INSTALAÇÕES INDUSTRIAIS

O objetivo do trabalho foi apresentar diretrizes para elaboracao de programas de gerenciamento de riscos de acidentes ambientais e ocupacionais (PGR) para aplicacao em instalacoes industriais. As diretrizes apresentadas em um PGR abrangem o estudo de analise de risco, o plano de prevencao de risco, o plano de acao em emergencias (PAE) e o plano de monitoramento ocupacional. O PGR constitui uma ferramenta indispensavel para instalacoes que visem a implantacao de sistemas de gestao integrada, bem como a certificacao e o reconhecimento internacional. Alem disso, a metodologia desenvolvida e vantajosa para aquelas instalacoes em que os riscos envolvidos sao pouco conhecidos e as informacoes disponiveis sao escassas.

AVALIAÇÃO DO PROCESSO EROSIVO EM ÁREA DEGRADADA POR EMPRÉSTIMO DE SOLO COM A INTRODUÇÃO DE Paspalum notatum

A construcao de empreendimentos de grande porte necessita, na maioria das vezes, do emprestimo de solo de outras regioes. As areas de emprestimo sofrem problemas de degradacao, devido a remocao da cobertura vegetal e extracao do solo, podendo causar fenomenos erosivos. O trabalho avaliou os efeitos da introducao de cobertura vegetal na reducao do processo erosivo em um Nitossolo Haplico de uma area degradada. O estudo aconteceu no canteiro de obras do Aproveitamento Hidreletrico Barra Grande, localizado no municipio de Anita Garibaldi (SC), no rio Pelotas. Foram escolhidas duas areas de estudo. Na primeira (A1) foram realizados dois testes e na segunda (A2) apenas um teste. Cada teste foi realizado em um espaco isolado de 2 x 3 metros e em cada um deles foram adotados dois tratamentos com a introducao da especie Paspalum notatum em 0 % (T1) e 100 % (T2) da area. Em cada parcela, apos as precipitacoes, o material carreado foi enviado para laboratorio para analise granulometrica e quantificacao de massa perdida. A perda de solo para o tratamento 2 (T2) foi 23 vezes menor que o tratamento 1 (T1). O coeficiente de erodibilidade medio foi de 0,23. O estudo permitiu concluir que a introducao da especie Paspalum notatum reduziu consideravelmente o potencial erosivo do solo. Palavras-chave: areas de emprestimo de solo; degradacao; recuperacao ambiental; construcao de barragem ABSTRACT Evaluation of the erosive process in a degraded area by soil extraction with the Paspalum notatum introduction. Large-scale construction usually needs the loan of soil from different deposits. The loan areas suffer problems of degradation due to the removal of vegetable cover and soil extraction that can cause erosive phenomena. This work evaluated the effects of the vegetable cover introduction on the erosive phenomena reduction in a degraded area with Nitosoil. The study was developed in the construction place of the Barra Grande Dam, located in south Brazil at the Pelotas River. Two degraded areas were used in this research. In the first one (A1), two tests were carried out and in the second one (A2) only one test was carried out. Each test was carried out in an isolated space with 2 x 3 m. In each area two treatments had been adopted, one with Paspalum notatum introduction in 100% of the area and the other one without vegetable cover. After each rain period the soil carried by water was collected and taken to the laboratory for grain size analyses and mass quantification. The soil loss in the area with Paspalum notatum cover was 23 times lower than in the area without vegetable cover. The mean erodibility index for the studied soil was 0.23. The study permitted to conclude that the Paspalum notatum introduction reduced considerably the erosive potential in nitosoil. Key words : soil deposit areas, degradation, environmental impact, dam construction