José Luiz Pereira

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.

Contaminação por crômio de águas de rios proveniente de curtumes em Minas Gerais

In order to evaluate the chromium contamination from tannery discharges into rivers in the State of Minas Gerais, samples of water and suspended material were collected and submitted to chemical analysis. The total content of chromium in the samples was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Water samples were analysed by standard addition method, while chromium concentration in suspended materials was determined by calibration curves. Localities investigated were Ipatinga, Matias Barbosa, Dores de Campo, Ressaquinha, Uba and Juiz de Fora. Samples from a not-industrialized area were also analysed to obtain regional background values. Metal inputs were related to effluent discharges into the rivers. Suspended material transported Cr downriver. Chromium concentration in river water exceeded 656 times the value of the Brazilian Environmental Standards, while its concentration in suspended material ranged from 15 to 11066 µg g-1.

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.

Evaluation of metal concentrations in edible vegetables grown in compost amended soil

Agricultural uses of compost usually have a positive effect on the yield of vegetable crops for human consumption. However, compost that contains heavy metals can transfer these components to soils and plants. To evaluate the contamination levels of metals in soil, compost, and edible vegetables, the Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Ni total contents were measured. Metal availability in soils, as well as other variables – the pH, CEC (cation exchange capacity), total nitrogen, organic carbon, particle size distribution and mineralogy of the clay fraction – were examined in the soil samples. The analysed compost samples were produced from urban solid waste, cattle manure, and edible vegetable and tree pruning residues. The values of pH, CEC, total nitrogen, organic matter, exchangeable hydrogen and carboxylic groups were measured in the compost samples. Of the six metals examined in the soils, in general, Mn and Zn attained the highest concentrations, followed by Cu. Relatively high Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations were found in the soils. Metal concentrations extracted with DTPA were below the critical levels in soils, i.e. the levels above which toxicity is likely. In general, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni concentrations in compost were lower than those reported by other workers, while Mn levels were within the range for this metal in compost. The results showed that there was an effect of the vegetable type (p < 0.01) for all the parameters examined. High Pb concentrations were found in lettuce and chive as compared with the tolerance limit for this metal in fresh vegetables in Brazil. Cadmium concentrations were also enhanced in the fresh vegetables compared with the typical concentrations of metals in plants. Zinc, Cu, Cd, and Ni concentrations were lower than the tolerance limits established for foods by the Brazilian legislation.

Metal contamination of river waters and sediments from effluents of kaolin processing in Brazil

In order to evaluate the metal contamination from kaolin industry discharges into rivers in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, samples of river water and fluvial sediment were collected up- and down-river from the industries and analysed todetect metal inputs. The metal examined included zinc, iron, andaluminium among others, being selected due to their toxicity andoccurence in waste waters. Metal inputs in the samples analysed appeared to be related to effluent discharges into the rivers. The river water showed high concentrations (in μg mL-1) of Zn (355), Fe (354) and Al (303). Sediment investigations indicated heavy enrichment (SEF = 9.4) for Zn. The Geoaccumulation Index for this element accounted for 3 (moderately to heavy polluted). River water pH of the sample collected near the effluent discharge site reached 3.7, suggesting inadequate treatment.

Influence of domestic and industrial waste discharges on water quality at Minas Gerais State, Brazil

The aquatic contamination from kaolin processing plants, as well as from untreated or inadequately treated municipal sewage, was evaluated in the Uba Stream and Vermelho Stream, at the Minas Gerais State, Brazil. With this purpose, samples of water, suspended material and vegetation were collected and analysed. The analyses involved the determination of the concentration of metals, nitrite, nitrate, chloride, phosphate, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand. The suspended material showed high concentrations (in mg kg-1) of Zn (2,400) and Fe (14,900), while the vegetation collected closed to the streams was heavily contaminated with Al (7,120). The concentrations of nitrite, nitrate and chloride in stream water were lower than the maximum values established by the Brazilian Environmental Standards. The phosphate and biochemical oxygen demand values exceeded 7 and 3 times respectively, the maximum concentrations for superficial water of satisfactory quality.

Effects of composted urban solid waste addition on yield and metal contents of lettuce

A study was performed to evaluate Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ni and Zn accumulations in lettuce grown in an oxisol amended with composted urban solid wastes collected in Brazil from a big city (Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro State) and from a small city (Coimbra, Minas Gerais State). The compost samples were applied to the soil at increasing doses and different times of contact between compost and soil. The influence of the metals on the fresh and dry matter yield of leaves was also examined. Lettuce yield enhanced when the doses of the composts were increased and maximum yield was achieved in the cropping time between 15 and 20 days. The metal concentrations in the leaves augmented with the increase of the applied compost and with the increase of the time of contact between compost and soil. However, metal concentrations in the plant were below the maximum limits allowable by the food Brazilian legislation. The application of the compost from the smaller city resulted in increased lettuce productivity and lowest metal concentrations in the plants as compared to the results of the application of the compost from the bigger city.

Effects of Kaolin Processing Plants on the Water Quality of Streams in Brazil

Brazil is the second largest kaolin producer in the world (reserves of 14%). The discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater from such kind of industry may be harmful to the aquatic ecosystem and human population. Although attention has been intensively focused on the metal contamination of aquatic systems from several pollution sources, there is a world-wide lack of information concerning effluent emissions from kaolin processing plants. Consequently, the significance of metal discharges into stream waters in altering water quality is still unknown. Thus, with the purpose of establishing a preliminary report to trace out industrialisation outcomes at the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which are due to kaolin processing plants, samples of stream water and fluvial sediment were collected and analysed to detect metal inputs. The metal examined were Zn, Fe, and Al among others, being selected due to their toxicity and occurrence in wastewater. Metal inputs in the samples analysed appeared to be related to effluent discharges into the streams. High concentrations of metals were found in samples when compared with controls. The stream water showed elevated concentrations (in µg L m 1 ) of Zn (6840), Fe (9700) and Al (5090). The Sediment Enrichment Factors (SEF) investigations indicated heavy enrichment for Zn (SEF = 18.3). The Geoaccumulation Index for this element in sediments accounted for 4 (heavy polluted). The pH and conductivity levels of the stream water samples were also evaluated and are far from those set by the Brazilian Environmental Standards.