Rubens M. Kautzmann

Chemical composition and minerals in pyrite ash of an abandoned sulphuric acid production plant.

The extraction of sulphur produces a hematite-rich waste, known as roasted pyrite ash, which contains significant amounts of environmentally sensitive elements in variable concentrations and modes of occurrence. Whilst the mineralogy of roasted pyrite ash associated with iron or copper mining has been studied, as this is the main source of sulphur worldwide, the mineralogy, and more importantly, the characterization of submicron, ultrafine and nanoparticles, in coal-derived roasted pyrite ash remain to be resolved. In this work we provide essential data on the chemical composition and nanomineralogical assemblage of roasted pyrite ash. XRD, HR-TEM and FE-SEM were used to identify a large variety of minerals of anthropogenic origin. These phases result from highly complex chemical reactions occurring during the processing of coal pyrite of southern Brazil for sulphur extraction and further manufacture of sulphuric acid. Iron-rich submicron, ultrafine and nanoparticles within the ash may contain high proportions of toxic elements such as As, Se, U, among others. A number of elements, such as As, Cr, Cu, Co, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, Zn, and Zr, were found to be present in individual nanoparticles and submicron, ultrafine and nanominerals (e.g. oxides, sulphates, clays) in concentrations of up to 5%. The study of nanominerals in roasted pyrite ash from coal rejects is important to develop an understanding on the nature of this by-product, and to assess the interaction between emitted nanominerals, ultra-fine particles, and atmospheric gases, rain or body fluids, and thus to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of pyrite ash materials.

Direct identification of hazardous elements in ultra-fine and nanominerals from coal fly ash produced during diesel co-firing

This study has provided an initial assessment of the environmental impacts and potential health effects associated with coal fly ash produced during diesel co-firing. Many hazardous elements that are typically detected by multifaceted chemical characterization by XRD, petrology, FE-SEM/EDS, and HR-TEM/SEAD/FFT/EDS in ultra-fine compounds and nanominerals from the co-fired coal fly ashes (CFAs). It provided an in-depth understanding of coal ash produced during diesel co-firing. Several of the neoformed ultra-fine compounds and nano-minerals found in the coal ashes are the same as those commonly associated with oxidation/transformation of aluminosilicates, carbonates, sulphides and phosphates.

Assessment of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM1 near an area of heavy-duty traffic

The objective of this research was to evaluate nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) associated with ultrafine airborne particles (PM1) in areas affected by vehicles in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre (MAPA), RS, Brazil. Extraction, isolation/derivatization, and subsequently gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD) were the techniques used to extract and determine NPAHs (1-nitronaphthalene, 2-nitrofluorene,3-nitrofluoranthene,1-nitropyrene, and 6-nitrochrysene) associated with PM1 Airborne particles (PM1) were collected using PTFE filters in a PM162M automatic sampler. The analytical method was validated by the Standard Reference Material - SRM 1649 b - from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA). The results were consistent with the certified values. 3-NFlt and 6-NChr reached highest concentrations of 0.047 ng·m(-3) and 0.0284 ng·m(-3), respectively, in Sapucaia do Sul and Canoas. Seasonal variation showed higher NPAH concentrations in cold days. The NPAHs associated with PM1 were correlated with the pollutants nitrogen oxides and NPAHs with meteorological variables: temperature and wind speed. The results indicated that vehicles with diesel engines were influential. This was confirmed by the study of the ratios NPAHs/PAHs, 1-NPyr/Pyr, and 6-NChr/Chr.

A preliminary evaluation of volcanic rock powder for application in agriculture as soil a remineralizer.

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of volcanic rock residue, from a crushing plant in the Nova Prata Mining District, State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, in this work named rock powder, were investigated in view of its potential application as soil ammendment in agriculture. Abaut 52,400 m(3) of mining waste is generated annually in the city of Nova Prata without a proper disposal. The nutrients potentially available to plants were evaluated through leaching laboratory tests. Nutrient leaching tests were performed in Milli-Q water; citric acid solution 1% and 2% (AC); and oxalic acid solution 1% and 5% (AO). The bulk and leachable contents of 57 elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Mining waste were made up by CaO, K2O, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, and P2O5. The analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the major occurence of quartz, anorthite, cristobalite, sanidine, and augite. The water leachable concentrations of all elements studied were lower than 1.0mg/kg, indicating their low solubility. Leaching tests in acidic media yield larger leachable fractions for all elements being studied are in the leachate of the AO 1%. These date usefulness of volcanic rock powder as potential natural fertilizer in agriculture in the mining district in Nova Prata, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.

Nano-mineralogy of suspended sediment during the beginning of coal rejects spill.

Ultrafine and nanometric sediment inputs into river systems can be a major source of nutrients and hazardous elements and have a strong impact on water quality and ecosystem functions of rivers and lakes regions. However, little is known to date about the spatial distribution of sediment sources in most large scale river basins in South America. The objective of this work was to study the coal cleaning rejects (CCRs) spill that occurred from a CCRs impoundment pond into the Tubarão River, South Brazil, provided a unique occasion to study the importance and role of incidental nanoparticles associated with pollutant dispersal from a large-scale, acute aquatic pollution event. Multifaceted geochemical research by X-ray diffraction (XRD), High Resolution-Transmission Electron microscopy (HR-TEM)/(Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) EDS/(selected-area diffraction pattern) SAED, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM)/EDS, and Raman spectroscopy, provided an in-depth understanding of importance of a nano-mineralogy approach of Aqueous Pollution Scenarios. The electron beam studies showed the presence of a number of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) in nanoparticles (amorphous and minerals). Some of the neoformed ultrafine/nanoparticles found in the contaminated sediments are the same as those commonly associated with oxidation/transformation of oxides, silicates, sulfides, and sulfates. These data of the secondary ultra/nanoparticles, puts in evidence their ability to control the mobility of PHEs, suggesting possible presentations in environmental technology, including recuperation of sensitive coal mine. The developed methodology facilitated the sediment transport of the catchment providing consistent results and suggesting its usefulness as a tool for temporary rivers management.

Modification, adsorption, and geochemistry processes on altered minerals and amorphous phases on the nanometer scale: examples from copper mining refuse, Touro, Spain

The sulfide oxidation and precipitation of Al-Fe-secondary minerals associated with abandoned acid mine drainage (AMD) from the abandoned copper mine waste pile at Touro, Spain, has been studied by sequential extraction (SE) combined with several techniques with the intent of understanding the role of these processes play in the natural attenuation of hazardous element contaminants in the AMD. In addition, the fragile nature of nanominerals and ultrafine particle (UFP) assemblages from contaminated sediment systems from the abandoned copper mine required novel techniques and experimental approaches. The investigation of the geochemistry of complex nanominerals and UFP assemblages was a prerequisite to accurately assess the environmental and human health risks of contaminants and cost-effective chemical and biogeological remediation strategies. Particular emphasis was placed on the study and characterization of the complex mixed nanominerals and UFP containing potentially toxic elements. Nanometer-sized phases in sediments were characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images. The identification of the geochemical and mineralogical composition of AMD in Touro, as well as the different formation mechanisms proposed, complement the existing literature on secondary mineral assemblages and provide new emphasis to increase the understanding of extreme environments. The results also demonstrated that variations in the geochemical fractionation of hazardous elements in AMD were more influenced by the secondary mineral proportion and by AMD pH.

The properties of the nano-minerals and hazardous elements: Potential environmental impacts of Brazilian coal waste fire

Brazilian coal area (South Brazil) impacted the environment by means of a large number of coal waste piles emplaced over the old mine sites and the adjacent areas of the Criciúma, Urussanga, and Siderópolis cities. The area studied here was abandoned and after almost 30 years (smokeless visual) some companies use the actual minerals derived from burning coal cleaning rejects (BCCRs) complied in the mentioned area for industry tiles or refractory bricks. Mineralogical and geochemical similarities between the BCCRs and non-anthropogenic geological environments are outlined here. Although no visible flames were observed, this study revealed that auto-combustion existed in the studied area for many years. The presence of amorphous phases, mullite, hematite and other Fe-minerals formed by high temperature was found. There is also pyrite, Fe-sulphates (eg. jarosite) and unburnt coal present, which are useful for comparison purposes. Bad disposal of coal-dump wastes represents significant environmental concerns due to their potential influence on atmosphere, river sediments, soils and as well as on the surface and groundwater in the surroundings of these areas. The present study using advanced analytical techniques were performed to provide an improved understanding of the complex processes related with sulphide-rich coal waste oxidation, spontaneous combustion and mineral formation. It is reporting huge numbers of rare minerals with alunite, montmorillonite, szomolnokite, halotrichite, coquimbite and copiapite at the BCCRs. The data showed the presence of abundant amorphous Si-Al-Fe-Ti as (oxy-)hydroxides and Fe-hydro/oxides with goethite and hematite with various degrees of crystallinity, containing hazardous elements, such as Cu, Cr, Hf, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Pb, Th, U, Zr, and others. By Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the mineralogical composition was related with the range of elemental concentration of each sample. Most of the nano-minerals and ultra-fine particles found in the burned coal-dump wastes are the same as those commonly associated with coal cleaning rejects, in which oxidation of sulphides plays an important role to environment and human health.

A educação ambiental (EA) na universidade e na empresa

E proposto, neste artigo, o estudo da Educacao Ambiental (EA) e a discussao de seus objetivos e metodos no ambiente academico da Universidade e sua aplicacao do conhecimento no labor antropico da nossa sociedade. Realizou-se a leitura dos principais autores, que se dedicam a EA, e quais suas abordagens sobre o tema proposto neste trabalho. Como uma primeira visao do tema, se trouxe a contextualizacao historica, com foco no Brasil, os principais encontros internacionais e nacionais e a evolucao dos conceitos sobre a EA, que dao corpo a este instrumento de gestao ambiental, mas que ainda busca a internalizacao no atual modelo de civilizacao. Apresenta-se, a seguir, os fundamentos da EA: principios, objetivos e finalidades, e seus aspectos eticos, importantes para avaliarmos e analisarmos as acoes de EA. Apos estabelecido o entendimento da EA, mostra-se e discuti-se a EA como instrumento de aprendizagem, de promocao e de pratica da EA, na universidade e na empresa, e seus reflexos na Gestao Ambiental Sistemica. Este estudo coloca, mais uma vez, a importância da EA como instrumento fundamental da Gestao Ambiental e mostra o muito que o tema deve ser abordado nos ambientes da universidade e da empresa. Palavras-chave: Educacao Ambiental; gestao ambiental sistemica; universidade, Empresa ABSTRACT Environmental education in the university and business. It is proposed in this paper the study of environmental education (EE) and discussing their goals and methods in the academic environment of the University and its application of knowledge in the anthropic work of our society. The reading was conducted about first authors who have devoted their thoughts on the EE and what their approaches to the topic discussed in this work. Initially it is contextualized the history, primarily in Brazil, the main national and international meetings and the evolution of concepts on the EE, which are also foundations of environmental management, and need to be internalized to the current model of civilization. The following presents the fundamentals of EE: principles, goals and objectives, and its ethical aspects, important to assess and analyze the actions of EE. After establishing the understanding of the EE, it is discussed as tool for learning, promotion and practice in the university and its effects on business and environmental management. This study show again the importance of EE as a fundamental instrument of systemic environmental management, and that the topic should be approached in the university and business environments. Key words: Environmental Education, systemic environmental management, university, business

FILTRO ANAERÓBIO: USO DE RESÍDUOS DE CONSTRUÇÃO COMO MATERIAL SUPORTE.

O trabalho avalia o desempenho de residuos da construcao civil como cerâmica vermelha e cimenticios (argamassa) para o enchimento de filtro anaerobio. A pesquisa foi realizada em escala de laboratorio utilizando filtros ascendentes com capacidade de 730 ml. Os materiais suporte testados foram os seguintes: brita (material padrao), residuo de cerâmica vermelha, e este misturado com material cimenticio. A agua a ser tratada foi coletada na etapa intermediaria de uma estacao de tratamento. Os filtros foram alimentados de forma continua e por gravidade, com a vazao de alimentacao controlada atraves do gotejamento. Os materiais empregados foram caracterizados quanto a granulometria, absorcao de agua e detencao hidraulica. A eficiencia de filtragem dos materiais foi avaliada mediante parâmetro de DQO (demanda quimica de oxigenio). Os resultados mostraram eficiencias compativeis e pouco superiores a da brita. A utilizacao desses residuos justifica-se principalmente pela facilidade, disponibilidade e quantidade e valor em relacao a brita. Palavras-chave: filtro anaerobio; material suporte; residuo de construcao. ABSTRACT Anaerobic treatment: use with filter of recycle material from construction. The work, proposes to evaluate the accomplishment of residues generated by civil construction, such as: ceramics and cement, as a support material of biofilm in the anaerobe filtration. The research is utilizing models of anaerobe filters with a capacity of 730ml. In one of the filters will be used a pattern material (mineral rock crunching) that will serve as a comparative element on the efficiency of the other filters. The filters are fed in a continuous way and by gravity. The materials used were characterized: size and water absorption and hydraulic detention. The efficiency of the materials will be measured through the variability of the parameters: CDO (Chemical demand of oxygen). The utilization of these residuals is supported mostly by the easiness, availability, quantity and quality related to the aggregate of rock. Key words: anaerobe filters, support material of biofilm, civil construction

A filosofia da natureza e educação ambiental: uma reflexão crítica na busca de uma direção ética

This article presents some critical reflections on the Western philosophy, with the purpose of demonstrating how our civilization, as from the empiricism represented by the experimental science and by the denying of the tradition proposed by the philosophy in the 16 th