Valter Antonio Becegato

Concentration of radioactive elements (U, Th and K) derived from phosphatic fertilizers in cultivated soils

ABSTRACT Gamma spectrometric measurements were obtained for the agricultural soils aiming at characterizing the spatial distribution of radionuclide concentrations (K, eU and eTh), as well for the samples of phosphatic fertilizers and agricultural gypsum. In the study areas, three types of soils occured: Eutrophic Red Nitosol (Alfisoil), Eutroferric Red Latosol of clayey texture (Oxisoil) and Dystrophic Red Latosol of medium texture (Oxisoil). The results showed that the radionuclide concentrations in more clayey soils were higher than in more sandy soils, mainly as a function of a higher adsorption capacity of the former. For the area where human activity predominated, the average contents of K, eU and eTh were respectively 54.75; 10.22 and 7.27 Bq/Kg, significantly higher than those for the area where no fertilizers were used (34.15 Bq/Kg K; 1.69 Bq/Kg eU, and 5.36 Bq/Kg eTh). Variations in the radionuclide concentrations were also observed in various fertilizer formula used in soybean and wheat crops. Key words : Gamma-rays spectrometry, soils, fertilizers

Gamma-ray spectrometry sensor and geochemical prospecting in an area of sugar cane plantation

ABSTRACT In this study the K, U and Th radionuclide concentrations were determined in a sugar cane plantation that received large quantities of fertilizer and gypsum. Geochemical data were obtained for the clay, iron and organic matter in the soil samples, taken from depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm. The average radionuclide concentrations were 71 Bq Kg -1 for K; 5.97 Bq Kg -1 for U, and 11.26 Bq Kg -1 for Th, and the uranium was variable (56%). The radionuclide average concentrations for the different fertilizer compositions varied in the range of 603.5 - 8855.0 Bq Kg -1 for K; 27.3 - 684.4 Bq Kg -1 for U, and 58 - 788.5 Bq Kg for Th, and it was most variable for K (53%). Gypsum average concentrations were 82.6 Bq Kg -1 for K, 641.5 Bq Kg for U, and 201.7 Bq Kg for Th, and it was most variable for K (46%). Average organic matter, clay and iron concentrations for both the depths were 0.71 and 0.68 %; 16.2 and 16.9 %, and 29.0 and 26.8 mg/l respectively. Key words : Fertilizers, soils, radionuclides, gamma-ray spectrometry

Anthropic influence in the water quality of the river basin that supplies the Pato Branco Municipality-PR

The Pato Branco river basin, which supplies water to Pato Branco city (70,000 inhabitants) in southwestern Parana State, was monitored during two hydrological cycles, totaling 22 campaigns at two monitoring stations on the Conrado river: the Conrado station upstream (RC01) and the Conrado station downstream (RC02). The main characteristics of the basin here: area - 29.69 km2, length - 9,300 m, height difference - 170 m, declivity - 18.62 m km-1, and concentration time - 102 min. Physico-chemical variables were analyzed, using samples collected after a minimum three-day period without rain. The data set comprising seven variables yielded the following averages respectively for monitoring stations RC01 and RC02: variables that characterized the organic matter: BOD5 (5.2 - 4.31mg L-1 O2) and COD (11.04 - 11.2 L-1 O2), and variables that characterized the eutrophication processes: ammoniacal N (0.16 - 0.09 mg L-1 N); nitrate (0.67 - 0.78 mg L-1 N); nitrite (0.06 - 0.029 mg L-1 N); total N (0.48 - 0.33 mg L-1 N), and total phosphorous (0.13 - 0.07 mg L-1). The lowest and the highest variation coefficients for data downstream and upstream corresponded to: nitrate and nitrite (46.1 and 166%); phosphorous and nitrite (56.8 and 229.6%).

CONCENTRAÇÃO DE SEDIMENTOS EM SUSPENSÃO: Reservatório de Cachoeira Dourada - GO/MG, Brasil

The determination of the sediments in suspension concentration (CSS) in the Cachoeira Dourada Hydreletric Plant’s reservoir, was realized in two periods, the first in June 2003 and the other in February 2005. The humid and dry periods’ referred CSS showed the predominance of values up to 10 mg/l. However, in the Araras and Corgao rivers mounths, the concentration values reached more than 10 mg/l, like those ones between Corgao and Flecha rivers, which values reached 15 mg/l. The water visibility index (SEC) between Corgao dam and its stream presented values with amplitudes between 100-120 cm and 80-100 cm in the humid and dry periods, respectively. The minor values (CSS and SEC) to the stretch located between Candango and Patos streams can be related to the transverse section’s increase, out flowing’s speed reduction and to the existence of accumulations of water macrophytes.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE EFLUENTES GERADOS NO PROCESSO AGROINDUSTRIAL – CASO DA INDÚSTRIA FRIGORÍFICA

POLLINATOR FORAGING STRATEGY IN Galactia peduncularis (BENTH.) TAUB. (LEGUMINOSAE: PAPILIONOIDEA) IN THE PARQUE ESTADUAL DA SERRA DE CALDAS NOVAS BRAZIL The way the animals look for food is an important characteristic of their behavior. The optimal foraging theory is based on the existence of a balance between costs and benefits of these behavioral decisions. The present study aimed to evaluate the behavior of the pollinator in response to increased availability of floral resources. The experiment was conducted in a recently burned Cerrado area (Campo rupestre) in the State Park of Serra de Caldas Novas , located in the municipalities of Caldas Novas and Rio Quente Brazil. The species chosen to test our hypothesis was Galactia peduncularis (Benth.) Taub. (Leguminosae: Papilionoidea). 17 pairs of specimens were selected with a number of flowers, and the individuals of each pair were spaced by about 2m. In these pairs, one of them was considered the focal, and the other, the isolated. To test possible differences in pollination between isolated plants and focus, we performed two randomization tests: a test binary (TB), where all pairs were analyzed and verified the number of times where the focus on the individual floral visits were higher than the number of visits in isolated. According to the data analyzed, floral visitors preferred to use plants that could provide a greater amount of floral resources so that the number of visitors varied positively with the increment of flowers. Plants with many flowers can provide a greater amount of food in one location so that visitors do not need to flower around for long distances in search of meeting their energy needs.

Avaliação do estado de assoreamento do reservatório de Cachoeira Dourada (GO/MG)

This research analyzed the degree of sedimentation in Cachoeira Dourada reservoir Brazil, belonging to the Paranaiba hydrologic catchment basin. Were evaluated bottom sediments of the lake, in an area of 74 km2. Were considered particle and bathymetric parameters. The results, presented on the maps, showed the distribution of the particles chacteristics and allowed to estimate the volume of sediments. The bottom deposits are essentially constituted of silt and clay in the portion near the dike; of fine and very fine sandy material in the middle sector of the reservoir and, in the beginning of the reservoir, we have since silt just large sand. By comparison of topographic data, since the construction of the reservoir, with present measured bathymetric data, the Cachoeira Dourada reservoir lost 38.5 % of its original storing capacity. The expected reservoir useful life, estimated in this research, is of about 145 years, following this deposition rhythm.

Correction to: Adsorption and removal of chromium (VI) contained in aqueous solutions using a chitosan-based hydrogel

The original publication of this paper contains an error. The correct 4th heading in Table 1 should be “Non-linear sips isotherm”. The original article has been corrected.

Environmental Characteristics and Water Quality of a Drainage Basin Impacted by Human Activities

The aim of the present study was to determine the environmental characteristics and water quality of a drainage basin impacted by human activities in order to obtain quantitative information for helping the development of environmental management politics of soils, lakes, rivers and water resources. Physicochemical properties and concentrations of metals were determined in different water samples. Dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, color, ammonia, phosphorus, phenol, copper, silver, lead, cadmium and iron differed from levels considered acceptable by international regulations, indicating potential environmental pollution due to land occupation and the improper disposal of domestic, industrial and agricultural waste. The leaching of pollutants from the soil to bodies of water was also found. Total dissolved solids, salinity, suspended solids, nitrate, nitrite and zinc levels were lower than the limits imposed by international regulations, but have been increasing over time. Urbanization, industrialization and agricultural processes in drainage basins significantly affect the natural characteristics of the environment, leading to an increase in the concentrations of pollutants and a reduction in the quality of water, plants and soils. As pollutants in drainage basins generally enter into soils, rivers, lakes and ocean, it is necessary to obtain quantitative information about the human impacts in the water quality for developing environmental management politics aiming to preserve the water resources.

ETAPAS DO LICENCIAMENTO AMBIENTAL CORRETIVO DE UMA INDÚSTRIA DE PORTAS DE MADEIRA

Este trabalho descreve as atividades desenvolvidas por uma empresa de Consultoria Ambiental com enfoque no Licenciamento Ambiental Corretivo de uma industria de portas de madeira, situada no municipio de Presidente Getulio - SC. A industria se encontra em atividade desde 1986, e ate hoje sem o devido licenciamento. Apos ser autuada com uma multa aplicada pelo orgao ambiental estadual (FATMA), a empresa procurou de imediato se adequar quanto as normas aplicaveis ao licenciamento e assim continuar suas atividades em conformidade com o ordenamento juridico ambiental. Desta forma, faz-se aqui uma abordagem com os principais pontos criticos confirmados em vistoria, apresentando as mudancas necessarias e o os procedimentos tecnicos administrativos do licenciamento em questao. Tambem sao descritos os procedimentos necessarios para obtencao da Certidao de Conformidade Ambiental junto a prefeitura.

GESTÃO DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS DO ATERRO SANITÁRIO NO MUNICÍPIO DE LAGES -SC

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o atual sistema de gestao dos residuos solidos no municipio de Lages -SC. Efetuaram-se visitas periodicas ao Aterro Sanitario Municipal, reunioes para propor medidas de melhorias na coleta seletiva de residuos solidos e palestras sobre a importância da coleta seletiva em escolas municipais e estaduais. A gestao dos residuos solidos do municipio apresenta deficiencias que acarretam em oneracao para a Prefeitura Municipal, ocorrendo diretamente por meio de servicos e mao de obra, ou indiretamente por meio de danos ao meio ambiente e a saude da populacao. Nesse contexto e de grande importância a existencia de uma coleta seletiva eficiente no municipio, juntamente com a educacao ambiental em todas as faixas etarias.