RESUMO Óxidos de ferro recuperados da drenagem ácida de minas representam uma matéria-prima potencial para a produção de baixo custo de nanogoetita ou nanohematita, com grau de pureza adequado para o seu uso como catalisador em processos de tratamento de efluentes líquidos com ozônio. Assim, a toxicidade das nanopartículas de ferro precisa ser determinada para prever seu impacto no meio ambiente, antes e depois de terem sido utilizadas nesses processos. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a toxicidade de nanogoetita e nanohematita produzidas a partir da drenagem ácida de minas bem como comparar os resultados com hematita sintética de alta pureza. A nanogoetita foi obtida da drenagem ácida de minas e, após seu tratamento térmico a 450°C, produziu nanopartículas de hematita. Os materiais foram caracterizados por difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e determinação da área superficial específica e porosidade com base nas isotermas de adsorção/dessorção de N2. Foram realizados os ensaios de ecotoxicidade usando os protocolos padronizados para bioluminescência com Vibrio fischeri, letalidade da Artemia sp., germinação de sementes de Lactuca sativa L. (alface) e crescimento das raízes de Allium cepa L. (cebola). Os resultados de toxicidade indicaram estabilidade das nanopartículas, que não são alteradas significativamente pela ação do ozônio em meio aquoso. Para todas as amostras, os valores indicaram baixa ou nenhuma toxicidade nas condições dos experimentos, para os bioindicadores utilizados. Esses resultados fornecem indicação de que as nanopartículas de ferro recuperadas da indústria de resíduos podem ser usadas como catalisadores sem efeitos adversos ao meio ambiente.

ABSTRACT Iron oxides recovered from acid mine drainage represent a potential raw material for the low-cost production of nanogoethite or nanohematite, with a degree of purity suitable for its use as a catalyst in processes for treating liquid effluents with ozone. Thus, the toxicity of iron nanoparticles needs to be determined to predict their impact on the environment, before and after they have been used in these processes. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of nanogoethite and nanohematite produced from acid mine drainage as well as to compare the results with high-purity synthetic hematite. Nanogoethite was obtained from acid mine drainage and, after its heat treatment at 450°C, produced nanoparticles of hematite. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and determination of the specific surface area and porosity based on N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. Ecotoxicity tests were carried out using standardized protocols for bioluminescence with Vibrio fischeri, lethality of Artemia sp, germination of Lactuca sativa L (lettuce) seeds, and growth of Allium cepa L (onion) roots. The toxicity results indicated stability of the nanoparticles, which are not significantly altered by the action of ozone in aqueous medium. For all samples, the values indicated low or no toxicity under the conditions of the experiments. These results provide an indication that the iron nanoparticles recovered from the waste industry can be used as catalysts without adverse effects on the environment.

In this study, porous microspheres of TiO2 (µTiO2) were synthesized, characterized and incorporated into an acrylic paint formulation to obtain a photocatalytically active paint. In a novel approach, the antifungal properties of the µTiO2 paint were evaluated using Monascus ruber as the representative microorganism and compared to those of a photocatalyst-free paint. The photocatalytic activity of paint films was determined by methylene blue (MB) degradation under real conditions of application. High photocatalytic and antifungal activity was observed, with the microorganism culture showing the formation of growth inhibition halos, typical of materials that produce biocides that diffuse into the culture medium.

The aim of this work was to investigate the carbonation kinetics of lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) by thermogravimetry and via thermodynamic simulations, using CO2 concentrations of 15 vol.% (typical of combustion gases) and 100 vol.%. Tests were performed in a thermogravimetric analyzer, in two sequential steps: (1) pre-treatment at 750 ºC with N2 and (2) thermal analysis, non-isothermal (at 10 ºC min-1 up to 1000 ºC) or isothermal (at 550 ºC, 600 ºC and 650 ºC). According to the non-isothermal results, the carbonation of Li4SiO4 occurs in the range of 450-746 ºC and the decarbonation above it. Also, it was possible to capture up to 24.9 wt.%CO2. The isothermal kinetics showed that an increase in temperature promotes an increase in the reaction rate. Yet, the adsorption capacity is limited by the thermodynamics at higher temperatures and the kinetics is slow at low CO2 concentrations.

Os efluentes têxteis, geralmente, são carregados de corantes não biodegradáveis, o que dificulta o seu tratamento. Dentre as novas alternativas de tratamento estudadas, estão os Processos Oxidativos Avançados (POA). Os mesmos são processos com potencial de produzir radicais hidroxila (•OH), espécies altamente oxidantes, capazes de mineralizar a matéria orgânica. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a aplicação dos POA (Fenton, foto-Fenton e UV/H2O2) no tratamento de efluente têxtil sintético contendo o corante Preto Biozol UC. Dentre os processos estudados, o mais eficiente foi o foto-Fenton (H2O2 = 1.500 mg.L-1 e Fe2+ = 75 mg.L-1), em pH = 3, que obteve 95,4% e 73,0% para as remoções de cor e demanda química de oxigênio (DQO), respectivamente.

The textile wastewater is usually loaded with non-biodegradable dyes, which hinder its treatment. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) are among new treatment alternatives. They are processes with potential to produce hydroxyl radicals (•OH), highly oxidizing species, capable of mineralizing the organic matter. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the application of the AOP (Fenton, photo-Fenton and UV/H2O2) in the treatment of synthetic textile wastewater containing the Black Biozol UC dye. Among the studied processes, the most efficient was photo-Fenton (H2O2 = 1,500 mg.L-1 and Fe 2+ = 75 mg.L-1), at pH = 3, for color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals of 95.4% and 73.0%, respectively.

Pharmaceutical compounds have been detected in sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents, surface waters and, less frequently, in groundwater and drinking water, all over the world. Different sources are responsible for their appearance in the aquatic environment, however, it is widely accepted that the main sources of this type of pollutant are STP effluents. The adverse effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment include aquatic toxicity, development of resistance in pathogenic bacteria, genotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Thus, the discharge of these compounds to the environment in STP effluents should be minimized.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os processos de oxidação avançada (H2O2, UV, UV/H2O2, Fe2+/H2O2, UV/Fe2+/H2O2) para descoloração do corante têxtil Reactive Red 195. Também foi investigada a utilização do pó do desempoeiramento da ala de corrida do alto forno como fonte alternativa de ferro na peroxidação catalítica, com e sem radiação UV, para degradação do corante. O efeito das concentrações de H2O2 e corante na cinética de descoloração foram estudados. Os resultados indicaram que a maior eficiência de descoloração foi obtida através do sistema foto-Fenton com o uso do resíduo; entretanto, a utilização do resíduo no sistema Fenton sem irradiação atingiu a mesma eficiência, com tempo de reação aumentado em apenas 15 minutos. A utilização do resíduo siderúrgico aumentou a velocidade de descoloração, mostrando-se bastante promissora como fonte de ferro.

This study aimed at comparing various advanced oxidation processes (H2O2, UV, UV/H2O2, Fe2+/H2O2, UV/Fe2+/H2O2) for textile dye Reactive Red 195 decolorization. The use of blast furnace dust (BFD) was also investigated as an alternative source of iron in catalytic peroxidation with and without UV radiation. The effects of H2O2 and dye concentrations in kinetics of decolorization were studied. Decolorization reactions follow pseudo-first order kinetics. The results indicated greater efficiency of decolorization in the photo-Fenton system with the use of BFD; however, the use of BFD in the Fenton system without irradiation reached the same efficiency with a reaction time only 15 minutes superior. The use of blast furnace dust increased considerably the rates of reactions and is very promising as a source of iron.

O presente trabalho foca no impacto da concentração de O2, CO2 e etileno no controle da taxa de amadurecimento de bananas, como contribuição para o desenvolvimento de equipamentos domésticos que permitam o controle pelo próprio usuário da vida de prateleira de frutas. Isto representa o ajuste das atividades metabólicas para garantir o controle do amadurecimento. Variáveis como concentração de etileno e CO2 e temperatura foram ajustadas para acelerar ou reduzir o processo, enquanto que o grau de maturação foi monitorado através de parâmetros físico-químicos e sensoriais. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência destes parâmetros para controlar o amadurecimento de banana. A temperatura ótima de amadurecimento foi 25ºC. A presença de O2, a retirada de CO2 e a injeção de etileno foram relevantes no processo. A qualidade "pronto-para-consumo" foi obtida em 6 dias em sistema confinado. O uso de etileno como gatilho é adequado para acelerar o amadurecimento, com vantagens para a cor do produto.

The present work focuse on the impact of O2, CO2 and ethylene concentrations on ripening rate control of bananas as a contribution for the development of domestic equipments that could allow the user to drive the fruit shelf live. It represented the adjustment of metabolic activity rates in order to manage the maturity process. Ripening variables such as ethylene and CO2 concentrations and temperature were adjusted to accelerate or slow down the process, while the maturity degree was monitored through the physical and chemical parameters and sensorial analysis. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of these parameters to manage the banana ripening. The optimum temperature was at 25 ºC of storage. The presence of oxygen, CO2 withdraws and ethylene injection were relevant for the ripening process. The "ready-to-eat" quality was achieved in 6 days in confined system. The use of ethylene as trigger was adequate to accelerate the ripening process with advantages in fruit color.