The frequent contamination of water resources with drugs comprises one the most important environmental problems. In order to avoid serious disturbances for aquatic life, efficient and economically viable procedures should be developed for removing common pollutants, as paracetamol. From these considerations, the present work evaluated the efficiency of sugar cane bagasse (SCB) and vegetable sponge (VS), two natural adsorbents commonly found in Brazil, for retaining paracetamol molecules dispersed in aqueous solutions. Thus, systems composed of glass columns and peristaltic pumps were optimized and, for pH, the best value was 7.0. After optimisation, adsorption isotherms were built and it was possible to calculate the MAC F values for SCB (120.5 µg/g) and VS (37.5 µg/g). Additionally, real matrices of pretreated water, from a municipal plant for water catchment, were enriched with paracetamol at 5 µM and passed through glass columns packed with SCB, VS and activated carbon (AC). The results showed that SCB was more attractive than AC in terms of price and efficiency (60% against 45% adsorption, respectively), while VS was responsible for removing 40% of paracetamol dissolved in the enriched water samples. Thus, the proposed natural adsorbents can be classified as viable materials to remove paracetamol from water used for human consumption.

Neste trabalho foi desenvolvida uma metodologia de remoção do corante carcinogênico congo red de sistemas aquosos. Os resultados mostraram uma elevada eficiência de remoção sendo de 64 ± 6% para soluções sintéticas de vermelho congo, e 94 ± 5% para efluente industrial enriquecido com vermelho congo utilizando 10 g de bioadsorvente. A capacidade máxima adsotiva encontrada foi de 4,43 mg/g. Os testes de percolação revelaram independência das porcentagens adsortivas em relação às vazões das colunas. Estes resultados indicam viabilidade de uso do bagaço de cana-de-açucar no tratamento de efluentes contendo o congo red.

A methodology involving sugar cane bagasse bioadsorbent was developed in order to remove the carcinogenic congo red dye from aqueous medium. The results showed high efficiency with retention of 64 ± 6% in synthetic congo red solution and 94 ± 5% in effluent enriched with congo red, at 10.0 g of the bioadsorbent. The adsorption system provided a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.43 mg/g. Tests showed independence adsorption properties, when compared with the column flow rates. The treatment units could be operated with flexibility. From the results, it was possible to conclude that sugar cane bagasse could be an adequate bioadsorbent.

No presente trabalho foram avaliados os processos sortivos dos íons Cd2+ e Pb2+ em carne bovina em pH 6. Uma válvula de seleção de 8 canais foi utilizada para a mecanização do preparo das amostras e as concentrações de cádmio e chumbo foram determinadas por ICP-OES. Observou-se alta retenção (> 80%, m/m) dos íons Cd2+ e Pb2+ em carne fresca ou putrefata, indicando os riscos associados ao consumo de carne inadequadamente abatida, manipulada, estocada e/ou comercializada. Ácido acético a 1% (v/v) disponibilizou 70% do cádmio inicialmente adsorvido nas amostras de carne, revelando que práticas culinárias podem influenciar na sorção dos contaminantes.

The metal sorption capacity in fresh and rotten red meat was evaluated for Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions at pH 6 and the process involved in the studied metal retention was discussed. For the experimental set, an eight channels multi-port selection valve was employed to mechanise the sample preparation. The cadmium and lead concentrations were determined by ICP-OES. A high retention (> 80%, m/m) of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, in fresh and rotten bovine muscle was found, indicating the potential contamination risks related to the consumption of meat submitted to inappropriate conditions of abattoir, handling, storage and commercialisation. Seventy per cent of the cadmium was released with the immersion of meat in acetic acid at 1% (v/v), revealing that cookery practices may act on contaminant sorptive processes in meat structure.

Caulim é um tipo de argila constituída principalmente por caulinita, sendo empregada na fabricação de vários produtos, tais como papel, porcelana, adubos, cosméticos, etc. Apesar de sua elevada importância sócio-econômica para o país, sua extração e beneficiamento provocam impactos ambientais. Para mitigar esses impactos existem leis, que atualmente exigem a elaboração de EIAs/RIMAs (Estudos de Impactos Ambientais/Relatórios de Impactos Ambientais), nos quais é imprescindível a inclusão de PRADs (Plano de Recuperação de Áreas Degradadas). É preciso que as empresas que atuam nessa área se conscientizem da necessidade da preservação ambiental e da necessidade de um desenvolvimento sustentável, a fim de poderem usufruir das ISOs 9000 e 14000, tendo o privilégio de possuir um "Selo Verde" de Qualidade Ambiental, o que favorecerá a comercialização de seus produtos em nível nacional e internacional.

Kaolin is a kind of clay mineral that essentially contains kaolinite. It is a very important mineral used in many manufactured products, such as: paper, porcelain, fertilizer, cosmetics and others products. In Brazil the extraction and processing of this kaolin are very important social and economic activities. On the other hand, there also exists an inherent environmental impact. Laws were passed to mitigate these impacts and today mining companies have to present environmental impact reports (EIAs/RIMAS) in which they have to include a plan for recuperating degraded areas (PRAD) to solve any future problems. From the global economic, environmental and sustainable development conscience, these kaolin mining companies operating under ISOs 9000 and 14000 regulations could have "Green Stamps" of Environmental Quality, which would give them an advantage in the national and international marketing.