Synthesis of enriched biochar as a vehicle for phosphorus in tropical soils

Phosphorus (P) is one of the nutrients that most limits agricultural productivity, especially in tropical soils. Enriched biochar has been proposed to increase the bioavailability of P and other nutrients in the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the availability of P in phosphate biochar (composed of biomass and soil) as a function of the triple superphosphate mixture before and after the pyrolysis process. We produced eight types of enriched biochar via pyrolysis by combining sandy or clayey soil with rice or coffee husk, and by adding triple superphosphate before or after pyrolysis. The heating of the phosphate fertilizer during the pyrolysis process resulted in a higher crystallinity of the phosphates, lower content of labile fractions of P and lower content of available P in phosphate biochars than when the superphosphate was added after pyrolysis. (AU)

Nanocompósitos magnéticos para concentração/remoção de contaminantes de águas / Magnetic adsorbent nanocomposites for water treatment

Zeólitas e carvão ativado são materiais eficazes para o tratamento de efluentes devido a sua grande área superficial e possibilidades de funcionalização, que permitem o desenvolvimento de novos materiais derivados visando a processos de concentração/remoção de contaminantes, por exemplo, em águas. A preparação de nanocompósitos magnéticos e sua aplicação na remoção seletiva de poluentes em meio aquoso tornou-se viável devido as interações distintas que ocorrem entre zeólita e carvão ativado com compostos orgânicos, íons metálicos e compostos nitrogenados. Assim, novos materiais voltados para sistemas de tratamento de águas residuais e monitoramento ambiental foram desenvolvidos com base em materiais bem estabelecidos. Os nanocompósitos foram caracterizados estrutural e morfologicamente por técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura, termogravimetria, espectroscopia no infravermelho, espalhamento de luz, difração de raios x, bem como suas capacidades de adsorção. Foi avaliado também a viabilidade de aplicações em métodos analíticos, como pré-concentração por extração em fase sólida magnética (M-SPE), e, para tratamento de efluentes em amostras reais. Contaminação por cromo (VI), outras espécies potencialmente tóxicas e amônio foram removidos de águas residuais, gerando produtos tratados com níveis de contaminantes suficientemente baixos para atenderem as recomendações da EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) e CONAMA (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente), permitindo seu descarte na natureza. Os materiais demonstraram ser adequados para pré-concentração rápida, eficiente, economicamente competitiva e ambientalmente amigável de amostras por M-SPE para quantificação analítica de espécies orgânicas ou inorgânicas, por técnicas analíticas convencionais. Assim, foi demonstrado a possibilidade de determinação simultânea de elementos potencialmente tóxicos e de outros cátions metálicos em concentrações traço (ppb), diretamente no material compósito magnético, por espectroscopia de fluorescência de raios X de energia dispersiva (EDX), além da quantificação de traços de compostos orgânicos semi-voláteis por cromatografia emfase gasosa com detector por espectrometria de massas, aumentando a sensibilidade para além do limite nominal de detecção por essas técnicas

Zeolites and activated carbon are effective materials for the treatment of effluents due to their large surface area and functionalisation possibilities, which allow the development of new derived materials aiming at the concentration/removal of contaminants from water, for example. The preparation of magnetic nanocomposites and their application in the selective removal of pollutants in aqueous media has become feasible due to the distinct interactions that occur between zeolite and activated carbon with organic compounds, metal ions and nitrogen compounds. Thus, new materials for wastewater treatment and environmental monitoring systems were developed based on well-established materials. The nanocomposites were structural and morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, infrared spectroscopy, light scattering, x-ray diffraction, as well as their adsorption capacities, viability of applications in analytical methods such as preconcentration by extraction in magnetic solid phase, M-SPE, were evaluated, and the composite materials Cmag and Zmag applied for treatment of real samples. Chromium (VI) contamination, heavy metal cations and ammonium were removed from wastewater, generating treated products with levels of contaminants low enough to meet the EPA and CONAMA recommendations, allowing their disposal in the wild. The materials have been shown to be suitable for rapid, efficient, economically competitive and environmentally friendly preconcentration of samples per M-SPE for analytical quantification of organic or inorganic species by conventional analytical techniques. Thus, it was demonstrated the possibility of simultaneous analysis of heavy metals and other metal cations in trace concentrations (ppb), directly in the magnetic composite material, by dispersive energy X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDX), in addition to the quantification of traces of volatile organic compounds (VOC) by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detector, increasing the sensitivity beyond the nominal limit of detection by these techniques

Remoción de colorantes sintéticos mediante el proceso Fentonheterogéneo usando Fe2O3 soportado en carbón activado obtenido a partir de residuos de rosas / Removal of synthetic dyes by Fenton process using activated carbon-supported Fe2O3 obtained from rose remnants

Se estudió la remoción de colorantes negro reactivo 5 ycristal violeta, mediante la reacción Fenton empleando catalizadoresde Fe2O3 (0-10% m/m de Fe) soportados en carbón activadoobtenido a partir de residuos de rosas. El carbón activado fueobtenido por pirólisis a 500 ºC (1h) seguido de activación con NaOH(1:2 en peso). El soporte fue caracterizado empleando diferentestécnicas químicas y físicas. Los catalizadores de Fe fueron sintetizadosmediante impregnación incipiente. Los tratamientos Fenton y deadsorción fueron realizados en un reactor Batch, concentración de 10mgL-1 de los colorantes, 0,25 mgmL-1 de catalizador, pH=3,7, 20±2ºC, 750 rpm y presión atmosférica. El carbón activado empleadocomo soporte presentó alta basicidad, presencia de grupos polares ensuperficie, alto contenido de cenizas (22,85%) y de oxígeno (43,93%)y fue mayoritariamente microporoso con un área superficial BETde 520 m2g-1. La máxima remoción lograda para el negro reactivo 5se obtuvo con el catalizador de 3% Fe (98,33%) luego de 180 min.mientras que para el cristal violeta se obtuvo con el catalizador de1% de Fe (63,95%) después de 180 min. La remoción mediante eltratamiento Fenton fue dependiente del contenido de Fe, tamaño departícula del sitio activo y del tipo de colorante. La remoción de negroreactivo 5 alcanzó un máximo con 3% de Fe mientras que para elcristal violeta disminuyó con el incremento del contenido de Fe. Eltratamiento planteado en el presente trabajo es promisorio para laeliminación de colorantes sintéticos presentes en aguas contaminadas...

Fe2O3-catalysts (0-10% m/mof Fe) supported on activated carbon obtained fromrose remnants were used to study the removal of dyesreactive black 5 and crystal violet by the Fenton reaction.The activated carbon was obtained from pyrolysis at 500°C (1h) followed by activation with NaOH (1:2 wt.). Thesupport was classified using several chemical and physicaltechniques. Fe-catalysts were synthesized by incipientimpregnation. Fenton and adsorption treatments wereperformed in a batch reactor, concentration of dye of10 mgL-1, 0.25 mgmL-1 catalyst, pH = 3.7, 20 ± 2 ° C,750 rpm and atmospheric pressure. The activated carbonused as support showed high basicity, presence of polargroups on the surface, high ash content (22.85%) andoxygen (43.93%) and was mostly of the microporoustype with a BET surface area of 520 m2g-1. The maximumdiscoloration achieved for black reactive 5 was obtainedwith the catalyst of 3% Fe (98.33%) after 180 min. whilefor the crystal violet it was obtained with the catalyst of1% Fe (63.95%) after 180 min. Discoloration by Fentontreatment is dependent on the Fe content, the particlesize of the active site and the type of dye. The removalof reactive black 5 reached a maximum at 3% Fe whilethe crystal violet decreased by increasing Fe content. Thetreatment proposed in this paper is promising for theremoval of synthetic dyes present in contaminated water...

Se estudo a remoção de corantes violeta de cristal e reativopreto 5 pela reação de Fenton utilizando diferentes concentraçõesdos catalisadores de Fe2O3 (0-10% m/m de Fe) suportados em carvãoativado obtido a partir de resíduos de rosas. O carvão ativado foiobtido por pirólise a 500 °C (1h) seguido por ativação com NaOH(1:2 em peso). O suporte foi caracterizado utilizando diferentestécnicas químicas e físicas. Os catalisadores de Fe foram sintetizadospor impregnação incipiente. Os tratamentos de adsorçao e de Fentonforam realizados num reator batch, com concentração de 10 mgL-1de corante, 0,25 mgmL-1 de catalisador, em pH = 3,7, 20 ± 2 °C,750 rpm e pressão atmosférica. O carvão ativado usado comosuporte mostrou basicidade elevada, a presença de grupos polaresna superfície, elevado teor de cinzas (22,85%) e oxigênio (43,93%) efoi principalmente microporoso com uma área de superfície BET de520 m2g-1. O valor máximo obtido para a descoloração reativo preto5 foi obtido com o catalisador de 3% Fe (98,33%) após 180 min.Enquanto para o violeta de cristal foi obtido com o catalisador de 1%Fe (63,95%) após 180 min. A descoloração por tratamento de Fentoné dependente do teor de Fe, tamanho de partícula do sítio ativo e dotipo de corante. A remoção de preto reativo 5 atinge um máximo emFe3%, enquanto que para o violeta de cristal diminui com o aumentodo teor de Fe. O tratamento proposto neste trabalho é promissorpara a remoção de corantes sintéticos presentes na água contaminada...

Efecto del carbón activado y ácido indol acético en el desarrollo de protocormos de masdevallia coccinea linden ex lindl. y maxillaria nutans lindl: in vitro / Effect of activated charcoal indol and acetic acid in the development of masdevallia coccinea linden ex lindl y maxillaria nutans lindl. protocorm like bodies under in vitro

En esta investigación se pretende estimular el desarrollo de protocormos de Masdevallia coccinea y Maxillaria nutans bajo condiciones in vitro utilizando diferentes concentraciones de ácido indol acético y carbón activado. El protocolo obtenido es una alternativa de la conservación de orquídeas que se encuentran en vías de extinción, y además permite contribuir con el mejoramiento medioambiental. En la evaluación del desarrollo vegetativo bajo condiciones in vitro de los protocormos de Masdevallia coccinea y Maxillaria nutans, orquídeas en vías de extinción, se obtuvo que solamente Maxillaria nutans alcanzará su desarrollo exitoso mediante el cultivo in vitro en el medio Murashige y Skoog (1962), donde se evaluó el efecto de la interacción entre el carbón activado (0,0; 0,5, 1,0 % (p/v)) y el ácido indol acético (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 mg/L-1). El medio de cultivo empleado fue enriquecido con sacarosa al 3% y el Myo inositol al 0,1 g/L-1. Los protocormos de Masdevallia coccinea evidenciaron que se encontraban inmaduros, situación por la cual no lograron su desarrollarlo vegetativo en el experimento planteado, en atención a que se encontraban en el periodo de latencia. Por esta razón, es de gran importancia tener en cuenta que las cápsulas de las orquídeas deben estar bien maduras, a fin de garantizar que los protocormos que se forman in vitro sean maduros y completen con facilidad su morfofisiológía. Mientras que los protocormos de Maxillaria nutans dieron un mayor rendimiento en su desarrollo vegetativo. En esta investigación se determinó que el efecto de la interacción de 0,5% de carbón activado con 0,5 mg/L-1 de AIA es positivo sobre la tasa de crecimiento para el desarrollo de los protocormos de Maxillaria nutans bajo condiciones in vitro.

The evaluation of protocorms growth of Masdevallia coccinea and Maxillaria nutans under in vitro conditions, endangered orchids, it got only Maxillaria nutans reached its successful development by culture in vitro in Murashige and Skoog (1962), which evaluated the effect of the interaction between the activated carbon (0.0, 0.5, 1,0% (w / v)) and indole acetic acid (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mg.L-1). The culture medium used was enriched with 3% sucrose and 0.1 g/L-1 Myo inositol. Protocorms of Masdevallia coccinea, showed that they were immature, state why they did not achieve their vegetative development in the experiment raised, considering that they were in the latency period. It is therefore very important to note that the capsules of the orchid should be ripe, to ensure that protocorms formed in vitro are mature and they respond with ease morphphysiology development. While protocorms of Maxillaria nutans, gave a higher yield in its vegetative development. This research found that the interaction effect of 0.5% activated carbon with 0.5 mg/L-1 of IAA is positive on the growth rate for the development of Maxillaria nutans protocorms under in vitro conditions. The protocol obtained in this investigation is an alternative of conservation of orchids that are endangered and can contribute to further environmental improvement.

Efecto del carbón activado, ácido indolacético (AIA) y bencil amino purina (BAP) en el desarrollo de protocormos de epidendrum elongatum jacq bajo condiciones in vitro / The effect of activated charcoal, indol acetic acid (IAA) and benzylaminopurine (BAP) on epidendrum elongatum jacq protocorm-like body (PLB) development in vitro conditions

El desarrollo vegetativo de los protocormos de Epidendrum elongatum Jacq., una orquídea endémica y en vías de extinción, se logró eficazmente mediante el cultivo in vitro en el medio Murashige y Skoog (1962), donde se evaluó el efecto de la interacción entre los siguientes tres factores: carbón activado (0,0; 0,5; 1,0% (w/v)); ácido indol acético (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 mg.L-1); bencil amino purina (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 mg.L-1). El medio de cultivo empleado fue enriquecido con sacarosa al 3%, y el Myo inositol al 0,1 g.L-1. En este estudio se evaluó que el efecto sobre la tasa de crecimiento de la interacción del carbón activado en concentraciones de 0,5 y 1,0% con 0,5 mg.L-1 de AIA es positivo para el desarrollo de los protocormos de E. elongatum bajo condiciones in vitro, mientras que la interacción del BAP, tanto en concentraciones de 0,5 mg.L-1 y 1,0 mg.L-1, muestra resultados no tan favorables en cuanto al grado de desarrollo de los protocormos estudiados. Este estudio describe un protocolo que permite alcanzar más de 270.000 plántulas en excelente desarrollo vegetativo dentro de 30 semanas, a partir de una cápsula de esta importante orquídea. Este protocolo es un modelo de conservación para especies que se encuentran en vías de extinción, y además permite la propagación a gran escala de Epidendrum elongatum.

The vegetative development of protocorm-like bodies (PLB) from Epidendrum elongatum Jacq. (an endemic and endangered orchid) was effectively achieved through in vitro culture in Murashige and Skoog medium (1962); the effect of the interaction between the following three factors was studied: activated charcoal (0.0, 0.5, 1.0% (w/v)), indol acetic acid (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mg.L-1), benzylaminopurine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mg.L-1). The culture medium being gerused was enriched with 3% sucrose and 0.1 g.L-1 myo-inositol. This study revealed that the effect of 0.5% and 1.0% activated charcoal concentrations interacting with 0.5 mg.L-1 AIA on PBL growth rate was positive for E. elongatum PBL development in vitro conditions, whereas the interaction of BAP (at both 0.5 mg.L-1 and 1.0 mg.L-1 concentration) did not produce such favourable results regarding the degree of development of the PLB being studied. This study describes a protocol leading to more than 270,000 seedlings enjoying excellent vegetative growth being obtained within 30 weeks from a single capsule from this important orchid. This protocol represents a model for conserving endangered species and promotes large-scale Epidendrum elongatum propagation.

Removal of chromium from tannery industry effluents with (activated carbon and fly ash) adsorbents.

Adsorption is a strong choice for removal operations as it is very simple to recover a high quality product from waste sludge. The efficiency of adsorbents like fly ash and activated carbon are tested based on their performance to remove chrome at various pH values, bed heights, and concentration of adsorbents. The removal efficiency was also tested for wastewater characteristics in a pilot plant in addition to the use of adsorbents. The concentration of chromium was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer). The results depicted that the efficiency of removal increased with increasing pH and bed height and decreased with increasing concentration. The removal efficiency with fly ash as an adsorbent was comparatively better than activatedcarbon. Thus, adsorbents can be used for chromium removal from tannery industry effluent.