ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to identify and characterize industrial solid wastes generated by a biodiesel production plant in Brazil, as well as to present strategies for the management of these materials. This plant produces every year around 100,000tons of biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fats. The methodology of the study included technical visits, interviews with the operational and environmental management staff as well as analysis of documents, reports and computerized data systems. An approach to reduce the generation of hazardous waste was investigated. It was take into account the amount of raw material that was processed, reduction of landfill disposal, and the maximization of the their recycling and reuse. The study also identified the sources of waste generation and accordingly prepared an evaluation matrix to determine the types of waste with the higher potential for minimization. The most important residue of the process was the filter material impregnated with oil and biodiesel, requiring, therefore, measures for its minimization. The use of these residues in the production of ceramic artefacts (light bricks) was considered to be very promising, since no significant effect on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the artefacts produced was observed. Phytotoxicity test using seeds of Lactuva sativa (lettuce), Brassica juncea (mustard), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (daisy), Dendranthema grandiflorum (chrysanthemum) and Allium porrum (leek) were carried out. The results clearly show incorporation of the waste material into bricks did not influence relative germination and relative root elongation in comparison to control tests.
Subject(s)
Biofuels , Refuse Disposal/methods , Solid Waste , Abelmoschus/drug effects , Brazil , Construction Materials , Germination/drug effects , Lactuca/drug effects , Mustard Plant/drug effects , Onions/drug effects , Seeds/drug effects , Solid Waste/analysis , Toxicity Tests , Waste Disposal Facilities , Waste ProductsABSTRACT
A case study is presented on waste management practices implemented after a residual fuel oil spill from a steam-generating boiler in an industrial area, and on the technical feasibility of monitored natural attenuation as a treatment option for a recently contaminated tropical soil. One day after contamination, surface soil total petroleum hydrocarbons and phenanthrene concentrations varied from 3.1 to 7.9 g kg(-1) and 149 to 287 µg kg(-1), respectively. Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations decayed along the monitored time and after 90 days of processes the soil was considered rehabilitated for future industrial use.
Subject(s)
Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods , Petroleum Pollution/analysis , Waste Management/methods , Biodegradation, Environmental , Brazil , Environmental Monitoring , Hydrocarbons/analysis , Petroleum/analysis , Phenanthrenes/analysis , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Estudos sobre a contaminação de solos e seus mecanismos são cada vez mais explorados devido a necessidade de segurança a longo prazo exigida para sistemas de contenção de resíduos. Neste sentido, investigou-se o acúmulo de alguns metais pesados, a capacidade de impermeabilização do solo imediatamente abaixo de uma célula do Aterro de Resíduos Sólidos da Muribeca, e as características físico-químicas do percolado. Os perfis de concentração dos metais pesados e de sólidos voláteis no solo mostraram que existe uma frente de contaminação em direção ao fundo, evidenciando-se também que ocorre ampla faixa de concentração dos metais analisados, relacionada à concentração de cada espécie no percolado. O Chumbo, o Cobre e o Manganês foram os metais preferencialmente sorvidos e apresentaram uma velocidade média de frente de saturação de 2,3 x 10-2 m/ano, que indica transporte por advectivo-dispersivo, em desacordo com a textura do solo.
Studies concerning soil contamination and their mechanisms have been explored more and more due to the long term security requirements demanded for residue containment systems. In this sense, the accumulation of some heavy metals, the impermeabilization capacity of the soil directly below a cell of the solid waste landfill of the Muribeca county, and the physicochemical characteristics of the leachate were investigated. Concentration profiles of heavy metals and volatile solids in the soil indicated the existence of a contamination plume towards the bottom, also showing occurrence of a wide range of concentrations of the analyzed metals, related to the concentration of each species in the leachate. Preferentially, Lead, Copper and Manganese were the absorbed metals and they presented a mean saturation velocity of the plume of 2.3 x 10-2 m/year, indicating an advective-dispersive transport, in disagreement with the soil texture.