Hydraulic recharge and element dynamics during salinization in an overexploited coastal aquifer of the world's driest zone: Atacama Desert.

The management of water resources in hyper-arid coastal regions is a challenging task because proper information regarding groundwater recharge and water budget is needed for maintaining the hydraulic balance in optimal conditions, avoiding salinization and seawater intrusion. Thus, this article deals with the estimation of the hydraulic recharge and the study of the effects of salinization on the dynamics of major and trace elements in an alluvial aquifer located in the world's driest zone, the northern Atacama Desert. The result of stable water isotopes (δD and δ18O) and tritium (3H) indicated that groundwater in the area is not recent, whereas 14C results estimated a groundwater residence time ranging between 11,628 and 16,067 yBP. The estimation of the artificial recharge coming from the urban water-supply-system leaks and wastewater/river-water/groundwater infiltration during irrigation was about 19.84 hm3/year, which represents an annual negative water balance of 177 hm3/year for the aquifer. The groundwater salinization triggered by seawater intrusion (up to 32.6 %) has caused the enrichment of Li, Rb, Ca, Ba, and Sr in groundwater by cationic exchange, where the excess of aqueous Na is exchanged by these elements in the aquifer sediments. Other elements such as B, Se, Si, and Sb are enriched in groundwater by ionic strength and/or anionic exchange during salinization. The heightened B concentrations derived from the B-rich alluvial sediments were higher than the limit suggested by international guidelines, representing a risk to consumers. Vanadium seems to be unaffected by salinization, whereas Pb, Mo, As, U, and Zr did not show a clear behavior during saline intrusion. Finally, this article highlights the consequences of conducting improper water management in coastal hyper-arid regions with exacerbated agriculture.

Purificação de IgM a partir de plasma humano empregando cromatografias de troca catiônica

Human plasma is full of therapeutic proteins that can be used to treat several diseases, among these proteins are immunoglobulins. IgG is currently the most important blood product because it accounts for around 30% of the market, which was estimated at 20 billion dollars in 2016 and continues to grow. IgM has multiple functions, such as controlling infections, producing dendritic cells and controlling tissue homeostasis. Because of its pentameric structure, IgM can also bind to antigens with greater avidity than other immunoglobulins. However, there are no commercially available IgM concentrates. In this work we studied the purification of plasma-derived IgM using liquid chromatography techniques and resins that can be easily scaled up. In the first step, plasma was purified on a Sepharose 4FF gel-filtration column. The enriched IgM fraction called F2 was then used as sample for cation exchange resin purifications. Experiments were initially carried out on Hi-Trap SP FF with the undiluted F2, five times diluted F2 and ten times diluted F2. Then we scaled up the purification using a 23mL SP Sepharose FF column using F2 diluted 10 times as loading sample. Our results indicate that the best of sample volume was 100mL, which corresponds to 63mg of protein. At pH 6.0 36% of IgM was not adsorbed on the column and 50% was adsorbed. At pH 5.0 IgM was recovered only in the Elution fraction, but the recovery was very poor (38%). Finally we carry out a purification at pH 5.0 using NaCl gradient to elute the adsorbed proteins. Due to the low concentration of proteins in the collected fractions, it was only possible to observe by immunoturbidimetry that 37.3% of IgM eluted in the 300mM NaCl to 500mM NaCl gradient. In this fraction, polyacrylamide gels show that IgG and albumin were present. The results obtained were preliminary and did not yet allow comparison of purification using cation exchange resin with anion exchange resins.

O plasma humano está repleto de proteínas terapêuticas que podem ser utilizadas no tratamento de várias doenças, entre essas proteínas estão as imunoglobulinas. O IgG é atualmente o hemoderivado mais importante porque é responsável por cerca de 30% do mercado, que era estimado em 20 bilhões de dólares em 2016 e continua a crescer. IgM tem múltiplas funções, como controle de infecções, produção de células dendríticas e controle da homeostase dos tecidual. Por conta de sua estrutura pentamérica, o IgM também pode-se ligar a antígenos com maior avidez do que outras imunoglobulinas. Entretanto não existem concentrados de IgM disponíveis comercialmente. Neste trabalho estudamos a purificação de IgM derivada de plasma usando técnicas de cromatografia líquida e resinas que podem ser facilmente escalonadas. Na primeira etapa foi feita a purificação de plasma em uma coluna de gel-filtração Sepharose 4FF. A fração enriquecida de IgM F2 foi então usada como amostra de entrada para as purificações em resina de troca catiônica. Primeiramente foram feitos experimentos em Hi-Trap SP FF com a amostra sem diluir, diluída cinco e dez vezes. Em seguida escalonamos a purificação empregando uma coluna SP Sepharose FF de 23mL usando como amostra de entrada F2 diluída 10 vezes. Verificamos que o volume ideal de amostra aplicada era de 100mL que corresponde a 63mg de proteína de amostra. Verificamos que em pH 6,0 36% de IgM não é adsorvido na coluna e 50% é adsorvido. Em pH 5,0 IgM foi recuperado somente na fração de Eluição, porém a recuperação foi muito baixa (38%). O último passo foi realizar uma purificação em pH 5,0 usando gradiente de NaCl para eluição das proteínas adsorvidas. Devido a baixa concentração de proteínas nas frações recolhidas foi possível apenas observar por imunoturbidimetria que 37,3% de IgM elui no gradiente NaCl 300mM ao NaCl 500mM. Nessa fração os géis de poliacrilamida mostram que IgG e Albumina estão presentes. Os resultados obtidos são preliminares e ainda não permitem comparar a purificação em resina de troca catiônica com resina de troca aniônica.

Selective immunoglobulin aggregates removal in antivenoms by a simple chromatographic step based on a monolithic stationary phase.

Antivenom therapy is a critical intervention for treating the more than 5.000.000 envenomation accidents that occur each year around the world. These immunotherapeutic drugs are mostly produced following techniques developed more than fifty years ago with minor changes. Aggregate content has been described as one of the main causes of early adverse effects after intravenous administration of antivenoms. In this work we propose the introduction of a final polishing step to traditional antivenom manufacturing processes aimed at lowering the aggregate content in the final product. The refinement step proposed in this work is based on the selective capture of immunoglobulin aggregates by a cation exchange monolithic stationary phase. We show that this media can effectively remove aggregates in the final product under isotonic ion-strength and mildly acidic conditions following a negative chromatography strategy, thus making it a useful technique for producing higher quality products.

Mechanisms of chromium(VI) removal from solution by zeolite and vermiculite modified with iron(II).

Mechanisms of Cr(VI) reduction by Fe(II) modified zeolite (clinoptilolite/mordenite) and vermiculite were evaluated. Adsorbents were treated with Fe(SO4)·7H2O to saturate their exchange sites with Fe(II). However, this treatment decreased their CEC and pHPZC, probably due to the dealumination process. Vermiculite (V-Fe) adsorbed more Fe(II) (21.8 mg g-1) than zeolite (Z-Fe) (15.1 mg g-1). Z-Fe and V-Fe were used to remove Cr(VI) from solution in a batch test to evaluate the effect of contact time and the initial concentration of Cr(VI). The Cr(VI) was 100% reduced to Cr(III) by Z-Fe and V-Fe in solution at 18 mg L-1 Cr(VI) after 1 min. Considering that 3 mol of Fe(II) are required to reduce 1 mol of Cr(VI) (3Fe+2 + Cr+6 → 3Fe+3 + Cr+3), the iron content released from Z-Fe and V-Fe was sufficient to reduce 100% of the Cr(VI) in solutions up to 46.8 mg L-1 Cr(VI) and about 90% (V-Fe) and 95% (Z-Fe) at 95.3 mg L-1 Cr(VI). The Fe(II), Cr(III), Cr(VI), and K+ contents of the adsorbents and solutions after the batch tests indicated that the K+ ions from the [Formula: see text] solution were the main cation adsorbed by Z-Fe, while vermiculite did not absorb any of these cations. The H+ of the acidic solution (pH around 5) may have been adsorbed by V-Fe. The release of Fe(II) from Z-Fe and V-Fe involved cation exchange between K+ and H+ ions from solution, respectively. The reduction of Cr(VI) by Fe(II) resulted in the precipitation of Cr(III) and Fe(III) and a decrease in the pH of the solution to < 5. As acidity limits the precipitation of Cr(III) ions, they remained in solution and were not adsorbed by either adsorbent (since they prefer to adsorb K+ and H+). To avoid oxidation, Cr(III) can be removed by precipitation or the adsorption by untreated minerals.

Evaluation of soil contamination by heavy metals at public cemeteries in the municipality of Lages, southern Brazil / Avaliação da contaminação de solos por metais tóxicos em cemitérios públicos do município de Lages, Sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT The burial of bodies is a potentially polluting activity. Taking this into consideration, the aim of the present study was to verify the compliance of two cemeteries with environmental legislation and to quantify the concentrations of heavy metals in soils affected by burial activities. Physicochemical characterization of the soil was performed by analyzing control samples from areas near the cemeteries. Concentrations of cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, zinc and copper were determined using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry. The two cemeteries had unsatisfactory properties for the retention of metal cations, with clay percentages ranging from 15.40 to 41.40% and sand percentages ranging from 28.75 to 66.85%. The control samples presented low cation exchange capacity (12.27 to 22.73 cmolc/dm³) and high aluminum (Al3+) saturation (66.74 to 90.16%). Although neither of the two cemeteries had concentrations above the limits established for the metals analyzed by Resolution No. 420/2009 of the National Environment Council, the contaminants may be leaching to groundwater due to inadequate soil characteristics.

RESUMO O sepultamento de corpos é uma atividade potencialmente poluidora. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a adequação das áreas de dois cemitérios públicos à legislação ambiental e à atividade cemiterial e quantificar a concentração de metais pesados nos solos que estão sob influência desses empreendimentos. Realizou-se a caracterização físico-química do solo, com a análise de amostras testemunha de solo de cada cemitério. Também foram determinadas as concentrações dos metais pesados: cádmio, chumbo, cromo, níquel, zinco e cobre, por meio de espectrometria de absorção atômica de alta resolução com fonte contínua. As áreas dos cemitérios apresentam condições insatisfatórias para a retenção de íons catiônicos metálicos, com percentuais de argila variando entre 15,40 e 41,40% e de areia entre 28,75 e 66,85%. Os solos testemunha apresentaram reduzida capacidade de troca de cátions entre 12,27 e 22,73 cmolc/dm³) e elevada saturação por alumínio entre 66,74 e 90,16%. Apesar de nenhum dos cemitérios apresentar concentrações dos metais analisados acima dos limites de prevenção estabelecidos pela Resolução nº 420/2009 do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente, em função das características dos solos, os contaminantes podem estar sendo lixiviados para os recursos hídricos subjacentes.

Antibacterial activity of Zn-loaded Cuban zeolite against Helicobacter pylori in comparison to its Na-loaded and unmodified counterparts.

Helicobacter pylori can be found in the stomach of about half of the humans, and a large population can be associated with serious diseases. To survive in the stomach H. pylori increases the pH locally by producing ammonia which binds to H+ becoming ammonium. This work investigated the effects on the in-vitro growth of H. pylori of a natural cation-exchanger mainly composed (≈70%) of clinoptilolite and mordenite. The zeolitized material from Cuba was evaluated in its original form (M), as well as in its Na- (M-Na) and Zn-exchanged (M-Zn) counterparts. In the preliminary agar cup diffusion test, H. pylori revealed susceptibility only to M-Zn, with a direct relationship between concentration and width of inhibition halo. Further experiments evidenced that bacterium replication increases when ammonium is supplied to the growth medium and decreases when zeolites subtract NH4+ via ion exchange. Due to the multi-cationic population of its zeolites M was not effective enough in removing ammonium and, in the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test, allowed bacterial growth even at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. Inhibition was achieved with M-Na because it contained sodium zeolites capable of maximizing NH4+ subtraction, although the MIC was high (30 mg/mL). M-Zn evidenced a more effective inhibitory capacity, with a MIC of 4 mg/mL. Zinc has antimicrobial properties and H. pylori growth was affected by Zn2+ released from clinoptilolite and mordenite. These zeolites, being more selective towards NH4+ than Zn2+, can also subtract ammonium to the bacterium, thus enhancing the efficacy of M-Zn.

Construction of polymer monolithic columns in polypropylene ink-pen tubes for separation of proteins by cation-exchange chromatography.

We describe the synthesis of polymer monoliths inside polypropylene tubes from ink pens. These tubes are cheap, chemically stable, and resistant to pressure. UV-initiated grafting with 5 wt% benzophenone in methanol for 20 min activated the internal surface, thus enabling the covalent binding of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, also via photografting. The pendant vinyl groups attached a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith prepared via photopolymerization. These tubes measured 100-110 mm long, with 2 mm of internal diameter. The parent monoliths were functionalized with Na2 SO3 or iminodiacetate to produce strong and weak cation exchangers, respectively. The columns exhibited permeabilities varying from 2.7 to 3.3 × 10-13  m2 , which enabled the separation of proteins at 500 µL/min and back pressures <2.8 MPa. Neither structure collapse nor monolith detachment occurred at flow rates as high as 2.0 mL/min, which produced back pressures between 6.9 and 9.0 MPa. The retention times of ovalbumin, ribonuclease A, cytochrome C, and lysozyme in salt gradient at pH 7.0 followed the order of increasing isoelectric points, confirming the cation exchange mechanism. Separation and determination of lysozyme in egg white proved the applicability of the columns to the analysis of complex samples.

Two alternative chromatography methods assisted by the sulfonic acid moeity for the determination of furosine in milk.

N6-(2-(2-Furanyl-2-oxoethyl))-l-lysine (furosine) is a deteriorative reaction product that is produced during heat treatment and storage of milk. This compound affects the quality of commercial dairy products. Accurate determination of furosine is necessary as it may serve as a measure of the degree of protein degradation in dairy products. In this article, two HPLC based methods (1. a novel ion-pairing reagent 2. a strong cation exchange column) are proposed to quantify furosine. These methods were optimized and validated for their application to analyze fluid milk and dried milk powder. •Two methods that can be used for routine milk quality control, including heat damage and adulteration, were developed.•Compared to previous methods, the modified procedures herein using aromatic sulfonic acids (a pairing agent or covalently bound to a matrix on a strong cation exchange column) provide less expensive and more sensitive determinations.•The identification and quantification of the furosine chromatographic signal was successfully achieved during analysis of commercial and spiked samples.

Stabilizing effect of montmorillonite on acerola juice anthocyanins.

This study was conducted to evaluate color and anthocyanin stability of clarified acerola juice (CAJ) as affected by montmorillonite (Mnt) at different concentrations (0-6 wt%, dry basis). While non-complexed CAJ suffered noticeable color degradation with time and pH variations, the presence of Mnt (especially at 4-6 wt%) not only changed the initial color of CAJ but also made it more stable with time and pH changes. CAJ/Mnt mixtures were ultracentrifuged in order to separate them into supernatants and anthocyanin-complexed Mnt precipitates. The supernatants presented decreasing anthocyanin contents with increasing Mnt concentrations, indicating pigment retention by the precipitates. X-ray diffraction of precipitates showed that Mnt interlayer spacing was increased by increasing anthocyanin/Mnt ratios, corroborating anthocyanin intercalation. FTIR revealed a band at 1530 cm-1 ascribed to formation of anthocyanin-Mnt complexes. Moreover, chromatograms indicated the selective adsorption of two compounds by Mnt, which were identified by LC-MS as cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoside and pelargonidin-3-O-rhamnoside.

Chemical attributes of a remineralized Oxisol / Atributos químicos de um Latossolo remineralizado

Remineralizers are comminuted rocks that are applied to soil, and their use as an agricultural amendment was regulated in Brazil in 2013. However, mechanisms of action of these materials must be better known to enable them to be best used in agricultural fields. Soil chemical attributes of an Oxisol were monitored after the application of a diabase remineralizer. The increase in exchangeable Na observed was associated with the dissolution of the border of the plagioclase crystals where this element is highly concentrated (albite). Therefore, it was inferred that the time since the application of the remineralizer (1 to 2 years depending on the treatment) was not sufficient to exhaust this crystal volume. Unfortunately, the presence of several sources of Ca-containing minerals in the remineralizer did not allow to infer if the calcic nuclei was dissolving. An increase in effective cation exchange capacity was observed without the concurrent increase in the pH of the soil. The two non-exclusive hypotheses proposed to explain this result were that an extra surface charge has originated on the surface of the newly precipitated oxidic phases and/or from the dissolution of the remineralizer grains. Rapid precipitation of amorphous solids (as measured by the increase in Alo and Feo) would also explain the lack of increase in exchangeable Fe and Al despite the large amount of Al2O3(11.90%) and Fe2O3 (14.45%) in the remineralizer.(AU)

O uso de remineralizadores como insumo agrícola foi regularizado em 2013, mas seus mecanismos de ação precisam ser melhor conhecidos para viabilizar o manejo nos campos agrícolas. Atributos químicos de um Latossolo foram monitorados após remineralização com diabásio. O aumento de Na trocável foi atribuído à dissolução das bordas dos plagioclásios (albita) onde a concentração deste elemento é maior. Infelizmente, não é possível especular se o tempo decorrido desde a aplicação (um a dois anos, dependendo do tratamento) foi suficiente para solubilizar o núcleo cálcico (anortita) destes cristais, já que o remineralizador possui outros minerais fonte de Ca. Houve aumento da capacidade de troca catiônica efetiva sem aumento do pH. As hipóteses propostas para explicar este fenômeno são a precipitação de fases oxídicas amorfas e o aparecimento de cargas elétricas na superfície dos grãos do remineralizador durante sua dissolução. Apesar da concentração de Al2O3 do remineralizador (11,90%) e Fe2O3 (14,45%), não houve aumento destes elementos no complexo de troca, possivelmente por sua rápida precipitação em formas amorfas (Alo e Feo no solo).(AU)

Chemical attributes of a remineralized Oxisol / Atributos químicos de um Latossolo remineralizado

ABSTRACT: Remineralizers are comminuted rocks that are applied to soil, and their use as an agricultural amendment was regulated in Brazil in 2013. However, mechanisms of action of these materials must be better known to enable them to be best used in agricultural fields. Soil chemical attributes of an Oxisol were monitored after the application of a diabase remineralizer. The increase in exchangeable Na observed was associated with the dissolution of the border of the plagioclase crystals where this element is highly concentrated (albite). Therefore, it was inferred that the time since the application of the remineralizer (1 to 2 years depending on the treatment) was not sufficient to exhaust this crystal volume. Unfortunately, the presence of several sources of Ca-containing minerals in the remineralizer did not allow to infer if the calcic nuclei was dissolving. An increase in effective cation exchange capacity was observed without the concurrent increase in the pH of the soil. The two non-exclusive hypotheses proposed to explain this result were that an extra surface charge has originated on the surface of the newly precipitated oxidic phases and/or from the dissolution of the remineralizer grains. Rapid precipitation of amorphous solids (as measured by the increase in Alo and Feo) would also explain the lack of increase in exchangeable Fe and Al despite the large amount of Al2O3 (11.90%) and Fe2O3 (14.45%) in the remineralizer.

RESUMO: O uso de remineralizadores como insumo agrícola foi regularizado em 2013, mas seus mecanismos de ação precisam ser melhor conhecidos para viabilizar o manejo nos campos agrícolas. Atributos químicos de um Latossolo foram monitorados após remineralização com diabásio. O aumento de Na trocável foi atribuído à dissolução das bordas dos plagioclásios (albita) onde a concentração deste elemento é maior. Infelizmente, não é possível especular se o tempo decorrido desde a aplicação (um a dois anos, dependendo do tratamento) foi suficiente para solubilizar o núcleo cálcico (anortita) destes cristais, já que o remineralizador possui outros minerais fonte de Ca. Houve aumento da capacidade de troca catiônica efetiva sem aumento do pH. As hipóteses propostas para explicar este fenômeno são a precipitação de fases oxídicas amorfas e o aparecimento de cargas elétricas na superfície dos grãos do remineralizador durante sua dissolução. Apesar da concentração de Al2O3 do remineralizador (11,90%) e Fe2O3 (14,45%), não houve aumento destes elementos no complexo de troca, possivelmente por sua rápida precipitação em formas amorfas (Alo e Feo no solo).

Removal of both N-nitrosodimethylamine and trihalomethanes precursors in a single treatment using ion exchange resins.

Drinking water utilities are relying more than ever on water sources impacted by wastewater effluents. Disinfection/oxidation of these waters during water treatment may lead to the formation of several disinfection by-products, including the probable human carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and the regulated trihalomethanes (THMs). In this study, the potential of ion exchange resins to control both NDMA and THMs precursors in a single treatment is presented. Two ion exchange resins were examined, a cation exchange resin (Plus) to target NDMA precursors and an anion exchange resin (MIEX) for THMs precursors control. We applied the resins, individually and combined, in the treatment of surface and wastewater effluent samples. The treatment with both resins removed simultaneously NDMA (43-85%) and THMs (39-65%) precursors. However, no removal of NDMA precursors was observed in the surface water with low initial NDMA FP (14 ng/L). The removals of NDMA FP and THMs FP with Plus and MIEX resins applied alone were (49-90%) and (41-69%), respectively. These results suggest no interaction between the resins, and thus the feasibility of effectively controlling NDMA and THMs precursors concomitantly. Additionally, the effects of the wastewater impact and the natural attenuation of precursors were studied. The results showed that neither the wastewater content nor the attenuation of the precursor affected the removals of NDMA and THMs precursors. Finally, experiments using a wastewater effluent sample showed that an increase in the calcium concentration resulted in a reduction in the removal of NDMA precursors of about 50%.

Zeolitic tuffs for acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment in Ecuador: breakthrough curves for Mn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, and Al3.

Zeolitic tuff constitutes a technical and economical feasible alternative to manage acidic waters in initial phases of generation. A study of cation exchange with two zeolitic tuffs from Ecuador and one from Cuba has been conducted using breakthrough curve methodology. Cations Mn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, and Al3+ have been chosen owing to their presence in underground water in exploration activities (decline development) in Fruta del Norte (Ecuador). Zeolites characterized by X-ray diffraction and thermal stability after heating overnight as heulandites show a similar exchange behavior for the five cations studied. The clinoptilolite sample Tasajeras shows a relevant cation exchange performance expressed in the important increment of spatial time to reach the breakthrough point in comparison with heulandite samples. The maximum length of unused beds was found for Cr3+ and Zn2+ cations showing, therefore, a lower adsorption performance in relation with Mn2+ and Cd2+. A final disposal method of metal-loaded zeolites with cement is proposed.

Capillary electrophoresis coupled to contactless conductivity detection for analysis of amino acids of agricultural interest in composting.

Composting is a sustainable approach to manage animal and vegetal waste generated in the Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo. The resulting compost is often used in ZOO's premises as an organic fertilizer for the production of vegetables, which is further used to feed the animals. The composting product provides many forms of mineral and also amino acids (AA) that are absorbed by plants as nutrients. Since most amino acids absorb only slightly or not at all in the UV wavelengths, we developed a method for the determination of AA of agricultural interest in the composting samples. Due to the complexity of samples, we used ion exchange chromatography for the purification of AA prior to analysis. The proposed CZE-C4 D method allowed a separation of the AA in a short analysis time (less than 3.0 min), with great linearity (with R2 ranging from 0.993 to 0.998). Using a BGE of 10 mmol/L TEA, reduction of high-frequency noise and lower baseline fluctuations were obtained. The LOQ for the five AA were around 35 µmol/L, and were adequate for our purpose. In addition, the method showed good precision (RSD of peak area and migration time less than 1.55 and 1.16%, respectively).

Elaboración de bio-resina intercambiadora de cationes a partir de cáscara de plátano o guineo para eliminar metales pesados en agua contaminada / Manufacture of cation exchange bio-resin from banana peel to remove heavy metals in contaminated water

Esta investigación tuvo por objetivo obtener una bio-resina intercambiadora de cationes utilizando cáscaras de guineo o plátano, la cual reduzca la concentración de metales pesados en agua contaminada. A esta bio-resina se le realizaron pruebas fisicoquímicas: densidad seca aparente, pH y solubilidad en agua y solventes orgánicos. Se evaluó su efectividad filtrando agua contaminada con metales pesados, tales como hierro, cromo y níquel (Fe3+, Cr6+ y Ni2+), variando las condiciones de tiempo de contacto, temperatura y el tipo de cáscara. La cuantificación de la concentración de los metales en el agua filtrada se llevó a cabo por espectrofotometría visible. Se llegó a la conclusión que la bio-resina obtenida es efectiva para disminuir la concentración de metales pesados en agua, teniendo especial afinidad química por el cromo hexavalente; metal pesado que logró remover arriba del 90%. Las condiciones óptimas de operación de la bio-resina son a 30°C y 90 minutos de tiempo de contacto con la muestra. Además, las pruebas fisicoquímicas, permitieron tipificarla preliminarmente como una resina de intercambio catiónico débil con un grado de entrecruzamiento bajo.

The objective of this research was to obtain a cation exchange bio-resin using banana peels, which reduces the concentration of heavy metals in contaminated water. Physicochemical tests were carried out on this bio-resin: apparent dry density, pH and solubility in water and organic solvents. Its effectiveness was evaluated by filtering water contaminated with heavy metals, such as iron, chromium and nickel (Fe3 +, Cr6 + and Ni2 +), varying the conditions of contact time, temperature and the type of shell. The quantification of the metal concentration in the filtered water was carried out by visible spectrophotometry. It was concluded that the bio-resin obtained is effective in reducing the concentration of heavy metals in water, having a special chemical affinity for hexavalent chromium; heavy metal that was able to remove over 90%. The optimal operating conditions for the bio-resin are at 30 ° C and 90 minutes of contact time with the sample. Furthermore, physicochemical tests allowed it to be preliminarily typified as a weak cation exchange resin with a low degree of crosslinking.

Tillage, fertilization systems and chemical attributes of a Paleudult

Tillage and fertilization methods may affect soil fertility. With the aim of assessing changes in soil chemical properties over a period of ten years, soil samples of a Paleudult were collected over nine seasons at three layer depths (0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm) and were chemically analyzed. Grain yield and nutrient export in two summer crops, soybean (Glycine max) and corn (Zea mays), in a field experiment set in Eldorado do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were determined. Three soil tillage systems were evaluated, conventional (CT), reduced (RT) and no-tillage (NT), combined with mineral (lime and fertilizers) and organic (poultry litter) fertilization. The no-tillage system stood out as compared to the others, especially in the surface layer, in terms of values of organic matter, soil pH, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity and base saturation. Phosphorus content was higher under organic than mineral fertilization due to the criteria used for the establishment of fertilizer doses. Under organic fertilization, soil pH values were similar to those obtained in limed soil samples because of the cumulative effect of the organic fertilizer. Soybean yield was lower under NT in comparison to the RT and CT systems. Consequently, soybean grain exported a lower content of nutrients than maize grain. Maize yield was not affected by either tillage or fertilization systems.(AU)

Tillage, fertilization systems and chemical attributes of a Paleudult

Tillage and fertilization methods may affect soil fertility. With the aim of assessing changes in soil chemical properties over a period of ten years, soil samples of a Paleudult were collected over nine seasons at three layer depths (0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm) and were chemically analyzed. Grain yield and nutrient export in two summer crops, soybean (Glycine max) and corn (Zea mays), in a field experiment set in Eldorado do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were determined. Three soil tillage systems were evaluated, conventional (CT), reduced (RT) and no-tillage (NT), combined with mineral (lime and fertilizers) and organic (poultry litter) fertilization. The no-tillage system stood out as compared to the others, especially in the surface layer, in terms of values of organic matter, soil pH, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity and base saturation. Phosphorus content was higher under organic than mineral fertilization due to the criteria used for the establishment of fertilizer doses. Under organic fertilization, soil pH values were similar to those obtained in limed soil samples because of the cumulative effect of the organic fertilizer. Soybean yield was lower under NT in comparison to the RT and CT systems. Consequently, soybean grain exported a lower content of nutrients than maize grain. Maize yield was not affected by either tillage or fertilization systems.

Chromium removal by zeolite-rich materials obtained from an exhausted FCC catalyst: Influence of chromium incorporation on the sorbent structure.

A spent FCC catalyst was converted into a zeolitic mixture, and the product obtained was afterward used as trapping material for Cr(III) species frequently found in aqueous solutions. Eventual changes in the sorbent structure produced by Cr incorporation were studied by different characterization techniques such as point of zero charge determinations (PZC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and infrared absorption (FTIR). The XRD and FTIR analyses indicated that chromium incorporation produces an amorphization of the material, and PZC measurements show no surface adsorption of charged chromium species. SEM and EDX analyses clearly show that after chromium sorption, the initial microspheroidal catalyst morphology was maintained, and the presence of chromium species was mainly detected in the outer microsphere surface, where the zeolite crystals were hydrothermally grown.

Caracterização química, física e morfológica de solos derivados de rochas efusivas no Planalto Sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil / Chemical, physical and morphological characterization of soils derived from effusive rocks on the south plateau of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Em duas topossequências no Planalto Sul Catarinense estudou-se as características químicas, físicas e morfológicas de sete perfis de solo desenvolvidos de rochas efusivas (basaltos e riodacitos) da Formação Serra Geral. A caracterização física constou da determinação da textura, argila dispersa em água e grau de floculação. As análises químicas consistiram da determinação do pH em H2O e em KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H + Al e Carbono Orgânico (CO). Estudou-se também a contribuição da fração argila e do CO na Capacidade de Troca de Cátions (CTC) através do método gráfico de Bennema. Os solos originados de riodacitos foram classificados como Cambissolos Háplicos, e os desenvolvidos de basalto como Nitossolos Vermelhos. Os Cambissolos Háplicos apresentam reação fortemente ácida, níveis muito altos de Al trocável e baixos valores de soma e saturação por bases, possuindo caráter alítico ou alumínico. Os Nitossolos Vermelhos têm reação menos ácida, teores mais baixos de Al trocável, além de valores de soma (SB) e saturação por bases (V%) mais altos do que nos Cambissolos, sendo distróficos. A estimativa da contribuição da fração argila e do CO na Capacidade de Troca de Cátions (CTC) pelo método de Bennema resultou em valores da atividade da argila (T) inferiores àqueles obtidos pelo método preconizado pelo Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos (SiBCS). A contribuição do CO na CTC é relevante em solos de regiões com maiores altitudes, pois os teores de matéria orgânica são altos mesmo nos horizontes subsuperficiais. Portanto, sugere-se considerar o efeito da matéria orgânica no cálculo da atividade da argila, principalmente em solos com altitudes mais elevadas, devido à sua importância no enquadramento do solo no terceiro nível categórico.(AU)

In two top sequences in the Southern Plateau of Santa Catarina, we studied the chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of seven soil profiles from effusive rocks (basalts and rhyodacites) of the Serra Geral formationl. The physical characterization consisted of determining the texture, water dispersible clay and degree of fl occulation. The chemical analysis consisted of determining the pH in H2O and KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H+Al and organic carbon (OC). Also studied was the contribution of clay and organic carbon in Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) by the graphic method of Bennema. The soils originated from rhyodacites were classified as Cambissolos Háplicos (Haplumbrept), and developed from basalt as Nitossolos Vermelhos (Kandiudox). The Haplumbrept have a strong reaction to acid, very high levels of exchangeable Al and low values of sum and base saturation, possessing alito or alumina characteristics, whereas the Kandiudox have a less acidic reaction, lower levels of exchangeable Al, and values sum (SB) and base saturation (V%) higher than in Haplumbrept, and dystrophic. The estimate of the contribution of clay and organic carbon in the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) using the Bennema method resulted in values of the activity of clay (T) lower than those obtained by the method recommended by the Brazilian System of Soil Classification (SiBCS). The contribution of CO in the CTC is relevant in soils of regions with higher altitudes, because the organic matter levels are high even in the subsurface layers. Therefore, it is suggested to consider the effect of organic matter in the calculation of the activity of clay, especially in soils with higher altitudes, due to its importance in the framework of the soil in the third categorical level.(AU)

Caracterização química, física e morfológica de solos derivados de rochas efusivas no Planalto Sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil / Chemical, physical and morphological characterization of soils derived from effusive rocks on the south plateau of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Em duas topossequências no Planalto Sul Catarinense estudou-se as características químicas, físicas e morfológicas de sete perfis de solo desenvolvidos de rochas efusivas (basaltos e riodacitos) da Formação Serra Geral. A caracterização física constou da determinação da textura, argila dispersa em água e grau de floculação. As análises químicas consistiram da determinação do pH em H2O e em KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H + Al e Carbono Orgânico (CO). Estudou-se também a contribuição da fração argila e do CO na Capacidade de Troca de Cátions (CTC) através do método gráfico de Bennema. Os solos originados de riodacitos foram classificados como Cambissolos Háplicos, e os desenvolvidos de basalto como Nitossolos Vermelhos. Os Cambissolos Háplicos apresentam reação fortemente ácida, níveis muito altos de Al trocável e baixos valores de soma e saturação por bases, possuindo caráter alítico ou alumínico. Os Nitossolos Vermelhos têm reação menos ácida, teores mais baixos de Al trocável, além de valores de soma (SB) e saturação por bases (V%) mais altos do que nos Cambissolos, sendo distróficos. A estimativa da contribuição da fração argila e do CO na Capacidade de Troca de Cátions (CTC) pelo método de Bennema resultou em valores da atividade da argila (T) inferiores àqueles obtidos pelo método preconizado pelo Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos (SiBCS). A contribuição do CO na CTC é relevante em solos de regiões com maiores altitudes, pois os teores de matéria orgânica são altos mesmo nos horizontes subsuperficiais. Portanto, sugere-se considerar o efeito da matéria orgânica no cálculo da atividade da argila, principalmente em solos com altitudes mais elevadas, devido à sua importância no enquadramento do solo no terceiro nível categórico.

In two top sequences in the Southern Plateau of Santa Catarina, we studied the chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of seven soil profiles from effusive rocks (basalts and rhyodacites) of the Serra Geral formationl. The physical characterization consisted of determining the texture, water dispersible clay and degree of fl occulation. The chemical analysis consisted of determining the pH in H2O and KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, H+Al and organic carbon (OC). Also studied was the contribution of clay and organic carbon in Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) by the graphic method of Bennema. The soils originated from rhyodacites were classified as Cambissolos Háplicos (Haplumbrept), and developed from basalt as Nitossolos Vermelhos (Kandiudox). The Haplumbrept have a strong reaction to acid, very high levels of exchangeable Al and low values of sum and base saturation, possessing alito or alumina characteristics, whereas the Kandiudox have a less acidic reaction, lower levels of exchangeable Al, and values sum (SB) and base saturation (V%) higher than in Haplumbrept, and dystrophic. The estimate of the contribution of clay and organic carbon in the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) using the Bennema method resulted in values of the activity of clay (T) lower than those obtained by the method recommended by the Brazilian System of Soil Classification (SiBCS). The contribution of CO in the CTC is relevant in soils of regions with higher altitudes, because the organic matter levels are high even in the subsurface layers. Therefore, it is suggested to consider the effect of organic matter in the calculation of the activity of clay, especially in soils with higher altitudes, due to its importance in the framework of the soil in the third categorical level.