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Residents of remote areas in the Amazon often lack access to a water supply system and thus need to produce their potable water at home. This study examined the efficacy of household water treatments traditionally used by these communities to treat rainwater and river water, their predominant water sources. Samples of untreated, treated, and stored drinking water were collected from 18 households in three communities in Central Amazon, Amazonas State, Brazil. We describe the materials and practices involved and traditionally used in each treatment technique - cloth filtration (water straining), chlorination, and sedimentation, and their efficiency. In the samples we evaluate water quality analyses, as free chlorine, color, coliforms, and turbidity. The treatment steps for the separation of solids in river water were effective only for removing turbidity and apparent color. Straining river water after sedimentation had no relevant effect on water quality. Chlorination of rainwater was efficient in inactivating Escherichia coli; however, all samples showed some level of contamination by E. coli. We found a significant difference (p < 0.05) between untreated and treated river water turbidity, reduced by up to 22%. Untreated rain and river waters showed similar levels of microbiological contamination, close to 3.5 log CFU/100 mL of E. coli. Chlorine effectively removed microbiological contaminants in rainwater (median removal of 100, 44.5% of samples with <1 CFU/100 mL). Yet, this treatment was less effective for river water (94% median removal, with 11% of samples with <100 CFU/100 mL and only 5.5% with <1 CFU/100 mL found in treated water), showing a significant reduction in both cases when the Wilcoxon test was applied. Sodium hypochlorite treatment showed the best results among the techniques evaluated in this study. It can be used in remote areas where rainwater is available for consumption. Microorganism concentration increased after water underwent water straining and sedimentation processes. These results suggest that the improper handling of water containers and materials used during treatment processes leads to contamination of water. Thus, more robust outreach and educational efforts are recommended to improve remote communities' water collection, treatment, and storage practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of possible endocrine disruptors in surface and wastewater using a cell proliferation assay in an estrogen-responsive cell line (MCF-7). This study was conducted in the Sinos River (Brazil). The residual water was collected from a Pilot Treatment Plant (using Typha domingensis) and surface waters of the Luis Rau stream, the Sinos River, and the Water Treatment Station (WTS). After exposures (24–120 h), a Sulforhodamine B assay was performed to determine the proliferation rate. The higher increase in proliferation rate was observed with the Luiz Rau stream and the sewage treated by macrophytes in a flotation filter. The results from WTS water remained with a proliferation rate similar to the negative control at all times, suggesting that the conventional treatment is partially effective for the withdrawal of endocrine-disrupting agents. The study demonstrated the efficiency of the MCF-7 line in assessing endocrine disruption caused by wastewater and surface water samples. Our results indicate that conventional water treatment can partially remove the polluting load of endocrine disruptors, minimizing their environmental and public health impacts. Besides, it demonstrates the need to expand sanitary services to improve the population's quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares the concentration levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), bisphenol-A (BPA) and caffeine (CAF) in the Sinos River, Brazil, which is a source of drinking water and the presence of contaminants after the conventional treatment in a municipal water treatment plant (WTP). A total of nine sampling campaigns were carried out, with sample collection in the Sinos River, upstream and downstream of the WTP, in addition to a drinking water sample (DW). The samples were extracted with solid phase extraction (SPE) and the concentration by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The maximum concentration in the Sinos River was 6,127.99 ng·L−1 for E2, 3,294.63 ng·L−1 for BPA and 1,221.95 ng·L−1 for CAF. In drinking water, the concentration range of E2, BPA and CAF was from less than the Detection Limit (DL) up to 437.50 ng·L−1,

The use of new technologies for the removal of pollutants from wastewater has become globally necessary due to the complexity and facilities defined by conventional treatments. Advanced oxidative processes, specifically the Fenton process, have become widely applied given their low cost and ease of use. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the progression of the scientific publications on the implementation of Fenton process, investigating their space–time evolution. Additionally, useful solutions, trends, and gaps in the applications for the removal of pollutants with this methodology were identified, and also different remediation strategies and the design of new treatments for wastewaters were identified within this scientometric analysis. Bibliometric research was conducted in two scientific databases, Web of Science and Scopus, from 2011 to 2022, and we identified 932 and 1263 studies with the word "Fenton," respectively. When these publications are associated with the treatment of alternative effluents, an increase in publications from 2011 (r = 0.95, p < 0.001) and 2013 (r = 0.93, p < 0.001) was observed when analyzing both databases, indicating the relevance of the theme. Among these studies, several of them were conducted on the bench scale (89.8% and 98.3%, Web of Science and Scopus, respectively) and in aqueous matrix (97.8% and 98.4%, Web of Science and Scopus, respectively), with being China the main country with publications associated with these words (28.33% and 41.9%), while Brazil is related to 3.65% and 2.29% of the total studies in Web of Science and Scopus, respectively. In addition, this review provides a guideline for new applications for different species in the matrices and describes the evolution of technological solutions to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6: clean water and sanitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of suspended sediment discharge are greatly significant and represent a basic need for the initial assessment of the effects caused by this process and for the subsequent formulation of management actions. Also, considering that obtaining direct hydrosedimentological data is not a trivial and low-cost task due mainly to the special and temporal variability of the phenomenon, substitute technologies are well employed for monitoring watersheds. Among these are turbidity measurements, described in many papers. An adaptation of this technique was designed and performed in this study for the verification and secondary use of turbidimetric data carried out by a drinking water treatment company at the closing point of the upper part of the Jundiaí river watershed, in the city of Campo Limpo Paulista, São Paulo state. Direct measurements with traditional samplers and valuations of particle size distribution throughout the hydrological year were used to establish empirical correlations between the suspended sediments concentration and turbidity. The definition of the most appropriate adjustment was carried out based on the statistical analysis of the linear regression parameters (R2, Value-p, MSPE, and PRESS) and residue statistics, thus adopting the model with piecewise regression by turbidimetric ranges (250 NTU), which in turn, presented low overestimation of the SSC for high values of turbidity. The definition of the historical series of suspended sediment discharge with hourly temporal resolution for the study site validated the main objective of reusing secondary data with hydrosedimentological purposes, highlighting the plausible applications for different places where there are insufficient resources for the installation and use of in situ turbidity equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) act as antipyretics, analgesics and anti-inflammatories. Among them, diclofenac and ibuprofen are the most consumed drugs worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some NSAIDs, such as dipyrone and paracetamol, have been used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, causing an increase in the concentrations of these drugs in water. However, due to the low concentration of these compounds in drinking water and groundwater, few studies have been carried out on the subject, especially in Brazil. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the contamination of the surface water, groundwater, and water treated with diclofenac, dipyrone, ibuprofen, and paracetamol at 3 cities (Orocó, Santa Maria da Boa Vista and Petrolândia) in the Brazilian semiarid region, in addition to analyzing the removal of these drugs by conventional water treatment (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) in stations to each city. All drugs analyzed were detected in surface and treated waters. In groundwater, only dipyrone was not found. Dipyrone was seen in surface water with a maximum concentration of 1858.02 μg.L−1, followed by ibuprofen (785.28 μg.L−1), diclofenac (759.06 μg.L−1) and paracetamol (533.64 μg.L−1). The high concentrations derive from the increased consumption of these substances during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the conventional water treatment, the maximum removal of diclofenac, dipyrone, ibuprofen and paracetamol was 22.42%; 3.00%; 32.74%; and 1.58%, respectively, which confirms the inefficiency of this treatment in removing drugs. The variation in removal rate of the analyzed drugs is due to the difference in the hydrophobicity of the compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has been intensively researched worldwide. In Brazil, there is a variety of feedstock production that can be turned into soil amendments of high performance through biochar conversion, especially solid wastes. However, advances in biochar research in Brazil have not been systematically evaluated to indicate possible gaps and suggest future research for eco‐friendly applications. Thus, in this work we evaluated biochar properties and effects on air, water, and soil quality based on data gathered from researches performed in Brazil. Biochar has been mainly evaluated as soil conditioner (37%), material characterization (17%), water treatment (12%), and greenhouse gases emissions (9%). Based on the data synthesis of 68 feedstocks used for biochar production, we observed that the pyrolysis temperature profoundly affects biochar properties. Meta‐analysis indicated benefits of biochar addition to soils for chemical, physical, microbiological and biochemical attributes that have resulted in increases in root growth (+30%), and plant shoots (+45%). Pyrolysis temperature and feedstock are key choices to design biochar properties aiming to retain dyes, aromatic hydrocarbon, pesticides, and metals in water and wastewater treatment. It was also observed an increase in CO2 and a decrease in N2O emissions after biochar application to soils in short‐term experiments. Although there is a growing interest in the development of electrochemical sensors and biochar‐based fertilizers, technological applications of biochar are still incipient in Brazil. Future research should prioritize long‐term and mechanistically evaluations of biochar under field conditions and the development of eco‐friendly technological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Raw material diversity and auxiliary inputs for producing cosmetics result in effluents with high polluting potential, usually containing high concentrations of organic low biodegradable compounds, oils and greases, ammonia, surfactants, and salts. Brazil is a country that produces and consumes many cosmetics, and the treated cosmetic industry wastewaters must meet standards established by Brazilian environmental agencies to be discharged into receiving water bodies. This review seeks to evaluate the characteristics of both raw and treated cosmetic wastewaters and the treatment methods adopted by Brazilian cosmetic industries. It was observed a wide variation of COD and BOD 5 values for the raw wastewater samples, e.g. COD varied from 850 to 36,000 mg.L−1. More than 50% of the raw wastewaters showed high biodegradability, since BOD 5 /COD ratio was above 0.37. Conventional treatments have met a minimum 60% removal levels for BOD 5 , according to current federal legislation. However, few samples fell within the most restrictive state legislation limits, and treatments were not effective in eliminating wastewater toxicity. Interestingly, COD and BOD 5 values for raw and treated wastewaters could be linearly correlated (R2 values > 0.8). The straight-line equations obtained in this work can be used to estimate BOD 5 from COD data, since the latter is easier to obtain. Regarding alternative treatments evaluated in bench-scale, Fenton processes and electrocoagulation have removed more than 90% of COD in raw cosmetic industry wastewaters. We found reports on reuse practices involving conventionally treated wastewater, which can supply cooling towers at 100% capacity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brazil suffers from a lack of basic sanitation in many regions, intensified in the Amazon region due to its difficult access. The application of natural coagulants is a promising alternative since it eliminates the use of chemicals, is a simple, low-cost method that is easy to reproduce, and is accessible to any community, thus promoting health and environmental improvements. On the other hand, the use of chemical coagulants can cause harm to the environment and human health. Aim: Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the coagulation effect of a species of Amazonian cactus applied in the treatment of water for human consumption. Methods: For the study, about 500 grams of the aerial part of the Cereus jamacaru was collected on the banks of the BR 174 in the region of Roraima. The spines were removed in the laboratory, the plant material was washed, cut to a thickness, dried in an oven at 60 °C for 36 hours, then ground and sieved until obtaining a powder, which was tested as a natural coagulant. The water used in the study was collected from the Branco River in Boa Vista, Roraima, and characterized its initial turbidity. Results: The dosage of 0.2g of the natural cactus coagulant showed a significant reduction in the turbidity of the study water, leaving it within the potability standards established for groundwater. Discussion: Coagulation in the sanitary context is evidenced by the removal of microscopic particles associated with pathogenic microorganisms, normally found in raw water and with very low sedimentation speed. Replacing polluting chemical substances with natural coagulants in the treatment of water for human consumption contributes to the quality of life. Conclusion: The Amazonian cactus Cereus jamacaru demonstrated coagulation efficiency for analyzing the turbidity parameter of water for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are the main etiologies of waterborne outbreaks caused by protozoa. These parasites are commonly detected in wastewater; however, there is little knowledge about the concentration of viable forms in treated sewage, mainly in small communities. To understand more about the presence of viable oocysts and cysts in domestic sewage, we monitored the affluent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in inner-city Brazil. Ten samplings and seven follow-ups were performed in 2020. Samples were concentrated by centrifugation, filtration and purified by fluctuation. Viability was accessed by propidium-monoazide (PMA) associated with nPCR and qPCR. Both viable protozoa were detected in all raw sewage samples (average: 438.5 viable oocysts/L). Regarding treated sewage, Cryptosporidium was detected in all of the samples (average: 92.8 viable oocysts/L) and Giardia was detected in 70% with viable cysts in 30%. Considering the follow-ups, 31.17% of Cryptosporidium viable oocysts remained in the effluent after the treatment. High amounts of Cryptosporidium and a high frequency of Giardia were detected, therefore both arrived at WWTP and were discharged into the river. These alert the presence of agro-industrial effluents into domestic sewage and demonstrated the effectiveness of the concentration technique for monitoring protozoa in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in raw, filtered, and chlorinated waters collected from two drinking water treatment plants (WTP A and WTP B). WTP A uses either direct filtration or flotation-filtration depending on the turbidity of raw water. WTP B has two independent treatment lines, a direct filtration and a conventional treatment line. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were identified by direct immunofluorescence microscopy and confirmed by DAPI staining and phase-contrast microscopy. Both protozoa were detected in water treated by direct filtration (WTP A and B) and flotation-filtration (WTP A). The absence of cysts and oocysts in chlorinated water does not exclude risks, as the limitations of concentration and identification techniques must be considered. These results reinforce the importance of monitoring protozoa in water destined for public supply, and the optimization of water treatment processes to produce low turbidity water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies reported that continuous application of glyphosate can cause disturbance in aquatic/terrestrial environments. As such, the objective of this study is to discuss the risk of exposure to the herbicide in drinking water and to assess the oxidative stress in the consumers rural populations of Casimiro de Abreu/ RJ and Paraguaçu/ MG, Brazil. For this, water samples (n=69) were analysed from the home of volunteers, by FMOC derivatizing- LC-FLD method. The oxidative stress was analysed determining lipid peroxidation (MAD) and defense enzymes (SOD and CAT) in serum samples from rural population (n=42) compared to urban residents (n= 42). Results of the analysis from drinking water, despite the low and moderate risk, by the hazard quotient (HQ), revealed that the population is environmentally exposed to the glyphosate. The relevant findings showed that is important to implement monitoring/ biomonitoring programs to prevent pollution and toxic effects in the rural populations. • Water analysis showed glyphosate environmental exposure to farmers • MAD increase and SOD and CAT decrease were found rural population • Biomarker analysis indicated oxidative imbalance from farmers • Hazard Quotient (HQ) characterized the risk as low to moderate from drinking water source • Results revealed the importance of pesticides monitoring programs and surveillance health [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing population size and housing density are responsible for greater consumption of water resources, causing drinking water shortages in many regions. To reduce water consumption, it is essential to perform wastewater treatment, particularly in onsite non-potable water systems (ONWS). This article discusses the performance of a wastewater treatment system in a shopping mall in Brazil (City of Guarulhos, São Paulo State, Brazil), using data collected over 3 years (2015–2018) that resulted in water reuse ranging from 12 to 42 m³ per day. The strategy used for this wastewater treatment and further reuse in cooling towers and toilets initially included nine steps; after adjustments, an additional step (tertiary decanter) was added. All steps were named as follows: (1) railing; (2) fats boxes; (3) aerobic reactors with selector tank; (4) denitrification; (5) flocculation; (6) secondary decanter; (7) ultrafiltration; (8) disinfection; (9) filtration by zeolites; and (10) tertiary decanter. Based on using FeCl3 as a flocculant followed by filtration by zeolites (SFM) for ion adsorption and removing above 99% of the biological oxygen demand (BOD5), generating a final BOD5 of <2.0 mg/L, total dissolved solids of 130 to 594 mg/L, pH ranging from 6.75 to 7.79, and remaining pathogen-free. This treatment demonstrated the feasibility of reusing water in air conditioning cooling towers and toilets, generating up to 797 m³/month of treated water for reuse with savings of up to 27% in drinking water consumption at the mall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling post-consumer packaging of high and linear/low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE/LLDPE) and polypropylene (PP) (most representative in any plastic waste stream) is a viable alternative. However, these packages must be washed first, especially those with a high content of contaminants (such as yogurt—HDPE and margarine—PP). Therefore, this study aimed to develop a complete pre-treatment of polymeric wastes (HDPE, LDPE/LLDPE, PP) involving the steps of quantification, characterization, washing (pre-wash/ washing/rinsing), treatment of the generated effluent and the reuse of treated water in a closed circuit. Afterward, the qualification of recyclable material selectors was performed with associations/cooperatives of recyclable material in the Rio Grande do Sul, South region of Brazil. The results indicated that the subdivision in prewash/washing/rinsing utilizing sulfonic acid (1.16% v/v), lauryl (sodium lauryl ether sulfate) (0.53% v/v) and soda (0.31% v/v) was suitable for obtaining clean polymeric waste. Treatment of effluent using aluminum sulfate (4 g L−1) as a coagulant, followed by filtration, was efficient with removal values greater than 90%. These characteristics of treated water allowed its reutilization water of a safe way in closed circuit in the process of washing of the polymeric wastes. Finally, a total of sixty-four selectors of recyclable materials were trained and the theoretical–practical training was quite satisfactory for more than 95% of selectors. Therefore, it can be concluded that the great importance to transmitting the knowledge to society generated in this studies and thus provides best conditions for the development of these selectors of recyclable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic ozonation (OC) is a promising technology in terms of efficiency and energy cost as a treatment of industrial effluents that have pollutants of emerging concern, since it improves the oxidative capacities of ozone through catalysts that promote its decomposition and the generation of radicals oxidants species. This article studied the status and evolution of OC through a literature review and bibliometric analysis combined with the S curve technique to quantitatively analyze 1714 publications in SCOPUS and Scielo Index from 1973 to 2021. The results showed that (1) the number of publications worldwide started in 1973 to have 189 documents in 2021; (2) China is the country with the highest number of publications and annual citations (958 and 19088, respectively) and it is a central country in international cooperation networks; (3) the analysis of keyword co-occurrence showed that research has prioritized OC reaction mechanisms, kinetic expressions, the catalysts, and since 2016, the pilot scale application with other advanced oxidation technologies; (4) The compound with larger research is oxalic acid and since 1999 ibuprofen and atrazine; (5) in Latin America, Brazil is the country with the most publications (32) and with the largest number of international cooperation networks and (5) Applied Catalysis B: Environmental and The Journal of the Brazilean Chemical Society (Latin America) are the journals with the best quartile that publish on OC. Finally, the S curve indicated that OC is in a growth stage in terms of the scientific maturity, exhibiting great potential in R&D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Organizações e Sustentabilidade is the property of Organizacoes e Sustentabilidade / PPGA-UEL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Studies on the use of deficit irrigation and application of models for estimating agronomic performance of crops can help in more sustainable agricultural managements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation levels on the agronomic performance of white oat (Avena sativa L.) and accuracy of the CERES-Barley model in simulating white oat growth and yield, as well as performing long-term simulation to identify the best sowing time for each irrigation management. The experiment consisted of five irrigation levels (11%, 31%, 60%, 87%, and 100%), being conducted in two agricultural years in southeastern Brazil. The model was calibrated with data of the treatment without water deficit (100%) of the first year and validated with the data of the other treatments in the 2 years. Long-term analyses, with a historical series of 16 years, were performed to recommend the best sowing dates for each irrigation management. Deficit irrigation linearly reduces the agronomic performance of white oat. The high accuracy of white oat yield estimation (R2 = 0.86; RMSE = 616 kg ha−1) using the CERES-Barley model allowed the long-term simulation for establishing the best sowing date for each irrigation level. For higher irrigation levels, sowing in periods with lower temperature (May and June) is more appropriate, as the 1 °C increment in the average temperature before flowering reduces crop yield by 600 kg ha−1. At irrigation levels with higher deficit, sowing in periods with higher rainfall (March and April) promotes higher crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ambiente e Água is the property of Revista Ambiente e Agua and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The electrodialysis reversal (EDR) technology was applied as tertiary treatment for final effluent from a Kraft pulp mill industry located in Bahia, Brazil. Two samples were evaluated: first, the final effluent treated by conventional processes (FE); the second one was additionally filtered by sand and activated carbon (FEAC). The tests in a pilot plant were carried out in batch mode, with electrode's polarity reversion. Temperature, pH and electrical conductivity measurements were performed during EDR treatment. Solutions before and after the EDR treatment were submitted to physicochemical characterization in order to determine the system efficiency. Chloride and sulfide concentrations have been reduced by up to 98.6 and 100% respectively. Only for FE treatment it was observed fouling and scaling occurrence, due to high organic and inorganic ions concentrations. In addition, the evaluated ions were satisfactorily removed by EDR for both effluents, giving to them the suitable quality for disposal or reuse in industrial processes. The study presents a mitigating solution to environmental and technological problems, itself as a viable alternative in the tertiary treatment of effluents from the Kraft process in the pulp industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this research are to evaluate Giardia and Cryptosporidium contamination in surface water supply in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State in South Brazil in the years 2016 to 2020, assess seasonality, and to infer the population that may have been exposed to these protozoa through drinking water based on drinking water treatment efficiency. Data were obtained through the drinking water surveillance national information system. From 204 DWT plants in the state, 66 have been analyzed for protozoa. A total of 2304 analyses of protozoa in raw water were evaluated, of which 223 had both Giardia spp. cysts and/or Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in concentrations that varied from 0.1 to 21.5/L. A total of 2,712,125 people from 48 cities were at risk of having the presence of pathogenic protozoa in their drinking water. The probability of finding these protozoa was higher in winter. Giardia cysts were more likely to be found in a period without rain, suggesting that sewage was the main source of contamination. It is concluded that the springs of Rio Grande do Sul are impacted and the circulation of pathogenic protozoa through the territory is endemic with a probable source of contamination to sewage and livestock activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing global concern with water resources management has driven the search for more effective treatments for industrial effluents. The produced water is inserted in this scenario as one of the largest effluents generated by the oil industry. Besides, it cannot be discarded or reused without proper treatment due to its complex and toxic chemical composition. A bibliometric study was performed on the Scopus database from inception to 2020 in order to map the evolution of scientific publications related to the advanced oxidation processes based on reactions with ozone and Fenton's reagent. The results reinforced the efficiency of such processes for treating the produced water and the increasing of publications in the last few years, although the first document appeared only in 1995. China was the leading country in this research area, followed by Brazil and the USA. The most relevant journals were the Environmental Science & Technology and the Journal of Hazardous Materials. The research trends pointed out that the use of Fenton, photo-Fenton, and ozonation processes has been associated with other treatment methods to enhance the removal of contaminants in the produced water samples. However, the documents selected revealed the limitation on these processes due to the high costs with energy consumption. The present study can help other researchers mainly due to the few studies in this area, which demonstrates the importance of this prospection to support the development and application of advanced oxidation processes on produced water treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fate of pharmaceuticals during the treatment of effluents is of major concern since they are not completely degraded and because of their persistence and mobility in environment. Indeed, even at low concentrations, they represent a risk to aquatic life and human health. In this work, fourteen pharmaceuticals were monitored in a constructed wetland wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) assessed in both influent and effluent samples. The basic water quality parameters were evaluated, and the removal efficiency of pharmaceutical, potential for bioaccumulation, and the impact of WWTP were assessed using Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) and biofilms. The pharmaceutical compounds were quantified by High Performance Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The sampling campaign was carried out during winter (July/2018) and summer (January/2019). The WWTP performed well regarding the removal of TSS, COD, and BOD5 and succeeded to eliminate a significant part of the organic and inorganic pollution present in domestic wastewater but has low efficiency regarding the removal of pharmaceutical compounds. Biofilms were shown to interact with pharmaceuticals and were reported to play a role in their capture from water. The antibiotics were reported to display a high risk for aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We mapped ES supply in Brazil, that included a tropical forest. • The Amazon Forest and Atlantic Forest have the highest ES supply, especially for climate regulation. • More than 70% of Brazil has Green Areas Ecosystem Services provision above average. Green areas provide numerous ecosystem services (ES) that are essential for human well-being, such as climate regulation, air quality regulation, disease regulation, and recreational opportunities. In this study, we assessed the ecosystem services provided by green areas and their implications for human health in Brazil. Considering emerging problems in Brazil, such as population growth, the health crisis, and the increase in deforestation, ES mapping is essential to understand barriers and diagnose strategies for promoting the health and well-being of the Brazilian population. Using remote sensing data and geographic information systems, we evaluated the Green Areas Ecosystem Services (GAES), composed of i) the provision of green areas; ii) regulation of air quality; iii) climate regulation; iv) diseases regulation (cardiorespiratory); and v) cultural services, including recreation, sports, and ecotourism. Our findings suggest that green areas in Brazil provide a considerable amount of ecosystem services that are relevant to human health. Over 70 % of Brazil exhibited GAES values exceeding 0.5 (relative scale ranging from 0 to 1). This indicates that a significant portion of the Brazilian population has access to green spaces that provide important services, such as air and water purification, climate regulation, and disease regulation. The mean GAES value for the entire country was 0.78, with notable regional variations. The highest GAES was found in regions dominated by the Amazon Forest (GAES = 0.81), while the smallest offers of GAES are in the northeast (GAES = 0.40) and south (GAES = 0.41) regions of the country The type of vegetation was an important factor in the regulation of climate and air quality. However, factors such as population density and urbanization interfere with the regulation of diseases. Considering the 10 states with the highest and lowest per capita income and population density, the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the South region, had the highest mean GAES value; while the state of Acre, in the North region, had the lowest. Our findings suggest that interventions to improve green area provision and quality may be most effective in the northeast and South regions of Brazil. This is indicative of the observed lower GAES provision in these regions, primarily attributed to elevated urbanization levels leading to the conversion of green areas into urban zones. Overall, our study highlights the importance of green areas for human well-being and provides valuable information for policymakers to prioritize interventions to improve GAES provision across Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental contamination has been a cause of concern worldwide, being aggravated by anthropogenic activities carried out without the correct disposal of toxic products in the various habitats on our planet. In Brazil, mining companies are responsible for the contamination of large river basins with toxic elements from mining activities. Among these elements, arsenic draws attention because it is highly carcinogenic and found in waters in concentrations above those recommended by regulatory agencies. Here, Fe2(MoO4)3 nanoparticles are synthesized and used as a filter medium in water purification systems contaminated with arsenic. The adsorption kinetics of arsenic by Fe2(MoO4)3 nanoparticles is fast, showing pseudo-second-order rate constants of 0.0044, 0.0080, and 0.0106 g mg−1 min−1 for As3+, As5+, and MMA, respectively. The adsorption isotherms are better adjusted with the Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models, indicating that the arsenic adsorption occurs in monolayers on the Fe2(MoO4)3 surface. The Fe2(MoO4)3 adsorption capacities determined for the As3+, As5+, and MMA species are 16.1, 23.1, and 23.5 mg g−1, respectively. The Fe2(MoO4)3 filter is efficient in purifying arsenic-contaminated water, reducing its initial concentration from 1000 μg L−1 to levels close to zero. Biological tests indicate that Fe2(MoO4)3 nanoparticles and filtered water have no cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic risks to human life. Those results suggest that the Fe2(MoO4)3 filter can be used as an efficient and safe technology for the purification of water contaminated by arsenic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture is an activity with economic and social importance since it generates food, employment, and income. However, like other human activities, it negatively impacts the environment, in this respect mainly due to the production of effluents rich in sedimentable solids, organic matter, phosphorus, and nitrogen. These last two are responsible for the eutrophication of water courses, causing changes in the aquatic biota. Hence, there is a need to adopt strategies to improve the efficiency of wastewater reuse. In this sense, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of using the floating aquatic macrophytes Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta for the treatment of aquaculture effluents. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with seven treatments and three repetitions; the treatments were the following: T1, without plant, treated only with sedimentation; T2, Eichhornia crassipes; T3, Pistia stratiotes; T4, Salvinia molesta; T5, Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes; T6, Eichhornia crassipes and Salvinia molesta; and T7, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia molesta. The treatments were evaluated for a period of 168 h: the first collection of effluent allowed analysis of the raw effluent; the second occurred 24 h after the first collection and the others, on alternate days with 72, 120, and 168 h, totaling five collections in each experimental unit. The effluent used came from breeding tanks of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The quality of the effluent was evaluated by the rate of removal of nutrients N-total, N-nitrite, N-nitrate, N-ammoniacal and Ptotal, temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total alkalinity, BDO, and CDO. After the effluent was treated, the values of the parameters were compared with the maximum admissible values (MAVs), as specified by Brazil's National Environmental Council (CONAMA) in Resolutions 430/2011 and 357/2005. With the use of floating aquatic macrophytes, the concentrations of all evaluated limnology parameters improved significantly. There was also an improvement in the physical aspect of the effluent (transparency and turbidity). Thus, it can be concluded that the use of the macrophytes Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta is effective in the treatment of effluents from fish farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article addresses institutional arrangements and participation issues in the case study of a commons dilemma in the peri-urban sphere. It aims to evaluate the institutional robustness according to Ostrom's eight design principles of a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) arrangement in the Miringuava River Basin, São José dos Pinhais, Brazil. Methodology: Using documentary analysis, and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders we analyze the applicability of Ostrom's eight design principles. Relevance: Our analysis and discussion shed light on social and institutional dimensions that might be insufficiently considered by the local public administration. Results: While our analysis showed that most principles apply in some measure to the case study, favoring the implementation of PES, there are divergences in terms of monitoring, conflict resolution, and sanctions that hint to particular problems of peri-urban commons management. We conclude that PES could become a problem of collective action, representing a mechanism to increase robustness of peri-urban institutions, which allowed us to interpret ES as a common. Theoretical contributions: The PES for forest areas, has run parallel to an agricultural transition to organic farming desired by environmental organizations but resisted by local farmers. While the conservation is justified by the reduction of water treatment costs and an increase in water availability, social implications of this choice turn out to be much more complex. Management contributions: There is a need for the creation of institutional arrangements that consider power imbalances and to expand the different forms of participation in the situated action arenas created for governance and management of a common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ambiente e Água is the property of Revista Ambiente e Agua and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ambiente e Água is the property of Revista Ambiente e Agua and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The population growth is causing an increase in the generation of effluents (mainly organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and agro-industrial waste), which is an old problem in agro-industrial countries such as Brazil. Contrastingly, it is possible to add value to these residual biomasses (residues) through the application of new technologies for the production of bioenergy. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge is being applied in many effluent treatment plants for the sustainable and economically viable production of biogas. However, the biogas produced from AD (sludge) or co-digestion (sludge with other residues) presents a concentration of methane between 60 and 70% on average, which is relatively low. This review is aimed at analyzing studies involving (i) production of lipases by solid-state fermentation (SSF) by different microorganisms for the application in enzymatic pretreatments prior to the anaerobic treatment of effluents; (ii) pretreatment followed by AD of various residues, with an emphasis on OFMSW and sewage sludge; and (iii) more recent studies on anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) and hybrid technologies (pretreatment + AD or AcoD). There are many studies in the literature that demonstrate the enzymatic pretreatment or AcoD applied to the optimization of methane production. Nevertheless, few studies report the combination of these two technologies, which can improve the process and reduce or eliminate the costs of biogas purification, which are major challenges for the viability of this route of bioenergy production. Key points: •Municipal and agro-industrial wastes have potential as medium for lipase production. •Enzymatic pretreatment and anaerobic co-digestion are low cost for high-methane production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbons are well-known porous materials as an effective adsorbent used for the removal of emerging contaminants, such as herbicides, which are increasingly present in water bodies. Most water treatment plants, specially in Brazil, are unable to completely remove such contaminants by the conventional process and advanced treatment using activated carbons is required. The aim of this paper was to verify the influence of the activated carbons granulometry and specific surface area on the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide removal efficiency using distilled-deionized water and filtered water collected from a conventional Water Treatment Plant. Commercial activated carbons samples used in this work were obtained from two different manufacturers. Activated carbons were analyzed by the specific surface area, pore size and volume distribution, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and x-ray spectroscopy, moisture, volatile matter and ash contents. Batch adsorption isotherms experiments were used and performed by Langmuir and Freundlich models. Granular and powdered activated carbons removed over 99% of 2,4-D in distilled water and near to 99% using filtered water. The activated carbons evaluated in this work presented high performance and played a key role in water treatment by removing 2,4-D herbicide, ensuring the protection of human health and the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The rice represents a great sector inside of Brazil's economy, witch around all the rice consumed in the country 25% is the parabolized type. It is known that the beneficiation process of this product involves a high generation of effluent with the high organic loads and elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphor. The effluent treatment stations of these industries rely on anaerobic digestion to reduce the organic matter content, accordingly they generate anaerobic sludge. The possibility of the use of anaerobic sludge, treated or not, in agricultural soil awakens the need for studies that assure its practice in a sustainable way to the environment. The phytotoxicity is characterized as a highly important analysis, since it presents a general idea of the complexity of the interactions of the different compounds present in the residue or effluent. Germination tests have been the most used to evaluate phytotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the phytotoxicity of crude effluent and untreated sludge from a rice parboiling industry using three types of seeds, watercress, lettuce and cucumber. Germination rates varied from 1,432 ± 0.370% to 78,176 ± 15,340% indicating biomass phytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Immunosuppressive therapy causes severe impairment of host defense and diarrhea is a frequent complication in renal transplant recipients. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of Rotavirus A (RVA) and Human Bocavirus (HBoV) in fecal samples of immunosuppressed patients submitted to renal transplantation during posttransplant follow‐up. A longitudinal study was carried out involving a 25‐patient cohort, selected for kidney transplantation. A total of 126 fecal samples were collected between May 2014 and May 2016. Molecular techniques were used to detect and characterize circulating RVA and HBoV genotypes and statistical analysis were applied to verify the association between epidemiological and clinical characteristics. The prevalence of RVA and HBoV was 24% (6/25) and 40% (10/25), respectively. Among RVA and HBoV positive cases, the majority was female; did not conduct water treatment nor had adequate sewage facilities. The most detected genotypes were RVA G3 (62.5%) and HBoV‐3 (95%). Phylogenetic analysis of HBoV strains indicated that studied samples were similar to those found in Asian and American countries. The present study point out the circulation of these viral agents among immunosuppressed individuals and these findings will enable the construction of new knowledge and care perspectives on the cause of diarrhea in this population. Highlight: RVA and HBoV present high frequency among immunosuppressed individuals after kidney transplant.Prolonged excretion of HBoV has been observed in immunosuppressed individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sewage sludge contains plant nutrients and organic matter in its composition, making it a potential partial substitute for mineral fertilizers if it meets environmental, agronomic, and sanitary standards. The objective was to evaluate the content of nutrients and heavy metals in the sludge generated in four wastewater treatment stations (WWTPs) in Rio de Janeiro state and assess its potential value and usefulness. The samples of 19 batches from the WTTPs Alegria, Barra da Tijuca, Ilha do Governador, and Sarapuí were analyzed. The WWTPs differ in methods and processes used for treating sewage and sludge. The total contents of C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Na, Co, Mn, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Se, Pb, and Zn were evaluated, as well as the ratio C/N, pH, organic matter content, and electrical conductivity. The grouping of sludge samples was assessed using principal components (PCA) and cluster analysis. The economic valuation of sludge was conducted utilizing the substitute goods method, which compared the sludge's N-P-K contents with the prices of consolidated nutrient sources. All the evaluated sludge batches exhibited concentrations of heavy metals below the limits allowed by Brazilian law, along with high levels of nutrients and organic matter. Considering the chemical characteristics, all evaluated materials showed potential for agricultural use, but it is crucial to evaluate the microbiological characteristics of sludge batches before agriculture application. PCA and cluster analysis demonstrated that sludge samples from the same WWTP clustered close to each other, demonstrating higher similarity among themselves than with samples from other WWTPs. The sludge had an average added value of U$ 88.46 per megagram, considering the total contents of N, P, and K in its composition. Land application of sewage sludge can reduce the need to purchase mineral fertilizers, thereby supporting the feasibility of reusing this material in the agricultural sector., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper reports a laboratory study of an accelerated reoxygenation treatment of polluted water bodies, using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2): conditions such as the discharge of waters from domestic sewers or polluted storm-water resulting from intense rainfall that lead to a reduction in the level of dissolved oxygen (DO). We studied the water from rivers that make up the basin of the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (LRF) lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. When intense rainfall coincides with discharge from sewers, the polluted water may reach LRF. This has in the past led to episodes of critical deficit in DO in the waters of the lagoon, resulting in fish kill. To study this, we carried out experiments with water samples taken from the river feeding the lagoon. To study the accelerated reoxygenation of the river waters, we used different doses of H2O2. We concluded that the addition of H2O2 to the waters of the river during polluting events can prevent the level of DO in the lagoon going below a critical value. This treatment resulted in an immediate increase in DO that lasted hours and in the sustainability of the DO above the legal limit 5.0 mg L−1, enough to avoid fish kill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to present a performance evaluation of large-scale water treatment plants and verify the adjustment of the treatment to the parameter turbidity of natural waters. Nonparametric and multivariate statistical tools were used to analyze raw water and treated water turbidity of a large on-line monitoring databank for the period from 2013 to 2015, from six large-scale treatment plants utilizing different technologies. Cluster analysis was able to differentiate adequately groups of treatment plants with similar raw and treated water quality. Considering the effluent turbidity as a marker parameter, the results indicated that selection of the technology to be applied must be well studied to always seek the best solution, and that other factors than only the raw water characteristics should be evaluated. It was also demonstrated that utilization of the same treatment technology does not always result in the same effluent quality, since there are many factors related to operation, maintenance, raw water variability, climatic interferences, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the turn of the nineteenth century to the twentieth, Brazil experienced the installation of a republican government that prioritized the modernization of the nation, through the implementation of urban reforms that involved lighting and paving the streets, landscaping of squares and public roads, installation electric trams, water and sewage treatment and the construction of healthy homes, as well as sanitation measures. These transformations were also adopted in the city of Pelotas, located in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, from the republican government of Cypriano Corrêa Barcellos (1912-1920). In this sense, this article aims to analyze the modernization process that occurred in Brazil, and especially in the city of Pelotas (RS), between the 1910s and 1920s, based on the analysis of historical sources (newspapers, almanacs and reports of the municipality) that give us information about both the transformations operated in the urban environment of Pelotas and about how they were experienced by the different individuals that circulated through their neighborhoods, streets and avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bank filtration (BF) is a simplified alternative water treatment, which is the abstraction of water through wells near the banks of surface water located in alluvial aquifers. The chemical composition of the aquifer interferes in the treated water quality by BF technique, and in some cases may promote the appearance of contaminants, such as iron. The objective of this study is to evaluate the occurrence of iron in BF wells in two regions of Brazil, Ituporanga (SC) and Garanhuns (PE), seeking to connect the local conditions to the iron transfer process of soil/subsoil to water. In order to assess the water quality, physical and chemical analyses were performed for raw water, such as the water from the BF wells in both locations. The iron concentration in the water from BF was superior to the surface water in both locations. Although Garanhuns is located in a region with low iron content in the soil, the BF well water showed higher concentrations of this metal than the BF well water in Ituporanga, located in a region with high iron concentrations in the soil. Both sites showed favorable conditions for the transfer of iron present in the soil to the water, through the reduction processes. In Garanhuns, reducing conditions were more intense which allowed for the transfer of a larger amount of iron to the BF water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since 2000, soybean production has gained increasing importance in Brazil, particularly in Southern Amazonia and the state of Mato Grosso, the largest producer in the country. This expansion has taken place through cropland extensification into natural ecosystems in the Amazon (tropical forest) and Cerrado (savanna) biomes with land transformation and occupation activity well documented by remote sensing. Guidelines from the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative now allow for impact assessment of land transformation and occupation within a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to estimate potential impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services. In this study, we apply these guidelines to soybean produced in 2010 in order to complement more traditional soybean LCAs with mid- and end-point impact assessment on biodiversity, erosion potential, water purification, groundwater recharge, biotic production and climate regulation potential in each of the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. In addition to providing regionalized characterization factors of land transformation and occupation in both Mato Grosso biomes, we estimate that one tonne of soybean produced in 2010 in the Amazon had greater impacts than when produced in the Cerrado. For the Amazon, total land transformation and occupation damage was estimated at $ 532 ton −1 and $ 260 ton −1 respectively, with estimates of $ 231 ton −1 and $ 153 ton −1 for the Cerrado. The largest contributors to these damage estimates came from the change in mechanical filtration properties of the soil followed by the land's climate regulation and biotic production potentials. The impact allocation to pasture as a transitional landscape in the establishment of cropland onto natural ecosystems diminished the soybean contribution through allocation of pasture to the beef production system, further adding to the land sparing argument for future cropland expansion in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol production has increased over the years, and Brazil ranking second in the world using sugarcane as the main raw material. However, 10–15 L of vinasse are generated per liter of ethanol produced. Besides large volumes, this wastewater has high polluting potential due to its low pH and high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients. Given the high biodegradability of the organic matter, the treatment of this effluent by anaerobic digestion and membrane separation processes results in the generation of high value-added byproducts such as volatile fatty acids (VFAs), biohydrogen and biogas. Membrane bioreactors have been widely evaluated due to the high efficiency achieved in vinasse treatment. In recent years, high retention membrane bioreactors, in which high retention membranes (nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis and membrane distillation) are combined with biological processes, have gained increasing attention. This paper presents a critical review focused on high retention membrane bioreactors and the challenges associated with the proposed configurations. For nanofiltration membrane bioreactor (NF-MBR), the main drawback is the higher fouling propensity due to the hydraulic driving force. Nonetheless, the development of membranes with high permeability and anti-fouling properties is uprising. Regarding osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR), special attention is needed for the selection of a proper draw solution, which desirably should be low cost, have high osmolality, reduce reverse salt flux, and can be easily reconcentrated. Membrane distillation bioreactor (MDBR) also exhibit some shortcomings, with emphasis on energy demand, that can be solved with the use of low-grade and residual heat, or renewable energies. Among the configurations, MDBR seems to be more advantageous for sugarcane vinasse treatment due to the lower energy consumption provided by the use of waste heat from the effluent, and due to the VFAs recovery, which has high added value. [Display omitted] • Sugarcane vinasse treatment reduces the environmental impact of ethanol production. • Wastewater treatment by HR-MBR enables water reuse and resources recovery. • Residual heat from vinasse can be used to reduce the energy demand in MD-MBRs. • Full-scale HR-MBR needs future research to make it economically viable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil, the 5th largest country by landmass and the 8th largest by Gross Domestic Product, continues to grow both in population as well as in construction. Major construction investments in Brazil has increased the demand for concrete. Taking into account the constant growth in population in the past 20 years, this paper presents an innovative solution that could potentially decrease the cost of concrete, while also helping to preserve the environment. The solution proposes using the hazardous waste (sludge) from Brazil's water purification system, Estação de Tratamento de Água (ETA), as an alternative aggregate for concrete. Sludge is a type of hazardous waste produced by the water purification process. With the dramatic growth in Brazil's population, the demand for drinking water has caused there to be an overabundance of hazardous waste. Sludge, if disposed inappropriately, harms the environment. Using sludge in concrete will minimize the amount harming the environment and provide a low-cost solution to aggregates needed in concrete. The research reviews and analyzes the implementation and feasibility of this solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuarine waters are usually eutrophic due to nutrients input derived from natural and anthropogenic sources. In the Caeté Estuary, nutrients and thermotolerant coliforms input is intensified by the absence of a public sanitation system and by mangrove outwelling. This input is more accentuated in the upper sector of the estuary where 90% of the local population is concentrated and a high incidence of commercial activities (public markets, ice factories and boat repairing among others) is located. As a consequence, eutrophic waters with high concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms (up to 1100 MPN/100 ml) were observed during the dry season when dilution and/or advection are less effective. Eutrophication, though less pronounced, also occurred in the other sectors (middle and lower), but these results seem to indicate that this could be a natural condition of an Amazon region which is naturally enriched with a high amount of nutrients. On the other hand, nutrient concentration values in the upper sector are similar to those found in other highly populated and industrialized Brazilian estuaries. Taking into account that the population increases by about 20% per decade in the region, this growth may lead to a significant increase in human pressure and impacts on the area, mainly during periods when the estuary is more susceptible to retaining nutrients (e.g., during the dry season). In order to improve water quality, the DPSIR framework was used as a guide for proposing potential measures to be implemented in the Caeté Estuary based on (i) urban planning to control sewage discharges, (ii) construction of water treatment infrastructures to reduce untreated effluents inputs and (iii) water use regulations as a function of the current water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]