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This study developed a new adsorbent based on Jerivá coconut (Syagrus romanzoffiana), palm native from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, for application in the monocomponent removal of toxic metallic ions present in a synthetic water matrix, such as Ni2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+. The characterization and experimental data showed that the raw material of natural source is a potential adsorbent. The adsorption trials showed that the developed adsorbent has affinity for the metallic ions and they preferably followed the Langmuir model. The adsorption was influenced by temperature. Greater adsorption capacity occurred for Ni2+, followed by Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+. The thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG° indicated endothermal, spontaneous, and favorable adsorption for ions Ni2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+, and non-spontaneous for Cu2+. The results demonstrated that the adsorbent has potential for use in the treatment process of supply water contaminated with toxic metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great amounts of effluents produced in dairy processing are associated to dairy production activities. Choosing an efficient system in the removal of contaminants may be a highly complex process due to the composition, variation in production rates and the effluent's composition. Current paper provides the techniques employed to this end and at the same time, delineate the profile of technologies applied by dairy factories in the region Vale do rio Braço do Norte, in the south of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, coupled to other aspects related to the dairie's environmental management. Data, retrieved by a questionnaire and document evaluation, showed that the region's dairy establishments predominantly apply anaerobic systems for the removal of biodegradable organic matter, with removal rates complying with legislation. However, other parameters, such as oils, fats, pH and sediment solids had higher rates than those stipulated by environmental organs. The firm's environmental management is largely outsourced; in other words, they lack proper personnel technically capacitated for such work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environments are contaminated in many ways with persistent organic and inorganic pollutants as a result of anthropogenic activities, endangering human health and natural resources. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the soil contamination by cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in 10 vegetable gardens of urban schools located near or on Botucatu sandstone outcrops of Guarani Aquifer in the urban areas of Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. In each garden, three soil samples at each position (in the soil immediately outside and the soil in the garden) were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm. The ISO 11466 method was used to extract the metals. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to quantify the elements and certified materials to evaluate the quantities (SRM 2709a - San Joaquin Soil - NIST). To evaluate the data, principal component analyses and cluster analyses were performed. The cluster analysis for the evaluated metals showed that the highest contents of elements were reported in three gardens. Values above the prevention value defined by resolution no. 420/2005 of the National Council for the Environment --Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) -- were reported for cobalt in one garden and copper in three gardens; thus, these areas were categorized as Class III areas. Principal component analysis explained 74.7% of the data and showed the enrichment of some elements within gardens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]