ABSTRACT Atrazine is an herbicide used to remove weeds in agricultural crops; however, because it is considered toxic, options for removing it from the environment are needed. Adsorption on biochar is an efficient technique for removing organic contaminants. In this study, the atrazine adsorption capacities of two biochars (BCA400 and BCA700) produced from rice husks at different pyrolysis temperatures (400 and 700 °C) were compared by phenomenological modeling. The biochars were characterized by SEM, FTIR and BET. Experimental kinetic and equilibrium data were obtained to evaluate Langmuir, Freundlich and BET isotherms and to conduct intraparticle diffusion. In comparison to BCA400, BCA700 showed a higher adsorption capacity at a higher pyrolysis temperature, and the Freundlich isotherm best described its system. To describe the kinetic adsorption data for the biochars, a phenomenological model based on intraparticle diffusion was applied, and the model fit well to these data for each biochar. This model is slow and involves the transport of atrazine to the pores of the biochar. Thus, the predictive model can be scaled up to adsorption systems.

ABSTRACT Atrazine is a herbicide widely used in agriculture; however, because of its toxicity, alternatives are needed to remove this compound from the environment. In this study, we investigated the adsorption process and the atrazine-adsorbing ability of three biochars produced at different pyrolysis temperatures from byproducts of the wood industry. The biochars were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their physical characteristics were evaluated by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The biochar pyrolyzed at 350 °C (BM350) adsorbed 26.04% of the herbicide, showing the best performance among the three biochars tested, even though it had the lowest specific surface area (1.467 m2 g–1). It also had a greater quantity of organic functional groups, which may have influenced the adsorption. The kinetics of the adsorption process were best explained by the pseudo-first-order model and by the Freundlich isotherm model. However, the biochar is not suitable for the removal of the herbicide atrazine, having a lower adsorption capacity than those of others described in the literature.

ABSTRACT Seasonal changes in agricultural soil use due to agroclimatic conditions affect the water cycle in watersheds. This study aimed to understand the temporal variation of runoff inherent to the seasonal occupation dynamics of the agricultural soil in the basin that drains the upper valley of the Marrecas River, upstream of the urban perimeter of Francisco Beltrão, PR. The effects of runoff were verified through flow peaks simulated by the HEC-HMS model in twelve monthly soil use scenarios, under seven precipitation return periods. The results indicated a strong relationship between bare soil and flow peaks, temporally delimiting April and March as the largest runoff generators and January and August as the smallest ones. The ratio quantified by rates of increase in flow peaks ranging from 0.78 to 1.64 m3 s−1 per km2 of bare soil. In addition, the survey of historical precipitation data also warns of the generation of large runoff volumes in October. Therefore, the strong correlation between the increase in flow peaks and occupation by bare soil can be quantified with good precision, but it is also necessary to consider historical precipitation records to understand the temporal distribution of runoff and flood risks.

RESUMO A disposição de efluentes tratados sobre o solo pode ser considerada o principal destino final de águas residuárias no Brasil. Embora possa promover melhorias em relação a alguns atributos do solo, esta prática precisa ser monitorada para garantir que os impactos ambientais não sejam negativos. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os efeitos da disposição, por gotejamento, do efluente tratado de um abatedouro de aves sobre os atributos químicos de um Latossolo, em Matelândia, PR. Os atributos do solo: P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, pH em CaCl2, H + Al, Al, Ca, Mg, capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC), saturação por bases foram avaliados sob quatro taxas de irrigação, 0, 100, 200 e 300 m³ ha-1 d-1, com efluentes tratados em três datas sucessivas de amostragem. Como principais resultados observou-se que as altas taxas de aplicação do efluente praticadas, influenciaram no incremento das concentrações de fósforo e potássio no solo. Além disso, pôde-se observar uma relação entre o aumento da acidez potencial e acidez trocável, mesmo que o pH não tenha variado tanto nem entre os tratamentos nem entre as ocasiões de coletas de dados.

ABSTRACT The disposal of treated effluents on soil is the main final use of wastewater in Brazil. Although this practice can promote improvements of some soil attributes, there is a need for monitoring in order to ensure that potential environmental impacts are not harmful. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of treated effluent from a poultry slaughterhouse on the chemical attributes of an Oxisols, in Matelândia-PR, Brazil under drip irrigation. The soil attributes P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, pH in CaCl2, H + Al, Al, Ca, Mg, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and percent base saturation (V) were evaluated under four effluent application rates, 0, 100, 200 and 300 m³ ha-1 d-1 with treated effluents on three successive sampling dates. As main results it was observed that high irrigation rates increased soil phosphorus and potassium concentrations. In addition, an association between the increase of soil potential acidity and exchangeable acidity was detected, although pH did not vary significantly either between treatments or between sampling dates.

ABSTRACT Analyzing the physical-chemical and biological characteristics allows the evaluation of the water quality of a water body. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the water quality index of the Passaúna and Piraquara rivers, as well as to apply statistical quality control methodologies to evaluate the data resulting from the monitoring of water quality. Therefore, a database with physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the Passaúna and Piraquara rivers, a watershed of the Iguaçu River, belonging to the cities of Araucária and Piraquara, respectively Paraná, Brazil, was used to carry out the research. The water quality index was determined with the time series and, subsequently, these data were submitted to the statistical control of the process, with the control charts of individual Shewhart, EWMA and CUSUM, in addition to the development of the process capacity index. The WQI detected that the rivers remained in average quality until the year 2000, however, from that year it was possible to see a decreasing trend in the water quality of the evaluated rivers. The control charts of Shewhart, EWMA, CUSUM and the process capability index were able to identify the decreasing trend in water quality, demonstrating that they are fast and efficient techniques for the evaluation of water quality control.

ABSTRACT The contamination of aquatic environments with chemical trace elements can be evaluated by their accumulation in sediments of the water body. Studies on mercury require the use of exclusive extraction techniques that have relatively high costs when compared to the analysis of other trace elements. This study was conducted aiming at determining the mercury concentration in sediments of the Upper Parnaíba River basin, located in a region of agricultural expansion between the states of Piauí and Maranhão. The sediment was collected at 12 sites in the basin. After drying, the quantification of total mercury was performed by the Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry coupled to a pyrolysis reactor. Mercury concentrations in sediments of the Parnaíba River ranged from 4.2 to 58.5 ng g−1 and presented a low probability of adverse effects on biota. Mercury had no correlation with the variables clay, silt, sand, total organic carbon, iron, and aluminum, demonstrating its possible anthropogenic origin. Although mercury concentrations have a low probability to disturb the balance of the local ecosystem, there is a need for monitoring the region in order to quantify the risks to biota and human health.

ABSTRACT Changes in the Brazilian Forest Code (BFC) have soften the criteria for recovery and conservation of permanent preservation areas (PPAs), enhancing processes related to surface runoff. The aim of this study is to understand the effects of changes in PPA classification criteria established by BFC of 2012 to the detriment of BFC from 1965 considering the surface runoff response in the basin draining the upper Marrecas River valley in the flow peaks. The HEC–HMS model was used to simulate flow peaks considering three land-use scenarios, representative of the current use, adapting it to PPAs fitted to the BFC of 1965 and 2012 and seven precipitation return periods. In the proposed scenarios, the use of BFC of 2012, to the detriment of that from 1965, would imply a PPA reduction from 44.5% to 13.7%, resulting in a 22.1% increase in the average flow peaks, not representing, however, a significant reduction in the flow peaks when compared to the scenario representing the current land use. Therefore, when compared to BFC of 1965, in the Brazilian new Forest Code PPAs were reduced by 69.2%, increasing peak flows by up to 30.7%, thus minimizing the legal possibilities of flood mitigation to the urban perimeter of Francisco Beltrão, Paraná State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT Many studies have determined the concentration of trace elements in river sediments in Brazil. Notwithstanding, mercury assessments are scarce, especially because of exclusive extraction techniques and expensive analysis techniques. Still, this element is known for its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation, making its presence in the environment an important factor for biota and human health. For this reason, the objective of this study was to determine the mercury concentration in the sediment of the Pelotas River basin, located on the border of the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The sediment was collected at eight locations of the Pelotas basin and, after drying, the mercury was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry based on the Zeeman-background correction, coupled to a pyrolysis reactor. The mercury concentrations in the sediments of the Pelotas River varied from 40.5 ng g-1 to 62.0 ng g-1 and presented a positive correlation with the fraction of silt and clay. The concentrations of mercury found in sediments of the Pelotas River basin have a low probability of negatively affecting the biota. Nonetheless, given the persistence and bioaccumulation potential of this element, the aforementioned region needs further studies to quantify the risks it may cause on the local biota and human health.

ABSTRACT Aquatic sediments are widely used for the evaluation of anthropogenic contamination due to their ability to adsorb particles and contaminants, making them historical environmental archives. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the contamination of the Pelotas River sediments, at the border between the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, by organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds, determining the ecological risk. The evaluation was carried out with quarterly sediment collections in 8 points, totalizing four campaigns within one year, with the aid of the Peterson dredger. Among organochlorines, p'p'DDT stands out regarding environmental persistence, representing 53.23% of the contaminated samples, with values varying up to 0.158 ppb. As for the organophosphates, Methyl Parathion obtained larger representation with 48.4% of the contaminated samples, with concentrations ranging up to 2.42 ppb. The ecological risk of selected organochlorines demonstrated no problems associated with the biota. Regarding the organophosphates studied, Disulfoton presented a risk factor with significant potential for adverse effects on organisms. Therefore, the need for monitoring and sustainability in the use and application of pesticides is well known, aiming at environmental quality and the preservation of natural resources.

ABSTRACT The knowledge of pesticide residual concentrations in the environment is important to understand the threats to the environment and human health, especially when natural resources are used for human consumption. In this context, this study aimed to assess the potential ecological risk and respective sources of sediment contamination by organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. The study site was an urban lake located in Cascavel city, western Paraná state, Brazil, where the history of land use and occupation in the urban environment is typically agricultural. Surface sediment samples were collected every three months from April 2010 to June 2013 at five different collection points, totaling 65 samples. Analyses showed that contamination by organochlorine pesticides is related to agricultural activities in the past, with a low ecological risk to benthic organisms. Conversely, organophosphorus pesticides presented a recent and continuous contamination from urban activities, with a risk coefficient, especially for disulfoton, indicating a significant potential adverse effect on organisms. However, in general, the obtained results did not indicate an immediate risk to public health.

ABSTRACT: The use of animal-origin residues as a nutrient source without prior and proper investigations on their positive and negative impacts can affect the quality of agricultural soils and the environment into which they are inserted. In this sense, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of swine wastewater and mineral fertilization application on soil, soybean crop, and leachate characteristics. The experiment was developed in drainage lysimeters under field conditions. The following doses of swine wastewater were applied: 0, 100, 200, and 300 m3 ha−1, both with and without mineral fertilization. Swine wastewater application contributed to increasing soil nutrients; however, a special attention should be paid to Cu+ and Zn+ accumulation, which may interfere with soil quality in the long-term. In addition, Na+, K+, and N can be leached into groundwater and cause impacts on water quality. Wastewater supplied soybean crop requirements with some nutrients such as K+ and Zn2+, without the need for an additional mineral supplementation. Thus, once the above conditions are monitored, swine wastewater can be applied to soil.

ABSTRACT: Soil application of swine wastewater for nutrient cycling may represent a correct destination of these residues and reduction in production costs. However, when applied to soil, such residue may cause environmental impacts. This study aimed to analyze the chemical characteristics of the soil, corn, and leachate after successive swine wastewater applications associated with mineral fertilization. The experiment was developed in drainage lysimeters under field conditions. Wastewater doses applied were 0, 100, 200, and 300 m3 ha−1 with and without mineral fertilization. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey's test. After nine years of application, a special attention should be taken regarding water quality from a dose of 200 m3 ha−1 since some elements may leach into the soil. In addition, a synchronism between residue application and crop requirements needs to be taken into account. Doses of 200 and 300 m3 ha−1 are considered as satisfactory to meet corn nutritional requirements. Moreover, an increase in fertility characteristics was observed, but a caution regarding Cu and Zn contents should be taken since these elements produce a cumulative effect in the soil.

ABSTRACT Geochemical background establishment is indispensable to determine the actual state of contamination of soils and sediments. However, no scientific consensus exists regarding the methodology for determining these values. In this context, this study aimed to establish the geochemical background in an Oxisol (Rhodic Hapludox) by means of an integrated method that uses direct and indirect soil analyses to identify the most appropriate calculation methodology. Soil samples were collected in a permanent preservation area of the Cascavel River watershed, PR, Brazil. The elements Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn present in soil samples were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The use of a permanent preservation area is the most effective method to establish the geochemical background in the Cascavel River watershed. However, soil chemical element concentrations have spatial variability and dependence, requiring the application of non-parametric statistical methods based on third quartile and median for establishing the geochemical background.

ABSTRACT Hog raising generates a large amount of residues that is commonly discarded into the soil as fertilizer even with environmental risks. In this context, the aim of this study was to assess the application effects of different doses of swine wastewater (SW) associated with mineral fertilization on the abundance and diversity of organisms of soil meso- and macrofauna in two soybean crops. Treatments consisted of four doses (0, 100, 200, and 300 m3 ha−1) of SW with or without mineral fertilization in two soybean crop, totaling 24 experimental units. Soil meso- and macrofauna were sampled using pitfall traps installed at each plot. Samples were sorted and the organisms were separated and identified. The highest abundances were found between groups of springtails and spider mites. Soil meso- and macrofauna differed between soybean crops influenced by soil physical and chemical parameters. Doses of swine wastewater between 0 and 300 m3 ha−1 and mineral fertilization do not have effects on ecological indices of soil meso- and macrofauna. However, periodic applications over time change soil physicochemical variables, which may lead to negative effects in the long term.

ABSTRACT Swine wastewater (SW) has high organic load, becoming an important source of macro and micronutrients to plants, promoting the improvement of soil quality and development in various cultures. However, when done without agronomic and environmental criteria, it can cause soil problems, nutrient leaching, water resource damage and plant toxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil chemical properties and the leachate in face of the association of swine wastewater and mineral fertilization (MF) in oat cultivation. An experiment in drainage lysimeter was carried out, using SW applications associated to MF or not, where treatments consisted of doses of 0, 100, 200 and 300 m3ha-1 with the absence or presence of MF, under field conditions. We concluded that swine wastewater provided significant increases in sodium, copper, zinc, and nitrite + nitrate as well as pH and calcium reductions in the soil; and in the leachate, significant increase in sodium. Moreover, the use of mineral fertilizer comprising nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium induced a significant increase in phosphorus, potassium and electrical conductivity and a significant reduction in magnesium in the soil; however, in the leachate, electrical conductivity was increased.