This paper presents a quality assurance and quality control protocol in order to ensure the reliability of analytical results for the determination of acid volatile sulfides in environmental samples by potentiometry. The monitoring of the ion selective sensor readings must be realized continually and particularly in this situation where the analyte is susceptible to transformation and volatilization. Potentiometry with the standard addition was presented as a rapid, accurate, precise, feasible as well as a low cost technique. Concentrations of the analyte in the range of 0.49 to 1.02 mg L-1 were tested with percentage recoveries varying from 89 to 113%.

This paper discusses the historical and methodological fundaments of the dynamics and quantification of acid volatile sulfides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) in aquatic sediments. It also discusses the SEM/AVS relationship, which involves several controversial aspects such as sulfide stability, sulfide-organic matter interaction, and the inability to predict the toxicity of organic compounds in the environment. This relationship is an important tool for the inference of metal bioavailability. The use of ecotoxicological tests with target organisms regulated by international standards is also a relevant aspect.

As indústrias de papel e celulose descartam no ambiente um grande volume de efluente contendo grande quantidade da substância lignina, que atribui coloração e apresenta considerável potencial de toxicidade. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a ozonização em meio básico para a redução de cor do licor negro gerado por uma indústria de celulose de algodão. Face aos resultados, foi possível observar que, para menores concentrações iniciais de ozônio (0,4 gO3 L-1 h-1), foi necessário um tempo mais longo de ozonização para se obter a redução desejada de 80% da cor. O consumo específico de ozônio, entretanto, em comparação a experimentos com dosagens mais elevadas (4,3 gO3 L-1 h-1) foi menor. Sugere-se que o oxigênio molecular desempenhe, também, um importante papel na oxidação dos compostos, participando do mecanismo de oxidação iniciado por radical hidroxila, •OH, formado na ozonização em meio básico.

Pulp and paper mills discharge large amounts of wastewater containing high concentrations of lignin, a coloring substance that is dangerous and presents high toxicity to the environment. In this study, ozonation in alkaline ambience was evaluated for color reduction in black liquor, generated in a cotton linter mill. It was observed that the ozonation time to reach 80% color reduction was higher at a lower initial ozone dose (0,4 gO3 L-1 h-1) in comparison to a higher initial ozone dose (4,3 gO3 L-1 h-1). On the other hand, the amount of consumed oxidant was lower at the lower ozone dose. It is suggested that molecular oxygen participates in the oxidation mechanism of colored compounds, which is initiated by hydroxyl radicals (•OH) formed during ozonation in alkaline ambience.

Jundiaí river is the main stream in the Jundiaí Hydrographic Basin and its water is not considered safe for public supply. The water problem is getting worse with the development of the region. The Pirai stream, have been one of the last potable water resource. With the purpose of investigating the sediment quality, due to its influence on the water quality, bioavailable and total Cd and Pb were determined using TS-FF-AAS. Total Cd and Pb up to 2.47 and 24.7 µg g-1 were measured, respectively. The wastewater sludge showed concentrations of 4.01 and 171 µg g-1, for the same metals.

Embora com pouca atividade humana, as concentrações de Hg na bacia do Rio Negro são relativamente altas. A presença natural de Hg em solos e a deposição atmosférica são as principais fontes deste metal. O balanço entre fluxos invasivos e evasivos sugerem o seu acúmulo no interior da bacia em 39.9 t ano-1. O tipo de solo, fonte de metal para os rios, e o ciclo hidrológico com períodos de cheia e seca atuam sobre a química redox das águas. A conjunção sazonal de fatores como a natureza da matéria orgânica, pH ácido e radiação solar permitem que as águas pretas oscilem de redutora a oxidante, onde, por sua vez, ocorre o consumo de Hg0 e degradação do metilmercúrio. Deste modo, o fluxo do mercúrio pode ser invasivo ou evasivo. Embora a metilação seja mais favorecida em águas pretas, a fotodegradação do metilmercúrio se contrapõe ao seu acúmulo, contribuindo para regular o estoque deste composto na coluna água.

Despite the low level of industrial activity and human density, Hg concentration in the Negro River basin is relatively high. Soil enriched with naturally high Hg concentrations and atmospheric deposition are the main sources of the metal in this watershed. Differences between invasive and evasive fluxes at the water/air and soil/air interfaces indicate Hg accumulation in the basin at a rate of 39.9 t y-1. The type of soil, which is the main source of mercury for the water bodies, the hydrological cycle with floods and dry periods, act markedly on the water redox chemistry. A complex interaction between many seasonable variables such as solar intensity, water pH, age of the naturally occurring organic matter and the hydrological cycle alter the redox characteristics of these black water bodies, thus markedly affecting the consumption of Hg0 and the degradation of methylmercury present in the water. Although methylation is favored in black waters, photodegradation counterpoints this formation, thus regulating the methylmercury burden in the water column.

A Demanda Bioquímica de Oxigênio (DBO) e a Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO) são os principais indicadores rotineiramente utilizados para avaliação de carga orgânica em matrizes de interesse ambiental. Nesse contexto, avaliações da possibilidade de substituição das testes de DBO e DQO por medidas de Carbono Orgânico Dissolvido (COD) são apresentadas para diferentes águas residuárias. Para efluente de lagoa anaeróbia, as seguintes correlações foram obtidas: DQO = 1,08 COD + 79 e DBO = 0,82 COD + 12. Para efluente de lagoa facultativa, DQO = -0,29COD + 109 e DBO = 0,14COD + 26. Para esgoto bruto, DQO = 4,18COD - 2 e DBO = 0,46DQO + 5. Para efluente de lagoa aerada, DQO = 3,57COD + 6 e DBO = 0,27DQO + 3. Para efluente de lagoa de decantação, DQO = -1,34COD + 138 e DBO = 0,73COD + 16,5. A determinação de COD não mostrou-se adequada para uma substituição das alternativas clássicas, para as amostras testadas, a despeito das limitações que estas últimas apresentam.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) are the major parameters used as routine surrogate tests for measuring the load of organic carbon into the environment. In this context, an evaluation of possible replacement of BOD and COD for Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) measurements are presented for different wastewaters. For anaerobic pond effluent, the following correlations were obtained: COD = 1.08 DOC + 79 and BOD = 0.82 DOC + 12. For facultative pond effluent, COD = -0.29DOC + 109 and BOD = 0.14DOC + 26. For raw sewage COD = 4.18DOC - 2 and BOD = 0.46COD + 5. For aerated pond effluent COD = 3.57DOC + 6 and BOD = 0.27COD + 3. For sedimentation pond effluent, COD = -1.34DOC + 138 and BOD = 0.73DOC + 16.5. Determination of COD was not appropriate for substituting classical alternatives in tested samples in despite of the limitations of the samples.