Objetivo. Determinar os teores de selênio em alimentos consumidos no Brasil. Métodos. O trabalho foi desenvolvido de 1993 a 1999. As amostras de alimentos foram coletadas no comércio varejista em vários estados do Brasil. Os teores de selênio foram determinados por meio de espectrofotometria de absorção atômica, utilizando-se a técnica de geração de hidretos, e oxidação da matéria orgânica por via úmida. Resultados. Os teores mais elevados de selênio foram encontrados nos produtos de origem animal, sobretudo nos pescados, e nos produtos derivados do trigo. Observou-se que os teores de selênio nos alimentos de origem vegetal foram, de modo geral, inferiores a 5,0 µg/100g. Conclusões. No Brasil, a presença de pescados, principalmente, e de outros produtos de origem animal é importante na dieta para garantir o consumo dos teores recomendados de selênio.

Objective. To determine the selenium content of foods consumed in Brazil. Methods. The project was carried out between 1993 and 1999. The food samples were collected in stores in several Brazilian states. The levels of selenium were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry and by wet oxidation. Results. The highest levels of selenium were found in animal products, especially fish, and in wheat products. We found that plant products generally had selenium levels of less than 5.0 µg/100 g. Conclusions. In Brazil a diet rich in animal products, especially fish, is important in ensuring consumption of the recommended levels of selenium.

Amostras de ácidos húmicos de origem comercial (Fluka AG) foram usadas na avaliação do comportamento de adsorção de íons Cu2+. O modelo matemático descrito pela equação de adsorção de Langmuir em sua forma linear foi aplicado, obtendo-se os valores da capacidade máxima de adsorção b e da constante relacionada à energia de ligação a. Alíquotas de soluções de nitrato de cobre contendo várias concentrações desse metal foram adicionadas às amostras de suspensões de ácidos húmicos a pH constante. As isotermas apresentaram duas regiões distintas de adsorção, tanto a pH 4 como a pH 5, mostrando que o fenômeno adsortivo ocorre em duas etapas distintas, de acordo com o tipo de interação entre os ácidos húmicos e o cobre. As amostras de ácidos húmicos mostraram maior capacidade máxima de adsorção ao pH 5 do que ao pH 4, enquanto que a constante relacionada à energia de ligação foi maior em pH 4.

Commercial samples of humic acids (Fluka AG) were used to evaluate the adsorption behaviour of Cu2+ ions. The mathematical model described by Langmuir's adsorption equation was applied and the values of the maximum adsorption capacity b and those of the constant related to the bonding energy a were obtained. Aliquots of copper nitrate solutions with different copper concentrations were added to the humic acid suspensions at constant pH values (4.0 and 5.0). The Langmuir isotherms presented two distinct adsorption regions, showing that the adsorptive phenomenon occurs in two distinct steps according to the copper-humic site interaction. Samples of humic acids showed higher maximum adsorption capacity at pH 5 than at pH 4, while the constant a related to bonding energy was higher at pH 4.

The chemical and physical characterization of coastal peat has been studied. It was examined the pH, organic matter content and elementary and XRD analyses, among other characteristics. The peat was then applied to the retention and competition of metal micronutrients (Cu and Zn) from metal nitrate solutions. The retention was affected by both the pH and time of adsorption, while the competitive character of these metals for the substrate was relevant to each pH examined.

A absorção e acúmulo de Cd e seus efeitos sobre o crescimento relativo foram estudados em aguapé (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) e salvínia (Salvinia auriculata Aubl.), em solução nutritiva. O aguapé absorveu quantidade significativamente maior de Cd do que a salvínia, tendo a diferença aumentado com o tempo de exposição ao Cd. O Km da absorção de Cd, estatisticamente igual nas duas espécies aquáticas quando as folhas contatavam a solução nutritiva, tornou-se maior em salvínia quando se impediu fisicamente que as folhas contatassem a solução de absorção. O Vmax de absorção de Cd, por outro lado, foi sempre maior em salvínia, independentemente do contato ou não das folhas com a solução nutritiva. A quantidade de Cd adsorvido e absorvido aumentou com a elevação da concentração de Cd na solução de cultivo, nas duas espécies estudadas, tendo sido maior em salvínia, possivelmente em razão da participação da parte aérea no processo de absorção. O acúmulo de Cd nas plantas, elevado nas primeiras 12 h de exposição, decresceu rapidamente com o tempo de exposição, estabilizando após três dias de exposição. Salvínia apresentou maior acúmulo diário de Cd por unidade de peso mas aguapé maior acúmulo total por unidade experimental. Os teores de Cd aumentaram com o aumento do tempo de exposição e da concentração de Cd na solução nutritiva, nas duas partes da planta das duas espécies, especialmente nas raízes. Cerca de 80% de todo o Cd absorvido acumulou-se nas raízes de aguapé, e a distribuição não foi afetada pelo contato das folhas com a solução nutritiva. Em salvínia, quando se impediu o contato das folhas com a solução nutritiva observou-se uma distribuição do Cd aproximadamente igual à de aguapé. Quando, porém, se permitiu o contato das folhas com a solução nutritiva a parte aérea passou a contribuir com quase 50% do Cd absorvido. As taxas de crescimento relativo decresceram intensamente com o aumento da concentração de Cd na solução nutritiva nas duas espécies aquáticas, especialmente em salvínia. As concentrações de Cd para promover redução de 25% no crescimento relativo foram, em média, doze vezes menores em salvínia do que em aguapé, em razão de sua maior sensibilidade a este metal pesado.

Cadmium absorption and accumulation and its effects on the relative growth of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) and salvinia (Salvinia auriculata Aubl.) in nutrient solution were studied. Water hyacinth absorbed a significant higher amount of Cd than salvinia, and the difference between the species increased with the time of Cd treatment. The Km of Cd absorption, statistically similar in the two aquatic species when the leaves contacted the nutrient solution, became larger in salvinia when the leaves were not allowed to contact the absorption solution. The Vmax, on the other hand, was always larger in salvinia, independent of the contact or not of the leaves with the nutrient solution. The amount of adsorbed and absorbed Cd increased with the increase of Cd concentration, in both species, especially in salvinia, probably due to leaf contribution to uptake. The accumulation of Cd in the plants, high in the first 12 h, quickly decreased with the time of exposition to Cd, reaching stabilization after three days. Salvinia showed larger daily accumulation of Cd per unit of weight but water hyacinth larger total accumulation per experimental unit. Cadmium content increased with the increase in the time of treatment and with Cd concentration in the nutrient solution, in both parts of the plant of the two species, especially in the roots. In water hyacinth about 80% of the total absorbed Cd accumulated in the roots, and that distribution did not change with the contact of the leaves with the nutrient solution. In salvinia, when the contact of the leaves with the nutrient solution was not allowed Cd distribution was similar to that observed in water hyacinth. When, however, the leaves contacted the nutrient solution about 50% of the absorbed Cd accumulated in that part of the plant. The relative growth decreased intensely with the increase in Cd concentration in both aquatic species, especially in salvinia. The concentration of Cd to reduce 25% in the relative growth rate was, on average, twelve times smaller in salvinia than in water hyacinth, due to its sensitivity to this heavy metal.

In environmental studies it is necessary to know the adsorption behavior of metals by soils, since the unfavorable effects of heavy metals and even the micronutrients at high concentrations in the environment are related to these adsorbents' ability to immobilize them. A sample of a humic yellow red oxisol from Araponga region in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, was used to verify the adsorption behavior of Cu2+ ions in this substrate. The mathematical model described by Langmuir's adsorption equation in its linearized form was applied and the values of the maximum capacity b and those of the constant related to the bonding energy a were obtained. Aliquots of copper nitrate solutions containing several concentrations of this metal were added to soil samples, the pH being predetermined for developing the adsorption experiments. The chemical and physical characterization of soil sample were performed by determining the organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, concentration of metals (Al, Fe, K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Pb, and Cd), granulometric analysis and X-ray diffraction. Langmuir isotherms presented two distinct adsorption regions at both pH 4 and pH 5, showing that the adsorptive phenomenon occurs in two distinct stages. The adsorption sites for the lower part presented greater bonding energy and low adsorption capacity compared with the adsorption sites of the part of the curve corresponding to higher Cu concentrations in the equilibrating solution.

RESUMO - Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de concentrado sobre as taxas de passagem de fluidos, usando Co-EDTA, e partículas, usando cloreto de Iterbio e Cr-mordante e, a cinética da degradação ruminal in situ da matéria seca (MS) e da proteína bruta (PB). Cinco bezerros holandeses, inteiros, fistulados no rúmen e abomaso, com idade de 5,8±0,7 meses e de e 107,4±11,0 kg PV médio inicial, foram distribuídos a um delineamento em quadrado latino 5x5 (tratamento x período). Os animais foram alojados em baias individuais e alimentados à vontade com dietas contendo 30,0; 45,0; 60,0; 75,0; e 90,0% de concentrado, com base na MS, em rações contendo como volumoso, o feno de capim coast-cross e no concentrado, o farelo de sojae , fubá de milho. A taxa de passagem de fluidos apresentou comportamento quadrático, estimando-se o valor máximo de 9,73%/h, com nível de 61,99% de concentrado na ração. A taxa de passagem de partículas do farelo de soja no retículo-rúmen- diminuiu linearmente, enquanto no ceco-cólon proximal não foi influenciada pelos níveis de concentrado na rações. As taxas de passagem do feno de capim coast-cross no rúmen-retículo e no ceco-cólon proximal não foram influenciadas pelo aumento no nível de concentrado nas rações. A degradação efetiva da MS do farelo de soja não foi influenciada, enquanto a do fubá de milho aumentou e do feno de capim coast-cross reduziu linearmente, respectivamente. A degradação efetiva da PB do farelo de soja e do feno de capim coast-cross não variou, porém a do fubá de milho aumentou linearmente, com o aumento dos níveis de concentrado nas rações.

ABSTRACT - This work was conducted to evaluate the effects of different concentrate levels on the liquid passage rates, using Co-EDTA, and particulate, using ytterbium chloride and Cr-mordant, and the in situ ruminal degradation kinetics of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). Five rumen and abomasum fistulated bull Holstein calves, with an initial average age of 5.8±0.7 months and initial average of 107.4±11.0 kg LW were allotted to a 5x5 Latin square design (treatment x period). The animals were housed in individual stalls and full fed diets (DM basis) containing 30.0, 45.0, 60.0, 75,0 and 90.0% of concentrate. The diets were based on coast-cross grass hay as forage and soybean meal an corn ground grain in the concentrate. The passage rate of fluids showed a quadratic behavior, with the maximum value of 9.73%/h, with the 61.69% of concentrate in the diet. The particulate passage rate of the soybean meal in the reticulum-rumen linearly decreased, while the concentrate levels in the diets did not affect the passage rate in proximal cecum-colon. The concentrate levels in the diet did not affect the passage rates of the coast-cross grass hay in the reticulum-rumen and in the proximal cecum-colon. The effective degradation of the DM of the soybean meal was not affected, while those of the corn ground grain increased and coast-cross grass hay linearly decreased, respectively. The effective degradation of the CP of the soybean meal and coast-cross grass hay did not vary, however, that of the corn ground grain linearly increased as the dietary concentrate levels increased.

The main obstacle to the use of compost from urban waste in agriculture is the presence of heavy metals. Once in the soil, their effect is accumulative and they may contaminate crops and water. The present study reports the evaluation of the chemical distributions of Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn in three different sized fractions (unsieved, < 1,18mm and > 1,18mm) of compost, by means of a sequencial extraction procedure and a chemometric analysis of the total content of all metals in each fraction. The pattern recognition methods showed significant differences in total heavy metal contents for the different fractions. The finest one was the most contaminated. Meanwhile, this fraction presented lower amounts of metals in avaliable forms. This behavior can be attributed to the presence of metal particles in their elemental states in this fraction.

In order to evaluate the chromium contamination from tannery discharges into rivers in the State of Minas Gerais, samples of water and suspended material were collected and submitted to chemical analysis. The total content of chromium in the samples was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Water samples were analysed by standard addition method, while chromium concentration in suspended materials was determined by calibration curves. Localities investigated were Ipatinga, Matias Barbosa, Dores de Campo, Ressaquinha, Ubá and Juiz de Fora. Samples from a not-industrialized area were also analysed to obtain regional background values. Metal inputs were related to effluent discharges into the rivers. Suspended material transported Cr downriver. Chromium concentration in river water exceeded 656 times the value of the Brazilian Environmental Standards, while its concentration in suspended material ranged from 15 to 11066 µg g-1.

The physical and chemical characterization of vermicompost from bovine manure has been studied. It was examined the pH and cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), organic matter content, electric conductivity and elementary and XRD analyses, among other characteristics. The vermicompost was then applied to the retention and competition of metal micronutrients and pollutants (Cu and Zn) from metal nitrate solutions. The retention was affected by both the pH and adsorption time, while the competitive character of these metals for the substrate was relevant to each pH examined.