Abstract Irrigation with water contaminated with arsenic (As) is a risk to human health since it causes the accumulation of this element in the soil and affects crop yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of phosphorus (P) concentration on irrigation water contaminated with As and its accumulation in the cultivation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The hypothesis was that the accumulation of As by the barley plant is inverse to the concentration of P in the irrigation water. The effect of P was evaluated with a multifactorial experimental design, with a variable level of type 32. Forty-five seeds were planted in soil piles of 0.126 m2, with 20.16 L of irrigation with aqueous solutions of As (50, 200 and 400 μg L-1) and P (120, 210 and 300 μg L-1). We determined the content of As in the soil at the beginning and end of the study, and in the plant at 45 and 90 d after sowing. The analysis of the elements was carried out by ICP-AES after the digestion of the materials with microwaves. The average accumulation of As in the plant (14 101 ± 1 813 μg kg-1) with the treatment of 400 μg L-1 of As was 2.4 times higher than in the treatment with 50 μg L-1. In the treatment with higher concentration of P (300 μg L-1) the plant accumulated an average of 6 871 ± 1 051 μg kg-1, that is, 41.4 % less As than the treatment with 120 μg L-1. The concentrations of P and As in the irrigation water had a significant effect (p(0.05) in the accumulation of as in the barley plant; in addition, P inhibits the absorption of As in barley.

Resumen El riego con agua contaminada con arsénico (As) es un riesgo para la salud humana, causa la acumulación de este elemento en el suelo y afecta el rendimiento de los cultivos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la concentración de fósforo (P) en el agua de riego contaminada con As y su acumulación en el cultivo de cebada (Hordeum vulgare L.). La hipótesis fue que la acumulación de As por la planta de cebada es inversa a la concentración de P en el agua de riego. El efecto del P se evaluó con un diseño experimental multifactorial, con nivel variable de tipo 32. Cuarenta y cinco semillas se sembraron en pilas de suelo de 0.126 m2 de área, con 20.16 L de riego con soluciones acuosas de As (50, 200 y 400 μg L-1) y P (120, 210 y 300 μg L-1). El contenido de As en el suelo se determinó al inicio y final del estudio y en la planta a los 45 y 90 d después de la siembra. El análisis de los elementos se realizó por ICP-AES después de la digestión de los materiales con microondas. La acumulación promedio de As en la planta (14 101 ± 1 813 μg kg-1) del tratamiento con 400 μg L-1 de As fue 2.4 veces mayor que en el tratamiento con 50 μg L-1. En el tratamiento con concentración mayor de P (300 μg L-1) la planta acumuló en promedio 6 871± 1 051 µg kg-1, esto es 41.4 % menos As que el tratamiento con 120 μg L-1. Las concentraciones de P y As en el agua de riego tuvieron un efecto significativo (p≤0.05) en la acumulación de este último en la planta de cebada; además, el P inhibe la absorción de As en cebada.

The goal of this work was to determine the floristic composition and the mineral contribution of Andropogon lateralis Nees (PAL) and Sorghastrum setosum (PSS) pastures, in the animal diet for the production of beef, analyzed by ICP-AES spectrometry in two series of soils from the Province of Corrientes, Argentina. The greatest contribution of dry raw matter is provided by A. lateralis and S. setosum. The contribution of legume is low. The profile of essential mineral elements, probably essential ones and of those of uncertain function, partially fulfill the meat producer cattle requirements. The elemental ratios Ca/P, Na/K (mEq), Cu/Mo and Cu/Fe, are acceptable. The K/Mg, K/Ca+Mg (mEq) and Na/Mg (mEq) ratios are not adequate, and there is Mg deficiency.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la composición florística y el aporte de minerales a la dieta animal para la producción de carne bovina de los pastizales de Andropogon lateralis Nees (PAL) y Sorghastrum setosun (Griseb.) Hitchc. (PSS), analizados mediante espectrometría ICP-AES en dos series de suelo de la provincia de Corrientes, Argentina. El mayor aporte de materia seca lo realizan A. lateralis y S. setosum. El aporte de leguminosas es bajo. El perfil de elementos minerales esenciales, probablemente esenciales y los de función incierta, cubren parcialmente los requerimientos del ganado bovino productor de carne, excepto para Mn. Las relaciones entre elementos, Ca/P, Na/K (mEq), Cu/Mo y Cu/Fe son aceptables. Las relaciones K/Mg, K/Ca+Mg (mEq) y Na/Mg (mEq) no son adecuadas, pues existe deficiencia de Mg.

To understand the physicochemical properties and catalytic activity during the pyrolysis of atmospheric petroleum residue, a template-free ZSM-5 zeolite was synthesized using a direct method without additional seeds or an organic structure director and compared with conventionally synthesized ZSM-5. The crystallinities of the two zeolites were evaluated by XRD and FTIR and were quite similar; however, structural analyses using SEM and argon physisorption revealed that the zeolites diverged in particle diameter and in the external surface area of the micropores. The synthesis procedure without a template incorporated additional aluminum into the crystalline network, according to ICP-AES and TPD NH3 experiments. The catalytic pyrolysis performed over the template-free ZSM-5 generated results comparable to those for pyrolysis performed over the conventional ZSM-5 according to its hydrocarbon distribution. The selectivity to aromatics compounds was exactly the same for both ZSM-5 zeolites, and these values stand out compared to thermal pyrolysis. The template-free ZSM-5 produced 20% of light hydrocarbons (C4-C6), where such compounds are olefins and paraffins of great interest to the petrochemical industry. Therefore, template-free ZSM-5 is promising for industrial use due to its lowered synthesis time, low-cost and significant distribution to light hydrocarbons.

In this paper the levels of concentration of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in waters and sediments from the ecosystem San Juan in the Santiago of Cuba province were evaluated. Two sampling of the ecosystem in two stations belonging to the high and middle part of the river, in rainy and little rainy periods were carried out. The conservation and treatment of the samples were developed according to established standards and the determinations of the elements were realized using atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The concentrations intervals of the studied elements were established so much in the superficial waters like in the sediments and it was demonstrated that exists statistical significant differences for the factors station, period and type of sample, being the middle part of the river, the little rainy period and the sediments, where the grater concentrations of the pollutants appear.

En este trabajo se evalúan los niveles de concentración de cobre, cinc, plomo y cadmio en las aguas y sedimentos del ecosistema San Juan en la provincia Santiago de Cuba. Para ello se realizaron dos muestreos del ecosistema en dos estaciones pertenecientes a la parte alta y media del río, en períodos de lluvia y poca lluvia. La conservación y tratamiento de las muestras se realizó según las normas establecidas y se efectuaron las determinaciones de los elementos por espectrometría de emisión atómica con plasma inductivamente acoplado. Se establecieron los intervalos de concentraciones de los elementos estudiados tanto en las aguas superficiales como en los sedimentos y se demostró que existen diferencias estadísticas significativas para los factores estación, período y tipo de muestra, siendo la parte media del río, el período de poca lluvia y en los sedimentos donde aparecen las mayores concentraciones de los contaminantes.

The work was to demonstrate a repaid, precise and accurate determination method for ten trace elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Se and Zn) in periostracum serpentis (PS) and periostracum cicadae (PC) by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). In order to evaluate the best digestion method, three different sample digestion methods including dry ashing, wet ashing and microwave digestion procedures were compared in this study. Method validation was carried out through the generation of calibration curves with multi-element standard solutions and a standard addition method by using standard reference material (GBW 07604-Poplar leaves). The results revealed the microwave digestion procedures were the best sample digestion method because of dry ashing and wet ashing procedures without any advantages in terms of digestion efficiency than the microwave digestion procedures. Trace element contents in PS and PC samples presented a wide variability from the test results, and ten trace element contents in PC were found to be higher than in PS. Determination of trace elements by ICP-AES after microwave digestion was more sensitive and precise, which can be used for quality control and analysis of pharmacological effect in various ecdyses of some animal samples.

Wood products follow the same cycle as other materials: manufacture, use and disposal. For certain applications, chemical additives are added to wood to increase its durability against biological and physical attack. At the end of life, waste wood is chipped or crushed before being recovered as raw material for new products or as fuel for energy. In recycled wood, there is the potential that some wood particles are contaminated by hazardous substances, such as organic or heavy metal preservatives. Therefore there is a need for a quality control method of assessing recovered wood that is on the one hand sufficiently precise and on the other not too expensive to preclude the use of recycling wood in to new products. This paper covers some preliminary research that is part of a large study that aims to develop a robust analytical method for recovered wood. However the extreme variability of recovered wood makes it difficult to develop such protocols on real recovered wood samples. Consequently, model chip piles with known contamination levels were created to simulate real world recovered wood samples.

Gracilaria Greville is a genus of seaweed that is economically explored by the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. One of the biggest problems associated with growing Gracilaria is the discharge of heavy metals into the marine environment. The absorption of heavy metals was investigated with the macroalga Gracilaria tenuistipitata Zhang et Xia, cultivated in a medium containing copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd). In biological samples, EC50 concentrations of 1 ppm for cadmium and 0.95 ppm for copper were used. These concentrations were based on seaweed growth curves obtained over a period of six days in previous studies. ICP-AES was used to determine the amount of metal that seaweeds absorbed during this period. G. tenuistipitata was able to bioaccumulate both metals, about 17% of copper and 9% of cadmium. Basal natural levels of Cu were found in control seaweeds and in G. tenuistipitata exposed to Cd. In addition, the repertoire of other important chemical elements, as well as their concentrations, was determined for G. tenuistipitata and two other important seaweeds, G. birdiae Plastino & Oliveira and G. domingensis (Kützing) Sonder ex Dickie, collected in natural environments on the Brazilian shore.

Ceramic seeds were synthesized by the sol-gel technique with Si:Sm:Ca. One sample was irradiated in the TRIGA nuclear reactor IPR-R1. After irradiation, the seeds were submitted to instrumental neutron activation analysis to determine the 153Sm concentration in weight. The same irradiated seed sample was submitted to gamma spectrometry analysis to determine all existing radionuclides as well as its individual activities. A second sample was submitted to ICP-AES atomic emission spectrometry. A third sample was submitted to X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to determine qualitative chemical composition. The measured activity was due to 153Sm with a well-characterized gamma spectrum. The X-ray fluorescence spectrum demonstrates that there is no discrepancy in seed composition. Maximum range of beta particles from 153Sm were evaluated, as well as the total dose and dose rate on its range´s volume. The results are relevant for investigation of the viability of producing 153Sm radioactive seeds for use in brachytherapy.

The determination of the airborne particulate matter (PTS) mass and trace metals concentrations were performed in three sites in Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. It was evaluated 288 samples. The legal limit of annual geometric average (60 µg m-3) to PTS concentrations didn't exceed, but the legal limit for 24 h (240 µg m-3) did in three measurements. Seven metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) analysed by ICP-AES were quantified in 18 samples. Aluminum and iron showed the highest concentrations, indicating the contribution of the soil and of one aluminum plant. The high nickel concentration is probably due to vehicular emissions and industrial combustion processes.

A caracterização pedológica e o entendimento das relações entre pedologia, geologia e geomorfologia são importantes para a compreensão da distribuição dos solos numa paisagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as relações pedomorfogeológicas na região das Chapadas Elevadas do Distrito Federal (DF), mediante caracterização química, física, mineralógica e geoquímica dos solos de ocorrência nesse compartimento da paisagem. Foram selecionadas duas topossequências representativas da distribuição pedológica nas Chapadas Elevadas do DF, cujos solos foram formados a partir de rochas metassedimentares do Grupo Paranoá, representados por Latossolos Vermelhos (LV), Latossolos Vermelho-Amarelos (LVA) e Cambissolos (C). Os Latossolos das duas topossequências apresentaram a maioria dos atributos físicos, químicos e mineralógicos semelhantes. A variação da cor nesses Latossolos é proveniente da mineralogia diferenciada dos óxidos de Fe - hematita predominante nos LV e goethita nos LVA. No entanto, as análises por meio de ICP-AES apresentaram teores de Fe2O3 similares nos Latossolos, demonstrando material de origem (rochas metassedimentares) de composição geoquímica semelhante. A formação da goethita nos LVA foi considerada dependente da sua posição geomorfológica de desenvolvimento, nas bordas das chapadas, onde a oscilação do lençol freático proporcionou a formação de horizonte litoplíntico, com consequente deficiência das condições de drenagem. Os Cambissolos apresentaram-se quimicamente semelhantes aos Latossolos em razão do material de origem, que são rochas metassedimentares já pré-intemperizadas. O estudo das relações pedomorfogeológicas permitiu constatar que a distribuição dos solos nas Chapadas Elevadas do Distrito Federal é condicionada pela evolução geomorfológica e pela geologia da região.

Detailed studies of pedologic characterization, as well as of relationships between pedology, geology and geomorphology are important for the comprehension of the soil distribution in a landscape. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pedomorphogeological relationships in the Chapadas Elevadas of the Distrito Federal, by the chemical, physical, mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the soils found in this landscape compartment. Two representative top-sequences of the pedologic distribution were selected in this geomorphologic unit, whose soils were formed from metasedimentary rocks of the Grupo Paranoá, represented by Red Oxisols (Latosols), Yellow-Red Oxisols and Cambisols. The physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the Oxisols of the two top-sequences were mostly similar. The color variation in the Oxisols was due to the differentiated Fe oxide mineralogy - predominantly hematite in LV and goethite in LVA. However, the ICP-AES analysis showed similar Fe2O3 levels in Oxisols, indicating a material of origin (metasedimentary rock) with similar geochemical composition. The goethite formation in LVA was related to the geomorphological position of development, on the edges of the plateau, where the water table oscillation resulted in the formation of a lithoplintic horizon, with consequently deficient drainage conditions. The Cambisols were chemically similar to Oxisols, due to the source material, consisting of pre-weathered sedimentary rock. The pedomorphogeological relations showed that the soil distribution in the Chapadas Elevadas of the Distrito Federal is linked to the geomorphologic evolution and regional geology.

Metal contamination in the Plankenburg and Diep Rivers (Western Cape) was investigated over a 12 and 9 month period, respectively. Aluminium (Al), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were determined using the nitric acid digestion method and analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). For both rivers the Al and Fe concentrations were higher than that for all the other metals analysed for in sediment and water samples. The highest concentrations recorded in the Plankenburg River were 13.6 mg·ℓ-1 (water - Week 18, Site B) and 15 018 mg·kg-1 (sediment - Week 1, Site C) for Al, and 48 mg·ℓ-1 (water - Week 43, Site A) and 14 363.8 mg·kg-1 (sediment - Week 1, Site A) for Fe. The highest concentrations recorded in the Diep River were 4 mg·ℓ-1 (water - Week 1, Site A) and 19 179 mg·kg-1 (sediment - Week 1, Site C) for Al, and 513 mg·ℓ-1 (water - Week 27, Site A) and 106 379.5 mg·kg-1 (sediment - Week 9, Site C) for Fe. For most of the metals analysed the concentrations were higher than the recommended water quality guidelines as stipulated by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, the Canadian Council for the Ministers of the Environment and the accepted 'world average'. Point sources of pollution could not be conclusively identified, but runoff from both industrial and residential areas could have contributed to the increased concentrations. Metal concentrations should be routinely monitored and the guidelines should be updated and revised based on the current state of the rivers and pollution sources.

A fitorremediação é um processo promissor de descontaminação de solos em que a planta é utilizada como um mecanismo de alocação do agente contaminante e indesejável ao sistema tratado. Plantas de Cyperus rotundus, colhidas em área onde ocorreram descartes de resíduos industriais, foram avaliadas utilizando microscopia óptica (MO) e plasma de argônio indutivamente acoplado (ICP-AES). O trabalho objetivou avaliar as alterações causadas pelos poluentes químicos na estrutura morfológica do corpo epígeo de plantas juvenis de C. rotundus e seu potencial fitorremediador em comparação a plantas colhidas em região não poluída do mesmo solo (testemunha). As alterações anatômicas estruturais identificadas demonstram o potencial efeito poluidor dos contaminantes e também sugerem o comportamento hiperacumulador da planta avaliada.

Phytoremediation is a promising process of soil decontamination when the plant is used as a mechanism of allocation of the undesirable contaminant agent in the treated system. Samples of Cyperus rotundus collected in a contaminated area with industrial residues were evaluated through optical microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP - AES). This work aimed to evaluate the phytoremediator potential and the morphological alterations in young epigeous body of C. rotundus caused by pollutant chemicals in comparison with plants collected in the same soil with no contamination (witness). The observed anatomic alterations compared with the witnesses demonstrated the potential polluting effect of contaminants and also indicated the hyperaccumulating behavior of the analyzed plants.

Solos concrecionários (Plintossolo Pétrico concrecionário) nas Regiões Central e Norte do Brasil são muito comuns, ocorrendo em áreas baixas e nas bordas das chapadas, constituindo geralmente solos distróficos,pobres em nutrientes. A ocorrência de solo concrecionário eutrófico no município de Ouro Verde de Goiás, em área de borda de chapada motivou esta pesquisa, desenvolvida com a finalidade de verificar a relação eutrofia/solo/material litológico subjacente, provável fonte das bases trocáveis. As relações pedológicas e geoquímicas do solo com as concreções e a rocha de origem foram pesquisadas por meio de determinações da constituição química total dos elementos maiores, utilizando ICP-AES (espectrometria de emissão atômica por plasma acoplado indutivamente), análise mineralógica da fração argila por DRX, análise mineralógica da fração areia, além da caracterização analítica de rotina em pedologia. Os resultados analíticos de amostras de rocha, concreções ferruginosas e TFSA, as relações moleculares Ki e Kr e bases/R2O3 e a relação Zr/Ti são abordados e discutidos. Ocorrências mais significativas quanto a alguns elementos móveis são creditadas ao conteúdo elevado de matéria orgânica no horizonte superficial do solo, ao acúmulo residual de quartzo e à contribuição de material externo nos horizontes superiores . A relação solo/material litológico subjacente indica para o perfil de origem a partir de um metatonalito, atribuindo-se ao material petroplíntico presente na porção superior do solo, origem relacionada à desagregação e arraste de materiais relacionados à Superfície de Aplanamento Sul-Americana.

The occurrence of concretionary soils in the Central and Northern Brazil is very common. They are found in low areas and on plateau edges, usually constituting dystrophic soils,poor in nutrients. The finding of an eutrophicc concretionary soil in the edge of a plateau in Ouro Verde de Goiás stimulated this research, which had the purpose of verifying the relationship between the soil eutrophic conditions and the underlying lithologic material, the probable source of the exchangeable bases. The pedologic and geochemical relationships of the soil with concretions and parent rock were investigated by determining the total major element content by ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry), mineralogical analysis of the clay fraction by DRX, mineralogical analysis of sand fractions, besides standard analysis procedures used in pedology studies. The analytical results of rock samples, concretions and soil, the molecular relationships Ki and Kr, basic cations/R2O3 and the Zr/Ti relationship were described and discussed. The higher contents of some soluble elements were ascribed to the high organic matter content in the surface horizon, to the residual accumulation of quartz, and the contribution of external. The relationship soil/parent material indicated that the profile was originated from a metatonalite and the concretionary horizons in the upper part of the soil were originated by soil disaggregation and transport of material related to the South American Plain Surface.

Foram determinadas as concentrações de metais pesados (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn) na ostra Ostrea equestris em três praias (Barra do Furado, Buena e Ponta do Retiro) da costa norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro utilizando-se ICP-AES. As concentrações médias foram 0,8 ± 0,18; 0,4 ± 0,21; 58 ± 25,6; 249 ± 52,3; 11 ± 1,31; 0,55 ± 0,16; 0,13 ± 0,11; e 1131 ± 321 µg.g-1 de peso seco para Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn, respectivamente. Entre as áreas amostradas, houve variação espacial significativa (p < 0,05) das concentrações de Cr, Pb e Zn com maiores valores na Barra do Furado, e de Cu apenas em Ponta do Retiro. Foi observada variação temporal significativa (p < 0,05) para todos os metais, exceto Cu. Essa variabilidade provavelmente está associada a entradas de metais associados ao material particulado em suspensão. Os bivalves apresentaram concentrações similares àquelas encontradas em áreas com baixo impacto de contaminação por metais, exceto para Zn, cujo acúmulo provavelmente está associado às características fisiológicas desses organismos.

Heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations were determined by ICP-AES in Ostrea equestris from three beaches (Barra do Furado, Buena, and Ponta do Retiro) on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State. The average concentration was 0.8 ± 0.18, 0.4 ± 0.21, 58 ± 25.6, 249 ± 52.3, 11 ± 1.31, 0.55 ± 0.16, 0.13 ± 0.11, and 1131 ± 321 µg.g-1 dry weight for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn respectively. Significant spatial variation (p < 0.05) between the samples areas occurred for Cr, Pb, and Zn with higher values in Barra do Furado; and for Cu in Ponta do Retiro. Significant temporal variations (p < 0.05) were observed for all metals except Cu. Temporal variability may be related to changes in the inputs of metals associated with suspended particles. Concentrations were similar to those found in areas under low pollution impact, except for Zn, the high concentrations of which probably reflect the physiological characteristics of these organisms.

O Complexo Termelétrico Jorge Lacerda (CTJL), localizado no Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, é o maior complexo termelétrico a carvão da América Latina e consiste de sete unidades com uma capacidade total de 832 MWe. De modo a estimar a contribuição das emissões atmosféricas oriundas do CTJL, para a composição elementar de solos superficiais em sua circunvizinhança, quarenta e cinco amostras foram coletadas até uma distância de 8 km. Quarenta e dois elementos foram determinados por ICP-MS e ICP-AES após digestão ácida total. A técnica de análise de componentes principais foi empregada na identificação das fontes de maior significado para a composição do solo superficial. Adicionalmente, foi empregada a técnica de componentes principais absolutos visando a quantificação da contribuição das fontes identificadas na composição química do solo. Baseados nos resultados obtidos, quatro fontes foram identificadas como as principais para a composição elementar do solo superficial. Uma delas foi relacionada com o CTJL, pois continha os elementos voláteis enriquecidos nas cinzas volantes emitidas através das chaminés co compexo.

The Thermoelectric Complex Jorge Lacerda (TCJL), located in the Santa Catarina State, Brazil, is the largest coal burning thermoelectric complex of Latin America and consists of seven power plants with a total capacity of 832 MWe. In order to estimate the contribution of the atmospheric releases from the TCJL to the elemental composition of surface soils around it, forty-five samples were collected at up to a distance of 8 km. Forty-two elements were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-AES after total acid dissolution. The technique of principal component analysis was employed to identify the major sources that contribute to surface soil composition. Additionally, a source apportioning using multiple regression on absolute principal component scores was performed in order to obtain quantitative information about the contribution of the different identified sources on the soil composition. Based on the results obtained, four sources were identified as the main contributors to the surface soil elemental composition. One of them was related to TCJL because it retains volatile elements enriched on fly ash and released from powerhouse stacks.