RESUMO Conhecer o comportamento geomorfológico de bacias hidrográficas é fundamental para a elaboração de políticas públicas de conservação dos recursos naturais, para subsidiar a ocupação humana de forma que os processos erosivos sejam minimizados. Considerando-se as escassas informações sobre a bacia hidrográfica do Rio das Balsas, no sul do estado do Maranhão, este estudo teve como objetivos realizar o diagnóstico físico e apresentar as áreas suscetíveis à erosão por meio de classificação qualitativa. Para tanto, utilizaram-se informações das bases de dados da Agência Nacional de Águas, Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais e United States Geological Survey (modelo digital de elevação, hidrografia, solos e geologia). Por rotinas de geoprocessamento, foram delimitadas a bacia e as sub-bacias e obtidos os dados para o cálculo dos índices morfométricos. Além disso, foi feita a reclassificação das áreas suscetíveis a erosão, baseada no curve number, método que avalia o potencial de escoamento superficial por tipo de solo e respectivo uso. A reclassificação em quatro classes de suscetibilidade possibilitou elaborar o mapa de áreas suscetíveis à erosão. As características morfogenéticas encontradas na área mostram que são necessárias ações de manejo adequado, já que alguns tipos de solos combinados com 45% de declividade (44% da área) são as áreas mais vulneráveis aos processos erosivos. Com isso, conclui-se que o planejamento do uso e ocupação da bacia são extremamente importantes para que as características físicas da região não interfiram de maneira negativa no futuro da sua expansão, no que concerne tanto às atividades agrícolas quanto às urbanas.

Abstract Knowledge of the geomorphological behavior of watersheds is fundamental for the elaboration of public policies for the conservation of natural resources, to subsidize human occupation in a way that minimizes erosion processes. Considering the lack of information about the Balsas river basin, located in the south of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, this study aimed to make a physical diagnosis and indicate areas susceptible to erosion through qualitative classification. To that end, it drew on information from National Water Agency (ANA), the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) databases (digital elevation model, hydrography, soils and geology). Through geoprocessing routines, the basin and sub-basins were mapped and data was obtained for the calculation of morphometric indices. In addition, the areas susceptible to erosion were reclassified based on the curve number method, which assesses surface runoff potential by soil type and use. Reclassification into four susceptibility classes made it possible to map erosion susceptible areas. The morphogenetic characteristics found in the area show the need for appropriate management actions, since some types of soils, combined with 45% slope (about 44% of the area), are the most vulnerable to erosive processes. The conclusion reached was that planning of the use and occupation of the basin is extremely important to prevent the physical characteristics of the basin interfering negatively in the future of the region, as its agricultural as well as urban activities expand.

RESUMO Os sedimentos em suspensão formam compartimento ambiental especial que caracteriza os efeitos do uso do solo na bacia hidrográfica. Tal compartimento é capaz de armazenar compostos orgânicos e metais em geral, cujas variações espaciais nas concentrações podem ser associadas ao uso do solo, à composição do solo e à existência de fontes poluidoras na bacia. Aqui avaliamos a variação espacial da concentração de metais e fósforo nos sedimentos em suspensão em rio sob influência urbana. Por meio de amostradores integrados no tempo, amostras foram coletadas em três pontos com diferentes níveis de ocupação urbana: com 5,73%, 22,30% e com 54,06% de urbanização. Cada amostrador foi instalado de modo a ficar 20 cm abaixo da superfície da água, sendo coletadas amostras a cada 30 dias em cada ponto amostral. Doze amostras foram obtidas para análise de 27 elementos químicos. Dos 27 elementos selecionados para análise, 19 apresentaram taxas de variação de concentração positivas, indicando enriquecimento ao longo do trecho de rio amostrado. As maiores taxas de variação positivas foram obtidas para P (151,20%), La (117,98%), Cd (93,33%), Cr (71,43%), Na (68,75%), Ni (68,07%), Y (66,67%), Th (63,64%) e Zn (56,77%). Considerando a comparação com valores de referência locais conclui-se que Cd, Cr, Ni, P, Y e Zn aparecem associados ao aumento de urbanização na bacia; Co, Sc, Sn, Cu e Mn aparecem possivelmente associados à urbanização; Ba, La, Na, Pb e Sr demonstram comportamento inconclusivo em relação à influência urbana; e Al, Fe, Nb, Th, Ti, As, Ca, K, Mg, Va e Zr demonstram não estar associados ao aumento de urbanização.

ABSTRACT The suspended sediments are a special compartment that characterizes the effects of land use in the watershed. Such compartment is able to trap organic compounds as well as metals in general. Spatial variation of concentrations can be accounted for the land use, soil composition and pollution. In this work, we aimed to assess the spatial variation of metals and phosphorus concentration presented in suspended sediments collected in a river under urban occupation. Using time-integrated suspended sediment samplers, samples were collectec in three sites covering different levels of occupation: Almirante Tamandaré (P1) and two in Curitiba city (Tingui Park -P2 and Barigui Park - P3). The sampler was settled to be 20 cm below the water surface and it was removed after 30 days. Twelve samples were collected to examining the following elements Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Sc, Sn, Sr, Th, Ti, V, Y, Zn and Zr by ICP-OES. The first site is characterized with only 5.73% of urban area; meanwhile the site P3 has the highest urban area 54.06%. Among the twenty seven elements, nineteen showed a positive variation in concentration between collected sites, giving indication that an enrichment of metals along the river. The following elements showed positive variation: P (151.20%), La (117.98%), Cd (93.33%), Cr (71.43%), Na (68.75%), Ni (68.07%), Y (66.67%), Th (63.64%) and Zn (56.77%). Considering local reference values it is concluded that Cd, Cr, Ni, P, Y and Zn appear associated with urbanization increase in the basin; Co, Sc, Sn, Cu and Mn appear possibly associated with urbanization; Ba, La, Na, Pb and Sr show inconclusive behavior in relation with urban influence ; Al, Fe, Nb, Th, Ti, As, Ca, K, Mg, Zr and Va demonstrate not be associated with urbanization.

RESUMO A vulnerabilidade de aquíferos do tipo cársticos à contaminação por atividades agropecuárias ocorre em função de sua estrutura geomorfológica. No entanto, existem poucos estudos desta natureza no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de nitrato, bactérias coliformes e atrazina em poços rasos e profundos no aquífero cárstico paranaense sob influência de atividades agrícolas. O estudo foi realizado em uma área de agricultura intensiva sobre aquífero cárstico da bacia hidrográfica do Alto Iguaçu/Ribeira no município de Colombo-PR. As campanhas amostrais foram realizadas no período entre 2014 e 2015 em 15 poços rasos e 7 poços profundos, para análise bacteriológica, de NO3- e de atrazina na água. A concentração de NO3- nos poços rasos variou entre 0,14 mg L-1 e 40,22 mg L-1. Nos poços profundos, as concentrações foram menores, entre 1,24 mg L-1 e 17,86 mg L-1. A análise de coliformes totais e fecais apresentou a mesma tendência da presença deNO3-. A atrazina foi detectada em 5 poços rasos e 4 profundos. Propriedades físico-químicas da atrazina, assim como, as fraturas do aquífero cárstico e alta condutividade hidráulica podem ser consideradas como fatores determinantes no destino deste pesticida.

ABSTRACT The vulnerability of karst aquifers to contamination by agrochemical compounds was studied. Such contamination occurs due to its geomorphological structure. Despite the fact, aquifers are important to provide potable water, there is a lack of research about karst aquifers in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of nitrates, fecal coliform bacteria and atrazine in shallow and deep wells in the karst aquifer in the State of Paraná, which is affected by agricultural activities. This study was conducted in an intensive agricultural area located inside the basin of the Upper Iguassu/Ribeira in the Municipality of Colombo, Paraná in Brazil. The sampling campaigns were carried out between 2014 and 2015 in fifteen shallow wells and seven deep wells. Nitrates, total and fecal coliforms and atrazine were analyzed. Nitrates were found in higher concentration in all shallow wells, ranging from 0.14 mg L-1 and 40.22 mg L-1. In deep wells, the lower concentrations were between 1.24 mg L-1 e 17.86 mg L-1. The analysis of total and fecal coliforms showed the bias for nitrates. Atrazine was detected in five shallow wells and in four deep wells. Physico-chemical characteristics of atrazine as well as fractures of the karstic aquifer and high hydraulic conductivity can be considered as determining factors in the fate of pesticides.

RESUMO: Um modelo condutométrico foi desenvolvido como uma técnica menos dispendiosa para determinar a concentração de dióxido de carbono dissolvido em reservatórios e foi aplicado no Reservatório Vossoroca, Brasil. A parte principal do Reservatório Vossoroca está localizada na Área de Proteção Ambiental de Guaratuba e foi construída para regular os fluxos de uma usina hidrelétrica, considerada uma forma limpa e renovável de exploração; no entanto, há evidências de que reservatórios de hidrelétricas poderiam ser potenciais emissores de gases de efeito estufa. O modelo utiliza como parâmetros a condutividade elétrica, a temperatura e o pH da água do reservatório. Foi possível observar nos resultados as estratificações térmica e química que ocorrem no reservatório por meio dos parâmetros temperatura (18º a 25ºC), pH (5,9 a 8,4), oxigênio dissolvido (com o limite superior de 8 mg.L-1) e condutividade elétrica (0,04 a 0,2 mS.cm-1). Os resultados das campanhas apresentaram bons coeficientes de determinação (R2), acima de 0,9, para todas as campanhas para a determinação da concentração de dióxido de carbono dissolvido obtido por titulação alcalimétrica, também feita no local do estudo, e pelo modelo condutométrico (com o limite superior de cerca 250 mg.L-1), mas em profundidades próximas ao leito do reservatório foram encontradas diferenças. O teste de significância estatística (Student) não apresentou diferença significativa entre os valores obtidos por titulação alcalimétrica e pelo modelo condutométrico.

ABSTRACT: A conductometric model was developed as a less costly technique to determine the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in reservoirs and was applied in Vossoroca Reservoir, Brazil. A main portion of Vossoroca Reservoir is located in the Environmental Protection Area of Guaratuba and was built for regulate flows to a hydroelectric power plant, considered a clean and renewable form of exploitation; however, there is evidence that hydroelectric reservoirs could be potential emitters of greenhouse gases. The model uses parameters as electrical conductivity, temperature and pH of the water reservoir. It was possible to observe in the results the thermal and chemical stratification that occurs in the reservoir through the parameters temperature (18º to 25ºC), pH (5.9 to 8.4), dissolved oxygen (with upper limit of 8 mg.L-1) and electrical conductivity (0.04 to 0.2 mS.cm-1). The campaign results showed good determination coefficients (R²), above 0.9, for all campaigns for the determination of dissolved carbon dioxide concentration obtained by alkalimetric titration, also made on the study site, and by the conductometric model (with upper limit of approximately 250 mg.L-1), but at depths close to the bed of the reservoir discrepancies were found. The statistical significance test (Student) did not show significant difference between the values obtained by alkalimetric titration and by the conductometric model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the transport of one of the most toxic and best-selling herbicides in Brazil. The active ingredient 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was applied onto the surface of a tank-type lysimeter, filled with undisturbed soil, in Curitiba, Parana State. Samples of infiltration and runoff water were obtained during rain simulations. The concentrations of the active ingredient 2,4-D showed a rapid decrease in the environment, with mass losses of 29.12% by infiltration and 0.87% by runoff.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the environmental distribution of benzo(a)pirene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, by the EQC model. The modeling of the contaminant distribution was accomplished by means of the fugacity model applied to a hypothetical scenario constituted by air, water, soil and sediment. The modeling and simulations revealed that the soil is the preferential compartment. We also discuss the implications of the results about fate and ecological risks associated with benzo(a)pirene. We concluded that the emissions of HPAs can not be ignored and bioaccumulation among others risks can be induced.

Sediment samples from the Barigui River in Curitiba, south of Brazil, were evaluated following granulometric composition, organic carbon content, nitrogen, phosphorus and metals such as zinc, lead, chrome, nickel and cadmium. The sediments shown high percentage of phosphorus and nitrogen. Also the elemental organic C:N:P exceed the Redfield ratios possible because the large amount of sewage input into river. The presence of metals is also high, however the metal cadmium has not been found. But the other metals are in greater concentrations and possibly the presence of these metals is given by industrial and domestic sewage.

We studied the transesterification of two vegetable oils: soybean and waste frying oil. The main problem of transesterification is related to the measurement of the ethyl ester content. In this work we used a quick analytical method for assessing the ethyl ester fraction of the purified fuel-grade transesterification products by applying a simple correlation with density. If the ester content is higher than 85% by weight the correlation allows the determination by a single density measurement. This method is suitable for control and determines the ethyl ester quickly and simply.

Molecular probe techniques have made important contributions to the determination of microstructure of surfactant assemblies such as size, stability, micropolarity and conformation. Conductivity and surface tension were used to determine the critical aggregation concentration (cac) of polymer-surfactant complexes and the critical micellar concentration (cmc) of aqueous micellar aggregates. The results are compared with those of fluorescent techniques. Several surfactant systems were examined, 1-butanol-sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) mixtures, solutions containing poly(ethylene oxide)-SDS, poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-SDS and poly(acrylic acid)-alkyltrimethylammonium bromide complexes. We found differences between the cac and cmc values obtained by conductivity or surface tension and those obtained by techniques which use hydrophobic probe.