Agroindustrial wastes as a substrate for the cultivation of Eruca sativa Miller seedlings: physical-chemical and phytometric parameters assessment.

Evaluation was made of the use of organic substrates obtained from the composting of poultry industry wastes, together with crude glycerin, for the production of arugula seedlings (Eruca sativa Miller). The raw materials included hatchery waste, chicken litter, and flotation tank sludge, in combination with other materials such as tree pruning, sugarcane bagasse, crude glycerin (at 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0%), and boiler charcoal. Analysis of the organic substrates included determination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), pH, electrical conductivity, functional groups, and carboxylic acids. Physical parameters determined were water retention capacity, solids volume, porosity, density, and granulometry. For the arugula seedlings, determinations were made of the ease of removal of the root ball from the tray, the effect of free drop on the root ball, phytometric parameters, and total phenolic compounds. Decreased concentrations of carboxylic acids, together with the presence of aromatic functional groups, indicated maturation/stabilization of the organic substrates. The phytometric measurements indicated that the use of the organic substrates with addition of 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0% of crude glycerin favored arugula production and led to higher contents of total phenolic compounds in the seedlings, with values of 3657.54, 3602.13, and 3232.92 mg GAE g-1, respectively. The results demonstrated that the use of these organic substrates with the addition of crude glycerin provided satisfactory development of arugula seedlings.

Composting of swine production chain wastes with addition of crude glycerin: organic matter degradation kinetics, functional groups, and carboxylic acids.

Little is known about the effect of adding crude glycerin (CG) as a carbon source during the composting of agro-industrial residues, such as those generated in the swine production chain, especially concerning the impact on organic matter humification. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effect of adding crude glycerin during the composting of organic swine waste, using appropriate analyses to determine the degree of maturation of the organic material. The experiment was performed using composters constructed from pallets. The variables considered were temperature, mass, volume, organic matter, functional groups, carboxylic acids, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, basal respiration, and germination index. For all the CG concentrations tested, thermophilic temperatures were reached, while higher amounts of CG (4.5 and 6.0%) maintained temperatures above 55 °C for longer periods (28 days). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of an aromatic stretching vibration signal at 1620 cm-1, confirming mineralization of the organic matter, while the decrease of carboxylic acids at the end of the composting period indicated stabilization. The organic composts presented high nutrient contents and absence of toxicity, indicating that they could be safely used in agriculture.

Removal of silver nanoparticles coated with different stabilizers from aqueous medium by electrocoagulation.

This study evaluated the removal of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), coated with different stabilizers, from aqueous media using the electrocoagulation technique. The AgNPs dispersions were synthesized by chemical reduction with silver nitrate as precursor, sodium borohydride as reducing agent and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as stabilizers with initial concentrations of 1 and 3% (w/v). The dispersions were named AgNPs-CMC1, AgNPs-CMC3, AgNPs-PVA1, AgNPs-PVA3, AgNPs-PVP1, and AgNPs-PVP3. Electrocoagulation treatments of AgNPs-PVA1, AgNPs-PVP1 and AgNPs-PVP3 dispersions resulted in total silver removals above 99.90% in 10 min. For the AgNPs-PVP3 dispersion 99.98% of removal was obtained in 20 min. After 15 min of electrolysis, The AgNPs-CMC1 and AgNPs-CMC3 dispersions showed a reduction in total silver concentration of 71.72 and 52.15%, respectively. Therefore, these results showed that the removal of AgNPs from the aqueous medium by electrocoagulation is possible, but their efficiency and viability depends on the nature, the molecular structure and the concentration of stabilizers. Furthermore, the toxicity analysis using the Vibrio fischeri bacteria demonstrated that only the dispersions stabilized with PVP became suitable for disposal after the electrocoagulation treatment.

Uniformity microsprinkler irrigation system using statistical quality control / Uniformidade da irrigação por microaspersão utilizando o controle estatístico de qualidade

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of statistical quality control tools in the analysis of the uniformity of a microsprinkler irrigation system. For the analysis of irrigation Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CUC) and the distribution uniformity coefficient (DU) were statistically analyzed by means of the Shewhart control charts and process capability index (Cp). For the experiment 25 tests were carried out with a single micro sprinkler and subsequently seven different spacing between micro sprinklers were simulated. Control charts contributed to the diagnosis of the treatments to be under control and with satisfactory uniformity outcomes. Increase in process capability index was directly proportional to the average of CUC and DU.

RESUMO: O estudo objetivou avaliar o uso das ferramentas do controle estatístico de qualidade na análise da uniformidade de um sistema de irrigação por microaspersão. Para a análise da irrigação foram utilizados os coeficientes de uniformidade de Christiansen (CUC) e o coeficiente de uniformidade de distribuição (CUD), e estes foram analisados estatisticamente através dos gráficos de controle de Shewhart e do índice de capacidade do processo (Cp). Para o experimento foram realizados 25 ensaios com um único microaspersor, sendo posteriormente simulados sete diferentes espaçamentos entre microaspersores. Os gráficos de controle contribuíram para o diagnóstico dos tratamentos sob controle e com resultados satisfatórios de uniformidade. O aumento do índice de capacidade do processo mostrou-se diretamente proporcional as médias dos valores de CUC e CUD.