Identification of priority areas for water conservation in the Alto Iguaçu basin, Brazil.

Geoprocessing tools are great allies in the management of water resources, permitting the evaluation of several factors integrated into a multicriteria analysis. This improves the interpretation of the behavior of water and soil in hydrographic basins, allowing the delimitation of priority areas for actions. The objective of this study was to prepare a map of priority areas for water conservation in the Alto Iguaçu basin through a multicriteria analysis, aiming to assist in the management of water resources in the region. The priority map for water conservation was prepared using the weighted linear combination (WLC) method, considering the weight added to the factors that were obtained by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The method successfully identified priority areas for water conservation, where 40.7% of the Alto Iguaçu watershed was considered High priority and Very High priority, a number consistent with regional characteristics. The multicriteria analysis proved to be a flexible and easy to implement methodology, which can help managers when considering the trade-offs among several factors. The implementation of water conservation actions in areas that have been classified as being of High and Very High priority can benefit the regional ecosystem by controlling erosion, regulating the flow of water, and thus conserving the quantity and quality of water in the basin and its downstream region, benefiting the population and regional economics. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;00:1-12. © 2023 SETAC.

Briquette production from a mixture of biomass: poultry slaughterhouse sludge and sawdust.

This study refers to the development of hybrid briquettes using centrifuged sludge from the wastewater treatment of poultry and sawdust from furniture industry. The aim was to evaluate the performance of briquettes as a source of thermal energy, mitigating the risks of the current elimination and reducing the operational costs of their destination. To know the oxidizing characteristics of the briquettes and their mechanical resistance, superior calorific power, ash content, volatile materials, fixed carbon, and resistance to axial compression were evaluated. Thermogravimetric and differential exploratory calorimetry analyses were performed. Statistical treatments were carried out to verify the most significant factors to produce briquettes, the best proportions of the raw materials, and to evaluate whether there is interference from moisture and glue flour used as a binder. The best condition of the sludge-sawdust mixture was 15% and 85%, respectively, with 6.0% moisture. The best-case treatment had 23.82-MPa mechanical resistance, a calorific value of 17.20 MJ kg-1, and a density of 1374.15 kg m-3.

Combination of biological processes for agro-industrial poultry waste management: Effects on vermicomposting and anaerobic digestion.

This study evaluated the combination of bioprocesses to increase the utilization of agro-industrial poultry wastes. Composting piles were submitted to hydration and fraction separation (FS) and then, the solid fraction was vermicomposted and the liquid fraction was anaerobically digested. Composting followed by hydration and FS prior to vermicomposting enhanced earthworm adaptation and survival by reducing salt levels (50%), total organic carbon, and total nitrogen which may be limiting to vermicomposting at high concentrations. These strategies providing the production of up to 300 new cocoons and 360 young earthworms more than the control treatment. In addition to providing a favorable environment for earthworm growth, the combination of bioprocesses resulted in a high-quality organic fertilizer free of phytotoxic compounds and with phytostimulant properties (germination index higher than 100%). Energy recovery was greater in the treatment without the precomposting step (T0) (461.8 L CH4 kg-1. Volatile Solidsadded). The results show that combining the bioprocesses is a sustainable alternative for managing poultry wastes not only in terms of the recycling of nutrients but also by providing a clean source of energy.

Combining pre-treatment strategies for broilers industry waste valorization.

aiming at expanding the possibilities for broiler slaughter wastes valorization, composting piles were submitted, at different time points (T0, T10, T20, T30 and Control) representing the treatments, to a solid-liquid fraction separation (FS), after being submerged in water (2:1, water:compost, in the fresh weight). After FS, solid material separated with a strain was again placed in piles for the final stage of composting, being evaluated the organic composts obtained after the stabilization phase (65 days) and maturation (95 days), in the different treatments. Reductions in mass (60-62%) and volume (56-64%) were greater in piles submitted to FS in comparison to control piles (52% and 54%). On the other hand, the FS induced greater losses of C (70.3-71.3%), N (55-62%), P (41.7-54.4%) and K (62.3-72.1%) in comparison to the control (65.2%, 48.0%, 28.1%, and 37.6%, respectively). We conclude that, as a way of integrating bioprocesses, FS does not have negative effects on the composting process. Moreover, compost mixtures from FS-treated piles, when used as substrate, yield better seedlings in comparison to mixtures from control.

Semi-continuous anaerobic co-digestion of flotation sludge from broiler chicken slaughter and sweet potato: Nutrients and energy recovery.

Energy production based on the proper allocation of environmental liabilities is in line with the concept of sustainability. Flotation sludge (S) is a type of waste derived from the physical treatment of the wastewater generated in significant quantities during chicken slaughter in Brazil. If not treated, this wastewater may contribute to pollution, but further treatment provides clean energy and nutrient recycling. The present study aimed at evaluating the reduction of (S) organic load by means of mono and co-digestion with sweet potatoes (P) while promoting its conversion into energy (methane) and nutrients (digestate). Semi-continuous reactors (60 L capacity) were used with a hydraulic retention time of 25 days. The reactors were fed daily with 2.4 L consisting of 60% digestate recirculation, 40% non-chlorinated water and 4.5% total solids (TS). Using nine reactors and six progressive periods, eleven conditions were evaluated with three replicates each. The percentages of (P) and (S) varied from 0 to 100. The best observed condition in terms of energy recovery and TS removal was 60% of P + 40% of S (p ≤ 0.05), as it presented values of at least an increase of 92% in total biogas volume, an increase of 123% in specific methane production, an increase of 98% in specific methane yield and an increase of 44% in TS removal efficiency compared to mono-digestions. The fertilizer potential of the digestate generated in the different conditions was calculated and evaluated according to the area of (P) production. The results varied from 3.6 to 10.8 ha of (P) using 100 m3 of digestate. A multivariate analysis showed that higher amounts of (P) in substrate composition favor energy recycling while higher concentrations of (S) enhance the production of a digestate with valuable agronomic characteristics.

Promovendo educação em saúde no espaço não formal de aprendizagem / Promoting health education in a non-formal learning space / Promoción de la educación en salud en el espacio informal de aprendizaje

Objetivo: Investigar as concepções de residentes de lar de adoção sobre estilo de vida e viabilizar a promoção da saúde nesse espaço por meio de oficinas pedagógicas teórico-práticas. Métodos: Estudo realizado de setembro a novembro de 2015 em Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, com 09 residentes femininas de um lar de adoção e dividido em três módulos: (i) contato com os responsáveis pelo lar de adoção; (ii) realização de uma avaliação prévia das residentes sobre estilo de vida por meio da ferramenta Pentáculo do bem-estar (PBE); (iii) elaboração e execução de oficinas teórico-práticas com as temáticas: higiene corporal, higiene bucal, educação sexual, alimentação saudável e atividade física. Resultados: Em relação à higiene corporal, todas as residentes apresentam o hábito de higienizar as mãos antes das refeições. Já na higiene bucal, mais da metade não têm o hábito de usar o fio dental diariamente, bem como, uma minoria se consulta periodicamente com o dentista. No que diz respeito ao tema educação sexual, todas as residentes conhecem ou já mantiveram contato com algum método contraceptivo. No quesito alimentação saudável, a maioria costuma consumir doces e raramente ingerem refrigerantes. Menos da metade das participantes costumam incluir a prática de atividade física no seu lazer. A partir da análise dos PBE, foram elaboradas as oficinas pedagógicas teórico-práticas. Conclusão: Observou-se que as participantes apresentaram uma percepção positiva sobre o estilo de vida de acordo com os parâmetros do instrumento utilizado.

Objective: To investigate foster institution residents' conceptions of lifestyle and enable the promotion of health in this space through theory and practical pedagogical workshops. Methods: A study carried out from September to November 2015 in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, with 09 female residents of a foster institution. The present study was divided into three modules: (i) contacting those responsible for the foster institution; (ii) carrying out a preliminary evaluation by the residents on the topic of lifestyle using as tool the Pentacle of Well-being (PWB); (iii) elaboration and execution of theory-practical workshops addressing the themes: body hygiene, oral hygiene, sex education, healthy eating and physical activity. Results: With regard to body hygiene, all residents have the habit of washing their hands before meals. As for oral hygiene, more than half do not have the habit of flossing daily and only a minority undergoes periodical consultations with the dentist. On the topic of sex education, all residents know or have had contact with some contraceptive method. Regarding healthy eating, a majority is used to ingesting lots of sweets and rarely consume soft drinks. Less than half of the participants are used to incorporating the physical activity practice into their leisure experiences. From the PWE analysis, theory-practical pedagogical workshops were elaborated. Conclusion: It was observed that the participants presented a positive perception of the lifestyle according to the parameters of the instrument used.

Objetivo: Investigar las concepciones de residentes de un hogar para adopción sobre el estilo de vida y viabilizar la promoción de la salud en ese espacio a través de talleres de pedagogía teórico/prácticos. Métodos: Estudio realizado entre septiembre y noviembre de 2015 en Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, con 09 residentes mujeres de un hogar para adopción. El presente estudio se dividió en tres módulos: (i) el contacto con los responsables del hogar para adopción; (ii) la realización de una evaluación previa de las residentes sobre el estilo de vida a través de la herramienta Pentáculo del bienestar (PBE); (iii) la elaboración y ejecución de talleres teórico/prácticos con los temas: higiene corporal, higiene bucal, educación sexual, alimentación saludable y actividad física. Resultados: Respecto la higiene corporal todas las residentes tenían el hábito de higienizar las manos antes de las comidas. Sobre la higiene bucal más de la mitad de ellas no tienen el hábito de usar hilo dental a diario así como una pequeña parte va a la consulta periódica con el dentista. Respecto la educación sexual todas las residentes conocen o ya han usado algún método anticonceptivo. En el ítem alimentación saludable la gran mayoría come muchos dulces y raramente toma refrescos. Menos de la mitad de las participantes incluyen la práctica de actividad física en su tiempo de ocio. Se elaboraron los talleres de pedagogía teórico/práctico a partir de los análisis de los PBE. Conclusión: Se observó que las participantes presentaron una percepción positiva del estilo de vida según los parámetros del instrumento utilizado.