Revista Eletrônica em Gestão, Educação e Tecnologia Ambiental

Geomorphological mapping of the Vacacaí river hydrographic basin (BHRV): Geomorphology as a subsidy to the knowledge of the physical environment

Giorge Gabriel Schnorr, Anderson Augusto Volpato Sccoti — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Relief and its dynamics are understood as complex and the result of numerous exogenous and endogenous relationships. Geomorphological mapping emerges as an important tool for characterization and interpretation of geomorphological characteristics. The present work aims to present a geomorphological characterization of the Vacacaí River Hydrographic Basin (BHRV) based on different scales of analysis and cartographic products. The geomorphological classification presented here is based on the methodology proposed by Ross (1992), with adaptations and automation of the definition of cartographic products, thus defining 4 levels of analysis. In terms of results, there is a predominance of sedimentary structures from the Peripheral Depression, morpho sculptures from the Jacuí River Depression, patterns of smooth hills over sedimentary and elements from flat áreas. The methodology proved to be efficient and brought important aspects of relief and cartographic products that can serve for spatial organization actions.

SWOT Matrix as a tool for diagnosing the municipal water supply system of a small city: a case study

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Small municipalities often face challenges related to their water supply systems, such as limited financial resources, low population densities and limited organizational capacity. In this context, this study aimed to diagnose the water supply system in the city of Quatro Pontes - PR, which serves 2,628 economies, through SWOT analysis. This analysis consisted of determining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the system, listed based on reports from employees and visual inspections. It was found that the system presents factors already documented for small municipalities with autonomous services, such as the strengths “good water quality” and “easy maintenance”, as well as the weaknesses “few financial resources applied” and “outdated pricing policy”. In addition, opportunities were mentioned, such as technological innovations in the sector, and threats related to water waste and contamination by pesticides. The results presented depict the water supply system of the municipality and can direct managers to take advantage of opportunities and mitigate system threats.

Case study: characterization of solid waste management system in metallurgic companies of Joaçaba/SC

Juliana Luiza Zorzi, Adriana Biasi Vanin, José Carlos Azzolini — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

The development of a country is intimately linked to the industrial development that is responsible for wealth generation, jobs and income, however, it is followed by serious environmental impacts caused by production and incorrect disposal of waste. The present research aimed to characterize the solid waste management system in metallurgic companies from Joaçaba/SC. For this, a research instrument was applied containing twelve open questions for the heads of seven companies. The questions included the identification of solid waste generated in the production process and the disposal method, as well as information about environmental licensing and reverse logistic. The research showed that only one company has an environmental management system and has a better understanding about its environmental responsibilities, both the management of waste generated by the production process and the importance of preserving the environmental.

Biodegradation and biotransformation of petroleum hydrocarbons: progress, prospects, and challenges

Raul José Alves Felisardo, Amanda de Azevedo Gonçalves — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Oil is considered the main source of energy, being essential for the realization of various industrial activities. However, it is detrimental to the environment, since in addition to the release of polluting gases during combustion, its exploitation involves risks of water contamination, through leaks. Petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants are part of the recalcitrant compounds and their elimination from the environment causes enormous ecological impacts. The restoration of these environments is not a trivial challenge, as natural degradation, without anthropogenic involvement, depends on the nature, composition, physical and chemical properties of these compounds. Thus, bioremediation appears as alternative in the biodegradation process through the addition of microorganisms, nutrients or other substances that cause and accelerate decontamination. The advantages of these methods involve efficiency and low cost, when compared to other technologies. This work gathers knowledge about the perspectives of application of bioremediation systems in the recovery of environments polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons, discussing progress, perspectives and challenges.

Antibiofilm and antibacterial effects of essential oils extracted from plants on Staphylococcus aureus

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen among bacterial infections, also having the ability to produce biofilm, thus becoming tolerant and resistant to antibiotics and immune responses. Essential oil extracted from plants has shown broad-spectrum antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against bacteria. In this study it was evaluated whether rosemary, clove and cinnamon essential oil exert antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against S. aureus in vitro. The essential oils were purchased and their chemical composition was identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibiofilm and antibacterial effects were assessed by the 96-well microtiter plate adhesion assay. The highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity were observed with 3% and 6% cinnamon essential oil while the essential oil of clove and rosemary did not show satisfactory results. These results support new antimicrobial therapies against S. aureus infections and biofilm formation, using cinnamon essential oil, thus contributing to both human and veterinary medicines.

Assessment of the economic sustainability of water capture from surface and underground water sources to supply urban areas

Arthur Julio Arrais Barros, José Almir Rodrigues Pereira — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0300

Analyze the implications of the configuration of the Sectors that make up the Water Supply Systems (WSSs) in the municipality of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, on their economic sustainability. The research was developed in three stages. The first stage consisted of identifying and collecting information regarding the WSSs operated by Companhia de Saneamento do Pará – COSANPA. In the second stage, operational and commercial indicators were determined for both Sectors selected as the most suitable for comparison, in this case the 12th Sector and the 23rd Sector. In the last stage, an analysis of the economic sustainability of selected Sectors was performed. It was verified that 04 of the 39 WSSs collect raw water from a surface water source, while the other 35 WSSs use deep wells (about 270 meters deep) to collect water from Pirabas artesian aquifer. In addition, operational efficiency indicators were calculated, such as the “Distribution Losses Index” – 69,08% (12th Sector) and 72,67% (23rd Sector), and economic sustainability indicators, such as the “Total Expense with the Services per Billed Cubic Meter” – R$1,92/m³ (12th Sector) and R$1,29/m³ (23rd Sector). In conclusion, due to the classification of both studied Sectors, regarding operational efficiency and economic sustainability, as inefficient and partially sustainable respectively, it is recommended to improve the operational and comercial management of the regional concessionaire, in compliance with the premises of Law No. 14.026/2020 and to ensure the economic and financial balance of the service provider.