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No description available.

Os solos têm um importante papel na maioria das atividades que ocorrem no planeta, dentre as quais, destaca-se a sua participação nos principais ciclos biogeoquímicos. A matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) tem um papel primordial na sustentabilidade ambiental, pois está relacionada com a ciclagem de carbono e nutrientes, sendo assim uma figura chave tanto para estudos relacionados com mudanças climáticas globais, quanto para estudos agronômicos. Um dos principais fluoróforos da MOS são as substâncias húmicas (SH), as quais são fracionadas de acordo com a sua solubilidade em ácidos húmicos (AH), ácidos fúlvicos (FA) e humina (HU). O estudo das propriedades ópticas da matéria orgânica é uma importante ferramenta para a compreensão estrutural e molecular das frações húmicas. Frente ao exposto, esse trabalho teve com objetivo estudar a gêneses de Espodossolos Amazônicos através da avaliação das características estruturais da matéria orgânica e suas propriedades de complexação com metais empregando diversas técnicas espectroscópicas. Os resultados mostraram grandes acúmulos de carbono em profundidade e que a Matéria Orgânica nesses Espodossolos Amazônico é constituída de quatro grupos: - mais recalcitrante, humificada e antiga; - lábil e jovem; - recalcitrante, pouco humificada e antiga; - humificada e jovem. Claramente o trabalho mostrou que o processo de humificação não tem relação direta com a datação do material orgânico, e que fatores como textura, presença de água e microorganismos influenciaram nos processos de formação e humificação desse material orgânico. Por fim, a fração AF do solo parece ter uma contribuição oriunda de lençóis freáticos, sua estrutura química varia pouco no perfil e possui seletividade na interação com os metais presentes nesses solos. Basicamente, o AF tem alta afinidade de complexação com Al. A fração AH, entretanto, mostrou-se menos seletiva, associando-se com vários tipos de metais, como K, Fe, Mg, Zn e Al; e sua estrutura química varia bastante no perfil do solo. Em função da diversidade de metais associados ao AH, ele deve ser o principal responsável pela fertilidade do solo. Desta forma, os resultados mostraram que as três frações húmicas estão envolvidas no processo de podzolização do solo, e que o AF tem papel predominante no transporte de Al e o AH é o responsável no transporte do Fe. / Soils play an important role in most of the activities that occur on the planet. It participation in the main biogeochemical cycles can be highlighted. Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a key role in environmental sustainability, since it is related to carbon and nutrient cycling, being essential for studies related to global climate change and agronomy. One of the major SOM fluorophore is the humic substances (HS), which is fractionated according to their solubility in humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA) and humin (HU). The study of the optical properties of the organic matter is an important tool for structural and molecular understanding of humic fractions. Based on that, this work aimed the study of the Amazonian Spodosols genesis through the evaluation of organic matter structural characteristics and its properties of metal complexation using different spectroscopic techniques. The main results of this research showed large carbon accumulations in depth. Furthermore, it was possible to infer how the Amazonian Spodosols organic matter is divided: - more recalcitrant, humified and old; - labile and young; - recalcitrant, little humified and old; - humified and young. The study demonstrated clearly that the humification process has no direct relationship with the organic material dating, and that factors such as texture, presence of water and microorganisms have influenced the formation and humification of that organic material. The FA fraction of the soil has a contribution from groundwater and its chemical structure varies little in depth. Additionally, FA showed selective interaction with soil metals. However, the HA fraction has been shown less selective, associate with various metal types, such as K, Fe, Mg, Zn and Al. Moreover, its chemical structure varies greatly in the soil depth. Due to the diversity of metals that the HA has affinity, it should be the main responsible of the soil fertility. After all, the results showed that all the three humic fractions are involved in the process of soil podzolization. Furthermore, the FA has a predominant role in Al transport as the HA is the responsable of Fe transport.

[pt] Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal utilizar um rejeito do processo de concentração de carvão mineral (RJ) como fonte de substâncias húmicas, em particular, do ácido húmico (AH). Para atingir o objetivo a pesquisa foi dividida em três etapas: a obtenção, a caracterização e a aplicação do AH. Na primeira etapa, foram utilizados três métodos diferentes de funcionalização da amostra: o processo químico (PQ), a eletrólise (ELE) e o uso de autoclave (PRESS), previamente ao procedimento de extração das substâncias húmicas (SH), em particular, do ácido húmico (AH). Observou-se que, em termos de recuperação em massa nas condições operacionais estabelecidas, o método de processo químico (PQ) foi o mais eficiente resultando 20,2 porcento de AH e 3,8 porcento para AF-Like. Na segunda etapa, estudou-se a caracterização química (acidez fenólica, acidez total, acidez pelos grupos carboxílicos, pH, CTC e cinza), espectroscópica (FTIR, RMN de 13C e ICP-OES), análise elementar, análise térmica (TGA) e análise estrutural (MEV - EDS) dos ácidos húmicos produzidos. Observou-se certa semelhança entre os AH s extraídos do solo e o AH obtido neste trabalho, com a diferença deste ser muito aromático, o grau de aromaticidade mostrou-se muito elevado (em torno de 60 porcento em relação a 15 porcento do solo). Além disso, as características em relação ao CTC foram relevantes, pois variou de 22 a 44 Cmolckg elevado a -1. Este valor é considerado moderadamente alto em relação ao valor médio de 25 Cmolckg elevado a -1 do CTC, oriundo dos solos brasileiros. Os resultados obtidos por espectroscopia de FTIR e de RMN de 13C indicaram que a funcionalização do rejeito de carvão mineral (RJ) por qualquer um dos métodos de obtenção é relativamente baixa (de 5,0 a 9,7 porcento C-carboxílico) em comparação aos AH proveniente dos solos. Os resultados comparativos apresentaram similaridade nas características estruturais e físicas, observadas pela microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Na terceira etapa foi realizado um estudo preliminar sobre a capacidade do AH, obtido pelo método PQ de reter o chumbo, contido em solução sintética (1000 mgL elevado a -1). Constatando-se uma eficiência de 98 porcento na adsorção deste elemento quando se utilizou uma razão de 1:1(1g AH:1g Pb) e vazão de 0,06 mL/min. / [en] This work aims to evaluate the use of a concentration coal tailing (RJ) as a source of humic substances, particularly humic acid (HA). To achieve the goal the research was divided into three steps: obtaining, characterization and application of HA.In the first step three different methods of functionalization of the sample were tested prior to the HA extraction procedure: chemical process (PQ), electrolysis (ELE) and the using of an autoclave (PRESS). It was observed that in terms of mass recovery and within established operating conditions, the method of chemical process (PQ) result was the most efficient, with 20.2 percent and 3.8 percent of AH to AF-Like, respectively.In the second step, it was studied the physical and chemical properties of the humic acids produced: phenolic acidity, total acidity, the acidity of carboxyl groups, pH, CTC and gray, spectroscopy (FTIR, 13C NMR and ICP - OES), elemental analysis, thermal analysis (TGA) and structural analysis (SEM - EDS). There were some similarities with the AH s extracted from the soil with the difference being the degree of aromaticity which is very high (around 60 percent compared to 15 percent of the soil). Moreover, the relevant features were the CTC, which ranged 22 - 44 Cmolckg to the power of -1. This value is considered moderately high in relation to the approximate mean value of 25 Cmolckg to the power of -1 CTC , originated from Brazilian soil. The results obtained from FTIR spectroscopy and 13C NMR indicated that functionalization of the coal tailing (RJ), by any of the methods is relatively low (5.0 - 9.7 percent C-carboxylic acid) compared to AH from soil. Also showed similar structural and physical characteristics, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. In the third stage, a preliminary study on the retention capacity of the lead contained in synthetic (1000 ppm) solution by the AH obtained by the chemical processes method was performed. It was found an efficiency of 98 percent adsorption of the element when using a ratio of 1:1 (AH 1g : 1g Pb) and flow rate of 0.06 ml/min.

O lixiviado de aterro sanitário é uma água residuária com elevada concentração de DQO, DBO, amônia, traços de metais pesados e substâncias orgânicas dificilmente biodegradáveis, tais como substâncias húmicas e celulósicas (lignina). Dada essas características, torna-se necessário que ele seja recolhido e devidamente tratado para evitar danos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. Uma prática que tem sido adotada por alguns municípios brasileiros é o direcionamento do lixiviado para tratamento consorciado em estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETE). No entanto, são poucos os estudos que avaliam a eficácia desse procedimento. Um dos questionamentos sobre o tratamento biológico diz respeito à remoção do material orgânico dificilmente biodegradável, representado principalmente pelas substâncias húmicas e, dentro dessa classe, destaca-se a fração de ácidos húmicos no lixiviado. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a tratabilidade das soluções contendo lactose, lactose com ácidos húmicos, lactose com 2% em volume de lixiviado de aterro sanitário bruto e lactose com 2% em volume de lixiviado pré-tratado por \"air stripping\", quando submetidas ao tratamento biológico em reatores de lodos ativados em escala de bancada. Assim, buscou-se verificar se essa tecnologia de tratamento é capaz de estabilizar, ainda que parcialmente, compostos orgânicos de difícil biodegradação presentes no lixiviado. A quantificação das substâncias de difícil biodegradação antes e após o tratamento foi realizada pelo método tentativo do \"Equivalente em Ácidos Húmicos\" que se encontra em fase de estudo. Os resultados demonstraram que houve uma remoção parcial dessas substâncias. As análises de espectroscopia na região do infravermelho indicaram que não ocorreu a adsorção dos ácidos húmicos no lodo, o que pode ser uma evidencia de que a redução da concentração dessas substâncias é de fato devida ao seu consumo e não pela precipitação no lodo. Além disso, a adição de 2% em volume do lixiviado não ocasionou redução da população de microrganismos no sistema. / Leachate from sanitary landfills is a type of effluent with high concentrations of COD, BOD, ammonia, heavy metal traces and hardly biodegradable organic compounds such as humic and cellulosic substances (lignin). Thus this effluent needs to be collected and treated in order to prevent damages to the environment and to human health. A common practice in Brazilian cities is to destine the leachate to a sewage treatment plant (STP). However, there are few studies that assess the efficiency of this procedure. One of the questions regarding the biological treatment concerns its efficiency in removing hardly biodegradable organic compounds, represented in the most part by the humic substances, given the high levels of humic acid in the leachate. Within this context, the present study had the objective to verify the treatability of solutions containing lactose, lactose with humic acids, lactose with 2% (in volume) of untreated sanitary landfill leachate, and lactose with 2% of leachate pre-treated by air stripping, submitted to biological treatment in laboratory-scale activated sludge reactors. Thus this paper assessed if such treatment technology can stabilize, even if only partially, the hardly biodegradable organic compounds found in leachate. The quantification of these substances prior to and after treatment was made by using a tentative method called Humic Acids Equivalent, which is still in the phase of studies. The results show that there was a partial removal of these substances. The spectroscopy analyses on the infrared region indicated that there was no adsorption of humic acids onto the sludge, which evidences that the decrease in the levels of these substances was due to their consumption and not precipitation onto the sludge. Also, the addition of 2% of leachate did not reduce the population of microorganisms in the system.

Os solos têm um importante papel na maioria das atividades que ocorrem no planeta, dentre as quais, destaca-se a sua participação nos principais ciclos biogeoquímicos. A matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) tem um papel primordial na sustentabilidade ambiental, pois está relacionada com a ciclagem de carbono e nutrientes, sendo assim uma figura chave tanto para estudos relacionados com mudanças climáticas globais, quanto para estudos agronômicos. Um dos principais fluoróforos da MOS são as substâncias húmicas (SH), as quais são fracionadas de acordo com a sua solubilidade em ácidos húmicos (AH), ácidos fúlvicos (FA) e humina (HU). O estudo das propriedades ópticas da matéria orgânica é uma importante ferramenta para a compreensão estrutural e molecular das frações húmicas. Frente ao exposto, esse trabalho teve com objetivo estudar a gêneses de Espodossolos Amazônicos através da avaliação das características estruturais da matéria orgânica e suas propriedades de complexação com metais empregando diversas técnicas espectroscópicas. Os resultados mostraram grandes acúmulos de carbono em profundidade e que a Matéria Orgânica nesses Espodossolos Amazônico é constituída de quatro grupos: - mais recalcitrante, humificada e antiga; - lábil e jovem; - recalcitrante, pouco humificada e antiga; - humificada e jovem. Claramente o trabalho mostrou que o processo de humificação não tem relação direta com a datação do material orgânico, e que fatores como textura, presença de água e microorganismos influenciaram nos processos de formação e humificação desse material orgânico. Por fim, a fração AF do solo parece ter uma contribuição oriunda de lençóis freáticos, sua estrutura química varia pouco no perfil e possui seletividade na interação com os metais presentes nesses solos. Basicamente, o AF tem alta afinidade de complexação com Al. A fração AH, entretanto, mostrou-se menos seletiva, associando-se com vários tipos de metais, como K, Fe, Mg, Zn e Al; e sua estrutura química varia bastante no perfil do solo. Em função da diversidade de metais associados ao AH, ele deve ser o principal responsável pela fertilidade do solo. Desta forma, os resultados mostraram que as três frações húmicas estão envolvidas no processo de podzolização do solo, e que o AF tem papel predominante no transporte de Al e o AH é o responsável no transporte do Fe. / Soils play an important role in most of the activities that occur on the planet. It participation in the main biogeochemical cycles can be highlighted. Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a key role in environmental sustainability, since it is related to carbon and nutrient cycling, being essential for studies related to global climate change and agronomy. One of the major SOM fluorophore is the humic substances (HS), which is fractionated according to their solubility in humic acids (HA), fulvic acids (FA) and humin (HU). The study of the optical properties of the organic matter is an important tool for structural and molecular understanding of humic fractions. Based on that, this work aimed the study of the Amazonian Spodosols genesis through the evaluation of organic matter structural characteristics and its properties of metal complexation using different spectroscopic techniques. The main results of this research showed large carbon accumulations in depth. Furthermore, it was possible to infer how the Amazonian Spodosols organic matter is divided: - more recalcitrant, humified and old; - labile and young; - recalcitrant, little humified and old; - humified and young. The study demonstrated clearly that the humification process has no direct relationship with the organic material dating, and that factors such as texture, presence of water and microorganisms have influenced the formation and humification of that organic material. The FA fraction of the soil has a contribution from groundwater and its chemical structure varies little in depth. Additionally, FA showed selective interaction with soil metals. However, the HA fraction has been shown less selective, associate with various metal types, such as K, Fe, Mg, Zn and Al. Moreover, its chemical structure varies greatly in the soil depth. Due to the diversity of metals that the HA has affinity, it should be the main responsible of the soil fertility. After all, the results showed that all the three humic fractions are involved in the process of soil podzolization. Furthermore, the FA has a predominant role in Al transport as the HA is the responsable of Fe transport.

Radionuclides, 129I and 239,240Pu, are major products or by-products of nuclear fission and among the top risk drivers for waste disposal at the Savannah River Sites (SRS) and Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Sites (RFETS), respectively, due to their perceived mobility in the environment, excessive inventory, toxicity, and long half-life. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of natural organic matter in retarding or facilitating the migration of 129I and 239,240Pu in the Department of Energy (DOE) sites. Measurements of 127I and 129I in humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) obtained by five successive alkaline, two glycerol and one citric acid-alkaline extractions, demonstrated that these extractable humic substances (HS) together account for 54-56 percent and 46 percent of the total 127I and 129I in the soil, respectively. The variations among 127I and 129I concentrations, isotopic ratios (129I/127I), chemical properties of all these humic substances indicated iodine was bound to a small-size aromatic subunit (~10 kDa), while the large-size subunit (~90 kDa), which likely linked the small-size unit through some weak chemical forces, determined the relative mobility of iodine bound to organic matter. Soil resuspension experiments simulating surface runoff or stormflow and erosion events were conducted with soils collected from SRS. Results showed that 72-77 percent of the newly-introduced I- or IO3- were irreversibly sequestered into the organic-rich soil, while the rest was transformed into colloidal and dissolved organo-iodine by the soil. The resulting iodine remobilization contradicts the conventional view that considers only I- or IO3- as the mobile forms. Quantitative structure analysis by 13C DPMAS NMR and solution state 1H NMR on these humic substances indicate that iodine is closely related to the aromatic regions containing esterified products of phenolic and fomic acid or other aliphatic carboxylic acids, amide functionalities, quinone-like structure activated by electron-donating groups (e.g., NH2) or hemicelluloses-lignin-like complex with phenyl-glycosidic linkage. The micro-molecular environment, such as the hydrophobic aliphatic periphery hindering the active aromatic cores and the hydrophilic polysaccharides favoring its accessibility towards hydrophilic iodine species, play another key role in the interactions between iodine and SOM. NMR spectra of the colloidal organic Pu carrier which can potentially be released from the soil during the surface runoff or stormflow showed Pu was transported, at sub-pM concentrations, by a cutin-derived soil degradation products containing siderophore-like moieties and virtually all mobile Pu.

Objective of this project was the study of basic interaction and migration processes of actinides in the environment in presence of humic acids (HA). To obtain more basic knowledge on these interaction processes synthetic HA with specific functional properties as well as 14C-labeled HA were synthesized and applied in comparison to the natural HA Aldrich. One focus of the work was on the synthesis of HA with distinct redox functionalities. The obtained synthetic products that are characterized by significantly higher Fe(III) redox capacities than Aldrich HA were applied to study the redox properties of HA and the redox stability of U(VI) humate complexes. It was confirmed that phenolic OH groups play an important role for the redox properties of HA. However, the results indicate that there are also other processes than the single oxidation of phenolic OH groups and/or other functional groups contributing to the redox behavior of HA. A first direct-spectroscopic proof for the reduction of U(VI) by synthetic HA with distinct redox functionality was obtained. The complexation behavior of synthetic and natural HA with actinides (Th, Np, Pu) was studied. Structural parameters of Pu(III), Th(IV), Np(IV) and Np(V) humates were determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The results show that carboxylate groups dominate the interaction between HA and actinide ions. These are predominant monodentately bound. The influence of phenolic OH groups on the Np(V) complexation by HA was studied with modified HA (blocked phenolic OH groups). The blocking of phenolic OH groups induces a decrease of the number of maximal available complexing sites of HA, whereas complex stability constant and Np(V) near-neighbor surrounding are not affected. The effects of HA on the sorption and migration behavior of actinides was studied in batch and column experiments. Th(IV) sorption onto quartz and Np(V) sorption onto granite and its mineral constituents are affected by the pH value and the presence of HA. HA exhibits a significant influence on the transport of U(IV) and U(VI) in a laboratory quartz sand system. In order to provide the basis for a more reliable modeling of the actinide transport, the metal ion complexation with HA has to be integrated into existing geochemical speciation codes. Within this project the metal ion charge neutralization model was embedded into the geochemical modeling code EQ3/6. In addition to that, a digital data base was developed which covers HA complexation data basing on the charge neutralization model.

Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης είναι η κατανόηση του μηχανισμού ρόφησης του φαινανθρενίου σε δείγματα γαιανθράκων και των αντίστοιχων χουμικών τους οξέων και η διερεύνηση της καταλληλότητας τους ως ροφητικών υλικών για την απορρύπανση ποτάμιων και λιμναίων συστημάτων, στα οποία υπάρχει πρόβλημα ρύπανσης από πολυκυκλικούς αρωματικούς υδρογονάνθρακες. Για την επίτευξη του σκοπού αυτού μελετήθηκαν τέσσερα δείγματα λιγνίτη και δύο δείγματα τύρφης και τα αντίστοιχα δείγματα των χουμικών οξέων. Η μεθοδολογία που ακολουθήθηκε για την απομόνωση των χουμικών οξέων βασίστηκε στην τροποποιημένη μεθοδολογία, που προτείνεται από την IHSS (International Humic Substances Society). Για τη μελέτη της ρόφησης φαινανθρενίου κατασκευάστηκαν οι ισόθερμες καμπύλες ρόφησης, ύστερα από την πραγματοποίηση πειραμάτων ρόφησης με συγκεντρώσεις φαινανθρενίου σε υδατικά διαλύματα 30, 50, 100, 300 και 500 μg/l. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι η ρόφηση στα περισσότερα δείγματα των χουμικών οξέων είναι μεγαλύτερη από ό,τι στα αντίστοιχα δείγματα των μητρικών τους γαιανθράκων. Επίσης στα δείγματα των γαιανθράκων παρατηρείται μεγαλύτερη ρόφηση στις χαμηλές συγκεντρώσεις φαινανθρενίου από ό,τι στις υψηλές, με αποτέλεσμα η ρόφηση να μην είναι γραμμική. Σχετικά με τη χρήση τους ως ροφητικά υλικά για απορρύπανση για δυο δείγματα λιγνίτη προτείνεται η χημική τους επεξεργασία, προκειμένου να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως ροφητικά υλικά, ενώ για τα υπόλοιπα δείγματα η διαφορά στη ροφητική ικανότητα μεταξύ των μητρικών γαιανθράκων και των παραγόμενων χουμικών οξέων δεν είναι τόσο σημαντική, με αποτέλεσμα να μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί απευθείας το μητρικό υλικό / The scope of this study is the determination of the phenanthrene sorption mechanism for some Greek lignite and peat samples, as well as for their extracted humic acids. The scope is to assess their suitability for application in remediation of fresh water environments from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) For the extraction of the humic acids, the methodology provided by the IHHS (International Humic Substances Society) with some alterations, was applied. The sorption experiments were conducted by mixing 0,004 g of the sorbent within water solutions of phenanthrene at different concentrations of 30, 50, 100, 300 and 500 μg/l. The results show that phenanthrene sorption is higher in the humic acid samples rather than in the original lignite and peat. The original samples display higher sorption at low phenanthere concentration solutions (30 μg/l) than at the denser phenanthrene concentration solution (500 μg/l). Thus, the sorption in these samples is non-linear. In order to use these materials as sorbents, the TH4 and MT6 samples might have to be treated, because sorption is higher in the humic acid fraction than in the source material. The rest of the samples display lower variation in the sorption capacity between the humic acid samples and the original samples, thus there is no need for chemical treatment.

[pt] Dentre os contaminantes químicos liberados nos corpos de água, chumbo e cádmio são extremamente prejudiciais para os seres vivos. As sustâncias húmicas, devido à sua estrutura molecular complexa, que compreende grupos carboxílicos, fenólicos e éter, são adsorventes eficazes para poluentes orgânicos e metais. Neste contexto, o principal objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o potencial do ácido húmico (AH) como adsorvente para chumbo e cádmio em meio aquoso e determinar os parâmetros cinéticos e termodinâmicos do processo. AH foi extraído de uma amostra de carvão, coletada na área de mineração do Estado de Santa Catarina, previamente oxidada com HNO3 concentrado em condições de refluxo, conforme a metodologia recomendada pela IHSS. O AH obtido foi caraterizado por técnicas de análise elementar, FTRI, análise termogravimétrica e MEV. Os resultados da caracterização foram similares aos relatados na literatura. Foram realizados ensaios de adsorção para cada cátion, em diferentes níveis de pH da solução, e a partir desta avaliação previa ficou determinado o valor de pH em 5. Os ensaios de adsorção com variação da concentração inicial dos cátions foram realizados separadamente para cada metal em batelada, empregando as seguintes condições: 50 mL de uma solução de cátion (0 a 100 mg L-1), 50 mg de AH, agitação mecânica (175 rpm) e temperatura constante (25 graus Celsius). Após 24 horas, os sistemas foram centrifugados e a concentração de cada metal no sobrenadante foi determinada por espectrometria de absorção atómica. As isotermas obtidas para Pb e Cd apresentaram uma curva em forma de L, o que indica que os sítios adsorventes disponíveis no AH tendem à saturação. Comparativamente a capacidade de adsorção máxima para o Pb foi mais elevada (77 mg g-1) do que aquela apresentada para o Cd (12 mg g-1). Tal fato indica uma maior afinidade dos sítios de adsorção do AH para o Pb. Comparativamente, foram feitos ensaios de adsorção com AH de Leonardita (padrão da IHSS) e carvão mineral oxidado. Para a determinação dos parâmetros termodinâmicos, foram realizados ensaios de adsorção em três temperaturas diferentes (15, 25, 35 graus Celsius). O processo de adsorção foi de natureza endotérmico, com um valor de entalpia de 7,86 kJ mol-1 e um valor de entropia de 23,11 J mol-1 K-1. A cinética de adsorção segue um modelo cinético de pseudo-segunda ordem com constates de taxa de 0,065 mg g-1 min-1 e 0,025 mg g-1 min-1 para Pb (Co 17,60 mg L-1) e Cd (Co 6,41 mg L-1), respetivamente. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo mostram que o AH de carvão mineral pode eventualmente ser empregado para a remoção de metais pesados em meio aquoso, porem estudos sobre otimização de seu potencial devem ser todavia realizados. / [en] Among the released chemical contaminants into water bodies, lead and cadmium are extremely harmful to living things. The humic substances, due to their complex molecular structure that comprises both aliphatic and aromatic moieties as well as carboxylic, phenolic and ether groups are effective adsorbents for organic pollutants and metals. In this context, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of humic acid (HA), extracted from previously oxidized coal, as adsorbent for lead and cadmium in aqueous solutions and determine the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the process. HA was extracted from a coal sample, collected in the mining area of the State of Santa Catarina, previously oxidized with HNO3 concentrated in reflux conditions, according to the methodology recommended by the IHSS. The HA obtained was characterized by elemental analysis techniques, FTRI, thermogravimetric analysis and SEM. The characterization results were similar to those reported in the literature. Adsorption experiments were carried out for each cation in different pH levels, and from this evaluation it was determined the value of pH at 5. The adsorption experiments with a variation of the initial concentration of cations were performed separately for each metal by employing the following conditions: 50 ml of a cation solution (0 to 100 mg L-1), 50 mg of HA, mechanical agitation (175 rpm) and constant temperature (25 Celsius degrees). After 24 hours, the system was centrifuged and the concentration of each metal in the supernatant was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AA). The isotherms obtained for Pb and Cd showed a L-shaped curve, indicating that the available sorptive sites on HA tending to a saturation point. Compared maximum adsorption capacity for Pb was higher (77mg g-1) than that shown for Cd (12mg g- 1). This fact indicates a higher affinity the adsorption sites of HA for Pb. Comparatively, adsorption experiments were performed with HA Leonardite (standard IHSS) and oxidized coal. For the determination of the thermodynamic parameters, adsorption experiments were performed at three different temperatures (15, 25, 35 Celsius Degrees). The adsorption process is endothermic nature, with a value of enthalpy of 7.86 kJ mol-1 and a value of entropy 80.54 mol-1 K-1. The adsorption kinetics follows a kinetic model of the pseudo-second-order with rate constants 0.065 g mg-1 min-1 and 0.025 mg g-1 min-1 for Pb (Co 17.60 mg L-1) and Cd ( Co 6.41 mg L-1), respectively. The results obtained in this study show that the coal HA can optionally be employed for removing heavy metals from aqueous media, but studies for their potential should however be realized.