O consumo do pescado é importante para a saúde humana pelo fato desse alimento ser fonte de proteína de alta qualidade, vitaminas, nutrientes essenciais e dois ácidos poli-insaturados ômega-3. Entretanto, o pescado também pode apresentar risco à saúde humana se estiver contaminado por substâncias tóxicas. Visando avaliar o teor de elementos essenciais e tóxicos, foram utilizado as técnicas de Análise por Ativação Neutrônica e Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica na determinação dos elementos As, Br, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se e Zn nos tecidos comestíveis (filés) de seis pescados dentre os mais consumidos na cidade de São Paulo: corvina - Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823); pescada - Cynoscion leiarchus (Cuvier, 1830); robalo - Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792); sardinha - Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879); anchova - Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) e tainha - Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836). Para validar os métodos analíticos utilizados em relação à exatidão, foram utilizados o índice z e o valor de HorRat em materiais de referência certificados analisados sob as mesmas condições das amostras. Os elementos Br, K e Na foram determinados por duas modalidades de irradiação e o teste-t de Student foi utilizado para verificar se havia ou não diferença significativa entre as técnicas. Na determinação dos elementos essenciais e potencialmente tóxicos, foi possível a construção de banco de dados para os elementos Br, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Se e Zn para potenciais futuras discussões. Para avaliar se havia ou não risco à segurança alimentar, foram comparado os teores de As, Cd, Hg e Pb com a legislação vigente no Brasil e com valores internacionais. Em relação à segurança alimentar, para os contaminantes Cd e Pb foram obtidos teores abaixo de todos os limites técnicos usados neste trabalho. Para As, a maior parte deve estar na forma orgânica, portanto, a determinação de Hg se mostrou determinante. De forma geral, não haveria perigo no consumo da sardinha, pescada, tainha, corvina e robalo, enquanto que para a anchova foi inconclusivo. / Fish consumption is important for human health because this food is a source of high-quality protein, vitamins, essential nutrients and two kinds of omega-3 polyunsaturated acids. However, fish consumption may present risk to human health if contaminated by toxic substances. With the aim of evaluating the content of essential and toxic elements, the techniques of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry were used to determine As, Br, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se and Zn in the edible tissues (fillet) of six of the most consumed fishes at São Paulo city: whitemouth croaker - Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823), smooth weakfish - Cynoscion leiarchus (Cuvier, 1830), common snook - Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792), Brazilian sardine - Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879), bluefish - Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) and lebranche mullet - Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836). To validate the analytical methods for accuracy, z-score and HorRat values were applied to certified reference materials analyzed under the same conditions of samples. The elements Br, K and Na were determined by two irradiation modalities, and the Student\'s t-test was used to verify whether there were significant differences between the modalities. In the analysis of essential and potentially toxic elements, it was possible to create a database for Br, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Se and Zn for potential future discussions. In order to assess food safety risks, the levels of As, Cd, Hg and Pb were compared with the Brazilians law and international values. Regarding food safety, Cd and Pb contents were bellow all technical limits used in this study. As for As, most part of this element may be in organic form, therefore the Hg analysis was determinant. In general, there would be no risk in the consumption of Brazilian sardine, smooth weakfish, lebranche mullet, whitemouth croaker and common snook, while for bluefish it was inconclusive.

In this thesis, simple methods to determine sulfide at low levels (µg L-1) in aqueous samples and sediments by water free hydrogen sulfide vapor generation using a commercially available vapor generation accessory have been developed. The hydrogen sulfide is then introduced in the ICP-QMS, equipped with an octopole collision/reaction cell which is vented with hydrogen and helium gases, or in the ICP-AES where the optical path between the plasma and the monochromator is purged with nitrogen. Moreover some studies have been conducted for the determination of arsenic by ICP-MS in natural waters with high sodium and chloride content. Spectral and non spectral interferences on arsenic measurement have been investigated and different experiments have been developed to solve such interferences (optimizations of the cell collision conditions, arithmetic corrections, introduction of small amounts of alcohol). Finally, the use of the DGT technique (diffusive gradients in thin films) has been evaluated in acidic samples and mining wastes for the firs time. / En aquesta tesi, s’han desenvolupat mètodes senzills per a la determinació de sulfur a baixes concentracions (µg L-1) en mostres aquoses i sediments mitjançant la generació de sulfur d’hidrogen, utilitzant un accessori de generació d’hidrurs comercial. Un cop format el sulfur d’hidrogen, aquest es pot introduir a l’ICP-QMS, equipat amb una cel•la de col•lisió/reacció o a l’ICP-AES amb el pas entre el plasma i el monocromador purgat amb nitrogen. També s’han fet alguns estudis per determinar arsènic amb ICP-MS en aigües naturals amb alt contingut de sodi i clor. S’han estudiat les interferències espectrals i no espectrals sobre aquest element i s’han dut a terme diferents experiments per a resoldre-les (optimització de la cel•la de col•lisió, aplicació de correccions matemàtiques, introducció de petites quantitats d’alcohol). Finalment, s’ha avaluat l’ús de la tècnica de DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) en mostres àcides (pHs de 5 a 10) i residus de mineria per primera vegada.

A produção industrial do café solúvel brasileiro destina-se, na sua maior parte, ao mercado externo, constituindo-se em um importante ítem de exportação do país. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de métodos de análise química adequados à investigação de componentes inorgânicos em café solúvel. Inicialmente foi definido o método de mineralização das amostras através da avaliação de 6 procedimentos diferentes, classificados em 3 classes: (I) microondas focalizado; (II) via úmida convencional e (III) sistema sob pressão em frascos de decomposição com tampas (bombas de teflon). As determinações dos nutrientes e contaminantes inorgânicos: Na, K, Mg, Al, P, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, Pb, Cr, Sn, As, Se e Hg, após a utilização do procedimento de mineralização que emprega o sistema de microondas focalizado com os reagentes HNO3 e H2O2, foram realizadas por espectrometria de emissão atômica com plasma induzido, ICP-AES (da nomenclatura inglesa Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry). Interferências de matriz e/ou espectrais foram detectadas nas determinações de Pb, Cr, Sn, As, Se e Hg. No caso do Sn, optou-se pela correção da radiação de fundo através do software do equipamento, pois outras linhas de emissão deste analito eram menos sensíveis e igualmente sujeitas a interferências espectrais. Para o Pb e Cr a escolha de comprimentos de ondas alternativos eliminou os problemas de interferências espectrais devido à matriz das amostras. A aplicação das técnicas de geração de hidretos para o As e Se e a geração de vapor frio para o Hg, possibilitaram as determinações destes analitos nas amostras de café solúvel, aumentando a sensibilidade das análises. Os resultados obtidos para os teores dos nutrientes e contaminantes inorgânicos em 21 amostras de café solúvel disponíveis no mercado brasileiro, foram aceitáveis para o consumo humano, tanto no aspecto nutricional como toxicológico, com exceção de uma amostra com teor de Cr igual a 0,52 ± 0,02 mgKg-1, acima do permitido pela legislação brasileira que fixa o valor máximo de 0,10 mgKg-1. A aplicação de técnicas estatísticas, análise de clusters hierárquicos e componentes principais aos resultados obtidos, possibilitaram investigar a variabilidade das composições minerais e classificar grupos de amostras similares. O emprego da técnica instrumental ICP-AES através do sistema de nebulização convencional e a utilização do sistema de geração de hidretos e vapor frio, mostraram-se adequados para as determinações dos nutrientes e contaminantes inorgânicos em café solúvel, uma vez que níveis de precisão e exatidão aceitáveis foram obtidos. / The production of Brazilian soluble coffee is almost entirely destined for exporting. Therefore, the objective of this work was the development and the establishment of appropriate methods of chemical analysis of inorganic components in soluble coffee. Firstly, the appropriate digestion procedure for soluble coffee samples was defined through the evaluation of six different digestion techniques that were classified into three groups: (I) focused microwave system, (II) conventional wet digestion and (III) pressure digestion system in teflon bombs. The determinations of nutrients and toxic elements: Na, K, Mg, Al, P, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, Pb, Cr, Sn, As, Se, and Hg after the utilization of the focused microwave system with HNO3 and H2O2 reagents, were made by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) technique. Matrix and spectral interferences were detected in the determination of Pb, Cr, Sn, As, Se and Hg. Correction of the background enhancement by the equipment software was made in the determination of Sn, as other analytical lines were unsuitable for this application. For Pb and Cr, the choice of other analytical lines eliminated the problem of matrix and spectral interferences. The application of the hydride generation technique for As and Se and cold atomic vapour with ICP-AES for Hg, were suitable methods to determine these analytes in soluble coffee samples with increased sensitivity of the analysis. The results obtained of nutrients and toxic elements in twenty-one samples of soluble coffee collected from Brazilian market were acceptable to human consumption at nutritional and toxic level with exception of a sample with 0,52 ± 0,02 mgKg-1 of Cr, above the value specified in Brazilian Food Legislation, that fixes the maximum Cr contend in 0,10 mgKg-1. The aplication of statistical techniques analysis of principal components and the hierarchical cluster on the results of mineral compositions, enabled to investigate the variability in the composition and to classify groups of similar samples. The application of the ICP-AES technique using the conventional pneumatic nebulization system, the hydride generation technique and the cold vapour for Hg were suitable to determine the nutrients and toxic elements in soluble coffee, as they provided acceptable results indicating accuracy and precision.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-01-22T11:04:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 wesleytinocoesteves.pdf: 1817304 bytes, checksum: 6ff6e2f42ca29b6d9a247cd5c28895ef (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-01-25T18:50:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 wesleytinocoesteves.pdf: 1817304 bytes, checksum: 6ff6e2f42ca29b6d9a247cd5c28895ef (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-25T18:50:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 wesleytinocoesteves.pdf: 1817304 bytes, checksum: 6ff6e2f42ca29b6d9a247cd5c28895ef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-02 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O presente trabalho buscou estabelecer um método para a determinação de contaminantes inorgânicos em leite cru que fosse compatível com aplicações em larga escala, como os programas regulatórios de monitoramento de contaminantes em leite. Para tal, foi proposta uma abordagem utilizando a técnica de espectrometria de emissão atômica em plasma (ICP-AES) sem mineralização das amostras, que foram solubilizadas em solução contendo etanolamina e ácido cítrico. Estudos foram conduzidos a fim de estabelecer condições instrumentais em que fosse possível utilizar o preparo amostral proposto mantendo o compromisso com a sensibilidade, exatidão e desempenho analítico necessários a fim de se atingir os limites de detecção requeridos por legislações relacionadas à segurança alimentar. A proporção ideal de diluição da amostra na solução de etanolamina e ácido cítrico foi de 1:2 (amostra:solução) e os valores mais adequados dos parâmetros instrumentais foram 1300W para a radiofrequência do plasma, 0,50L.min-1 para a vazão do gás auxiliar e 0,60L.min-1 para a vazão do gás de nebulização. Os limites de quantificação obtidos para Cd, Co, Cr, Cu e Pb foram, respectivamente, 6,54, 6,57, 14,8, 14,3 e 27,4 μg.mL-1. / This study aimed to establish a method for the determination of inorganic contaminants in raw milk that was compatible with largescale applications, such as regulatory programs for the monitoring of contaminants in milk. For this purpose, an approach using the technique of atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) with no mineralization of the samples, which was solubilized in a solution containing ethanolamine and citric acid, has been proposed. Studies were conducted in order to establish experimental conditions in which it was possible to use the proposed sample preparation and keeping the commitment to sensitivity, accuracy and the analytical performance required by legislations related to food safety. The ideal ratio of sample dilution was 1:2 (sample:solution) and the most suitable values for instrumental parameters were 1300W for the plasma radiofrequency power, 0.50L.min-1 for the flow of auxiliary gas and 0.60L.min-1 for the flow of nebulizer gas. The quantification limits obtained for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu and Pb were, respectively, 6.54, 6.57, 14.8, 14.3 and 27.4 μg.mL-1.

M. Tech. (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology / Water pollution caused by organic and inorganic contaminants represents an important ecological and health hazard. Simultaneous treatment of organic and inorganic contaminants had gradually gained great scientific interest. Advanced oxidation processes such as photocatalysis, using TiO2 as a photocatalyst, have been shown to be very robust in the removal of biorecalcitrant pollutants. These methods offer the advantage of removing the pollutants, in contrast to conventional techniques. At present, the main technical challenge that hinder its commercialization remained on the post-recovery of the photocatalyst particles after water treatment. Supporting of the photocatalyst on the adsorbent surface is important as it assists during the filtration step, reducing losses of the materials and yielding better results in degrading pollutants. To overcome this challenge, in this study composite photocatalysts of TiO2/zeolite and TiO2/silica were prepared and investigated to explore the possible application in the simultaneous removal of organic and inorganic compounds from contaminated water. The main objective of this study was to investigate the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds in the presence of metal ions using composite photocatalysts. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Raman spectroscopy (RS) and zeta potential (ZP) analyses were used to characterize the prepared composite photocatalysts. The successive composite photocatalysts were used in a semi-batch reactor under an irradiation intensity of 5.5 mW/m2 (protected by a quartz sleeve) at 25 ± 3°C for the photocatalytic degradation of synthetic textile (methyl orange) and agricultural (atrazine) wastewater in the presence of ions. The effect of operating parameters such as TiO2 composition on supporting material, particle size, composite photocatalyst loading, initial pollutant concentration and pH were optimized. The effects of inorganic salts and humic acid on dye and pesticides degradation were also studied, respectively. The performance of the photocatalyst reactor was evaluated on the basis of color removal, metal ion reduction, total organic carbon (TOC) reduction, intermediates product analysis and modeling of kinetics and isotherms. Different kinetic and isotherm models were introduced and applied in this work. Important aspects such as error functions with the optimal magnitude were used for the selection of the best suitable model. / European Union. City of Mikkeli, Finland. Water Research Commission (RSA)

M.Tech. (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / To replace the conventional wastewater treatment technology, photocatalysis has the best potential due to its utilization of visible light to photodegrade organic and inorganic contaminants. However, agglomeration of nanoparticles leads to serious decrease in photocatalytic performance when applied in slurry form, due to hindrance effect. TiO2 semiconductor photocatalyst mediated advanced oxidation process is referred to as one of the most efficient technologies to degrade organic pollutants in water. However, TiO2 semiconductor for water purification hinders large scale applicability due to poor activity under visible light and the recombination of photogenerated electron and hole pairs. The modification of TiO2 semiconductor photocatalyst with carbon dots (CDs) is of high importance due to low toxicity, aqueous stability, enhanced surface area, economic feasibility, good biocompatibility and chemical inertness of CDs. Herein, strategies are highlighted to improve the activity of TiO2 semiconductor photocatalyst by coupling it with CDs and Fe2O3. In this study, we study the morphological influence of TiO2 nanostructures on photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride present in industrial wastewater. TiO2 nanostructures, nanotubes, nanospheres and nanofibers were Synthesized using the hydrothermal technique. TiO2 nanotubes, nanofibers and nanospheres were prepared by the hydrothermal treatment of TiO2 nanoparticles with different NaOH concentrations (5, 10 and 12 N) at 120 and 140 ˚C; afterwards, HCl was added until it reached pH 2. Both the crystalline phase and coordination of the TiO2 nanotubes, nanofibers and nanospheres were composed principally. Likewise, the surface area, pore volume and pore size of the TiO2 nanotubes, nanofibers and nanospheres changed with the NaOH rinsing treatment. The photocatalytic activity for tetracycline degradation were strongly enhanced by the nanofibers and nanotubes in the basic and acid media, respectively, showing a relationship between their structure and the medium. TiO2 nanostructures and the composite material were characterized by scanning electron microscope\SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). BET surface area analysis was carried out using nitrogen adsorption desorption curves. The results show that TiO2 morphology had great influence on photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride due to difference in specific surface area and pore volume of nanostructures. The photocatalytic degradation experiments were carried out for three hours under visible-LED light. TiO2 nanofibers show better degradation performance than nanotubes and nanospheres due to presence of large surface area for reaction, higher porosity with dispersion of active sites at different length scales of pores and presence of oxygen vacancies. Agricultural biomass pine bark serves as a carbon source and was doped into TiO2-nanofibers (TNF) to fabricate the composite material (CD-TNF). CD-TNF composite nanofibers were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. This study revealed that the photocatalytic efficiency of tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation of the composite nanofiber is higher than that of pure TiO2-nanofiber. The anchored CDs can both enhance the light absorption and suppress photogenerated electron hole recombination which results in the enhancement of catalytic and antibacterial properties. The CDs can better capture and transfer photogenerated electrons through the Ti-O-C and Fe-O-C bonds. Moreover, CDs can improve the utilization of photogenerated electrons and the electrons in CDs are captured by O2 to produce O2•- radicals and the role of O2•- radicals in the photocatalytic process is significantly improved. A new efficient photocatalyst consisting of TiO2/CD/Fe2O3 composite material was Synthesized by the hydrothermal treatment and applied in the photodegradation of 5 mg/L tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) under visible-LED light. The CDs/TiO2/Fe2O3 composite showed enhanced photocatalytic performance for tetracycline photodegradation when compared with TiO2/CDs and pure TiO2 under the visible light irradiation. The mechanism of the improved photocatalytic activity over CDs/TiO2/Fe2O3 was also investigated. The influence of the interface formation between Fe2O3 and TiO2/CDs affects severely the charges separation efficiency and enhances the electron transfer to keep on the existence of Fe3+/Fe2+ moieties that take significant role in the reaction mechanism.