In addition to air pollutants index (i.e. PSI), ambient air quality can be described by atmospheric visibility since it can be observed directly by general publics. In this study, atmospheric visibility observation, meteorological parameter monitoring, and aerosol particle sampling were conducted to investigate the influences of physicochemical properties of suspended particles and meteorological parameters on atmospheric visibility. This study further applied receptor model and multiple regression linear analysis to forecast atmospheric visibility and develop strategies for improving urban visual air quality at Taipei region. Results from regular visibility observation indicated that the average visibilities were 10.30, 8.05 and 6.00 km in the directions of Tamsui, Sonshan, and Shindian, respectively. Similar trend of visibility variation was also observed for intensive observation. Further analysis of synoptic chart and regular observation data during the period of January 2007¡VMarch 2008 showed that the lowest atmospheric visibility commonly occurred whenas the weather patterns were in sequence of eastward movement of rainy areas in southern China, southerly airstream, strong northeast monsoon, circus-sluice of high pressure outflow, and weak northeast monsoon. Results from chemical analysis of suspended particles at Taipei region indicated that major water-soluble ionic species were SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+ and followed by Cl-, while major metallic content were Ca and K. Carbonaceous analysis showed that the mass ratio of OC/EC ranged from 1.65 to 1.91 for PM2.5 and from 1.37 to 1.88 for PM2.5-10. Ammonium nitrate, organic carbon, and ammonium sulfate were the major chemical species that influenced atmospheric visibility at Taipei region. In this study, we choose the averaged atmospheric visibility in Sonshan as a dependent variable and PM10, NO2, SO2, O3, relative humidity (RH), wind direction (WD), and wind speed (WS) as independent variables to establish multiple linear regression models for forecasting the atmospheric visibility. Results of statistical analysis indicated that high correlation between forecasted and observed atmospheric visibilities was observed (R=0.7167). Furthermore, atmospheric visibility forecasting models were established for various weather patterns. The accuracies of atmospheric visibility verification (September~December, 2007) and forecasting (January~March, 2008) were 91.80% and 87.97%, respectively. This study further applied SPSS stastistic software to conduct factor analysis for atmospheric visibility. Results from factor analysis of visibility indicated that the top three factors (PM10, NO2, and SO2) accounted for 71.13% of variance. Furthermore, variable correlation analysis showed that atmospheric visibility had positive correlation with wind speed and negative correlation with other variables (PM10, NO2, SO2, O3, RH, and WD). Besides, for the significant levels of £\=0.01 or £\=0.05, all variables were proven to be significantly correlated with atmospheric visibility except O3. At Taipei region, the automobile tail emission was the major emission source causing low visibility, thus the most effective strategy for improving atmospheric visibility was to reduce the mission of automobiles and the formation of secondary aerosols containing ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, which could effectively increase the atmospheric visibility at Taipei region.

Produced water presents economical and environmental challenges to oil producers. Downhole separation technology is able to separate oil or gas from produced fluid in downhole environment and injects waste water into deeper formations, thus saving energy and reducing waste emission. More than 120 downhole separation systems have been installed worldwide, but only about 60% of the installations achieved success. Most of the failures were due to the injectivity decline under the invasion of impurities in the injected water, such as suspended particles and oil droplets. A reliable model is needed to predict the reaction of reservoir permeability under the invasion of such impurities and serves as a tool to screen appropriate formations for downhole separator installations. / Previous experimental studies on particle-induced permeability damage reveal that high particle concentration, low fluid velocity, large particle size lead to more severe damage. The damage mechanisms are attributed to surface interception, bridging and size exclusion of particles in porous media. While for droplets, the resultant permeability decline is mostly due to surface interception. Empirical correlations with key parameters determined by core flooding data are widely applied to the simulation of permeability decline under invasion of particles and droplets. These correlations are developed based on characteristics of certain rocks and fluids, thus their applications are very restricted. / A more scientific method is to model the flow and capture of particulates at pore level. Reservoir rocks are porous media composed of pores of various sizes. Pore network models employ certain assumptions to imitate real porous media, and have been proved realistic in simulating fluid flow in porous media. In this study, a 2-dimensional square network model is used to simulate capture of particles and droplets in porous media. Pore bodies are represented by globes and pore throats are imitated with capillary tubes. The flow rates in the network are obtained by simultaneously solving mass balance equations at each pore body. The network model is tuned to match the porosity and permeability of a certain rock and serves as the infrastructure where the capture process takes place. / Particles are categorized as Brownian and non-Brownian particles according to size. For Brownian particles, diffusion is dominant and Fick’s law is applied to each pore inside the network to obtain deposition rate. For non-Brownian particles, their trajectories are mainly governed by gravity and drag force acting on them. Besides, the size of each particle is compared with the size of the pore where it is captured to determine the damage mechanism. For particles much smaller than the pore size, surface deposition is dominant and the permeability decline is gradual. For particles with sizes comparable to pore size, bridging and clogging are dominant and the permeability decline is much more severe. / Unlike particles, droplets can not be captured on top of each other. Accordingly, a captureequilibrium theory is proposed. Once the pore surface is covered by droplets, equilibrium is reached and droplets flow freely through porous media without being captured. The simulation on capture of oil droplets reveals that the surface wettability has significant influence on the resultant permeability damage. Most natural reservoirs are neutrally or oil wet. It is thus recommended to apply these surface conditions to future simulations. / The proposed model is validated with test data and reasonably good agreements are obtained. This new mechanistic model provides more insights into the capture process and greatly reduces the dependence on core flooding data.

Os geotêxteis não-tecidos desempenham, dentre outras funções, papel relevante na filtração e drenagem de solos. Nesta função, necessitam ter vazios suficientemente grandes para permitir a livre passagem de água e, ao mesmo tempo, vazios suficientemente pequenos para impedir o arraste de partículas, de sorte a evitar a erosão interna do solo. Critérios de dimensionamento para atender a ambos os requisitos estão disponíveis na literatura e são utilizados com sucesso há vários anos. Uma situação menos estudada e compreendida refere-se ao desempenho desses geotêxteis na filtração de água com sólidos em suspensão. Trata-se de uma situação tida como crítica, pela possibilidade de colmatação do geotêxtil por essas partículas, de acordo com diferentes mecanismos. Neste trabalho, verifica-se o desempenho, em laboratório, de geotêxteis não-tecidos frente à filtração de suspensões de solo em água, tal qual poderia ocorrer por ocasião de enxurradas. Nessa perspectiva, tenta-se verificar qual poderia ser o desempenho desses geotêxteis quando utilizados para compor sistemas de proteção da entrada de estruturas de captação de água, como bocas de lobo e bueiros. O trabalho utiliza um geotêxtil não tecido de fibras curtas, fabricado a partir de poliéster e suspensões contendo bentonita e uma areia fina argilosa, solo típico da região de São Carlos, em diferentes concentrações. Estabelecem-se correlações entre diferentes características e propriedades dos geotêxteis estudados e estuda-se o mecanismo de colmatação, que em geral ocorreu para todos os geotêxteis, em intervalos de tempo associados às características do geotêxtil e à concentração de solo na suspensão. As severas condições de colmatação observadas e o comprometimento da permeabilidade dos geotêxteis sugerem que para as concentrações de solo utilizadas, os geotêxteis não seriam capazes de cumprir com a proteção da entrada de estruturas de drenagem. / Nonwoven geotextiles play an important role in filtration and drainage of soils, among other functions. In these functions, they need to have large enough internal voids to allow free passage of water and at the same time these voids should be small enough to prevent the passing of particles and preventing piping formation or erosion of soil. Design criteria to satisfy both requirements are available in the literature and have been used successfully for many years. A topic that has not been deeply addressed refers to the performance of geotextiles on filtration of water with suspended solids since the possibility of geotextile clogging is real, impairing its behavior. In this work, the performance of nonwoven geotextiles in laboratory tests designed to observe the filtration of water containing solid particles in suspension is addressed. The tests were devised trying to understand what could be the performance of these geotextiles when used to compose inlet protection systems for drainage structures, such as culverts. The study used nonwoven short-fibers geotextile, made of polyester and suspensions containing bentonite and clayey fine sand, a typical soil of São Carlos area, Brazil, in different concentrations. The laboratory test results show that there exist correlations among different characteristics and properties of geotextiles studied and allowed to evaluate the mechanism of clogging, which generally occurred for all geotextiles, in time intervals associated to some characteristics of the geotextile and to the soil concentration in suspension. The severe clogging observed and the reduction of permeability of geotextile suggest that, for the solids concentration used, the geotextiles could not protect the entrance of drainage structures.

Une étude expérimentale sur le transfert des particules en suspension dans les milieux poreux est menée au laboratoire sur des colonnes remplies de sable en utilisant des techniques de traçage. Les effets du milieu poreux, de la taille des particules et de la polydispersivité de ces particules sur leur transport et dépôt sont étudiés. Des injections impulsion et des injections en continue de particules en suspension monodisperses (Latex) et polydisperses (Kaolinite) à différentes vitesses d’écoulement ont été réalisées. Deux milieux poreux de granulométries serrées et un troisième milieu poreux constitué du mélange des deux précédents sont utilisés. Par ailleurs, pour étudier l’effet de la taille et de de la polydispersivité des particules injectées, trois populations monodisperses de particules de latex ainsi que trois mélanges de ces dernières ont été utilisés. Les paramètres caractérisant le transport et le dépôt des particules en suspension sont déterminés en utilisant la solution analytique de l’équation convection-dispersion avec une cinétique de dépôt de premier ordre. L’effet de sélection de taille est étudié à partir des analyses granulométriques des particules prélevées dans les effluents à différents moments de la restitution et des particules déposées à différents horizons dans le milieu poreux. Les résultats ont montré que la vitesse d’écoulement, la distribution granulométrique du milieu poreux, la taille et la polydispersivité des particules en suspension jouent un rôle important dans le transport et le dépôt dans les milieux poreux. / An experimental study on the transfer of suspended particles in porous media is conducted in laboratory columns filled with sand using tracing techniques. The effects of the porous medium, the particle size and the polydispersity of the particles on their transport and deposition are investigated. Pulse injections and continuous injections of monodisperse suspended particles (latex) and polydisperse (kaolinite) under different flow velocities were performed. To study the effect of porous media grain size distribution on the transport and deposition of polydisperse suspended particles, three sands filled columns were used : Fine sand, Coarse sand, and a third sand obtained by mixing the two last sands in equal weight proportion. Furthermore, to investigate the effects of size and polydispersivity of the suspended particles, three populations of monodisperse latex particles and a forth population obtained by mixing the last three populations in equal volume proportion were used. The transport and deposition parameters of suspended particles were determined using the analytical solution of convection-dispersion equation with a first order deposition kinetics. The size selection effect is analyzed using particle-size analysis of the recovered particles in the effluent at different time intervals of injection and the deposited particles in the porous medium. The results showed that the flow velocity, porous media grain size distribution, the size and the polydispersity of the suspended particles play an important role in the transport and the deposition in porous media.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden für ein stark anthropogen beeinflusstes Einzugsgebiet die komplexen Zusammenhänge zwischen Witterung, Landnutzung, Erosion, Gerinneabfluss, Stofffrachten und Makrozoobenthos analysiert. Dafür wurde eine Messstation eingerichtet, an der Fließgeschwindigkeit, Trübung, pH Wert und Leitfähigkeit kontinuierlich gemessen wurden. Mit Hilfe eines durchflussgesteuerten Probennehmers wurden Wasserproben entnommen und im Labor auf verschiedene Inhaltsstoffe (Nährstoffe, Schwermetalle) analysiert sowie die Konzentration von Feinsediment bestimmt. Es konnte eine Beziehung zwischen Trübung und Sedimentkonzentration abgeleitet werden. Die chemischen Analysen zeigten einen komplexen Zusammenhang zwischen der Erosion von landwirtschaftlichen Flächen, dem Stoffeintrag von versiegelten Arealen (Verkehrsflächen, Dächer) aber auch witterungs- und vegetationsbedingte saisonale Effekte. Ein Vergleich der Eigenschaften der Schwebstoffe/Feinsediment im Landwasser mit denen von Ackerboden (Maisfelder) zeigte, dass diese die „chemische Handschrift“ der Ackerböden trugen. Mit Hilfe der Modelle EROSION 3D und ICECREAM wurden die abgetragenen Bodenmengen für das Einzugsgebiet bzw. für ausgewählte Hänge quantifiziert. EROSION 3D überschätzt den Bodenaustrag aus dem Untersuchungsgebiet deutlich. Das Modell ist ungeeignet, um für das Einzugsgebiet reale Abtragswerte mit den zur Verfügung stehenden flächenhaften Eingangsdaten zu berechnen. Bereits für Einzelhänge werden zu große Bodenabträge berechnet. Verstärkend kommt hinzu, dass auf Grund der Modellannahme jeder Partikel, der das Gewässer erreicht auch aus dem Einzugsgebiet heraustransportiert wird. Das Modell kann empfohlen werden, um erosionsgefährdete Flächen auszuweisen. In der Untersuchungsperiode von 2009 bis Juli 2011 wurde an Hand von 57 Driftfängen mit unterschiedlichen hydrologischen Randbedingungen die Wirkung der Fließgeschwindigkeit auf den Übergang benthischer Invertebraten in die freie Welle identifiziert. Aus Uferbereichen gelangen zufällig terrestrische Invertebraten in das Gewässer, deren Anteil sich durch gewässernahen Oberflächenabfluss in Folge von Niederschlagsereignissen erhöht. Die Driftdichte nimmt ab Fließgeschwindigkeiten von 0,3 m/s deutlich zu. Oligochaeta, Cyclopoida und Dipolstraca driften verstärkt bei Fließgeschwindigkeiten >0,6 m/s.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:53:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FRANCISCO EDISON SAMPAIO.pdf: 2658167 bytes, checksum: 58ddae6341c50dac3f47e6293787686a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-28 / All forms of environmental pollution are potentially harmful to human health, fauna, flora and environment in general. Air pollution, understood as the presence of various substances in the atmosphere, altering its natural composition, making it dangerous for all living beings which depend on it, has received increasing attention. The diversity of pollutants and their concentration in the atmosphere is quite broad and complex. For this reason, and considering other aspects such as the toxicological profile of pollutants and the main sources of atmospheric emissions, several countries have set standards of air quality for specific groups of pollutants. In Brazil, there are standards for seven pollutants (CO, SO2, NO2, O3, PTS, PM10 (all acronyms are in Portuguese), and smoke). This research focus on the characterization of the concentration of PTS in the atmosphere, especially the occurrence of metals associated with these particles and the possible injuries to human health. To fulfill this purpose it was necessary to make the collection of material particles in the central region of Goiania - GO, during the winter of 2011. The analysis was set for metals: Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti, Pb, and Zn. The collection of PTS was performed through the Sampler of Great Volume (AGV in Portuguese) method and through the detection of metals, with the application of spectrometry of optical emission with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES in Portuguese). The results showed a concentration of PTS which at no time exceeded the primary standard for this pollutant, as defined by the CONAMA Resolution 03/90, different reality when the pattern established by the Decree 1.745/79 of the State of Goiás was observed, which demonstrated that for six times the concentrations PTS were above this standard. The average concentration of metals in the twenty-two samples of material particles resulted in values which were considered low in relation to the standards proposed by international agencies and institutions (EPA, ASTDR, and OMS in Portuguese), and, similarly, when compared to the occurrence of metals in material particle in other cities in the country. Human exposure to metals, especially those considered toxic, in high concentrations, or even in low ones but for a long period of time, can cause severe consequences to health, ranging from simple allergic reactions to diseases like cancer that can lead to death. Through the generated, we can conclude that, in general, the air quality in the region observed by the research varies from good to regular, and that the concentrations of metals associated with PTS does not present a significant threat to the health of the population. / Todas as formas de poluição ambiental possuem potencial deletério à saude humana, à fauna, à flora e ao meio ambiente de uma forma geral. A poluição do ar, que se traduz na presença de substancias diversas na atmosfera, alterando sua composição natural, tornando-a perigosa para todos os seres vivos que dela dependem, tem merecido uma atenção crescente. A diversidade de poluentes e a concentração destes na atmosfera é algo bem amplo e complexo. Por essa razão, e considerando outros aspectos como o perfil toxicológico de poluentes e as principais fontes de emissão atmosférica, vários países definem padrões da qualidade do ar para grupos específicos de poluentes. No Brasil, existem padrões para sete poluentes (CO, SO2, NO2, O3, PTS, PM10 e fumaça). Esse trabalho deteve-se na caracterização da concentração de PTS na atmosfera, especialmente a ocorrência de metais associados à essas partículas e os possiveis agravos à saúde humana. Para cumprimento de tal finalidade promoveu-se a coleta de material particulado na região central de Goiânia GO, durante o inverno, no ano de 2011. Os metais definidos para análises foram: Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti, Pb e Zn. A coleta de PTS foi realizada pelo método do Amostrador de Grande Volume (AGV) e a detecção dos metais, com aplicação da espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES). Os resultados demonstraram uma concentração de PTS que em nenhum momento ultrapassou o padrão primário para este poluente, definido pela Resolução CONAMA 03/90, realidade diferenciada quando observado o padrao estabelecido pelo Decreto 1.745/79 do Estado de Goiás, onde por 6 vezes as concentrações de PTS posicionaram-se acima desse padrão. As concentrações médias dos metais nas vinte e duas amostras do material particulado resultaram em valores considerados baixos em relação a padrões propostos por entidades e instituições internacionais (EPA, ASTDR e OMS) e, da mesma forma, quando comparadas a ocorrencia de metais em material particulado em outras cidades do País. A exposição humana a metais, especialmente os considerados tóxicos, em concentrações elevadas ou mesmo baixas, mas de forma prolongada pode provocar sérias consequencias à saúde, variando de simples reações alérgicas até doenças como cancer que pode levar a morte. Pelos resultados gerados, pode-se concluir, em linhas gerais, que a qualidade do ar, na regiao afetada pelo estudo, apresenta-se entre boa e regular e as concentrações de metais associados âs PTS não oferceu ameaças significativas à saúde da população.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T14:04:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mayana Rigo Alves parte 1.pdf: 1590439 bytes, checksum: 71b9b8c5889a2acb01c01d6378aabf0b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-28 / A maior parte dos trabalhos científicos sobre a presença de material particulado na atmosfera está relacionada a partículas mais finas (menores que 2,5 μm ou menores que 10 μm), devido a seus efeitos sobre a saúde pulmonar dos seres humanos. Entretanto, partículas maiores podem causar consideráveis incômodos à população, devido a sua deposição sobre as superfícies, e a essas partículas, dá-se o nome de Material Particulado Depositado- MPD. A maior parte dos métodos experimentais para quantificação de partículas é bastante trabalhosa e onerosa, motivando o uso de métodos teóricos ou métodos indiretos de quantificação. O objetivo da aplicação da técnica indireta é reduzir o custo das medições e acelerar o tempo de obtenção dos dados. Nesse contexto, o objetivo geral deste trabalho é avaliar a hipótese da utilização de dados de Partículas Totais em Suspensão - PTS (medidos por equipamento automático) no cálculo do fluxo de deposição, substituindo o uso de medidores de deposição baseados em gravimetria. Dentro desse alvo, o presente trabalho buscou contribuir na implantação da rede de monitoramento de partículas sedimentáveis, bem como agilizar o processo de obtenção dos dados de fluxo de deposição dessas partículas. Os fluxos de deposição foram medidos no período de abril de 2009 a abril de 2010 em algumas das estações pertencentes à Rede Automática de Monitoramento da Qualidade do Ar (RAMQAR) pelo método de coleta baseado na Norma ASTM D1739 (1998). Esse mesmo fluxo foi estimado para uma das estações da rede (RAMQAR), a saber, Jardim Camburi, através de quatro modelos matemáticos. Três deles são baseados em modelos existentes na literatura e um é baseado no ajuste de curva para a obtenção da velocidade de deposição a partir dos dados experimentais de deposição. O último modelo apresentou resultados superiores aos demais. Tendo em vista o bom resultado desse último modelo, ele foi aplicado às demais estações. De forma geral, os resultados obtidos em todas as estações foram bons, conseguindo prever em 93% os valores de fluxo de deposição da região estudada. Demostrando ser uma ferramenta auxiliar para uma rápida estimativa dos fluxos de deposição onde as medições PTS estão disponíveis. No entanto, o modelo é dependente da existência de medidas de fluxo de deposição experimental para a sua calibração / Most scientific studies regarding the atmospheric aerosol is related to fine particles (less than 2.5 μm or less than 10 μm), due to its effects on lung health of humans; however, larger particles can cause considerable annoyance to the population, due to their deposition on surfaces (Settled Particulate Matter SPM). Most experimental methods for the quantification of these particles are laborious and expensive, motivating the use of theoretical methods or indirect methods of quantification. The aim of the indirect methods is to reduce the cost of measurements and time to obtain the data. In this context, the objective of this study is to evaluate the hypothesis using data of TSP concentration (measured by automated equipment) for calculating the deposition flux, replacing the use of experimental methods for direct measurements of deposition based on gravimetry. Within this target, this study sought to contribute in the implementation of the monitoring network of sedimentary particles as well as expedite the process of obtaining the data flow of deposition of these particles. The deposition fluxes were measured from April 2009 to April 2010 at 7 stations of the Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network (RAMQAR), by using ASTM D1739 (1998). The deposition flux was estimated by four mathematical models. Three models are based on models existing literature and one model is based on a curve fit to obtain the deposition rate from the experimental data of deposition. The latter model showed better results than others, given the successful outcome of this last model was applied to the stations. Overall, the results were satisfactory, achieving 93% predict average flux values for the region. Thus, in general, the results indicate the a simple linear fitting can be used as a aiding tool for fast estimating of deposition fluxes where TSP measurements are available. Nonetheless, the model is dependent on the existence of deposition flux measurements for calibration

Les objectifs principaux de cette étude étaient d'acquérir une meilleure connaissance des niveaux d'exposition aux particules fines PM₂.₅ de leur composition chimique et de leurs sources, dans trois villes situées sur la façade littorale de la région du Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Les particules fines ont été collectées dans le cadre de deux campagnes d'échantillonnage menées entre novembre 2010 et avril 2011 (campagne "hiver" à Dunkerque et Boulogne sur Mer ; campagne "printemps" à Dunkerque et Saint Omer). La composition chimique des PM₂.₅ a été déterminée suite à la quantification d'éléments majeurs, d'éléments traces, d'ions hydrololubles et du carbone total. Pour les deux périodes considérées, les concentrations et la composition chimique en PM₂.₅ évoluent en suivant les mêmes tendances sur chacun des sites. L'influence de sources locales a été mise en évidence en comparant l'évolution temporelle et les roses de concentration de certains éléments majeurs et éléments traces, d'un site à l'autre. Cette exploitation a permis de proposer des rapports spécifiques entre éléments, qui peuvent être utilisés comme traceurs de certaines sources anthropiques. Enfin, l'application d'un modèle source-récepteur, basé sur la factorisation matricielle non-négative (NMF), a permis d'identifier les sources principales des PM₂.₅, d'évaluer leur contribution et leur part relative au niveau de chacun des sites étudiés. / The main objectives of this study were to acquire a better knowledge on the exposure level to fine PM₂.₅ particles and on their chemical composition and sources, in three cities located on the littoral facade of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The particles were collected following two sampling campaigns held between November 2010 and April 2011 ("winter" campaign in Dunkerque and Boulogne sur Mer ; "Spring" campaign in Dunkerque and Saint-Omer). The chemical composition of the collected PM₂.₅ was determined through the quantification of major elements, trace elements, water soluble ions and total carbon. For the two considered sampling periods, PM₂.₅ concentrations and chemical composition trends followed similar tendencies at each site. Local sources influence was evidenced throughout a comparison of the chronological evolution and concentration roses of some major and trace elements between the sites. This analysis allowed the suggestion of specific elemental ratios, which can be used as tracers of some anthropogenic sources. Finally, the use of a source-receptor model, based on a non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) method, allowed the identification of the main PM₂.₅ sources as well as the evaluation of their relative contributions in each of the studied sites.

This study aimed to determine and assess the total concentration of trace elements associated with the total suspended particles (TSP) collected in an urban area of the Aracaju City, Sergipe, Brazil. Forty two samples were collected on glass fiber filters between period August/2009 and September/2010 using a high volume sampler (AGV). The concentration of Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, V and Ti were determined employing atomic spectrometry techniques in two different work. The first used acid digestion extraction assisted by microwave and analysis by mass spectrometry and optical emission, both inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES and ICP MS). The concentrations of the elements found between <48 and 1620 ± 16 ng.m-3 for Fe; 0.70 ± 0.04 and 322 ± 4 ng.m-3 for Cu;<1,3 and 12.7 ± 6.8 ng.m-3 for Mn; 1.1 ± 0.1 and 16.0 ± 8.4 ng.m-3 for Ni; <15 and 49.3 ± 4.0 ng.m-3 for V and 4,6 ± 0,6 a 129,0 ± 12,5 ng.m-3 for Ti (n=41 samples). The exploratory data analysis results was applied. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) concluded that there are two emitters that contribute to the composition of the PTS that reach the sampling area. Soil resuspension is major contributor in the composition due to correlation between Fe, Mn, Ni and Ti, which are typical elements of the soil. The second emitter, is characteristic of the vehicular traffic. wherein the concentration of Cu, V, SO2 and smoke were likely indicative of action anthropogenic. The enrichment factor calculated for the concentration of the elements identified enrichment for the average concentration of copper found in the urban area, is another indication of anthropogenic inputs. The second study consisted of the Cu and Fe sequential determination in TSP using slurry sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry and mode fast sequetial (FS-FAAS). The optimization univariate involved the following variables: the concentration of nitric acid used to prepare the slurry, sonication time and the sample mass. The optimized conditions, to about 50 mg of sample were: nitric acid solution 0.5 mol L-1, sonication time of 10 min and a final volume of 25 mL. The calibration curves were obtained using a slurry of a non-filter, the pattern multielement containing Cu and Fe in nitric acid 0.5 mol L-1. This strategy calibration offset the effect observed for the matrix Fe The limit of detection (LOD, 3σ, n = 10) was equal 4 μg.g-1 for Cu and 14 μg.g-1 for Fe , corresponding to 8 ng.m-3 for Cu and 20 ng.m-3 for Fe. The precison was expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 3) was smaller than 7% for the copper concentration and 8% for iron concentration in the slurries analysis (n=3). The concentrations of both elements determined by the proposed method were compared to concentrations obtained by ICP-MS after acid extraction assisted by microwave and showed no significant differences, applying the t test for a confidence level of 95%. The proposed procedure was simple, fast and reliable suitable for the sequential determination of Cu and Fe in PTS samples by FS-FAAS. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar e avaliar a concentração total de elementos traço associados as partículas totais em suspensão (PTS) coletadas em uma área urbana da cidade de Aracaju, Sergipe, Brasil. Quarenta e duas amostras foram coletadas em filtros de fibra de vidro no período entre agosto/2009 e setembro/2010 utilizando um amostrador de grande volume (AGV). As concentrações de Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, V e Ti foram determinadas empregando-se técnicas de espectrometria atômica em dois trabalhos distintos. O primeiro usou a digestão ácida assistida por micro-ondas e análise por espectrometria de massa e de emissão óptica, ambas com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS e ICP OES). Foram encontradas as concentrações entre <48 a 1620 ± 16 ng g-1 para Fe; 0,70 ± 0,04 a 322 ± 4 ng.m-3 para Cu; 1,3 a 12,7 ± 6,8 ng.m-3 para Mn; 1,1 ± 0,1 a 16,0 ± 8,4 ng.m-3 para Ni, <15 a 49,3 ± 4,0 ng.m-3para V e 4,6 ± 0,6 a 129,0 ± 12,5 ng.m-3. Foi aplicada a análise exploratória de dados aos resultados. A partir da análise de componentes principais (PCA) e a análise de agrupamentos hierárquicos (HCA) concluiu-se que há dois emissores que contribuem na composição do PTS que atingem a área amostral. A ressuspensão do solo é o maior contribuidor na composição química, devido correlação encontrada entre Fe, Mn, Ni e Ti, que são elementos tipicos do solo. O segundo emissor é caracteristico do trafego veicular, onde a concentração de Cu, V, SO2 e Fumaça foram prováveis indicativos de ação antropogênica. O fator de enriquecimento calculado para a concentração dos elementos identificou o enriquecimento para a concentração de cobre encontrada na área urbana, sendo outro indicativo da ação antropogênica. O segundo trabalho consistiu da determinação sequencial de Cu e Fe no PTS usando amostragem em suspensão e espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama no modo seqüencial rápido ( fast sequential ) multi-elementar (FS-FAAS). A otimização univariada envolveu as seguintes variáveis: concentração da solução de ácido nítrico usada no preparo da suspensão, tempo de sonicação e massa da amostra. As condições otimizadas, para cerca de 50 mg de amostra, foram: solução de ácido nítrico 0,5 mol.L-1, tempo de sonicação de 10 min e um volume final de 25 mL. As curvas de calibrações foram obtidas, usando-se uma suspensão de um filtro não utilizado, contendo o padrão multielementar de Cu e Fe em meio de ácido nítrico 0,5 mol.L-1. Esta estratégia de calibração compensou o efeito de matriz verificado para o Fe. O limite de detecção (LD, 3σ, n=10) do método proposto foi igual a 4 μg.g-1 para Cu e igual a 14 μg.g-1 para Fe, que corresponde a 8 ng.m-3 para Cu e a 20 ng.m-3 para Fe. A precisão, expressa como o desvio padrão relativo (RSD, n=3), foi menor do que 7% para a concentração de Cu e a 8% para a concentração de Fe na análise das suspensões. As concentrações de ambos os elementos determinados pelo método proposto foram comparadas com as concentrações obtidas por ICP-MS após extração ácida assistida por micro-ondas e não apresentaram diferenças significativas, aplicando-se o teste t para um nível de confiança de 95%. O procedimento proposto é simples, rápido e confiável, adequado para a determinação sequencial de Cu e Fe em amostras de PTS por FS-FAAS.

Desde o início do século passado, estudos na literatura médica documentaram uma significativa associação entre poluição atmosférica decorrente da emissão de combustíveis fósseis e morbimortalidade na raça humana, inclusive para níveis de poluentes no ar considerado como seguro para a saúde da população exposta. Na década de 70, durante a crise do petróleo o governo brasileiro implementou um programa chamado Proálcool com o objetivo de produzir um combustível alternativo, renovável, e não poluente: o etanol, derivado da cana-de-açúcar. Esse programa culminou com uma grande produção de veículos movidos a álcool a partir da década de 80, e um grande incremento da cultura da cana-de-açúcar na região central do Estado de São Paulo. Com a crescente utilização do álcool como combustível em veículos automotores houve uma melhora na qualidade do ar nos grandes centros urbanos. Existe, porém, o contraponto: a cana-de-açúcar é uma cultura agrícola singular, uma vez que, por razões de produtividade e de segurança, a colheita é realizada após a queima dos canaviais, o que gera uma grande quantidade de elemento particulado negro denominado "fuligem da cana". Esse material particulado modifica as características do meio ambiente nas regiões onde a cana-de-açúcar é cultivada, colhida e industrializada. A queima da biomassa é a maior fonte de emissão de material particulado e de gases tóxicos no planeta, e não havia na literatura médica qualquer trabalho, que relacionasse a poluição atmosférica em conseqüência da queima desse tipo especifico de biomassa, com a saúde humana. Esse estudo epidemiológico de séries temporais avalia a associação entre o material particulado coletado durante a queima de plantações de cana-de-açúcar e um indicador de morbidade respiratória em Araraquara (SP). Entre 26 de maio e 31 de agosto de 1995, o número diário de pacientes que necessitaram inalações em um dos principais hospitais da cidade foi quantificado, e utilizado para estimar a morbidade respiratória. Para estimar o nível da poluição do ar foi quantificado diariamente o peso do sedimento do material particulado proveniente da fuligem da cana-de-açúcar, obtido por sedimentação simples, em dois pontos da cidade, um localizado no centro e o segundo na zona rural. A associação entre o peso do sedimento e o número de pacientes que necessitaram de terapia inalatória, foi avaliada pelo modelo aditivo generalizado da regressão de Poisson com controle para sazonalidade, temperatura e dias da semana. Encontrou-se uma associação positiva significante e dose dependente entre o número de terapia inalatória e o peso do sedimento. Um aumento de 10 mg no peso do sedimento está associado a um risco relativo de terapêutica inalatória de 1,09 (1-1,19). Nos dias mais poluídos o risco relativo de terapêutica inalatória é de 1,20 (1,03-1,39). Esses resultados indicam que a queima das plantações da cana-de-açúcar pode causar efeitos deletérios à saúde da população exposta. / This times series epidemiological study was designed to evaluate the association between particulate matter collected during sugar cane plantation burning and an indicator of morbidity respiratory in Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil. From May 26th to August 31st, 1995, the daily number of patients that received inhalation therapy in one of the main hospitals of the city was recorded and used as a morbidity respiratory estimation. In order to estimate air pollution levels the daily sediment weight from sugar cane particulate matter was measured after collected by simple sedimentation process, in two strategic points of the city: one in a central area and the other in a peripheral area. The association between the sediment weight and the number of patients who received inhalation therapy was evaluated by means of generalized additive Poisson regression models controlled for seasonality, temperature and days of the week. A positive significant and dose-dependent relationship was found between the number of inhalation therapy and the sediment weight. The relative risk of inhalation therapy associated with an increase of 10 mg in the sediment weight was 1.09 (1 - 1.19), and the relative risk of an inhalation therapy was 1.20 (1.03 -1.39) in the most polluted days. These results indicate that sugar cane plantations burning may cause deleterious health effects in the exposed population.