Due to environmental concerns, most of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been eliminated or reduced in production and use; however, due to their great persistency, POPs are expected still to be found in the environment long after their use has ceased. Although, in recent years, POPs have rarely been detected in river water in the United Kingdom (UK), their concentrations in fish (biota) and sediment are expected to be notable due to their lipophilicity and bioaccumulation; however, there is a lack of information and data to understand the current contamination of POPs in catchments and evaluate their potential risk to the environment and ecosystem. This thesis describes the application of mathematical modelling approaches to (i) predict the current distribution and concentration of POPs in catchments, (ii) evaluate the influence of climate change and extreme weather conditions on the fate of POPs, and (iii) provide guidelines to inform decision-making on managing the potential risks of POPs in river basins. The modelling studies have mainly focused on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The River Thames catchment was chosen as the study area. The Fugacity level III model was initially used to describe the general distribution of PCBs between different compartments; it was predicted that the greatest mass of PCBs remain in the soil, but the fish and sediments represent compartments with the highest PCB concentrations. The contamination of PCBs in Thames fish was estimated to exceed the unrestricted consumption thresholds of 5.9 μg/kg for ∑PCBs set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); no current EU Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) are available for PCBs in fish. It was indicated that the PCBs in fish could be linked to PCB contamination in sediment, which was predicted to be about three times higher than the fish concentrations, but insufficient observed data of PCBs in Thames fish and sediment are available to validate the results. In order to address this limitation in observed data, fish and sediment sampling and chemical analysis were carried out for the presence of POPs. In addition to PCBs, the measured results for hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Thames fish and sediment were assessed. Although the observed fish- and sediment concentrations of the chemicals appear quite variable, when normalised to organic carbon the levels in sediment, they were comparable to the fish lipid normalised concentrations. Using the temperature and rainfall data forecasts in the UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09), climate change scenarios were established and assessed in the fugacity modelling. The modelling results suggested a modest influence of climate change on PCB fate over the next 80 years. The most significant result was a tendency, in the Thames catchment, for climate change to enhance the evaporation of PCBs from soil to air. While the fugacity model successfully simulated the distribution and fate of PCBs, we used greatly simplified representations of climate, hydrology and biogeochemical processes of the catchment: to have a deeper understanding, a newly developed dynamic hydrobiogeochemical transport model - the Integrated Catchment Contaminants model (INCAContaminants) was applied. Using additional information about weather, river flows and water chemistry, the INCA-Contaminants model provided new insights into the behaviour of contaminants in the catchment; this led to a better representation of PCB contamination in sediment. In addition, INCA demonstrated the important impact of short-term weather variation on PCB movement through the environment. It was shown that PCBs contamination in Thames sediment was greatly disturbed by the severe flooding that occurred in early 2014. This thesis presents the application of the INCA model to assess - in addition to POPs - the behaviour of metaldehyde in the River Thames catchment. Metaldehyde is a type of pesticide used mainly to kill snails and slugs. Its application in agricultural areas within the catchment area has in recent years caused severe problems with drinking water supply. The INCA model has proved to be an effective tool for simulating the transport of metaldehyde in the catchment, predicting observed metaldehyde concentrations at multiple locations in the River Thames; this is the first time that a dynamic modelling approach has been used to predict the behaviour of metaldehyde in river basins. Modelling results showed that high concentrations of metaldehyde in the river system are a direct consequence of excessive application rates. In this thesis, a simple decision-support tool was derived from modelling results, based on variable application rates and application areas. This decision-support tool is now being used by Thames Water to help control peak concentrations of metaldehyde at key water supply locations.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, plays a crucial role in regulation of xenobiotic metabolism. AhR is also involved in dioxin-induced metabolic disorders and alteration of circadian rhythm. Furthermore, circadian clock disruption and metabolic dysfunction are integrally associated with each other. This study was designed to understand the mechanisms by which AhR contributes to regulation of circadian clocks, fat metabolism and glucose homeostasis. In the first aim, I have tested whether AhR interacts with the core clock gene, brain and muscle AhR nuclear translocator like-1(BMAL1), disrupting circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK)/BMAL1 complex activity, and leading to the suppression of period1 gene (Per1) expression rhythm. My studies indicate that AhR activation by its agonists 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and beta-naphoflavone (BNF) disrupts the rhythm and inhibits the expression of Per1 in mouse liver and hepatoma cell lines, respectively. Mechanistically, the disruption of the rhythm and the inhibition of Per1 expression occur secondary to the interaction between AhR and BMAL1, which attenuates transcriptional activity of the core clock complex CLOCK/BMAL1. These results suggest alteration of the circadian clock as a novel signaling event downstream of AhR activation. The integral relationship between the clock and metabolic function further suggest that AhR activation may cause metabolic dysfunction. In the second aim, I have tested whether AhR activation inhibits Per1 gene induction and influences circadian clock resetting through activation of JNK pathway. AhR activation by it agonists TCDD and BNF decreases light-induced phase shifts in the early night and inhibits light-induced Per1 expression in both suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and liver. Inhibition of Per1 induction results from increased phospho-JNK induced by AhR activation. Taken together, activation of AhR disrupts circadian clock resetting which also could cause metabolic dysfunction. In the third aim, I have tested whether AhR deficiency regulates nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a; (PPARa) and alters glucose homeostasis. PPARa, a clock-controlled gene (CCG) that acts as a fat metabolism sensor, is important for lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. AhR knockout (AhRKO or AhR-/-) mice exhibit enhanced insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, accompanied by decreased expression of PPARa, key gluconeogenic genes, glucose-6 phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and key fatty acid oxidation enzymes, carnitine palmitoyl transferase1b (CPT1b) and acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO). Conversely, AhR agonists increase PPARa; expression in a BMAL1-dependent manner. In addition, AhRKO mice display altered rhythm for clock genes, clock-controlled genes (CCGs) and physiological blood glucose. These data suggest that AhR may modulate the glucose homeostasis through regulation of CCGs such as PPARa and that PPARa may be an important link between the circadian clock and metabolism. In the fourth aim, I have tested the effects of AhR ablation or attenuation in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mice. Recent studies suggest that PPARα expression is elevated with HFD feeding as an adaptive response to attenuate hepatic steatosis, and PPARa deficiency protects against HFD-induced insulin resistance. AhR-/- as well as AhR heterozygous (AhR+/-) mice are protected from the HFD-induced obesity, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and show reduced inflammatory cytokine expression. In addition, AhR-/- and AhR+/- mice display protected insulin signaling, a higher adiponectin and a lower leptin and insulin in serum. Food intake and physical activity are not significantly different among WT, AhR-/- and AhR+/- mice with HFD feeding. Indirect calorimetry has demonstrated that the AhR+/- mice have higher oxygen consumption, CO2 production and heat production. In addition, Real-time PCR data show that uncoupling protein 1(Ucp1) is higher in brown adipose tissue which supports the higher heat production; moreover, the muscle gene profile reveals that the fatty acid beta-oxidation genes and mitochondrial respiratory genes are higher in AHR+/- mice which further support higher energy expenditure in these mice. Collectively, these data suggest that AhR signaling could be a potential target for treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and AhR antagonist may be developed into a drug for these metabolic diseases.

Submitted by Emanuel Varela Cardoso (emanuel.varela@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-09-17T23:45:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LÍGIA MARIA RIBEIRO LIMA – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEP) 2010.pdf: 2788036 bytes, checksum: 1c5b62f6d7f3b6dd45a34fd6b83130c9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-17T23:45:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LÍGIA MARIA RIBEIRO LIMA – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGEP) 2010.pdf: 2788036 bytes, checksum: 1c5b62f6d7f3b6dd45a34fd6b83130c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-30 / O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar a dinâmica da adsorção de gasolina (adsorbato) utilizando bagaço de cana-de-açúcar na forma de pó como adsorvente, em um leito fixo em escala ampliada, por meio da análise das curvas de ruptura. A coluna utilizada para adsorção consiste de um cilindro de vidro com altura de 60,0 cm e diâmetro de 6,0 cm. Inicialmente foram feitas análises de caracterização química e física do bagaço de cana na forma de pó, como: composição química; porcentagem de matéria seca, umidade, cinzas, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, celulose e lignina. Para a avaliação da estrutura porosa da biomassa bagaço de cana-de-açúcar foram realizadas três análises do material na forma de pó: área superficial, volume poroso e diâmetro poroso. Com base nos dados obtidos pelos ensaios experimentais para obtenção das curvas de ruptura, pode-se avaliar a dinâmica do leito fixo em escala ampliada através da análise dos resultados verificados pelo planejamento experimental e pela aplicação da modelagem fenomenológica, utilizando o modelo da Força Impulsora Linear. Foi possível observar que os maiores valores dos tempos de quebra das curvas foram encontrados para as menores vazões com as três concentrações de entrada de efluente simulado. Analisando o diagrama de Pareto observou-se que a influência da interação da concentração inicial de gasolina com a vazão de operação é o fator mais significativo seguido da altura do leito fixo de biomassa. Verificou-se também que a concentração de gasolina é o fator menos importante no processo de adsorção de biomassa. Avaliou-se por meio da obtenção dos valores da constante de transferência de massa, utilizando o modelo da Força Impulsora Linear, que houve uma tendência para o aumento do coeficiente de transferência de massa, à medida que a vazão aumentou. Com esses resultados, pode-se concluir que os coeficientes de transferência de massa no sólido, calculados em função da vazão volumétrica podem ser representados por uma relação linear nas condições experimentais estudadas. / The objective of this work was to evaluate the dynamics of adsorption of gasoline (adsorbate) using sugar-cane bagane in powder form as adsorbent, in a fixed bed in enlarged scale, through the analysis of breakthrough curves. The column used for adsorption consists of a glass cylinder with 60.0 cm height and 6.0 cm diameter. Initially were made analyses of chemical and physical characterization of cane bagane in powder form, as: chemical composition; dry matter percentage, humidity, ashes, organic matter, rude protein, cellulose and lignin. For evaluation of porous structure of the biomass sugar-cane pulp three analyses of the material were accomplished in powder form: superficial area, porous volume and porous diameter. With base in data obtained by experimentals for obtaining of breakthrough curves, dynamics of fixed bed can be evaluated in scale enlarged through the evaluation of results verified by experimental planning and th rough application of phenomenological modelling, using Lineal Impelling Force model. It was possible to observe that largest values of times of break of the curves were found for smallest flow rates with the three concentrations of entrance of simulate eff luent. Analyzing Pareto diagram was observed that the influence of interaction of initial concentration of gasoline with the operation flow rate is the most significant factor followed by height of fixed bed of biomass. It was also verified that the concentration of gasoline is the less important factor in biomass adsorption process. It was observed through the values obtained of mass transfer constant, using Lineal Impelling Force model, that there was a tendency for increase of mass transfer coefficient, as the flow rate increased. With those results, can be concluded that mass transfer coefficients in the solid, calculated in function of volumetric flow rate can be represented by a lineal relationship in the studied experimental conditions.

Os poluentes orgânicos emergentes (POE) são compostos químicos presentes numa variedade de produtos comerciais como medicamentos, produtos de higiene, agrotóxicos, surfactantes, dentre outros, podendo ser encontrados em matrizes ambientais e biológicas. Esses poluentes não são usualmente monitorados ou ainda não possuem legislação regulatória correspondente, mas apresentam risco à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. Dentre esses POE, podemos destacar o nonilfenol etoxilado, um surfactante não-iônico utilizado no desengraxe alcalino da indústria de galvanoplastia. Esse surfactante possui uma recalcitrância e toxidade que aumenta com a diminuição do número de grupos etoxilados, processo que ocorre quando ele é biodegradado. Alguns dos produtos da biodegradação são o nonilfenol com 4, 3, 2 ou 1 grau de etoxilação e nonilfenol, este considerado disruptor endócrino imitando o hormônio natural 17β-estradiol. Tratamentos convencionais de efluentes e água não são eficientes para degradação completa desses compostos. O emprego de processos mais eficientes, como processos oxidativos e oxidativos avançados tais como a Eletrólise (E), Fotólise direta (F), Fotocatálise heterogênea (FH) e a fotoeletrooxidação (FEO), tecnologias limpas que utilizam o elétron e o fóton como reagentes, têm sido proposto como opção para a degradação desses compostos, evitando assim a contaminação dos recursos hídricos. Este trabalho foi realizado com uma solução baseada na composição de um efluente industrial contendo nonilfenol etoxilado com 4 graus de etoxilação. Os ensaios de FEO foram realizados em triplicata, variando-se a densidade de corrente, potência de lâmpada e o tempo de tratamento. Além disso, foram realizados, para efeito de comparação e elucidação de mecanismos, ensaios de eletrólise, fotólise direta e fotocatálise heterogêna. As amostras coletadas antes e após os processos oxidativos foram caracterizadas por diferentes métodos analíticos e por toxicidade. Verificou-se que no tempo de tratamento de 240 minutos as diferentes configurações de FEO não foram suficientemente eficazes na degradação de todo o poluente que se encontra na solução inicial, entretanto, a configuração FEO3 não gerou metabólitos mais tóxicos, não apresentou diferença de germinação e de crescimento de raiz, não apresentando também citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade em alface e em cebola, apresentando toxicidade apenas em peixes em uma concentração de 70,71%, o que pode ser evitado com o aumentando do tempo de tratamento, à vista disso, o processo de FEO torna-se uma opção na degradação do nonilfenol etoxilado e de outros POE, evitando assim que esses atinjam os recursos hídricos. / The emerging organic pollutants (POE) are chemical compounds present in a variety of commercial products such as medicines, toiletries, pesticides, surfactants, among others, can be found in environmental and biological matrices. These pollutants are usually not monitored or have no corresponding regulatory legislation, but present risk to human health and the environment. POE Among these, we highlight the nonylphenol ethoxylate, one non-ionic surfactant used in degreasing alkaline electroplating industry. This surfactant has a recalcitrance and toxicity increases with the decrease of the number of ethoxylate groups, a process which occurs when it is biodegraded. Some of the products of biodegradation are nonylphenol with 4, 3, 2 or 1 degree of ethoxylation of nonylphenol and this considered endocrine disruptor mimicking the natural hormone 17β -estradiol. Conventional treatment of sewage and water are not efficient for complete degradation of these compounds. The use of more efficient processes, such as oxidation and advanced oxidation processes such as direct photolysis (F), Electrolysis (E), heterogeneous photocatalysis (FH) and photoelectrooxidation (FEO), clean technologies that utilize the electron and photon reagents have been proposed as an option to the degradation of such compounds, thereby avoiding the contamination of water resources. This work was carried out with a solution based on the composition of an industrial effluent containing nonylphenol ethoxylate with 4 degrees of ethoxylation. FEO assays were performed in triplicate, by varying the current density lamp power and treatment time. In addition, we performed, for comparison and elucidation of mechanisms, testing electrolysis, photolysis and photocatalysis heterogenous. The samples collected before and after the oxidative processes were characterized by different analytical methods and toxicity. It was found that treatment time of 240 minutes, the FEO different configurations were not efficient enough to degrade any pollutants that is in the initial solution, however, the configuration FEO3 not more toxic metabolites generated no significant difference in seed germination and root growth, no significant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity also in lettuce and onion, showing toxicity on fish only at a concentration of 70.71 %, which can be avoided by increasing treatment time, the sight, the process of FEO becomes an option in the degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate and other POE, thus preventing it reaches the water.

Os poluentes orgânicos emergentes (POE) são compostos químicos presentes numa variedade de produtos comerciais como medicamentos, produtos de higiene, agrotóxicos, surfactantes, dentre outros, podendo ser encontrados em matrizes ambientais e biológicas. Esses poluentes não são usualmente monitorados ou ainda não possuem legislação regulatória correspondente, mas apresentam risco à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. Dentre esses POE, podemos destacar o nonilfenol etoxilado, um surfactante não-iônico utilizado no desengraxe alcalino da indústria de galvanoplastia. Esse surfactante possui uma recalcitrância e toxidade que aumenta com a diminuição do número de grupos etoxilados, processo que ocorre quando ele é biodegradado. Alguns dos produtos da biodegradação são o nonilfenol com 4, 3, 2 ou 1 grau de etoxilação e nonilfenol, este considerado disruptor endócrino imitando o hormônio natural 17β-estradiol. Tratamentos convencionais de efluentes e água não são eficientes para degradação completa desses compostos. O emprego de processos mais eficientes, como processos oxidativos e oxidativos avançados tais como a Eletrólise (E), Fotólise direta (F), Fotocatálise heterogênea (FH) e a fotoeletrooxidação (FEO), tecnologias limpas que utilizam o elétron e o fóton como reagentes, têm sido proposto como opção para a degradação desses compostos, evitando assim a contaminação dos recursos hídricos. Este trabalho foi realizado com uma solução baseada na composição de um efluente industrial contendo nonilfenol etoxilado com 4 graus de etoxilação. Os ensaios de FEO foram realizados em triplicata, variando-se a densidade de corrente, potência de lâmpada e o tempo de tratamento. Além disso, foram realizados, para efeito de comparação e elucidação de mecanismos, ensaios de eletrólise, fotólise direta e fotocatálise heterogêna. As amostras coletadas antes e após os processos oxidativos foram caracterizadas por diferentes métodos analíticos e por toxicidade. Verificou-se que no tempo de tratamento de 240 minutos as diferentes configurações de FEO não foram suficientemente eficazes na degradação de todo o poluente que se encontra na solução inicial, entretanto, a configuração FEO3 não gerou metabólitos mais tóxicos, não apresentou diferença de germinação e de crescimento de raiz, não apresentando também citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade em alface e em cebola, apresentando toxicidade apenas em peixes em uma concentração de 70,71%, o que pode ser evitado com o aumentando do tempo de tratamento, à vista disso, o processo de FEO torna-se uma opção na degradação do nonilfenol etoxilado e de outros POE, evitando assim que esses atinjam os recursos hídricos. / The emerging organic pollutants (POE) are chemical compounds present in a variety of commercial products such as medicines, toiletries, pesticides, surfactants, among others, can be found in environmental and biological matrices. These pollutants are usually not monitored or have no corresponding regulatory legislation, but present risk to human health and the environment. POE Among these, we highlight the nonylphenol ethoxylate, one non-ionic surfactant used in degreasing alkaline electroplating industry. This surfactant has a recalcitrance and toxicity increases with the decrease of the number of ethoxylate groups, a process which occurs when it is biodegraded. Some of the products of biodegradation are nonylphenol with 4, 3, 2 or 1 degree of ethoxylation of nonylphenol and this considered endocrine disruptor mimicking the natural hormone 17β -estradiol. Conventional treatment of sewage and water are not efficient for complete degradation of these compounds. The use of more efficient processes, such as oxidation and advanced oxidation processes such as direct photolysis (F), Electrolysis (E), heterogeneous photocatalysis (FH) and photoelectrooxidation (FEO), clean technologies that utilize the electron and photon reagents have been proposed as an option to the degradation of such compounds, thereby avoiding the contamination of water resources. This work was carried out with a solution based on the composition of an industrial effluent containing nonylphenol ethoxylate with 4 degrees of ethoxylation. FEO assays were performed in triplicate, by varying the current density lamp power and treatment time. In addition, we performed, for comparison and elucidation of mechanisms, testing electrolysis, photolysis and photocatalysis heterogenous. The samples collected before and after the oxidative processes were characterized by different analytical methods and toxicity. It was found that treatment time of 240 minutes, the FEO different configurations were not efficient enough to degrade any pollutants that is in the initial solution, however, the configuration FEO3 not more toxic metabolites generated no significant difference in seed germination and root growth, no significant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity also in lettuce and onion, showing toxicity on fish only at a concentration of 70.71 %, which can be avoided by increasing treatment time, the sight, the process of FEO becomes an option in the degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate and other POE, thus preventing it reaches the water.

Persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) tend to accumulate in biota and are transferred through the aquatic food web, which result in a high accumulation in marine mammals. In recent years various novel flame retardants (nBFRs), which have replaced the banned PBDEs, have also started to occur in the environment. These nBFRs have similar properties as PBDEs, such as long-range transport and accumulation in biota. The purpose with this study was to evaluate a method by using pre-packed silica columns for quantification of PCBs, DDT, PBDEs and nBFRs in seal blubber, in order to facilitate the pre-treatment and decrease the time. To elute the different POPs from the pre-packed silica column; hexane, toluene and dichloromethane were used in different stages. By using this method levels of PCB and DDT were determined. For DDT the concentration was 8.28 ng/g lipid and 8.94 ng/g lipid for the two samples that was analysed, and the analysis of the PCBs showed a higher trend for the higher chlorinated PCBs. As the pre-packed silica columns are a relative new method. Further studies are therefore needed on these columns to further improve the sample clean-up and fractionation of the different POPs in environmental samples.

La pollution environnementale constitue un problème majeur pour les écosystèmes naturels et la santé publique. Récemment, la phytoremédiation a émergé comme une stratégie innovante, écologique et à faible coût. Elle consiste à utiliser les capacités des plantes à stocker ou/et à dégrader les polluants. Dans cette étude, des analyses physiologiques, biochimiques et métabolomiques, ont permis de montrer que les halophytes, une catégorie des plantes extrêmophiles, présentent une grande capacité à remédier la pollution engendrée par les Hydrocarbures Aromatiques Polycycliques (HAPs). D'autre part, la salinité modérée améliore leur capacité phytoremédiatrice. Ces résultats apportent de nouvelles données pouvant contribuer à l'amélioration de cette stratégie. / Halopytes, plants naturally adapted to high salt concentrations, have no clear definition, yet. Their cross-tolerance to abiotic stresses was reviewed in this work at the physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels, with a special emphasis on the mechanisms involved in their cross-tolerance to salinity and organic pollutants that could allow them a higher potential of xenobiotic phytoremediation as compared to glycophytes. In our experimental part, we compared in a first step some physiological and antioxidant responses to phenanthrene as well as its accumulation in the two related model plants Arabidopsis thaliana (glycophyte) and Thellungiella salsuginea (halophyte).In a second step, we investigated the effects of moderate salinity on the responses of the two species to phenanthrene considered as model Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) molecule. Obtained results showed an improvement of phenanthrene-induced responses in the two plants, the effect being more marked in the halophyte. This observation was particularly related to higher antioxidant activities and the induction of more adapted metabolism as several accumulated metabolites are known to be involved in signaling and osmotic adjustment processes. In a final step, we studied the potential of the halophyte Cakile maritima to remediate an inert sand (to avoid the degradation of the pollutant by microorganisms or their interaction with the plant) highly contaminated with phenanthrene.

Os poluentes orgânicos emergentes (POE) são compostos químicos presentes numa variedade de produtos comerciais como medicamentos, produtos de higiene, agrotóxicos, surfactantes, dentre outros, podendo ser encontrados em matrizes ambientais e biológicas. Esses poluentes não são usualmente monitorados ou ainda não possuem legislação regulatória correspondente, mas apresentam risco à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. Dentre esses POE, podemos destacar o nonilfenol etoxilado, um surfactante não-iônico utilizado no desengraxe alcalino da indústria de galvanoplastia. Esse surfactante possui uma recalcitrância e toxidade que aumenta com a diminuição do número de grupos etoxilados, processo que ocorre quando ele é biodegradado. Alguns dos produtos da biodegradação são o nonilfenol com 4, 3, 2 ou 1 grau de etoxilação e nonilfenol, este considerado disruptor endócrino imitando o hormônio natural 17β-estradiol. Tratamentos convencionais de efluentes e água não são eficientes para degradação completa desses compostos. O emprego de processos mais eficientes, como processos oxidativos e oxidativos avançados tais como a Eletrólise (E), Fotólise direta (F), Fotocatálise heterogênea (FH) e a fotoeletrooxidação (FEO), tecnologias limpas que utilizam o elétron e o fóton como reagentes, têm sido proposto como opção para a degradação desses compostos, evitando assim a contaminação dos recursos hídricos. Este trabalho foi realizado com uma solução baseada na composição de um efluente industrial contendo nonilfenol etoxilado com 4 graus de etoxilação. Os ensaios de FEO foram realizados em triplicata, variando-se a densidade de corrente, potência de lâmpada e o tempo de tratamento. Além disso, foram realizados, para efeito de comparação e elucidação de mecanismos, ensaios de eletrólise, fotólise direta e fotocatálise heterogêna. As amostras coletadas antes e após os processos oxidativos foram caracterizadas por diferentes métodos analíticos e por toxicidade. Verificou-se que no tempo de tratamento de 240 minutos as diferentes configurações de FEO não foram suficientemente eficazes na degradação de todo o poluente que se encontra na solução inicial, entretanto, a configuração FEO3 não gerou metabólitos mais tóxicos, não apresentou diferença de germinação e de crescimento de raiz, não apresentando também citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade em alface e em cebola, apresentando toxicidade apenas em peixes em uma concentração de 70,71%, o que pode ser evitado com o aumentando do tempo de tratamento, à vista disso, o processo de FEO torna-se uma opção na degradação do nonilfenol etoxilado e de outros POE, evitando assim que esses atinjam os recursos hídricos. / The emerging organic pollutants (POE) are chemical compounds present in a variety of commercial products such as medicines, toiletries, pesticides, surfactants, among others, can be found in environmental and biological matrices. These pollutants are usually not monitored or have no corresponding regulatory legislation, but present risk to human health and the environment. POE Among these, we highlight the nonylphenol ethoxylate, one non-ionic surfactant used in degreasing alkaline electroplating industry. This surfactant has a recalcitrance and toxicity increases with the decrease of the number of ethoxylate groups, a process which occurs when it is biodegraded. Some of the products of biodegradation are nonylphenol with 4, 3, 2 or 1 degree of ethoxylation of nonylphenol and this considered endocrine disruptor mimicking the natural hormone 17β -estradiol. Conventional treatment of sewage and water are not efficient for complete degradation of these compounds. The use of more efficient processes, such as oxidation and advanced oxidation processes such as direct photolysis (F), Electrolysis (E), heterogeneous photocatalysis (FH) and photoelectrooxidation (FEO), clean technologies that utilize the electron and photon reagents have been proposed as an option to the degradation of such compounds, thereby avoiding the contamination of water resources. This work was carried out with a solution based on the composition of an industrial effluent containing nonylphenol ethoxylate with 4 degrees of ethoxylation. FEO assays were performed in triplicate, by varying the current density lamp power and treatment time. In addition, we performed, for comparison and elucidation of mechanisms, testing electrolysis, photolysis and photocatalysis heterogenous. The samples collected before and after the oxidative processes were characterized by different analytical methods and toxicity. It was found that treatment time of 240 minutes, the FEO different configurations were not efficient enough to degrade any pollutants that is in the initial solution, however, the configuration FEO3 not more toxic metabolites generated no significant difference in seed germination and root growth, no significant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity also in lettuce and onion, showing toxicity on fish only at a concentration of 70.71 %, which can be avoided by increasing treatment time, the sight, the process of FEO becomes an option in the degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate and other POE, thus preventing it reaches the water.

Apesar de os defensivos agrícolas atualmente classificados como Poluentes Orgânicos Persistentes (POPs) terem sua produção e uso banidos na maior parte do mundo desde a década de 1980, o gerenciamento de estoques remanescentes permanece um desafio até a atualidade. Com estimativas que variam entre 500 mil (FAO, 2015) e 2 milhões de toneladas (VIJGEN et al., 2011), poucas informações sobre seu efetivo gerenciamento e destruição são encontradas nas principais bases de dados acadêmicas sobre o tema e nos documentos oficiais da Convenção de Estocolmo sobre Poluentes Orgânicos Persistentes. O Brasil integra a lista de signatários da Convenção, mas a fabricação, o armazenamento e o uso dos agrotóxicos POPs foram proibidos em 1985, por meio da Portaria do Ministério da Agricultura nº 329. Este abrupto banimento do armazenamento colocou o agricultor brasileiro imediatamente fora da lei, uma vez que não foram planejadas medidas e procedimentos legais para dar destino adequado aos produtos que ainda estivessem em estoque nas propriedades rurais. De forma independente da Convenção de Estocolmo e das ações nacionais relacionadas a este tratado, dois estados brasileiros elaboraram programas para o levantamento de estoque dos defensivos agrícolas banidos e planejamento de sua destinação. Finalizado em 2013, o Paraná incinerou cerca de 1.200 toneladas que estavam estocadas em mais de 2.000 propriedades rurais do estado. São Paulo finalizou o inventário em 2012, resultando em 420 toneladas estocadas em aproximadamente 330 propriedades rurais. O grupo de trabalho paulista planejou as etapas seguintes e em abril de 2016, o projeto se encontrava em fase de alocação de recursos para execução das fases finais de acondicionamento, transporte e destinação. A proposta deste projeto de pesquisa é apresentar como Paraná e São Paulo gerenciaram os estoques remanescentes de agrotóxicos banidos há décadas, avaliando como os grupos de trabalho foram formados, as normativas de apoio utilizadas, como foram realizadas as etapas de levantamento de inventário e de que forma foram planejadas, financiadas, comunicadas e executadas as etapas de coleta, acondicionamento, transporte e destinação. Dessa forma, busca-se contribuir para um aumento de conhecimento prático sobre o tema e para a construção de uma política pública para gerenciamento de agrotóxicos banidos em outros estados brasileiros. / Although the pesticides currently classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have had their production and use banned in most of the world since the 1980s, the management of remaining stocks remains a challenge to the present. With estimates ranging from 500,000 (FAO, 2015) and 2 million tons (Vijgen et al., 2011), little information about its effective management and destruction are found in major academic databases on the subject and official documents of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Brazil is one of the signatories but the manufacture, storage and use of pesticides POPs were banned in 1985 by the Ministry of Agriculture Decree No. 329. However, this abrupt ban put the Brazilian farmers immediately outside the law since the government did not plan measures and legal procedures to give proper destination to the products that were still in stock on farms. Independently of the Stockholm Convention and the National Plans related to this treaty, two Brazilian states have developed programs to inventory banned pesticides and plan their destination. Finished in 2013, Paraná State incinerated about 1,200 tons that had been stored in more than 2,000 rural properties. Sao Paulo finished its inventory in 2012 resulting in 420 tons stored in about 330 rural properties. The São Paulo working group has planned the next steps and, in April 2016, the project was waiting for resource in order to implement the final stages of packaging, transport and disposal. The purpose of this research is to present as Parana and Sao Paulo managed the remaining stocks of banned pesticides evaluating how the working groups were formed, the support normative used, how the inventory has been planned and carried out and how the projects have financed, communicated and executed the steps of collection, packaging, transportation and disposal. Thus, it is expected to contribute to increase the practical knowledge on the topic and to construct a public policy for pesticide management banned in other Brazilian states.

Urban runoff is generated by precipitation of rain and snowmelt on impervious surfaces.  The increasing demand of urbanization causes contaminants to accumulate on roads,  roofs and pathways. In turn, as runoff wash off these surfaces, contaminants such as heavy metals, particles and organic pollutants end up in the stormwater. Urban stormwater ponds improve water quality of runoff by facilitating contaminants in form of particles. To preserve the function of a stormwater pond accumulated sediment must periodically be removed.Therefore, upland disposal alternatives should be evaluated. This study examined stormwater sediment and outlet stormwater quality in seven and four ponds respectively in the vicinity of Halmstad. 7 heavy metals and 24 organic contaminants were analysed in both sediments and stormwater. Results showed metal and organic contaminant concentrations in stormwater pond discharge and sediment exceeding concentrations reported in guideline values. From the analysed heavy metals, Zn and Pb was considered the most critical contaminants. Heavier organic compounds were more frequently quantified than lighter ones, where 42 % of the analysed organic contaminants were quantified in at least one sample. Variability between inlets and outlets, between ponds and between sampling occasions was observed. The observed variability suggests that the contamination level is influenced by catchment area characteristics and activities. Significant correlation from Spearman’s rank correlation was found between the individual heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn), which suggest they originate from similar sources