Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of White (Fiano cv) and Red (Negroamaro cv) Grape Pomace Skin Based Films

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Grape pomace, as by-product of wine making, is a source of polyphenols, fibers, fatty acids, metals, and organic acids, which could be used as raw...     

Applications of Cr-rich composted tannery sludge in the soil decrease microbial biomass and select specific bacterial groups

The tannery industries generate a solid waste known as tannery sludge, which is composed of organic and inorganic compounds, mainly chromium (Cr). When Cr is not removed from the tannery sludge, this solid waste is metal-rich and its application could affect the soil microorganisms. Alternatively, the composting of the tannery sludge can contribute to decreasing the concentration of Cr in the composted tannery sludge (CTS). However, in some cases, the concentration of Cr remains high in the CTS. During the last 10 years, the Cr-rich CTS has been successively applied in the soil, and its effect on soil microbial properties was verified. Here, we discuss the effect of successive applications of Cr-rich CTS on soil microbes. Interestingly, the findings have shown that successive applications of Cr-rich CTS selected specific soil microbial groups with potential functions. In addition, the studies added a new focus to further research evaluating the potential effect of successive applications of Cr-rich CTS on the rare microbial community.

     

Organochlorine residues (PCBs and DDTs) in two Torpedinid species liver from the Southeastern Mediterranean Sea

Purpose  

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and PCB congeners accumulation profile were measured in the liver of two torpedinid species (Torpedo nobiliana and Torpedo marmorata) from the Mediterranean Sea (Adriatic Sea) in order to investigate the relative toxicological impact of these highly toxic PCBs in the organisms in question.     

Effect of eight common Brazilian drugs on Lemna minor and Salvinia auriculata growth

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The growth of two species of macrophytes (Lemna minor and Salvinia auriculata) under the effect of a mixture of amoxicillin, caffeine, carbamazepine,...     

Basic oxygen furnace sludge to treat industrial arsenic- and sulfate-rich acid mine drainage

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, four systems (S1, S2, S3, and S4) were evaluated to determine whether basic oxygen furnace sludge (BOFS), mainly composed of Fe (84%,...     

Management of invasive populations of the freshwater crayfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Procambarus clarkii</Emphasis> (Decapoda,Cambaridae): test of a population-control method and proposal of a standard monitoring approach

Invasive species are one of the main threats to biodiversity. When an alien species is introduced into a new environment, fast identification and definition of management strategies may avoid or minimize impacts. When an invasive species is already established, the most adopted approaches are population control and monitoring. In order to perform such strategies, assessment of characteristics of the invasive population is imperative. This study tested a new method of population size estimation and monitoring in an invasive population of crayfish Procambarus clarkii in a conservation area in the Atlantic Rain Forest (Southeastern Brazil). The population dynamics was studied for 1 year to examine the efficacy of the selected method and to evaluate if the population is stable. Later, the effect of periodical removal of animals on the population size was tested. The method of population estimation used in this study proved to be very effective. We recommend using it to monitor invasive populations of P. clarkii. The population size varied discretely over the year with variable but low growth rate, indicating that the population is already established which introduce a notable threat to native species. The continuous removal of specimens proved to be inefficient since the growth rate was higher after the removal. One intensive removal event might be more effective than a continuous moderate removal as the one applied in this study.