This work presents a novel collection method for gunshot residues (GSR) using a sampling procedure based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution as a complexing agent on moistened swabs. Detection was via a sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HRICP-MS). The proposed collection and analytical method allowed detection of antimony (Sb), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) after .38 shot tests, at detection limits of less than 1 µg L-1 in four different areas of the hands of volunteers. This paper includes a discussion concerning hand areas near the thumb and forefinger as being more suitable for GSR collection as well as a comparison between differences observed using 2% diluted EDTA, 2% nitric acid solution, and simple deionized water as collecting solutions, proving the superior efficiency of EDTA in GSR recoveries.

Recebido em 2/5/06; aceito em 29/9/06; publicado na web em 28/5/07 IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF SLUDGE DISCHARGES FROM WATER TREATMENT PLANTS. The growing concern of environmental surveillance of the quality of hydric resources guides the development of research on management of residues generated in water treatment plants (WTP). Approximately 8.000 WTPs in Brazil operate without a treatment program of the residues, disposing these effluents in the environment. This work evaluated WTP discharges into watercourses by collecting superficial waters, sediments and benthic samples at the town of Registro, São Paulo State, Brazil. Even though superficial waters and benthic samples showed no further contamination, sediment analysis pointed out that aluminum deposits detected near sludge discharges may represent a potential risk to the environment.

No abstract

Brazilian urban centers have been supplied by water from some basins, which are facing several negative interventions that are endangering their properties as water quality resources. Such effects have recently been observed at Ribeira de Iguape basin, located on the south coast of São Paulo State, due to the growth of unconformities in the environmental water quality tests control. Much of this area constitutes an environmental preservation system, with just a reasonable sanitation support. All the water treatment plants (WTPs) in this basin usually discharge large quantities of water treatment sludge to nearby rivers and streams. Few studies have reported the impact of these residues. However, some cities in the basin continue to use river waters for provisioning. On the other hand, high rainfall and wide flow variation of streams due to the tropical weather may minimize potential sludge deposition effects. This work discusses a monitoring study of a WTP on Ribeira de Iguape River, to evaluate the possibility of this continuous discharge, and search for new alternatives of disposal and treatment of water works residuals, according to environmental patterns.