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The spatial distribution of As (total As, As (III) and As (V)) in estuarine sediments from the main tributaries of Todos os Santos Bay, BA, Brazil, was evaluated under high and low flow conditions. The concentrations of As were determined using a slurry sampling procedure with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). The highest concentrations were observed at estuary mouths, and exceeded conservative lower threshold value (Threshold Effects Level; TEL). Due to the oxic conditions and abundance of Mn and Fe (oxyhydr)oxides in the sediments, most inorganic arsenic in the Subaé and Paraguaçu estuaries was present as As (V). Nevertheless, the concentration of As (III) at several locations along the Jaguaripe River were also above the TEL value, suggesting that As may be toxic to biota. In the Subaé estuary, antropogenic activities are the main source of As. At the Jaguaripe and at Paraguaçu estuaries, nevertheless, natural sources of As need to be considered to explain the distribution patterns.

Research examining the occurrence of endocrine disruptors (ED) in the marine environment has substantially increased. These contaminants have been observed in several environmental compartments and matrices, and they may cause severe adverse effects in humans and ecosystems. In this study more than 240 papers investigating the analytical developments regarding the analysis on ED in environmental matrices and the occurrence of these compounds were critically evaluated. Modern sample preparation procedures aiming the use of minimal sample manipulation, minimal amount of solvents and energy according to the Green Chemistry principles are widely used. The ED in marine environments occurs in trace concentrations and their quantification still represents a challenge. The effects of these contaminants in marine ecosystems are poorly understood. However, due to their large use, it is predicted that new analytical developments to deal with ED contamination will promote a large increase in the number of scientific publications in the near future. Regulations and mitigation measures for the presence of these contaminants in the environment are still scarce and need to be quickly implemented to reduce potential future adverse effects on ecosystem services of coastal environments. Cotrim et al. (2016) 300 RESUMO Pesquisas que examinam a ocorrência de interferentes endócrinos (IE) no ambiente marinho têm aumentado substancialmente. Estes contaminantes podem causar efeitos adversos em seres humanos e nos ecossistemas e têm sido observados em vários compartimentos e matrizes ambientais. Neste estudo, mais de 240 trabalhos que relataram o desenvolvimento analítico de IE em diversas matrizes e a ocorrência destes compostos no ambiente marinho foram criticamente avaliados. Procedimentos de preparo de amostra, visando a mínima manipulação, a mínima quantidade de solventes e energia de acordo com os princípios de Química Verde estão sendo amplamente utilizados. Os IE em ambientes marinhos ocorrem em concentrações traço e sua quantificação ainda representa um grande desafio. Como resultado, os efeitos desses contaminantes em ecossistemas marinhos ainda são mal compreendidos. No entanto, devido ao amplo uso destes compostos é previsto que novos desenvolvimentos analíticos para a determinação de IE irão promover um grande aumento no número de publicações científicas no futuro. Regulações e medidas mitigadoras para a ocorrência destes contaminantes ainda são bastante reduzida e precisam ser rapidamente implementadas para reduzir os futuros potenciais efeitos adversos nos serviços ecossistêmicos dos ecossistemas costeiros. Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management / Revista de Gestão Costeira Integrada, 16(3):299-326 (2016)

Uma análise de variância de três fatores foi usada para testar a significância do tipo de recipiente, tipo de material e número de replicatas na preparação de amostras de sedimento utilizando um banho ultra-sônico. A extração convencional com HCl 1,0 mol L -1 , por 0,5, 4 e 12 h, foi modificada, e o banho ultra-sônico foi aplicado para diminuir o tempo de preparo de amostras. Os metais traço foram medidos por ICP OES. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com frascos de Teflon ® com base plana. Com exceção do Ni, constatou-se que é possível trabalhar no banho de ultrasom em triplicatas, sem comprometer a eficiência e/ou precisão da extração. A eficiência de extração melhorou com o aumento no tempo de sonicação de 1 para 50 min. Para a maioria dos elementos, a extração assistida por radiação ultra-sônica pode reduzir o tempo convencional de extração de 12 h para 50 min ou menos (i.e. 6 min para Pb). A precisão obtida foi comparável aos valores obtidos com a extração convencional. O método proposto é rápido, barato e uma boa alternativa para o levantamento da biodisponibilidade e potencial de mobilidade de metais em sedimentos.A three factors analysis of variance was used to test the significance of the type of vessel, the type of material and the number of replicates in the preparation of sediment samples using an ultrasonic bath. The conventional extraction with HCl 1.0 mol L -1 , for 0.5, 4 and 12 h, has been modified, applying an ultrasonic bath, in order to speeding up the sample preparation time. Trace metals were measured by an ICP OES. The best results were obtained using a Teflon ® vessel with a flat bottom. For all metals but Ni it was demonstrated the feasibility of working in triplicates in the ultrasonic bath, without compromising the efficiency and/or the precision of the extraction. Leaching efficiency enhanced with increasing sonication time from 1 to 50 min. For most elements the ultrasound-assisted leaching could reduce the conventional extraction time from 12 h to 50 min or even less (i.e. 6 min for Pb). The precision obtained was comparable to values obtained for the conventional acid extraction. The proposed method is a fast, inexpensive and easy alternative for screening of the potential mobility and bioavailability of metals in sediments.

e19128 Background: Hospital waste management is a current sustainability challenge. The proper waste separation is principally recommended in most protocols, despite not always performed. Potentially infectious, sharp and chemical residues must be properly incinerated. Incineration increases the cost of waste management and releases hazardous gases into the atmosphere, such as dioxins. Dioxins are extremely stable compounds with an estimated half-life of 7 to 9 years in humans. As an important compound of air pollution, they have been classified as a class I human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The dioxin carcinogenicity evolves action on transcriptional activation and inhibition of apoptosis. A higher serum concentration of dioxins is found in individuals who live near incinerators or who consume food produced near them.Furthermore, studies showed a 3 to 4 times higher risk of developing cancer in inhabitants of the neighborhood of waste incinerators and an association of serum concentration of dioxins and mortality from different types of cancer. Some neoplasms related to this exposure are lung cancer, soft tissue sarcomas and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Methods: We present the impact of adequate division of medical waste from an institution in the Federal District - Brazil with data collected for 8 years. The residues were separated into two groups, the first being formed of residues that should be incinerated (potentially infectious, sharps and chemicals); and the second for regular garbage, which could be recyclable or non-recyclable. Results: By training the team and establishing appropriate protocols for proper segregation of materials, we achieved a saving of 66% from what would have been incinerated waste, equivalent to 76 tons, of which 71.9 tons correspond to recyclable waste. Also, the incineration cost was five times higher than the adequate disposal of regular waste. If the waste separation protocol had not been implemented, the biohazardous and chemical material would have contaminated the rest of the residues, making incineration as a final destination mandatory for all the waste, resulting in the release of more gases after incineration and a 64% higher cost. Conclusions: Despite the barriers to the classification of residues such as non-standardization and inadequate training of hospital teams, this low-cost implementation procedures significantly reduces the cost of waste management and the air release of human carcinogens.