Analysis of effectiveness of three forest interventionist techniques and proposal of a new and integrated model of forest restoration

We assessed the efficacy of three different forest intervention techniques, in terms of phytosociological and edaphic responses, that were implemented in 2007. In a farm where trees are planted and managed for cellulose production as well as set aside for environmental conservation, four stands were analysed: three of them were considered degraded and were managed using different intervention techniques (transposition, perch, and abandonment), and a fourth stand comprising pristine vegetation was considered a control (reference). Floristic and phytosociology data were collected in three 10 × 10 m plots established in each stand. Also, a total of 48 soil samples were collected to analyse physical and chemical attributes of the topsoil for the different stands. In terms of biodiversity, all the treatments showed significantly lower values when compared to the reference area. However, the soils in all the treatment and reference stands are similar in terms of physical and chemical attributes. Taking into account the specificities of each restoration technique, we verified that the integrated use of a set of management practices, constituted by the (1) abandonment of the area and (2) following a selective killing of the eucalyptus, is the most suitable and promising model to provide fast and effective restoration in terms of environmental indicators

Geoenvironmental site investigation in waste disposal sites using the piezocone technology.

O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a aplicabilidade da tecnologia do piezocone na investigação geoambiental de solos tropicais a partir da realização de ensaios nas áreas onde se encontram o aterro de resíduos sólidos urbanos de Bauru e o antigo lixão de Ribeirão Preto, ambos no Estado de São Paulo. Dentro deste contexto, outros ensaios de campo e de laboratório foram analisados para um melhor entendimento do caminhamento da pluma de contaminação e dos próprios resultados dos ensaios com piezocone realizados nestas áreas de disposição de resíduos. A tecnologia do piezocone apresentou limitações quando empregada na área do antigo lixão de Ribeirão Preto, uma vez que o impenetrável do cone foi atingido antes do nível dágua, impossibilitando assim a identificação da posição deste, a estimativa da permeabilidade do solo e a coleta de amostras de água. Os ensaios de eletrorresistividade de superfície permitiram a detecção do formato e do sentido do caminhamento da pluma de contaminação e foram fundamentais para a orientação dos locais onde foram realizados os ensaios de piezocone e amostragem de solo e água nas duas áreas estudadas. Os resultados dos ensaios com o piezocone de resistividade (RCPTU) realizados no aterro de resíduos sólidos urbanos de Bauru mostraram que os valores de resistividade são fortemente afetados pelo grau de saturação, gênese, textura e tipo de argilo-mineral presente na fração fina do solo. Constatou-se que o ensaio RCPTU possibilitou identificar zonas com presença de poluentes, as quais foram confirmadas a partir da análise conjunta dos resultados dos ensaios de geofísica de superfície e das amostras de solo e água coletadas com os amostradores do sistema direct-push e dos poços de monitoramento. Este trabalho apresenta ainda resultados preliminares de ensaios de laboratório, que foram úteis para avaliar a capacidade de retenção do solo que ocorre no entorno do aterro de resíduos sólidos urbanos de Bauru para os metais Ni, Zn, Cd e Pb. Os resultados dos ensaios de adsorção em lote e de coluna indicam que a poluição no entorno deste aterro pode estar ocorrendo de forma lenta, destacando-se a importância da continuidade do monitoramento do aqüífero local.The major purpose of this dissertation is to study the applicability of the piezocone technology for geoenvironmental site investigation of tropical soils. Two waste disposal sites were investigated: a deactivated dumpsite in Ribeirão Preto and a sanitary landfill in Bauru, in São Paulo State, Brazil. Other in situ and laboratory tests were carried out in these two areas for a better understanding of the leacheate plume and of the results gathered with piezocone tests. The piezocone technology presented limitations to investigate Ribeirão Preto site, since groundwater level is deeper than the impenetrable to the cone. For reason, it was impossible to estimate permeability and no water samples using the direct-push technology were obtained. Geophysical tests carried out at the two studied sites allowed to detect and delineate the shape of leachate plume. They were fundamental to guide and locate the piezocone tests, soil and water sampling and monitoring wells. The resistivity piezocone tests (RCPTU) carried out in Bauru site showed that the resistivity values are very affected by degree of saturation, genesis, fabric and clay mineral type. Geophysical tests results, soil and water samples collected by direct-push technology and by monitoring wells supported the interpretation of RCPTU tests. These tests were able to identify polluted zones. Preliminary laboratory tests were carried out to access retention of Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb by the soil from Bauru site. The results of leaching and batch equilibrium tests indicated that pollution around this site is taking place slowly, emphasizing the importance to continue monitoring groundwater

Integration of different site investigation techniques to assess pollution and contamination in a municipal solid waste disposal site

Nos últimos anos, a preocupação com a poluição e a contaminação do subsolo provocadas pela disposição de resíduos sólidos urbanos ou industriais tem crescido no Brasil, principalmente no que diz respeito aos lixões e aterros controlados em operação ou desativados na maioria das cidades brasileiras de pequeno e médio porte. A tese apresenta os resultados de diversas campanhas de investigação realizadas no aterro de resíduos sólidos urbanos de Bauru, situado no centro do Estado de São Paulo e sobre o aqüífero Bauru, que aflora em cerca da metade de todo o território paulista. O objetivo foi avaliar a poluição e a contaminação do entorno e do subsolo do aterro, através da utilização de diferentes técnicas de investigação. Entre as técnicas utilizadas, incluem-se: geofísica de superfície, poços de monitoramento, piezocone (CPTU), piezocone de resistividade (RCPTU) e amostragem de solo e água. Ensaios de laboratório de caracterização, resistividade elétrica e com percolação de chorume em amostras indeformadas de solo foram realizados para confirmar e entender melhor o caminhamento e a interação das plumas de contaminação com o meio. Uma revisão de todas as informações prévias sobre as características físicas, hidrogeológicas e de operação do aterro, desde sua implantação, em 1992, foi fundamental para a escolha dos locais para realização dos novos ensaios de campo e re-interpretação dos mesmos. As principais contribuições são: a) Aplicação de novas técnicas de investigação em solos tropicais contaminados; b) Desenvolvimento de um sistema em laboratório para estimativa de parâmetros de transporte de poluentes e para medida de resistividade elétrica em solos tropicais; c) Avaliação da resistividade elétrica como uma ferramenta promissora para investigação geoambiental; d) Avaliação da contaminação e da poluição no aterro a partir de diferentes técnicas de investigação; e) Orientação e sugestões para realização de futuras investigações, sejam na área de estudo ou em outros solos tropicais. Os ensaios geofísicos facilitaram a visualização da dimensão espacial e a detecção dos sentidos das plumas de contaminação existentes na área. Os ensaios de piezocone confirmaram essa contaminação em alguns pontos, utilizando-se amostradores especiais de solo e água. As campanhas de coleta de água dos poços de monitoramento permitiram avaliar a evolução da pluma de contaminação com o tempo. As medidas de resistividade em laboratório possibilitaram definir valores de referência para os solos do aterro, confirmando a grande influência exercida pela mineralogia, intemperismo e grau de evolução dos solos tropicais nos valores de resistividade. Os elevados valores de permeabilidade e dispersividade explicam o aparecimento de mais de uma pluma de contaminação na área: uma principal e permanente a oeste; uma ao sul do aterro, na região de disposição dos resíduos hospitalares; uma a leste do sentido do fluxo subterrâneo, que sofria influencia dos elevados níveis piezométricos de chorume dentro da massa de lixo; e pontos de contaminação centrais, que ocorrem abaixo e a grandes profundidades da base do aterro. Os resultados confirmaram a importância de se integrar diferentes técnicas de investigação geoambiental, diretas e indiretas, para melhor avaliar casos de contaminação e poluição em solos tropicais, de gênese e comportamento complexos, e presentes em grande parte do território brasileiro. Propostas para melhoramento e realização de futuros ensaios na área, assim como de ordem prática para recuperação, monitoramento e operação do aterro são apresentadas, a fim de melhorar a qualidade das condições in situ locais.For the last years, the concern about pollution and contamination of the soil and groundwater caused by the industrial and municipal solid waste disposal sites has increased in Brazil. Due to the non-application of the environmental guidelines for landfill construction and operation, dumps and controlled dumps in operation or deactivated, located in small and medium-size brazilian cities, have called the attention about this problem. This Thesis presents the results of several tests carried out at the Bauru\'s municipal solid waste disposal site, located in the center of São Paulo State and above the Bauru\'s aquifer, which appears at approximately half São Paulo State superficial area. The main objective was to assess the pollution and contamination caused by this landfill, using different techniques for geoenvironmental site investigation. These techniques included: superficial geophysics, monitoring wells, piezocone (CPTU), resistivity piezocone (RCPTU) and soil and water sampling. Laboratory tests including characterization, electrical resistivity measurements and pollutant transport in undisturbed soil samples were conducted to verify and to better understand the contamination plumes pathways and their interaction with the environmental site. A review of all existing data about the site, hydrogeological characteristics and operation of the landfill, since it was idealized in 1992, were also important for a better selection of new in situ tests and (re) interpretation of them. The main contributions are: a) Application of new site investigation techniques in contaminated tropical soils; b) Development of a system in laboratory for pollutants transport parameters estimation and electrical resistivity measurements in tropical soils; c) Evaluation of the electrical resistivity measures as a promising tool for geoenvironmental researches; d) Pollution and contamination assessment of the site based on the different techniques; e) Directions and suggestions for future site investigations at the study site or in other tropical areas. The geophysical tests facilitated the visualization of the spatial distribution and directions of the local contamination plumes. The piezocone tests confirmed this contamination in some local spots, supported by special soil and water samplers. Numerous groundwater samples collected from the permanent monitoring wells allowed the assessment of the contamination plumes evolution as time passed by. The resistivity measurements in laboratory detected background resistivity values for the local soils, confirming the great influence of the mineralogy, weathering and degree of evolution of the tropical soils. The high permeability and dispersivity values explain the occurrence of more than one contamination plume at the site: a principal and permanent plume located to the west side; on the south of the landfill, where medical wastes were disposed; to the east side of the groundwater flow, caused by the high piezometric leachate levels inside the landfill; and some central spots of contamination occurring below and deep inside the landfill. The results confirmed the importance of the integration of different techniques for geoenvironmental site investigation, using direct and indirect methods to better understand the contamination and pollution in tropical soils, which have complex genesis and behavior, and take place in a great part of the brazilian territory. Practical proposals to improve and carry out new tests at the site, as well as for recovering plans, monitoring and operation of the landfill are presented in order to improve the local in situ conditions

Geo-environmental investigation: A brief review and a few suggestions for brazilian contaminated sites

This paper presents a brief review about site investigation procedures for contaminated sites recommended by Brazilian and Canadian environmental agencies as well as discusses the theme of geo-environmental investigation as applied to Brazilian practice. The main definitions on the theme are reviewed and some guidelines are proposed for conducting a geo-environmental investigation of Brazilian contaminated sites using different site and laboratory investigation techniques based on the presented review and on the experience obtained from the investigation of a solid waste disposal site in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Interpretation of Resistivity Piezocone Tests in a Contaminated Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Site

A resistivity piezocone (RCPTU-resistivity cone penetration test with pore pressure measurement) and groundwater and soil samplers were used to detect contamination from a landfill for urban solid waste located in the state of Silo Paulo in southeastern Brazil Background resistivity values were obtained in the laboratory using undisturbed soil samples. The strong influence of clay minerals common in tropical soils made it difficult to interpret the tests and to differentiate potentially contaminated zones from changes in soil type. A local correlation between fines content and the soil behavior index (I(c)) of the various collected soils allowed the RCPTU tests to be interpreted to identify the contaminated regions of the aquifer These results showed excellent repeatability and allowed for a detailed stratigraphic analysis of the highly heterogeneous profiles Electrical resistivity measurements have proven to be an interesting resource to help detect contaminated soils, thus improving the quality and efficiency of geoenvironmental site investigations using integrated direct and indirect techniques The interpretation of resistivity piezocone tests for the study site is not straightforward as it is in sedimentary sands since soil genesis affects soil behavior and soil and water sampling is required to support interpretationFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Recovery potencial of recyclables at a large residential condominium in São Caetano do Sul

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT This paper aims at evaluating the potential recovery of recyclable materials at a large vertical residential condominium located in the municipality of São Caetano do Sul, state of São Paulo, Brazil. A survey on the waste management and the building facilities was conducted. Interviews with the governing board of the condominium and with the institute responsible for segregating recyclables were carried out, together with questionnaires applied to residents. The main challenge during this survey was the frequency and quality of internal communication for information and awareness, including both residents and respective domestic staff. As positive aspects, the convenience for disposal of recyclables by the residents; favorable conditions for the recyclables market, and presence of suitable location for storing segregated recyclables at the condominium were identified. It was found that the recovered materials were 13.7% of all recyclables present in domestic waste. This study showed that the selective collection of solid waste in residential condominiums is vulnerable owing to the lack of effective promoting and mobilization actions, as well lack of local administration decisions.</p><p></p