Carbon footprint of solid waste from iron ore mining: a Brazilian case study

Ações para mitigação das mudanças climáticas que visem à redução das emissões de CO2 pelos setores mais prevalentes do mercado são indispensáveis para o desenvolvimento sustentável da sociedade. A mineração de ferro é uma protagonista da economia brasileira, contudo a atividade está associada a altas emissões de CO2 e geração Resíduos Sólidos (RS), que representam grandes desafios para o setor. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e discutir a Pegada de Carbono do manejo de RS na Mina do Andrade, um empreendimento de mineração de ferro localizado na região nordeste do Quadrilátero Ferrífero (MG/BR), como instrumento para desenvolvimento de políticas de baixo carbono.  Essa avaliação foi feita por meio do Método Composto das Contas Correntes (MC3), o qual possibilita a estimativa da Pegada de Carbono Corporativa (PCC) de organizações a partir de documentos fornecidos pela própria empresa. As emissões totais (PCC líquida) para o manejo de RS no empreendimento foram de 346,58 tCO2 em 2017, 343,15 tCO2 em 2018 e 343,44 tCO2 em 2019. A PCC total dos Resíduos Sólidos Industriais (RSI) foi nula em todo o período, visto que as áreas de florestas contidas nos limites do empreendimento supriram demanda por sequestro de carbono gerados no manejo dos resíduos. A redução na geração de RSI e a adoção de estratégias de produção mais limpa foram os principais propulsores para a redução da emissão bruta de carbono pelo empreendimento no triênio avaliado. O uso do solo para a disposição dos estéreis de mineração em pilhas gerou a maior PCC de RS do empreendimento em todo o período avaliado. Então, este estudo, pioneiro no estudo da PCC de RS da mineração de ferro, preenche parte da lacuna existente devido ao escasso número de estudos revisados por pares a respeito da Pegada de Carbono do setor.Actions to mitigate climate change aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by the most prevalent sectors of the market are essential for the sustainable development of society. Iron ore mining is a protagonist of the Brazilian economy; however, the activity is associated with high CO2 emissions and Solid Waste (SW) generation, which represent major challenges for the sector. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate and discuss the SW management Carbon Footprint at “Mina do Andrade”, an iron ore mining company located in the northeastern region of the Iron Quadrangle region (MG/BR), as an instrument for the development of low carbon policies. This assessment was carried out using the Composite Method of Current Accounts (MC3), which allows estimating the Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) of organizations based on documents provided by the company itself. The total emissions (net CCF) for SW management in the company were 346.58 tCO2 in 2017, 343.15 tCO2 in 2018 and 343.44 tCO2 in 2019. The total Industrial Solid Waste (ISW) CCF was zero throughout the period, as the forest areas contained within the boundaries of the company supplied the demand for carbon sequestration generated in the waste management. The reduction in ISW generation and the adoption of cleaner production strategies were the main drivers for the reduction of gross carbon emissions by the company in the three-year period under evaluation. The use of land for the disposal of waste rock in piles generated the highest SW CCF of the company in the entire evaluation period. So, this study is pioneer in the evaluation of the SW CCF of iron ore mining, and fills part of the existing gap due to the scarce number of peer-reviewed studies regarding the sector's Carbon Footprint

Catastrophe Vulnerability and Risk Mapping in the Iron Quadrangle, Brazil – Preliminary Results in the Rio das Velhas Watershed

The geochemistry of fluvial deposits is one of the most used proxies for contamination assessment in mined areas. A river sediment survey was carried out in Iron Quadrangle (IQ), Brazil, between 2013 and 2015. Subsequently, in the last four years, two dam failures happened, causing great environmental damage. Geostatistical modelling was used to model Potentially Toxic Elements’ spatial patterns and the definition of hot/ cold clusters for Arsenic contamination risk concerning catastrophic scenarios, such as dam failure. and so used as a tool for vulnerability and risk assessment. The preliminary results for Arsenic spatial distribution are introduced and discussed

Composição mineralógica e geoquímica dos solos do parque estadual do Itacolomi - Ouro Preto/MG

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mineralogy and geochemistry contents of soils from the Itacolomi State Park, in Ouro Preto (MG), and their relationship to the geological scenario. The samples were collected at six depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50 e 50-60 cm) in representative areas from the different lithologies. The chemical elements were determined by ICP-OES and the soil mineralogy determination was performed by X-rays diffraction. The results of the analisys show the geology influence under the soil features. The chemical elements from the soils were compared with standard values defined by the rule CETESB (2005) proving the geological influences on the soil quality. Outliers for several elements were detected in soils. These outliers can be related the lithology indicating natural concentrations because the explored area is a preservation unit without anthropogenic interference.O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a mineralogia e geoquímica dos solos do Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Ouro Preto (MG), e relacioná-las aos cenários geológicos da região. Foram selecionados seis locais, de onde se coletaram amostras em seis profundidades (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50 e 50-60 cm), representando áreas das diferentes unidades litológicas da região. Os elementos químicos foram determinados por meio do ICP-OES, e a determinação mineralógica dos solos foi realizada por difração de raios-X. Os resultados das análises demonstraram que a geologia exerce grande influência nas características do solo. Os elementos químicos obtidos nos solos analisados foram comparados com valores-padrões definidos pela norma CETESB (2005), possibilitando a comprovação da influência geológica na qualidade dos solos, onde foram detectadas concentrações anômalas de diversos elementos. Pelo fato de a área de estudo ser uma Unidade de Conservação, com menor possibilidade de interferência antrópica, tais anomalias representam concentrações naturais, ou seja, são reflexo da litologia

A gis-based tool for estimating soil loss in agricultural river basins.

Soil erosion is a major problem observed in terrestrial ecosystems. Monitoring and identifying potential areas for erosion becomes extremely important for the better management of these areas. The main aim of this study was to develop a Geographic Information System script tool based on the universal soil loss equation (USLE), which calculates soil loss in three large agricultural sub-basins. Algorithms were implemented in the graphical interface of ModelBuilder and later in Python programming language, thus allowing the creation of a specific script to calculate soil loss in an automatic way. The "USLE Paracatu Watershed" script was validated and proved to be effective in estimating erosion in the three sub-basins with an average processing time of half second per km2. This can be added via "ArcToolbox" toolbox in ArcGIS software, so that the user only has to add the variables of the USLE equation and the software will process the algorithms in an automatic way, generating the final map with the soil loss value (t/ha.year). The friendly interface of the script allows it to be used in any area, only requiring the user to enter the updated data of parameters that compose the equation

Prevalencia y determinantes del amamantamiento materno exclusivo en el municiPio de serrana, são Paulo, brasil

The objective of this cross-sectional and quantitative study was to identify the prevalence and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among infants less than six months of age in the city of Serrana, Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2009. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the guardians of the children less than six months of age who attended the second phase of a Brazilian vaccination campaign against polio. Univariate and multivariate analysis presented in odds ratios and confidence intervals was accomplished. Of the total of 275 infant participants, only 29.8% were exclusively breastfed. Univariate analysis revealed that mothers who work outside the home without maternity leave, mothers who did not work outside the home, adolescent mothers, and the use of pacifiers have a greater chance of interrupting exclusive breastfeeding. In the multivariate analysis, mothers who work outside the home without maternity leave are three times more likely to wean their children early. Results provide suggestions for the redirection and planning of interventions targeting breastfeeding.Estudo transversal e quantitativo, com objetivos de identificar a prevalência e os \ud determinantes do aleitamento materno exclusivo em crianças menores de 6 meses, \ud no município de Serrana – SP, no ano de 2009. Aplicou-se um questionário semiestruturado validado junto aos responsáveis pelas crianças menores de 6 meses que \ud compareceram à segunda etapa da Campanha Nacional de Vacinação contra a poliomielite. Foram realizadas análises uni e multivariadas apresentadas em Odds Ratio \ud e intervalos de confiança. Do total das 275 crianças participantes, apenas 29,8% estavam em aleitamento materno exclusivo. Nas análises univariadas, verificou-se que \ud mães que trabalham fora sem licença-maternidade, mães que não trabalham fora, \ud adolescentes e o uso de chupeta apresentaram maior chance de interrupção do \ud aleitamento materno exclusivo. Na análise multivariada, as mães que trabalham fora \ud sem licença-maternidade têm 3 vezes mais chance de desmamarem precocemente \ud seus filhos. Os resultados forneceram subsídios para o redirecionamento e planejamento de ações em aleitamento materno.Estudio transversal, cuantitativo, objetivando identificar la prevalencia y determinantes del amamantamiento materno exclusivo en lactantes menores de 6 meses, \ud en el municipio de Serrana-SP, en 2009. Se aplicó cuestionario semiestructurado validado, junto a los responsables por los niños menores de 6 meses que comparecieron a la segunda etapa de la Campaña Nacional de Vacunación contra la Poliomielitis. Fueron realizados análisis uni y multivariados presentados en Odds Ratio e intervalos de \ud confianza. De los 275 niños participantes, apenas 29,8% estaban en amamantamiento exclusivo. En los análisis univariados se verificó que madres que trabajan fuera sin \ud licencia maternal, madres que no trabajan fuera, adolescentes y el uso del chupete \ud presentan mayor chance de interrupción del amamantamiento exclusivo. En el aná-\ud lisis multivariado, las madres que trabajan fuera sin licencia maternal tienen tres veces más posibilidades de destetar precozmente a sus hijos. Los resultados brindaron \ud ayuda para redireccionar y planear acciones de amamantamiento materno

Does Radioiodine Therapy in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Increase the Frequency of Another Malignant Neoplasm?

Objectives. To compare the frequency of another primary malignancy in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) who received radioiodine therapy or not (131I). Material and Methods. 168 cases of DTC patients were retrospectively evaluated as to the frequency of another neoplasia by comparing patients with and without it, taking into account clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic parameters. Results. Another primary malignancy occurred in 8.9% of patients. Of these, 53.3% showed the malignancy before 131I and 46.7% after it. By comparing both groups, the age at the moment of diagnosis of another neoplasia was 46.1 ± 20.2 years for the group before 131I therapy and of 69.4 ± 11.4 years for the group after it (P = 0.02). Of the 148 patients treated with 131I, 4.7% developed another malignancy. The latter were older (61 ± 17 years) than those who did not show another cancer type (44.1 ± 14.2 years) (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The frequency of another neoplasia found after 131I was similar to that found before 131I

Citotoksičnost različitih zgušnjivača gelova za izbjeljivanje na fibroblaste ljudske gingive i učinak na fizikalna svojstva cakline: istraživanje in situ

Objective: This study evaluated in vitro, the effects of carbamide peroxide 10% (CP) associated with Carbopol® (CP-ct) and Aristoflex® (CP-at) thickeners on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) cytotoxicity and assessed in situ their effects on dental enamel. Material and methods: The cytotoxicity was analyzed using MTT - Vybrant® proliferation test. For in situ stage, 144 bovine enamel/dentin blocks were randomized into seven groups (n=12). Samples were stained, fixed in intraoral palatal devices and bleached for 4 h, during 14 days, with: Carbopol thickener (ct), Aristoflex thickener (at), CP-ct, CP-at, CP without thickener (CP-wot), Commercial CP (CP-com). The samples had their microhardness (SMH), roughness (Ra) and color analyzed using a microdurometer, a rugosimeter and a spectrophotometer, respectively. The analyses were performed at baseline and 24-h after completion of tooth bleaching. Results: Different thickeners were similar regarding their cytotoxicity. The experimental gels with Carbopol exhibited lower SMH values, while the groups treated with CP exhibited higher Ra values. For the color change results, the groups treated with CP had values above the acceptability and perceptibility limits. Conclusion: CP-at was able to promote an effective bleaching with less alterations of the tooth surface compared to the CP-ct. Hence, Aristoflex stands as a promising thickener in conjunction with CP in order to preserve the physical properties of dental enamel after home bleaching.Svrha rada: U ovom istraživanju in vitro analizirani su učinci 10-postotnoga karbamid-peroksida (CP) povezanoga sa zgušnjivačima Carbopol® (CP-ct) i Aristoflex® (CP-at) na citotoksičnost ljudskih gingivnih fibroblasta (HGF) te su procijenjeni in situ njihovi učinci na zubnu caklinu. Materijal i metode: Citotoksičnost je analizirana s pomoću MTT - Vybrant® testa proliferacije. Za dio istraživanja in situ nasumično su, u sedam skupina (n = 12), podijeljena 144 bloka goveđe cakline/dentina. Uzorci su obojeni, fiksirani u intraoralne palatinalne naprave i izbjeljivani 4 sata tijekom 14 dana sljedećim sredstvima: zgušnjivačem Carbopol (ct), zgušnjivačem Aristoflex (at), CP-ctom, CP-atom, CP-om bez zgušnjivača (CP-wot) i komercijalnim CP-om (CP-com). Na uzorcima je analizirana mikrotvrdoća (SMH), hrapavost (Ra) i boja mikrodurometrom, rugosimetrom i spektrofotometrom. To je učinjeno na početku i 24 sata poslije završetka izbjeljivanja. Rezultati: Različiti zgušnjivači bili su slični kad je riječ o citotoksičnosti. Eksperimentalni gelovi s karbopolom pokazali su niže vrijednosti SMH-a. Skupine tretirane CP-om postignule su više vrijednosti Ra. Što se tiče rezultata u promjeni boje, skupine tretirane CP-om imale su vrijednosti iznad granica prihvatljivosti i vidljivosti. Zaključak: CP-at je uspio potaknuti učinkovito izbjeljivanje s manje promjena na površini zuba u usporedbi s CP-ctom. Stoga je zgušnjivač Aristoflex taj koji obećava u kombinaciji s CP-om da bi se očuvala fizikalna svojstva zubne cakline nakon kućnog izbjeljivanja

GROWTH OF CERRADO NATIVE SPECIES AND OF Vetiveria zizanioides IN COLLUVIUM OF GULLIES

Taxas de germina\ue7\ue3o de sementes, sobreviv\ueancia e crescimento de plantas, par\ue2metros estes avaliados no presente estudo, s\ue3o informa\ue7\uf5es essenciais para a caracteriza\ue7\ue3o do potencial biol\uf3gico de esp\ue9cies para uso em processos de recupera\ue7\ue3o de \ue1reas degradadas. A falta de conhecimento sobre tais aspectos em esp\ue9cies nativas t\ueam justificado o uso de plantas ex\uf3ticas na revegeta\ue7\ue3o de vo\ue7orocas em todo o Brasil. Entretanto, especialmente em locais sujeitos \ue0 grande sazonalidade clim\ue1tica e sobre solos oligotr\uf3ficos, esp\ue9cies ex\uf3ticas nem sempre apresentam bom desempenho, levando o empreendimento de revegeta\ue7\ue3o ao insucesso ou elevando consideravelmente a necessidade de aplica\ue7\ue3o de tratos culturais. Com o objetivo de ampliar os conhecimentos sobre o potencial biol\uf3gico para revegeta\ue7\ue3o em vo\ue7orocas de plantas nativas do cerrado e de uma gram\uednea ex\uf3tica, que vem sendo amplamente usada em projetos de conten\ue7\ue3o de eros\ue3o, pl\ue2ntulas e touceiras das esp\ue9cies nativas Cratylia argentea (Desv.) Kuntze e Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase, e da ex\uf3tica Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash foram transferidas para o col\ufavio de uma vo\ue7oroca no munic\uedpio de Ouro Preto - MG, onde permaneceram durante a esta\ue7\ue3o seca de 2010 sem aplica\ue7\ue3o de fertilizantes ou irriga\ue7\ue3o. Em blocos ao acaso, parcelas de 1 x 1 m receberam aleatoriamente quatro tratamentos de plantio: touceiras de Echinolaena inflexa ou de Vetiveria zizanioides; e touceiras destas gram\uedneas em cons\uf3rcio com a leguminosa arbustiva Cratylia argentea. Todas as gram\uedneas e 73% das pl\ue2ntulas da leguminosa sobreviveram. Como esperado, a cobertura verde de Echinolaena Inflexa diminuiu ao longo da esta\ue7\ue3o seca, tendo, entretanto, rebrotado ap\uf3s as primeiras chuvas. Vetiveria zizanioides manteve a \ue1rea foliar ativa e apresentou crescimento significativo no per\uedodo. Cratylia argentea apresentou altas taxas de germina\ue7\ue3o de sementes e de crescimento, entretanto, nodula\ue7\ue3o ocorreu em apenas dois indiv\uedduos. Assim, n\ue3o houve influ\ueancia da leguminosa no crescimento das gram\uedneas. Os resultados indicam que tanto as esp\ue9cies nativas do cerrado como a gram\uednea ex\uf3tica possuem alto potencial para revegeta\ue7\ue3o em col\ufavio de vo\ue7oroca, tendo sobrevivido ao per\uedodo cr\uedtico de seca e sobre substrato oligotr\uf3fico sem adi\ue7\ue3o de fertilizantes ou irriga\ue7\ue3o.Rates of seed germination, plant survival and growth, as measured in the present study, are essential parameters to characterize the biological potential of species for the restoration of degraded areas. The lack of knowledge about these aspects in native species has justified the use of exotic plants in Brazilian gullies revegetation. However, especially in places subject to highly seasonal climate and on oligotrophic soils, exotic species do not always perform well, leading to revegetation failure or significantly increasing the cultivation care needs. To improve the knowledge concerning to the biological potencial of cerrado native species and of an exotic grass which has been used for erosion contention, in the present study, seedlings and clumps of native cerrado species, Cratylia argentea (Desv.) Kuntze and Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase, and of the exotic grass Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, were transferred to a gully colluvium in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, where they remained during the dry season of 2010 without application of fertilizers or irrigation. In randomized block design, plots of 1 x 1 m received four planting treatments: clumps of Echinolaena inflexa or Vetiveria zizanioides, and clumps of these grasses intercropped with the legume Cratylia argentea. All grasses and 73% of the legume seedlings survived. As expected, the green cover of Echinolaena inflexa decreased throughout the dry season, however, showing regrowth after the first rains. Leaf area of Vetiveria zizanioides remained active and grew significantly in the period. Cratylia argentea showed high rates of germination and growth; however, nodulation occurred in only two individuals. Thus, there was no influence of the legume on grasses growth. Results indicate that both native species and the exotic grass tested are potential successful plants for gullies replanting. Plants survived and grew on low nutrient substrate and during the critical period of drought without any fertilizer or irrigation application

Avaliando os impactos das atividades de minera??o sobre a diversidade funcional do zoopl?ncton.

Mining activities generate countless environmental impacts, including heavy-metal contamination, sorting and increased turbidity. In aquatic ecosystems these impacts can drastically affect the initial links of the food chain, such as zooplankton. Methods: To evaluate how the different mining activities can influence the structure and functional diversity of zooplankton, we investigated the geochemical characteristics of the water and sediment in two small impoundments impacted by different mining activities (kaolin and iron extraction). We also explored zooplankton composition, species diversity and functional diversity (feeding guilds taxa). Results: As expected, the water and the sediment of both of the reservoirs showed high concentrations of trace elements, particularly Al, Ba, Fe, Mg, Mn, Sr and Zn. Zooplankton biomass and diversity were markedly reduced (< 12 ?g.DW.L-1 and H? < 1.5, respectively), and negatively correlated with turbidity and total suspended solids. Small microphages dominated the trophic composition of zooplankton, and an alternation of trophic guilds was not observed, since the dynamics of raptorial organisms was essentially linked to the temporal fluctuation of a single species of rotifer (Polyarthra cf. dolichoptera). Conclusions: In addition to changes in the aquatic habitat and zooplankton composition, the functional niches were also affected by the mining impacts. The use of the functional diversity analysis can emerge as a valuable approach to understand how zooplankton communities respond to drastic environmental changes