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The high volumes of animal manure and sewage sludge, as a consequence of the development of intensive and specialized cattle dairy farms in peri-urban areas, pose challenges to local environmental quality and demands for systems innovation. Besides these negative impacts, energy recovery from biogas produced in anaerobic co-digestion processes should contribute to local sustainable development. This research considers technical data obtained from the optimization of biomethanization processes using sewage sludge and cattle manure liquid fraction, aiming to develop a spatially explicit model including multicriteria evaluation and an analytical hierarchy process to locate biogas production facilities, allocate energy resources and consider biogas unit pre-dimensioning analysis. According to the biophysical conditions and socioeconomic dynamics of the study area (Vila do Conde, Northwest Portugal), a spatially explicit model using multicriteria and multiobjective techniques allowed the definition of suitable locations, as well as the allocation of resources and support pre-dimensioning of biogas facilities. A p-median model allowed us to allocate resources and pre-dimensioning biogas facilities according to distance and accessibility elements. The results indicate: (i) the location of areas with adequate environmental conditions and socioeconomic suitability advantages to install biogas production facilities, and (ii) the ability to compare the options of centralized or distributed location alternatives and associated pre-dimensioning.
Renata Coura; Joaquim Alonso; Ana Rodrigues; Ana Ferraz; Nuno Mouta; Renato Silva; António Brito. Spatially Explicit Model for Anaerobic Co-Digestion Facilities Location and Pre-Dimensioning Considering Spatial Distribution of Resource Supply and Biogas Yield in Northwest Portugal. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 1841 .
AMA StyleRenata Coura, Joaquim Alonso, Ana Rodrigues, Ana Ferraz, Nuno Mouta, Renato Silva, António Brito. Spatially Explicit Model for Anaerobic Co-Digestion Facilities Location and Pre-Dimensioning Considering Spatial Distribution of Resource Supply and Biogas Yield in Northwest Portugal. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (4):1841.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRenata Coura; Joaquim Alonso; Ana Rodrigues; Ana Ferraz; Nuno Mouta; Renato Silva; António Brito. 2021. "Spatially Explicit Model for Anaerobic Co-Digestion Facilities Location and Pre-Dimensioning Considering Spatial Distribution of Resource Supply and Biogas Yield in Northwest Portugal." Applied Sciences 11, no. 4: 1841.
The present study aimed to optimize the struvite chemical precipitation process in nitrogen-rich anaerobic co-digestion systems. Struvite precipitation experiments were carried out using a mixture of cattle slurry liquid fraction and sewage sludge, with and without ultrasound pretreatment. Marine salt or MgCl2 were used as magnesium source in NH4 +:Mg2+ stoichiometric proportions of 1:1.5 and 1:3. Under the tested conditions, ammonium nitrogen and orthophosphate were removed from the mixed liquor with a maximum observed efficiency of 43% and 92%, respectively, when the ultrasound treatment was applied prior to struvite precipitation, using MgCl2 as source of magnesium (NH4 +:Mg2+ of 1:3). The operating time was 40 min. Different pretreatments were tested prior to the biomethanization experiments, struvite precipitation, ultrasound, or a combination of both pretreatments. The application of ultrasound (with an energy input of 218 kJ L−1) and struvite precipitation (NH4 +:Mg2+ of 1:3) increased the methane content in the biogas by 82% and reduced hydraulic retention time by 28%, when compared to the anaerobic co-digestion assays without pretreatment. The hydrolytic pretreatment increased the bioavailability of nitrogen by 5%, thus enhancing the removal efficiency of ammonium nitrogen by 20%. Consequently, an increase in the carbon to nitrogen ratio was observed, favoring the methanogenesis process.
Renata Coura; Ana Rodrigues; Joaquim Alonso; Ana Ferraz; Luis Brito; João Abrantes; António Guerreiro Brito. Combined Pretreatment by Ultrasound and Struvite Precipitation of Raw Substrates: A Strategy to Overcome C/N Ratio Unbalance in Nitrogen-Rich Anaerobic Co-Digestion Systems. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2175 .
AMA StyleRenata Coura, Ana Rodrigues, Joaquim Alonso, Ana Ferraz, Luis Brito, João Abrantes, António Guerreiro Brito. Combined Pretreatment by Ultrasound and Struvite Precipitation of Raw Substrates: A Strategy to Overcome C/N Ratio Unbalance in Nitrogen-Rich Anaerobic Co-Digestion Systems. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (4):2175.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRenata Coura; Ana Rodrigues; Joaquim Alonso; Ana Ferraz; Luis Brito; João Abrantes; António Guerreiro Brito. 2021. "Combined Pretreatment by Ultrasound and Struvite Precipitation of Raw Substrates: A Strategy to Overcome C/N Ratio Unbalance in Nitrogen-Rich Anaerobic Co-Digestion Systems." Sustainability 13, no. 4: 2175.
Ana R. Calapez; Carmen L. Elias; Artur Alves; Salomé F.P. Almeida; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria João Feio. ‘Corrigendum to “Shifts in biofilms’ composition induced by flow stagnation, sewage contamination and grazing” [Ecol. Indicators 111 (2020) 106006]’. Ecological Indicators 2020, 112, 106129 .
AMA StyleAna R. Calapez, Carmen L. Elias, Artur Alves, Salomé F.P. Almeida, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Maria João Feio. ‘Corrigendum to “Shifts in biofilms’ composition induced by flow stagnation, sewage contamination and grazing” [Ecol. Indicators 111 (2020) 106006]’. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 112 ():106129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna R. Calapez; Carmen L. Elias; Artur Alves; Salomé F.P. Almeida; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria João Feio. 2020. "‘Corrigendum to “Shifts in biofilms’ composition induced by flow stagnation, sewage contamination and grazing” [Ecol. Indicators 111 (2020) 106006]’." Ecological Indicators 112, no. : 106129.
The parafluvial zone is frequently exposed to drying-rewetting cycles with critical consequences for the biogeochemistry of soil and sediment in river-floodplain landscapes. Upon restoration of the hydrological connectivity, substantial changes in biogeochemical processes are expected. The effects of water fluctuation on the magnitude of GHG emissions were investigated in the parafluvial zone of a restored river floodplain in Austria. Sediment composition, DOM quality and N2O, CO2, CH4 fluxes were quantified during distinct hydrological periods (intermittent, desiccation and post flood) and along a hydrological gradient. The hydrological gradient ranged from non-flooded plots in the floodplain soil (used as reference plots after restoration), to rarely-flooded and frequently flooded sediment plots in the parafluvial zone. Enhanced biogeochemical turnover rates were identified during the intermittent period, when N2O and CO2 emissions peaked. In particular, the frequently flooded plots showed significantly higher CO2 and CH4 emissions compared to non-flooded and rarely-flooded plots. This indicates a strong effect of water level fluctuation on GHG emissions, with higher emissions occurring during transitional stages of drying and rewetting. Strong positive relationships were found between individual GHG fluxes, suggesting a tight link between C and N cycles. Both the C and N cycles are dependent on similar substrate characteristics that are governed by the quality of the DOM pool. Interestingly, drier sediments in the rarely-flooded plots were also active areas for emissions. This highlights the importance to include dry phases and sites in the overall C and N emission estimates of riverine landscapes. From the restoration point of view, N2O emissions in the parafluvial zone did not differ significantly from the emissions in the reference plots, whereas CO2 and CH4 fluxes did. When making management decisions to restore connectivity, one needs to carefully consider the interplay between nutrient removal from water versus GHG emissions, to reach maximum environmental benefits.
Renata Machado Dos Santos Pinto; Gabriele Weigelhofer; Eugenio Diaz-Pines; António Guerreiro Brito; Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern; Thomas Hein. River-floodplain restoration and hydrological effects on GHG emissions: Biogeochemical dynamics in the parafluvial zone. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 715, 136980 .
AMA StyleRenata Machado Dos Santos Pinto, Gabriele Weigelhofer, Eugenio Diaz-Pines, António Guerreiro Brito, Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern, Thomas Hein. River-floodplain restoration and hydrological effects on GHG emissions: Biogeochemical dynamics in the parafluvial zone. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 715 ():136980.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRenata Machado Dos Santos Pinto; Gabriele Weigelhofer; Eugenio Diaz-Pines; António Guerreiro Brito; Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern; Thomas Hein. 2020. "River-floodplain restoration and hydrological effects on GHG emissions: Biogeochemical dynamics in the parafluvial zone." Science of The Total Environment 715, no. : 136980.
Freshwaters are constantly facing ecosystem functioning alterations and loss of biodiversity driven by multiple anthropogenic and natural stressors, that by acting simultaneously create complex interactions, affecting the quantity and quality of water resources. Stream biofilms are complex communities, which are exposed to these alterations and, in addition, are naturally stressed by invertebrate grazing. Therefore, they are expected to reflect these impacts through shifts in community structure, composition and function. Here we used a mesocosm system to assess the single and interacting effect of major anthropogenic stressors acting in Mediterranean streams (i.e. flow stagnation and sewage contamination) in combination with a biological natural stressor (i.e. grazing) on the main assemblages composing biofilm (i.e. bacteria, fungi and algae) by assessing communities’ relative abundance through Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Biofilm was submitted to the three stressors, in a full-factorial design (2 flow conditions × 2 contamination conditions × 2 grazing settings) in a 5-week experiment. Molecular data showed that the combined effect of anthropogenic stressors (flow stagnation and sewage contamination) induced unequal OTUs responses on biofilm assemblages, with antagonistic effects for bacteria, synergistic for fungi and additive for algae. Sewage and grazing interaction were significant for all groups revealing a negative effect (antagonistic) on bacteria and algae diversity but positive on fungi diversity (synergistic). The same overall response pattern was also found for the triple co-occurring stressors, which increased fungi diversity while decreasing algae and bacteria. In stream ecosystems in which low flow conditions and sewage contamination prevail in the presence of natural herbivory, algae and bacterial diversity may be severely affected, while fungal diversity may be surprisingly enhanced. Consequently, shifts in the relative proportions could led to the unbalancing of ecosystem processes (e.g., photosynthesis, nutrient mineralization) defined by the microbial communities.
Ana R. Calapez; Carmen Elias; Artur Alves; Salomé F.P. Almeida; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria Feio. Shifts in biofilms’ composition induced by flow stagnation, sewage contamination and grazing. Ecological Indicators 2020, 111, 106006 .
AMA StyleAna R. Calapez, Carmen Elias, Artur Alves, Salomé F.P. Almeida, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Maria Feio. Shifts in biofilms’ composition induced by flow stagnation, sewage contamination and grazing. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 111 ():106006.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna R. Calapez; Carmen Elias; Artur Alves; Salomé F.P. Almeida; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria Feio. 2020. "Shifts in biofilms’ composition induced by flow stagnation, sewage contamination and grazing." Ecological Indicators 111, no. : 106006.
Phosphate (P) recovery from urban wastewaters is an effective strategy to address environmental protection and resource conservation, aiming at an effective circular economy. Off-grid wastewater treatment systems like urine-diverting toilets (UDT) can contribute to source separation towards nutrient recovery, namely phosphorus recovery. Effectiveness of P precipitation requires a process-based knowledge regarding pH, Mg:PO4, contact time and their interactions in P recovery and crystal morphology. Several studies failed to see the process as a whole and how factors influence both morphology and P recovery for UDT hydrolysed urine. This study addressed the above-mentioned factors and their interactions, and results showed that pH and Mg:PO4 ratio are the key factors for struvite precipitation, whereas contact time is relevant for crystal growth. The recommended set of factors proposed (pH 8.5, Mg:PO4 ratio of 1.2:1 and 30 minutes contact time) not only promotes a high precipitation yield – 99% of P with co-precipitation of at least 21% of ammonium (NH4+) – but also leads to larger crystals with lower water solubility (10% less crystals dissolved in water after 3 days). The obtained outcome facilitates the downstream process and leads to a more efficient slow-release fertiliser, as less P is wasted to receiving waters by leaching, minimising eutrophication processes.
Denis Rodrigues; Rita Fragoso; Ana Carvalho; Thomas Hein; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito. Recovery of phosphates as struvite from urine-diverting toilets: optimization of pH, Mg:PO4 ratio and contact time to improve precipitation yield and crystal morphology. Water Science and Technology 2019, 80, 1276 -1286.
AMA StyleDenis Rodrigues, Rita Fragoso, Ana Carvalho, Thomas Hein, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito. Recovery of phosphates as struvite from urine-diverting toilets: optimization of pH, Mg:PO4 ratio and contact time to improve precipitation yield and crystal morphology. Water Science and Technology. 2019; 80 (7):1276-1286.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDenis Rodrigues; Rita Fragoso; Ana Carvalho; Thomas Hein; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito. 2019. "Recovery of phosphates as struvite from urine-diverting toilets: optimization of pH, Mg:PO4 ratio and contact time to improve precipitation yield and crystal morphology." Water Science and Technology 80, no. 7: 1276-1286.
One of the most common anthropogenic impacts on river ecosystems is the effluent discharge from wastewater treatment plants. The effects of this contamination on stream biota may be intensified in Mediterranean climate regions, which comprise a drought period that leads to flow reduction, and ultimately to stagnant pools. To assess individual and combined effects of flow stagnation and sewage contamination, biofilm and gastropod grazers were used in a 5-week experiment with artificial channels to test two flow velocity treatments (stagnant flow/basal flow) and two levels of organic contamination using artificial sewage (no sewage input/sewage input). Stressors’ effects were determined on biofilm total biomass and chlorophyll (Chl) content, on oxygen consumption and growth rate of the grazers (Theodoxus fluviatilis), and on the interaction grazer-biofilm given by grazer’s feeding activity (i.e., biofilm consumption rate). The single effect of sewage induced an increase in biofilm biomass and Chl-a content, simultaneously increasing both grazers’ oxygen consumption and their feeding activity. Diatoms showed a higher sensitivity to flow stagnation, resulting in a lower content of Chl-c. Combined stressors interacted antagonistically for biofilm total biomass, Chl-b contents, and grazers’s feeding rate. The effect of sewage increasing biofilm biomass and grazing activity was reduced by the presence of flow stagnation (antagonist factor). Our findings suggest that sewage contamination has a direct effect on the functional response of primary producers and an indirect effect on primary consumers, and this effect is influenced by water flow stagnation.
Ana Raquel Calapez; Carmen Elias; Salomé F. P. Almeida; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria João Feio. Sewage contamination under water scarcity effects on stream biota: biofilm, grazers, and their interaction. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2019, 26, 26636 -26645.
AMA StyleAna Raquel Calapez, Carmen Elias, Salomé F. P. Almeida, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Maria João Feio. Sewage contamination under water scarcity effects on stream biota: biofilm, grazers, and their interaction. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2019; 26 (26):26636-26645.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Raquel Calapez; Carmen Elias; Salomé F. P. Almeida; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria João Feio. 2019. "Sewage contamination under water scarcity effects on stream biota: biofilm, grazers, and their interaction." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 26, no. 26: 26636-26645.
Agricultural activities are responsible for most of the nitrogen (N) inputs that degrade water quality. To elucidate the drivers leading to N pressures on water, we examined the resulting state of surface waters in terms of N concentrations, the impact of this on water quality status and policy responses to these constraints across different climatic and management conditions. Portugal and Denmark were chosen as contrasting case studies for the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) analysis. Our results showed reductions of 39% and 25% in the use of mineral fertilizer in Portugal and Denmark, respectively, between 2000 and 2010. The N surplus in Portugal varied between 15 and 30 kg N ha−1 between 1995 and 2015. In Denmark, in 2015, this amount was 70 kg N ha−1, representing a 53% decrease from the 1990 value. The average amount of total N discharged to surface waters was 7 kg ha−1 for mainland Portugal in 2015 and 14.6 kg ha−1 for Denmark in 2014. These reductions in the N surplus were attributed to historical policies aimed at N pressure abatement. In Denmark, N losses are expected to decline further through the continuation or improvement of existing national action plans. In Portugal, they are expected to decline further due to the expansion of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and the introduction of targeted policies aimed at improving N use efficiency and reducing losses to water.
Soraia Cruz; Claudia Cordovil; Renata Pinto; António G. Brito; Maria R. Cameira; Guilherme Gonçalves; Jane R. Poulsen; Hans Thodsen; Brian Kronvang; Linda May; Cruz; G. Brito; May. Nitrogen in Water-Portugal and Denmark: Two Contrasting Realities. Water 2019, 11, 1114 .
AMA StyleSoraia Cruz, Claudia Cordovil, Renata Pinto, António G. Brito, Maria R. Cameira, Guilherme Gonçalves, Jane R. Poulsen, Hans Thodsen, Brian Kronvang, Linda May, Cruz, G. Brito, May. Nitrogen in Water-Portugal and Denmark: Two Contrasting Realities. Water. 2019; 11 (6):1114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSoraia Cruz; Claudia Cordovil; Renata Pinto; António G. Brito; Maria R. Cameira; Guilherme Gonçalves; Jane R. Poulsen; Hans Thodsen; Brian Kronvang; Linda May; Cruz; G. Brito; May. 2019. "Nitrogen in Water-Portugal and Denmark: Two Contrasting Realities." Water 11, no. 6: 1114.
The anthraquinone dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R is largely used in the textile industry. However, its removal from wastewaters is costly and complex. Many methods have been tested to solve this ecological problem, but there is still a need for efficient methods. We propose here an alternative use of a two-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC), fuelled with domestic wastewater in the anodic chamber, to degrade a simulated textile dye effluent made of Remazol Brilliant Blue R inoculated with an immobilised fungal strain, Pleurotus ostreatus URM 4809, as a laccase producer, in the cathodic chamber. The MFC showed continuous synthesis of laccase in the cathodic chamber, which, in turn, promoted the rapid decolourisation, of more than 86% of the textile dye effluent. The yield was further increased by the addition of glycerol. Electrochemical monitoring also indicated an increase in power density and current density. After 20 days of MFC operation, 62.1% of organic matter was removed in the anodic compartment, thus leaving the effluent with a much lower toxicity.
Marta Filipa Simões; Alfredo Eduardo Maiorano; Jonas Gomes Dos Santos; Luciana Peixoto; Rodrigo De Souza; Almir Oliveira Neto; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Cristiane Angélica Ottoni. Microbial fuel cell-induced production of fungal laccase to degrade the anthraquinone dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R. Environmental Chemistry Letters 2019, 17, 1413 -1420.
AMA StyleMarta Filipa Simões, Alfredo Eduardo Maiorano, Jonas Gomes Dos Santos, Luciana Peixoto, Rodrigo De Souza, Almir Oliveira Neto, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Cristiane Angélica Ottoni. Microbial fuel cell-induced production of fungal laccase to degrade the anthraquinone dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R. Environmental Chemistry Letters. 2019; 17 (3):1413-1420.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta Filipa Simões; Alfredo Eduardo Maiorano; Jonas Gomes Dos Santos; Luciana Peixoto; Rodrigo De Souza; Almir Oliveira Neto; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Cristiane Angélica Ottoni. 2019. "Microbial fuel cell-induced production of fungal laccase to degrade the anthraquinone dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R." Environmental Chemistry Letters 17, no. 3: 1413-1420.
Our study evaluated the performance of different two-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) prototypes, operated with variable distance between electrodes and Nafion membrane and specific inoculum concentration, applied for vinasse treatment. The performance of the developed MFC resulted in a maximum current density of 1200 mA m−2 and power density of 800 mW m−2 in a period of 61 days. MFC performed a chemical oxygen demand removal at a rate ranging from 51 to 60%. Taking our preliminary results into consideration, we concluded that the MFC technology presents itself as highly promising for the treatment of vinasse.
Cristiane Angélica Ottoni; Marta Filipa Simões; Jonas G. Santos; Luciana Peixoto; Cleiton R. Martins; Bruno P. Silva; Almir O. Neto; António G. Brito; Alfredo E. Maiorano. Application of microbial fuel cell technology for vinasse treatment and bioelectricity generation. Biotechnology Letters 2018, 41, 107 -114.
AMA StyleCristiane Angélica Ottoni, Marta Filipa Simões, Jonas G. Santos, Luciana Peixoto, Cleiton R. Martins, Bruno P. Silva, Almir O. Neto, António G. Brito, Alfredo E. Maiorano. Application of microbial fuel cell technology for vinasse treatment and bioelectricity generation. Biotechnology Letters. 2018; 41 (1):107-114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristiane Angélica Ottoni; Marta Filipa Simões; Jonas G. Santos; Luciana Peixoto; Cleiton R. Martins; Bruno P. Silva; Almir O. Neto; António G. Brito; Alfredo E. Maiorano. 2018. "Application of microbial fuel cell technology for vinasse treatment and bioelectricity generation." Biotechnology Letters 41, no. 1: 107-114.
River ecosystems are most often subject to multiple co-occurring anthropogenic stressors. Mediterranean streams are particularly affected by water scarcity and organic loads that commonly lead to a simultaneous reduction in flow and increasing depletion of dissolved oxygen. In the present study, the single and combined effects of water scarcity (flow velocity reduction) and dissolved oxygen depletion were used to evaluate alterations of drifting macroinvertebrates on a channel mesocosm system, by employing a multiple trait-based approach. Our main findings confirmed that the impact of the two combined stressors can be implicated in alterations of ecosystem functions as result of the changes in proportions of biological traits. Overall, our results showed that, individually, flow velocity reduction and a severe oxygen depletion promoted a shift in community traits. In more detail, biological traits describing the dispersal of organisms and their respiration showed the strongest responses. The respiration mode responded to low flow with drift increase of gill breathers and decrease of individuals with tegument, whereas dispersal was clearly affected by the combination of stressors. Resistance through eggs was higher with the single effect of flow reduction, while swimmers´ relative abundance increased in individuals that drift after exposure to the combination of stressors. Thus, while flow reduction alone is expected to specifically filter out the gill breathers and the egg producers, the combination of stressors will impact more drastically organism's dispersal and swimmers. Such changes in biological traits can result in variations in ecosystem functioning through, for example, local changes in biomass, secondary production, stream metabolism as well as resulting in biodiversity losses or alterations of its distribution patterns.
A.R. Calapez; Sónia Serra; J.M. Santos; P. Branco; T. Ferreira; T. Hein; A.G. Brito; Maria Feio. The effect of hypoxia and flow decrease in macroinvertebrate functional responses: A trait-based approach to multiple-stressors in mesocosms. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 637-638, 647 -656.
AMA StyleA.R. Calapez, Sónia Serra, J.M. Santos, P. Branco, T. Ferreira, T. Hein, A.G. Brito, Maria Feio. The effect of hypoxia and flow decrease in macroinvertebrate functional responses: A trait-based approach to multiple-stressors in mesocosms. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 637-638 ():647-656.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA.R. Calapez; Sónia Serra; J.M. Santos; P. Branco; T. Ferreira; T. Hein; A.G. Brito; Maria Feio. 2018. "The effect of hypoxia and flow decrease in macroinvertebrate functional responses: A trait-based approach to multiple-stressors in mesocosms." Science of The Total Environment 637-638, no. : 647-656.
Interactions among nitrogen (N) management and water resources quality are complex and enhanced in transboundary river basins. This is the case of Tagus River, which is an important river flowing from Spain to Portugal in the Iberian Peninsula. The aim was to provide a N assessment review along the Tagus River Basin regarding mostly agriculture, livestock, and urban activities. To estimate reactive nitrogen (Nr) load into surface waters, emission factor approaches were applied. Nr pressures are much higher in Spain than in Portugal (~13 times), which is mostly because of livestock intensification. Some policy and technical measures have been defined aiming at solving this problem. Main policy responses were the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable and Sensitive Zones, according to European Union (EU) directives. Nitrate Vulnerable Zone comprise approximately one third of both territories. On the contrary, Sensitive Zones are more extended in Spain, attaining 60% of the watershed, against only 30% in Portugal. Technical measures comprised advanced urban and industrial wastewater treatment that was designed to remove N compounds before discharge in the water bodies. Given this assessment, Tagus River Basin sustainability can only be guaranteed through load inputs reductions and effective transnational management processes of water flows.
Cláudia M. D. S. Cordovil; Soraia Cruz; António G. Brito; Maria Do Rosário Cameira; Jane R. Poulsen; Hans Thodsen; Brian Kronvang. A Simplified Nitrogen Assessment in Tagus River Basin: A Management Focused Review. Water 2018, 10, 406 .
AMA StyleCláudia M. D. S. Cordovil, Soraia Cruz, António G. Brito, Maria Do Rosário Cameira, Jane R. Poulsen, Hans Thodsen, Brian Kronvang. A Simplified Nitrogen Assessment in Tagus River Basin: A Management Focused Review. Water. 2018; 10 (4):406.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCláudia M. D. S. Cordovil; Soraia Cruz; António G. Brito; Maria Do Rosário Cameira; Jane R. Poulsen; Hans Thodsen; Brian Kronvang. 2018. "A Simplified Nitrogen Assessment in Tagus River Basin: A Management Focused Review." Water 10, no. 4: 406.
Surfing is becoming an important asset for local development, despite engaging water quality concerns is often limited to bathing season - thus, a tool for decision support is required to yearly forecast the water quality, in order to minimise health risks and support water management decisions. The QUAL2E model was used on a watershed, in Peniche, a coastal city in Portugal. This study area was chosen due to complaints related to the water quality by the local surfing community. Results returned a total coliform concentration of 1,500 MPN/100 mL, with pig farming effluents being the major contamination source. These results constitute evidence that surfing here may represent a health risk - as winter months are more favourable to wave sports. Therefore, it would be of the uttermost importance to improve monitoring and mitigate the potential health risk. This should include a more profound analysis of the contribution of diffuse sources and to extend the current bathing season monitoring scheme during winter times.
Rita Marteleira; Pedro Bicudo; N.A. Ant&; N.A. Oacute; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Pedro Santos Coelho. Surfing safe waves: integration of water quality modelling in the evaluation of potential health risks. International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology 2018, 8, 105 .
AMA StyleRita Marteleira, Pedro Bicudo, N.A. Ant&, N.A. Oacute, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Pedro Santos Coelho. Surfing safe waves: integration of water quality modelling in the evaluation of potential health risks. International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology. 2018; 8 (2):105.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRita Marteleira; Pedro Bicudo; N.A. Ant&; N.A. Oacute; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Pedro Santos Coelho. 2018. "Surfing safe waves: integration of water quality modelling in the evaluation of potential health risks." International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology 8, no. 2: 105.
In Mediterranean rivers, water scarcity is a key stressor with direct and indirect effects on other stressors, such as water quality decline and inherent oxygen depletion associated with pollutants inputs. Yet, predicting the responses of macroinvertebrates to these stressors combination is quite challenging due to the reduced available information, especially if biotic and abiotic seasonal variations are taken under consideration. This study focused on the response of macroinvertebrates by drift to single and combined effects of water scarcity and dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion over two seasons (winter and spring). A factorial design of two flow velocity levels - regular and low (vL) - with three levels of oxygen depletion - normoxia, medium depletion (dM) and higher depletion (dH) - was carried out in a 5-artificial channels system, in short-term experiments. Results showed that both stressors individually and together had a significant effect on macroinvertebrate drift ratio for both seasons. Single stressor effects showed that macroinvertebrate drift decreased with flow velocity reduction and increased with DO depletion, in both winter and spring experiments. Despite single stressors opposing effects in drift ratio, combined stressors interaction (vL×dM and vL×dH) induced a positive synergistic drift effect for both seasons, but only in winter the drift ratio was different between the levels of DO depletion. Stressors interaction in winter seemed to intensify drift response when reached lower oxygen saturation. Also, drift patterns were different between seasons for all treatments, which may depend on individual's life stage and seasonal behaviour. Water scarcity seems to exacerbate the oxygen depletion conditions resulting into a greater drifting of invertebrates. The potential effects of oxygen depletion should be evaluated when addressing the impacts of water scarcity on river ecosystems, since flow reductions will likely contribute to a higher oxygen deficit, particularly in Mediterranean rivers.
Ana R. Calapez; Paulo Branco; José Maria Santos; Teresa Ferreira; Thomas Hein; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria João Feio. Macroinvertebrate short-term responses to flow variation and oxygen depletion: A mesocosm approach. Science of The Total Environment 2017, 599-600, 1202 -1212.
AMA StyleAna R. Calapez, Paulo Branco, José Maria Santos, Teresa Ferreira, Thomas Hein, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Maria João Feio. Macroinvertebrate short-term responses to flow variation and oxygen depletion: A mesocosm approach. Science of The Total Environment. 2017; 599-600 ():1202-1212.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna R. Calapez; Paulo Branco; José Maria Santos; Teresa Ferreira; Thomas Hein; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Maria João Feio. 2017. "Macroinvertebrate short-term responses to flow variation and oxygen depletion: A mesocosm approach." Science of The Total Environment 599-600, no. : 1202-1212.
T.R. Aguiar; F.R. Bortolozo; E.F. Rosa Filho; L.M. Parron; L.D. Luz; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; M.T. Ferreira. Fate of selected agrochemicals in a tropical karst aquifer: A five-year study. Groundwater for Sustainable Development 2017, 5, 187 -192.
AMA StyleT.R. Aguiar, F.R. Bortolozo, E.F. Rosa Filho, L.M. Parron, L.D. Luz, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, M.T. Ferreira. Fate of selected agrochemicals in a tropical karst aquifer: A five-year study. Groundwater for Sustainable Development. 2017; 5 ():187-192.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.R. Aguiar; F.R. Bortolozo; E.F. Rosa Filho; L.M. Parron; L.D. Luz; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; M.T. Ferreira. 2017. "Fate of selected agrochemicals in a tropical karst aquifer: A five-year study." Groundwater for Sustainable Development 5, no. : 187-192.
"Available online 19 April 2016"The increasing food demand and the exhaustion of non-renewable fuels provide new market opportunities in the agro-farming sector. Biological systems designed to add value to useless organic sub-products and to generate off-grid electricity may be one of the most interesting outcomes. Therefore, the capacity of some microorganisms to transfer electrons generated during organic carbon oxidation directly to an anode in a so-called microbial fuel cell (MFC) might be an asset in a sustainable management context. In this regard, the main goal of the present work was to evaluate the performance of a continuous MFC applied in a dairy industry. A maximum voltage of 576 mV was produced during continuous operation, corresponding to a power density of 92.2 mW·m-2 or 1.9 W·m-3. MFC was able to remove 1298±617 mg·L-1 of chemical oxygen demand (COD) at a hydraulic retention time of 8.4 h, and the maximum COD removal (63±5 %) was achieved after 20 days of continuous operation. In addition, the coulombic efficiency average was around 10.5±10% with a maximum of 24.2±1.5%. In average, the MFC was able to extract a specific energy of 8.95×102 kWh·kg-1 COD with a maximum output of 20.53×102 kWh·kg-1 COD. In conclusion, the MFC technology is a valuable option for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery and deserves to be tested and scaled-up in the dairy industry.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/ 2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462)COMPETE 2020 (POCI- 01-0145-FEDER-006684)Program POPH/ESF - SFRH/BPD/80528/201
Ana Faria; Liliana Gonçalves; João M. Peixoto; Luciana Peixoto; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Gilberto Martins. Resources recovery in the dairy industry: bioelectricity production using a continuous microbial fuel cell. Journal of Cleaner Production 2017, 140, 971 -976.
AMA StyleAna Faria, Liliana Gonçalves, João M. Peixoto, Luciana Peixoto, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Gilberto Martins. Resources recovery in the dairy industry: bioelectricity production using a continuous microbial fuel cell. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2017; 140 ():971-976.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Faria; Liliana Gonçalves; João M. Peixoto; Luciana Peixoto; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Gilberto Martins. 2017. "Resources recovery in the dairy industry: bioelectricity production using a continuous microbial fuel cell." Journal of Cleaner Production 140, no. : 971-976.
The aim of this study was to evaluate tetracycline antibiotic (TA) removal from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations. The composition of synthetic water approximate river natural contaminated water and TA simulated its presence as an emerging pollutant. Interactions between TA and protein preparations (extract; fraction and lectin) were also evaluated. TA was determined by solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Moringa extract and flour removed TA from water. The extract removed TA in all concentrations, and better removal (40%) was obtained with 40 mg L(-1); seed flour (particles < 5 mm), 1.25 and 2.50 g L(-1) removed 28% and 29% of tetracycline, respectively; particles > 5 mm (0.50 g L(-1)) removed 55% of antibiotic. Interactions between TA and seed preparations were assayed by haemagglutinating activity (HA). Specific HA (SHA) of extract (pH 7) was abolished with tetracycline (5 mg L(-1)); fraction (75%) and lectin HA (97%) were inhibited with TA. Extract SHA decreased by 75% at pH 8. Zeta potential (ZP) of extract 700 mg L(-1) and tetracycline 50 mg L(-1) , pH range 5-8, showed different results. Extract ZP was more negative (-10.73 to -16.00 mV) than tetracycline ZP (-0.27 to -20.15 mV); ZP difference was greater in pH 8. The focus of this study was achieved since Moringa preparations removed TA from water and compounds interacting with tetracycline involved at least lectin-binding sites. This is a natural process, which do not promote environmental damage.
Andréa F.S. Santos; Maria Matos; Ângela Sousa; Cátia Costa; Regina Nogueira; José A. Teixeira; Patrícia M.G. Paiva; Pier Parpot; Luana C.B.B. Coelho; António G. Brito. Removal of tetracycline from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations. Environmental Technology 2015, 37, 1 -25.
AMA StyleAndréa F.S. Santos, Maria Matos, Ângela Sousa, Cátia Costa, Regina Nogueira, José A. Teixeira, Patrícia M.G. Paiva, Pier Parpot, Luana C.B.B. Coelho, António G. Brito. Removal of tetracycline from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations. Environmental Technology. 2015; 37 (6):1-25.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndréa F.S. Santos; Maria Matos; Ângela Sousa; Cátia Costa; Regina Nogueira; José A. Teixeira; Patrícia M.G. Paiva; Pier Parpot; Luana C.B.B. Coelho; António G. Brito. 2015. "Removal of tetracycline from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations." Environmental Technology 37, no. 6: 1-25.
Riparian buffer zones have the potential to capture chemical contaminants and to mitigate detrimentalside-effects in aquatic ecosystems derived from excess fertilizers used in agro-food production. No-tillfarming systems are well known agricultural practices and are widely used in temperate areas. In thatregard, different settings and widths of riparian buffer zones (12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 m) with woody veg-etation, shrubs or grasses were assessed. The methodology was comprised of the evaluation of a largenumber of experimental sites and the sampling was conducted after the first rain period and respectivefertilizer applications. The results point to the fact that effectiveness is largely controlled by buffer zonewidth and vegetation type. Indeed, buffer zones with 60 m width composed of woody soils were moreeffective in phosphorus (99.9%) and nitrogen (99.9%) removal when compared to shrub (66.4% and 83.9%,respectively) or grass vegetation (52.9% and 61.6%, respectively) areas. Woody vegetation has deep roo-ting systems and woody soils have a higher content of organic matter when compared to grass and shrubsareas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
T.R. Aguiar Jr.; Katia Rasera; L.M. Parron; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Teresa Ferreira. Nutrient removal effectiveness by riparian buffer zones in rural temperate watersheds: The impact of no-till crops practices. Agricultural Water Management 2015, 149, 74 -80.
AMA StyleT.R. Aguiar Jr., Katia Rasera, L.M. Parron, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Teresa Ferreira. Nutrient removal effectiveness by riparian buffer zones in rural temperate watersheds: The impact of no-till crops practices. Agricultural Water Management. 2015; 149 ():74-80.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.R. Aguiar Jr.; Katia Rasera; L.M. Parron; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Teresa Ferreira. 2015. "Nutrient removal effectiveness by riparian buffer zones in rural temperate watersheds: The impact of no-till crops practices." Agricultural Water Management 149, no. : 74-80.
The present work aims to evaluate the bacterial composition and activity (carbon and nitrogen removal) of nitrifying biofilms exposed to 50 μg L−1 of tetracycline. The tetracycline removal efficiency and the occurrence of tetracycline resistance (tet) genes were also studied. Two sequencing batch biofilm reactors (SBBRs) fed with synthetic wastewater were operated without (SBBR1) and with (SBBR2) the antibiotic. Both SBBRs showed similar organic matter biodegradation and nitrification activity. Tetracycline removal was about 28% and biodegradation was probably the principal removal mechanism of the antibiotic. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the bacterial community showed shifts leading to not only the fading of some ribotypes, but also the emergence of new ones in the biofilm with tetracycline. The study of the tet genes showed that tet(S) was only detected in the biofilm with tetracycline, suggesting a relationship between its occurrence and the presence of the antibiotic.The work described in this paper was financially supported by FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) - by the PhD student grant SFRH/BD/44596/2008
Maria Matos; Maria Alcina Pereira; Pier Parpot; António G. Brito; Regina Nogueira. Influence of tetracycline on the microbial community composition and activity of nitrifying biofilms. Chemosphere 2014, 117, 295 -302.
AMA StyleMaria Matos, Maria Alcina Pereira, Pier Parpot, António G. Brito, Regina Nogueira. Influence of tetracycline on the microbial community composition and activity of nitrifying biofilms. Chemosphere. 2014; 117 ():295-302.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Matos; Maria Alcina Pereira; Pier Parpot; António G. Brito; Regina Nogueira. 2014. "Influence of tetracycline on the microbial community composition and activity of nitrifying biofilms." Chemosphere 117, no. : 295-302.
Peter Roebeling; Henrique Alves; Joao Rocha; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Pedro Almeida; João Mamede. Gains from trans-boundary water quality management in linked catchment and coastal socio-ecological systems: A case study for the Minho region. Water Resources and Economics 2014, 8, 32 -42.
AMA StylePeter Roebeling, Henrique Alves, Joao Rocha, Antonio Guerreiro de Brito, Pedro Almeida, João Mamede. Gains from trans-boundary water quality management in linked catchment and coastal socio-ecological systems: A case study for the Minho region. Water Resources and Economics. 2014; 8 ():32-42.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Roebeling; Henrique Alves; Joao Rocha; Antonio Guerreiro de Brito; Pedro Almeida; João Mamede. 2014. "Gains from trans-boundary water quality management in linked catchment and coastal socio-ecological systems: A case study for the Minho region." Water Resources and Economics 8, no. : 32-42.