Activated sludge prokaryote and eukaryote characterization in a pulp mill facility using amplicon sequencing.

The pulp and paper industry, a major global sector, supports economies and jobs while contributing to various products. While providing valuable products, and despite Best Available Techniques (BAT) being used, managing wastewater effectively remains a key area for developing technologies and alternatives for environmental protection. Activated sludge (AS) systems are commonly used for effluent treatment, where microorganisms composition influences reactor efficiency.

Diclofenac Removal by Alkylammonium Clay Minerals Prepared over Microwave Heating.

Diclofenac is an emerging contaminant widely detected in water and has had adverse effects on the biota. In this study, the adsorbents were prepared by reacting tetradecyl-(C), hexadecyl-(C), and octadecyltrimethylammonium (C) bromides with sodium vermiculite (Na-Ver) and used for the removal of the first time for diclofenac sodium from aqueous solution. Synthesis was carried out in a microwave-assisted reactor operating at 50 °C for 5 min, using proportions of organic salts in 100 and 200% of the phyllosilicate cation exchange capacity.

Detection of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania amazonensis in Bats From Endemic and Non-endemic Areas of São Paulo State, Brazil.

Aims: Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in several regions of Brazil, a tropical country that presents specific environmental conditions that contribute to the development of phlebotomine vectors. This study aimed to detect Leishmania species in naturally infected bats from 17 municipalities in the São Paulo state.

Methods And Results: Spleen and liver samples from 203 bats were analysed by real-time PCR and confirmed by conventional PCR followed by gene sequencing.

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), isolated and in a formulated product, on the functional parameters of isolated rat liver mitochondria.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a widely used herbicide with known implications for environmental and biological systems. Previous studies indicate its potential to interact with cellular structures, potentially impacting cellular energy and metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the toxicological effects of this molecule on isolated rat liver mitochondria, evaluating both isolated and formulated 2,4-D to comprehend the differential impacts on mitochondrial function.

A comprehensive study on bisphenol A and estrogenic activity in the Paraíba do Sul River, São Paulo, Brazil.

In recent decades, contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic environments have garnered significant attention due to their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Among these CECs, bisphenol A (BPA) is a major concern because of its widespread use and endocrine-disrupting properties. Brazil's urbanization and industrial growth have led to significant pollution challenges, primarily due to inadequate sewage infrastructure and untreated domestic wastewater being discharged into rivers, contributing to the presence of emerging contaminants in surface waters.