Experimental evaluation of the use of bioplastics as support material for biofilm development and subsequent removal of phosphorus hypertrophic environment (Garças Lake, SP)

• Grant number: 15/20663-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2015
• End date: March 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: Tatiane Araujo de Jesus
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Ricardo da Costa
• Host Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The eutrophication of water bodies is an environmental problem that affects many reservoirs used for public supply in the Greater São Paulo as well as in the world. This phenomenon can result in environmental damage that cause the degradation of water quality and increase in the cost of their treatment aimed at potability. Eutrophication has been accelerated by human actions, and it is known that even ceased external sources of nutrients, sediments can continue releasing them to the water column. Thus, this project aims to develop an experimental study in situ, in hipereutrofizado environment (Lake of Herons, SP) in order to test different substrates (bioplastics) for colonization by biofilm and consequent accumulation of nutrients, especially the total phosphorus (PT). Will be performed experiments using 3 bioplastics (PLA: Poly lactic acid, PHB: polyhydroxybutyrate, and thermoplastic starch) and a reference material (PET: polyethylene terephthalate), which will be arranged in the form of plates 50 cm2 of surface area placed in support of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) on Lake of Herons. The experiment will be conducted in triplicate (n = 3) lasting one month in two distinct periods (dry and wet) and two distinct regions (pelagic and coastal), and, every seven days, one card at a substrate will be removed for analysis of accumulated en levels. It is pioneering proposal and that can contribute to the development of green technology and low cost of remediation of eutrophic freshwater ecosystems.