July 2013

Influence of starch addition on properties of urea formaldehyde/starch copolymer blends for application as a binder in the coating industry

  Urea formaldehyde resin was reactively blended with various concentrations (10 to 70%) of cassava starch in order to develop a paint binder for emulsion paint formulation. Some physical properties and formaldehyde emission of the blended resin were investigated. Viscosity initially decreased before a gradual increase was noted with increase in starch concentration. Refractive index and elongation at break...

Author(s): S. A. Osemeahon, O. N. Maitera, A. J. Hotton and B. J. Dimas

July 2013

Determination of trace metals in sediment samples of the Santa Bárbara Channel / Pelotas / RS / Brazil

  This work deals with the determination of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Zn and Cu) in the sediment of Santa Barbara Channel, located in Pelotas, RS. Absence of studies of the levels of heavy metals, in this channel, associated with high toxicity, bioconcentration and biomagnification capacity of these analytes makes this work necessary and explains the validity of this study. Two grams of fraction (< 63 μm) of...

Author(s): Pedro José Sanches Filho, Glauco Rasmussen Betemps, Adriana Possas Mesenburg and Patrícia Alfonso

July 2013

Fate of some heavy metals in the composting of the urban solid waste produced in Lome,Togo

  The aim of the present work is to assess the balance of some heavy metals during the composting of urban waste in Lome. Heavy metals constitute problems in waste management because of their multiple sources and their potentially high toxicity. Wastes were sieved to eliminate the fine fraction and set in windrows for composting and after maturation the sieved-compost was chemically characterized. The fraction...

Author(s): Edem K. Koledzi, Gnon Baba, Sanonka Tchegueni, K. N. Segbeaya, Moursalou Koriko, Guy Matejka and Gado Tchangbedji