The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented slowdown in global economic and transportation activities, offering a unique opportunity to assess the relationship between human activity and atmospheric pollution. This study analyzes global variations in major air pollutants and meteorological conditions during the pandemic period using multi-satellite and reanalysis datasets. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) data were obtained from the OMI sensor aboard NASA's Aura satellite, while carbon monoxide (CO) observations were taken from the MOPITT instrument on Terra. Reanalysis products from MERRA-2 were used to assess CO, sulfur dioxide (SO2), black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), and key meteorological variables, including temperature, precipitation, evaporation, wind speed, and direction. Average concentrations of pollutants for April, May, and June 2020, representing the lockdown phase, were compared with the average values of the same months during 2017-2019, representing pre-pandemic conditions. The difference between these multi-year means was used to quantify spatial changes in pollutant levels. Results reveal widespread reductions in NO2, CO, SO2, and BC concentrations across major industrial and urban regions worldwide, consistent with decreased anthropogenic activity during lockdowns. Meteorological analysis indicates that the observed reductions were not primarily driven by short-term weather variability, confirming that the declines are largely attributable to reduced emissions. Unlike most previous studies, which examined local or regional air-quality changes, this work provides a consistent global-scale assessment using harmonized multi-sensor datasets and uniform temporal baselines. These findings highlight the strong influence of human activities on atmospheric composition and demonstrate how large-scale behavioral and economic shifts can rapidly alter air quality on a global scale. The results also provide valuable baseline information for understanding emission-climate interactions and for guiding post-pandemic strategies aimed at sustainable air-quality management.

Climate change has intensified in recent decades due to the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) arising mainly from human activities. The transport sector is one of those responsible for the increase in these concentrations, due to the incomplete burning of fossil fuels in the use of different modals, such as road and railway. However, these modals are very important for the Brazilian production flow, product imports, as well as other human needs and development. Considering these facts, the present study inventoried the greenhouse gas emissions of the modal system on the port cargo route of Santa Catarina. With this purpose, movement data of Santa Catarina´s ports, road and railway modals data were used, referring to 2020 year. The data were analyzed using the Brazilian greenhouse gas protocol tool - GHG Protocol (Scope 1), 2022 version. In addition to the base data, five other scenarios were analyzed, considering different increments that encourage the railway use expansion as a strategy to reduce emissions. As a result, a reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions was observed when using the rail modal compared to the road modal, since, when comparing scenario 5 (50% rail + 50% road) with the current scenario (12.1% rail + 87.9% road), there is a 43% reduction in emissions from the road sector. Such findings make clear the importance of encouraging strategic planning and investments to promote intermodality and optimize logistical efficiency in Santa Catarina through the transport matrix diversification as a way of promoting sustainability.

O presente estudo investiga a climatologia de 10 anos (2013-2022) das concentrações de poluentes atmosféricos na Região Metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba e Litoral Norte (RMVP). Utilizando dados de satélites e reanálises, foram analisados os padrões sazonais de monóxido de carbono (CO), dióxido de enxofre (SO2), material particulado fino (MP2.5), carbono orgânico (OC), carbono negro (BC) e profundidade óptica de aerossóis (AOD). Os resultados indicam que a poluição na RMVP apresenta padrões sazonais distintos, sendo influenciada por fatores como queimadas, emissões industriais e transporte de poluentes. O CO e MP2.5 exibem picos nos meses de agosto a setembro, associados às queimadas, enquanto o SO2 apresenta maiores concentrações entre maio e agosto, devido a emissões industriais e veiculares. O produto de maior resolução do AGAC para MP2.5 revela uma intensificação da pluma de MP2.5 na região durante a estação seca, destacando a importância de dados de alta resolução para monitoramento da qualidade do ar. A redução das emissões e o aprimoramento dos sistemas de monitoramento da qualidade do ar são essenciais para mitigar os impactos da poluição atmosférica na saúde pública. Sugere-se a inclusão de NO2 e FRP em futuras análises para uma compreensão mais completa da dinâmica dos poluentes na região.

Understanding aerosol distribution in Ghana is vital for protecting health, improving air quality, and enhancing climate resilience. The aerosol distribution over Ghana was examined using estimates of aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Terra and Aqua satellites' Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for the years 2008–2019. The highest AOD (1.28) was recorded in the year 2016 in the month of February while the least AOD (0.29) was recorded in November 2019. In general, the first quarter of all the years showed higher aerosol loading, which decreased from April to October. Spatial analysis revealed that the AOD loading over the northern belt increased gradually toward the middle and southern belts in January, peaking in February. The slightly high AOD loading of the southern belt in comparison with the northern and middle belts can be explained by population density, urbanization and industrialization in the south. The relatively lower vegetation cover over the northern belt, coupled with the effect of Harmattan, might be the cause of the high loadings. Strong positive correlations of 0.93 and 0.17 low root mean square errors were found between the MODIS satellite AOD data and ground-based AERONET AOD data. Angstrom coefficient analysis revealed the dominance of coarse-mode aerosol presence in Ghana. Offering insight into more than a decade of AOD data, this study aids climate-resilient planning, public health protection, and sustainable environmental management across Ghana.

Este estudo estimou a pegada de carbono associada ao uso de lenha em pizzarias do estado de São Paulo e avaliou os potenciais ganhos ambientais decorrentes de sua substituição por gás liquefeito de petróleo (GLP) e gás natural (GN). A partir de uma pizzaria-caso situada em Campinas, aplicou-se o GHG Protocol para quantificar as emissões de CO₂, CH₄, N₂O e CO₂ equivalente (CO₂e), considerando exclusivamente as fontes estacionárias do Escopo 1. As emissões obtidas foram então extrapoladas para o universo estimado de 15.696 pizzarias paulistas que utilizam fornos a lenha. Os resultados indicam que a substituição da lenha por GLP e GN reduziria em 49,2% e 42,8%, respectivamente, as emissões anuais de CO₂e no estado. Para o metano (CH₄), as reduções seriam ainda mais expressivas — 98,0% e 98,5% — enquanto o uso de GLP ou GN eliminaria completamente as emissões de N₂O. Quanto ao material particulado fino (MP2,5), a redução estimada é da ordem de 99% para ambos os combustíveis alternativos, evidenciando significativo potencial de melhoria da qualidade do ar urbano. Os resultados reforçam a relevância de políticas públicas voltadas à transição energética em setores urbanos de pequeno porte, mas de grande densidade territorial, como o mercado de pizzarias, contribuindo para a mitigação dos impactos climáticos e para a promoção de cidades mais sustentáveis.

A crescente produção de biodiesel tem ampliado significativamente a oferta de glicerol bruto, estimulando a busca por rotas tecnológicas sustentáveis para seu aproveitamento. Este artigo apresenta uma revisão sobre as propriedades físico-químicas do glicerol e suas principais aplicações nas áreas de química fina, biotecnologia, energia e processos ambientais. Os resultados evidenciam avanços relevantes, mas também destacam desafios que ainda limitam sua consolidação industrial, especialmente relacionados à purificação do glicerol bruto, à estabilidade de catalisadores e à viabilidade de processos em escala. Perspectivas recentes incluem o desenvolvimento de catalisadores mais seletivos, rotas híbridas integrando etapas químicas e biotecnológicas e abordagens biotecnológicas capazes de ampliar o espectro de bioprodutos obtidos. Além do potencial tecnológico, o glicerol oferece oportunidades pedagógicas para o ensino de química e sustentabilidade, favorecendo práticas experimentais simples, contextualizadas e alinhadas à economia circular. A revisão indica que a valorização do glicerol depende da integração entre inovação, viabilidade econômica e formação crítica, contribuindo para cadeias produtivas mais sustentáveis e para uma educação científica conectada a desafios contemporâneos.

Objective: Analyze whether there is a risk of food insecurity in Brazil owing to competition between food and biofuel production, focusing on two main variables, namely commodity prices and land uses. Methods: This article sought to assess the importance of the food versus fuel debate in the academic setting by performing searches on the platform Google Scholar. Sugarcane, corn, and soybean crops were selected as the most relevant for this analysis. Originality/Value: The food versus fuel debate began in 2000. Discussions have sought to understand whether biofuel production impacts food security. In Brazil, one of the leading global producers of food crops and biofuels, this topic still requires further analysis. Results: The alarming export figures of food crops, such as sugarcane, and the territorial dominance of soybean, combined with the low utilization of soybean crops for biodiesel production, indicated that, in severe cases of food insecurity in Brazil, excessive export and the predominance of soybean production pose greater risks to food security than the diversion of food crops for biofuel production. Contributions: The study showed that, in the current scenario, biofuel production will not significantly impact food supply in Brazil in the coming years, thereby not affecting food security in terms of food availability. The main risks related to the decrease in food supply are due to climate conditions and export activities.

Esse estudo tem como objetivo analisar as emissões de gases provenientes do transporte aéreo comercial em Santa Catarina, abrangendo voos nacionais e internacionais, para estabelecer um inventário das emissões antropogênicas desse modal na região. Este estudo foi estruturado em três etapas metodológicas: levantamento de dados sobre os voos comerciais de chegada e partida, tanto nacionais quanto internacionais, no território catarinense em 2022; inventário das emissões antropogênicas associadas ao modal aéreo em Santa Catarina e; cenários para redução das emissões por meio da utilização de Combustíveis de Aviação Sustentáveis (Sustainable Aviation Fuels - SAF). Observou-se que a substituição de 40% do combustível fóssil por SAF em 2030 resultou em uma redução de 76.274,88 tCO2e em comparação a 2022 somente em sobrevoos de Santa Catarina. Já no cenário com 60% de biocombustível e 40% de combustível fóssil em 2040, a redução em relação a 2022 foi de 114.412,32 tCO2e. Por fim, ao considerar 100% de uso de SAF em 2050, a diferença nas emissões em relação ao cenário atual alcançou 190.687,19 tCO2e.

A chicória (Cichorium intybus L.), conhecida como almeirão ou escarola, é uma planta nativa da Europa e cultivada em regiões de clima temperado, incluindo o Brasil, onde é mais produtiva no outono. Todas as partes da chicória têm utilidade farmacológica devido à presença de substâncias medicinais e nutricionais, como a inulina. As raízes da planta armazenam inulina, um frutano que compõe cerca de 20% da massa fresca das raízes. A inulina é um polissacarídeo com propriedades fermentativas, e por isso é utilizada na indústria alimentícia e farmacêutica, atuando como um potencial probiótico e substituto do açúcar. Este estudo teve como objetivo extrair inulina de raízes de chicória por difusão a quente, testando temperaturas de 60°C e 80°C. Os resultados mostraram que embora a extração a 80°C tenha rendido mais açúcares, a extração a 60°C mostrou uma boa correlação com esses resultados, com leve aumento em alguns casos. Isso indica que temperaturas mais baixas também são eficientes para a extração, gerando resultados próximos aos obtidos a 80°C. No entanto, os teores de inulina encontrados foram inferiores aos relatados na literatura (até 20% da massa das raízes), sugerindo que fatores como cultivo e preparo das amostras podem ter influenciado os resultados.

Objective: This study explores the contribution of aluminum recycling to socio-environmental sustainability, from the standpoint of circular economy and environmental management. Method: This study employed a qualitative research methodology through a literature review on aluminum recycling, circular economy, and socio-environmental sustainability. Content analysis techniques were applied to the data to identify patterns, trends, and significant relationships. Results and Discussion: This study shows that adopting Solid Waste Management Practices (SWMP) can recover up to 98% of waste, significantly cut operational costs, and boost a company's image for environmental responsibility. Aluminum recycling is an environmentally and economically smart way to cut down on environmental damage. It saves up to 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum and significantly lowers CO₂ emissions. The study highlights energy savings, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and waste management practices.

High ozone (O3) concentrations are a major concern about air quality in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area (SPMA). During 2016, the 8-hour state standard of 140 µg m–3 was exceeded on 32 days, whereas the 1-hour national standard of 160 µg m–3 was exceeded on 76 days. Exposure to such unhealthy O3 levels and other pollutants can lead to respiratory disease. The focus of this study is to determine the main O3 precursor in terms of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in order to provide a scientific basis for controlling this pollutant. In this work, 66 samples of hydrocarbons, 62 of aldehydes and 42 of ethanol were taken during the period from September 2011 to August 2012 from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. The OZIPR trajectory model and SAPRC atmospheric chemical mechanism were used to determine the major O3 precursors. During the studied period, aldehydes represented 35.3

Pantanal fires have a significant impact on the environment. Anthropogenic emissions of residual gases have changed the tropospheric composition in this region due to burning. This study aims to analyze the spatial patterns of atmospheric pollutants (including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and aerosol optical depth, along with fire outbreaks across the Pantanal biome from 2016 to 2021. The data collected is based on remote sensing data. The fire outbreaks peaked pollutant concentrations reached their highest between June to November, particularly during the drier months of August to October. This increase was even greater during the last three years (2019-2021), especially in 2020, when the average CO, NO2, SO2, BC, and OC concentrations increased by 29%, 31%, 50%, 52%, and 50%, respectively. The rainfall values do not justify the increase in the number of fire outbreaks between 2019 and 2021, indicating that the rise is likely due to increased burning. In 2021, the average monthly rainfall was 48% greater than that in 2016-2020 but it had the highest FRP value and the second highest fire outbreak number and pollutant concentration. The 2020 year experienced a record number of fire outbreaks and the highest levels of pollutants in the atmosphere in the region for this period.

Objective: This study compares the environmental impacts generated by the manufacture of cast iron and aluminum engine blocks. Theoretical Framework: The concepts used are energy expenditure and CO2 emissions throughout the useful life of the blocks, in addition to the relationships between the block's assembly configuration and its efficiency. Method: The Ansys Granta EduPack software was used to extract and compare the values ​​sought, through in-house data collection, in six distinct stages, ranging from the extraction of the raw material to the process of discarding the parts. Results and Discussion: The results found were presented, discussed and compared with works previously carried out by other authors. Aluminum presented the best results in general, due to its lightness, which reduces fuel consumption and, consequently, carbon dioxide emissions. Research Implications: The use of aluminum can drastically mitigate the environmental impacts and pollution caused by the automobile industry, as this material derived from bauxite is also easily recyclable. Originality/Value: This study uses software with recent data, showing more updated and improved results.

O objetivo desse estudo foi estimar as emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) no processo produtivo da massa asfáltica, de diferentes usinas, com diferentes combustíveis que são utilizadas para derreter a massa asfáltica, utilizando a ferramenta GHG Protocol para tal finalidade, no escopo 1 da planilha. A metodologia se baseou em estimar a emissão de GEE de três usinas móveis contínuas produtoras de mistura asfáltica a quente, com quatro diferentes combustíveis (óleo de xisto, óleo diesel, gás liquefeito do petróleo (GLP) e gás natural seco (GN), por meio da ferramenta GHG Protocol. Como resultado, observou-se que, para todas as usinas analisadas, o uso do combustível GN é o que tem menor emissão de GEE. A utilização do GN teve uma emissão de CO2e menor, em torno de, 24%, quando comparada com a emissão do óleo diesel e o óleo de xisto e, de aproximadamente 11% quando comparada com a emissão do GLP. Quando comparadas as emissões dos gases separadamente tem-se que o óleo de xisto e o óleo diesel apresenta uma emissão de CO2 média 16 % maior que o GLP e 30 % maior que o GN. O óleo de xisto e o óleo diesel emitem em média 300 e 600 % a mais de CH4 e N2O do que o GLP e GN, respectivamente. Além disso, a troca da utilização de óleo diesel ou óleo de xisto pelo GN reduz as emissões de gases poluentes na atmosfera, contribuindo para melhoria da qualidade do ar e da saúde das pessoas.

The use of construction and demolition waste (CDW) for the treatment of dye-contaminated water can be an effective way to minimize environmental impacts. This study evaluates its adoption as a potential adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. Cement mortar, roof tiles, and tiles were disintegrated and sieved for physicochemical characterization (pH, potential redox – Eh, electrical conductivity – CE, cationic exchange capacity—CEC, point of zero charge – PZC, specific surface area – SSA, pore distribution, functional groups, and elemental composition). The effect of initial concentration, pH, granulometric fraction and time were evaluated in adsorption and desorption studies. The results of adsorption studies were analyzed using nonlinear kinetic models and equilibrium data were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, and Temkin isotherm models. The CDW evaluated has alkaline pH (pH 8.4 – 11.6) with high EC (680.5 – 1054.5 µS cm−1), reductive environment (-223 – -66 mV), low CEC (0.45 – 1.40 cmolc kg−1), SSA (1.83 – 11.06 m2 g−1), and basic PZC (8.3 – 10.0). Initial concentration, pH and adsorbent particle size affected the removal efficiency and desorption rate. Roof tiles showed higher MB removal efficiency (84.5

O crescimento urbano acelerado e a consequente expansão da frota veicular têm exacerbado a poluição atmosférica em grandes cidades, tornando-se um problema de importância socioeconômica, ambiental e de saúde pública. O monitoramento da qualidade do ar desempenha um papel crucial nas políticas de controle ambiental, permitindo avaliar os níveis de poluentes e desenvolver tecnologias sustentáveis. Um estudo na Região Metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo, entre 2018 e 2022, analisou as variações anuais, sazonais e mensais de poluentes como CO, NO, NO2, O3, MP2.5 e MP10 em quatro estações, Guaratinguetá (1), Taubaté (1) e São José dos Campos (2), de monitoramento da qualidade do ar a partir do sistema QUALAR da CETESB. Para elaboração dos gráficos de médias anuais, mensais e médias horárias por estação do ano (sazonal), foram utilizadas as médias dos dados horários de cada estação de monitoramento durante o período de cinco anos. O tratamento dos dados dos poluentes do sistema Qualar da CETESB foi realizado usando a linguagem Python e os gráficos foram feitos usando a linguagem R. Houve aumento na concentração de NO em 2021 e 2022, enquanto o NO2 manteve praticamente os mesmos valores. São José dos Campos registrou as maiores concentrações de NO, NO2 e MP10. No outono e inverno, todos os poluentes, exceto O3, atingiram picos de concentração, devido às condições atmosféricas. Em geral, os poluentes ficaram dentro dos limites do CONAMA, mas NOx, MP2.5 e MP10 ultrapassaram os padrões da OMS, indicando desafios contínuos na gestão da qualidade do ar e a necessidade de medidas adicionais para proteger a saúde pública e o meio ambiente.

Air pollution has become one of the factors that most affect the quality of life, human health, and the environment. Gaseous pollutants from motor vehicles have a significantly harmful effect on air quality in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP)—Brazil. Motor vehicles emit large amounts of particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the last three acting as the main tropospheric ozone (O3) precursors. In this study, we evaluated the effects of these pollutants on air quality in the MASP during the partial lockdown that was imposed to ensure the social distancing necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared the monthly data for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and CO, SO2, and BC from MERRA-2 for the period between April and May 2020 (during the pandemic) with the average for the same period for the (pre-pandemic) years 2017 to 2019 in the southeast region of Brazil. The meteorological and pollutant concentration data from the CETESB air quality monitoring stations for the MASP were compared with the diurnal cycle of three previous years, with regard to the monthly averages of April and May (2017, 2018, and 2019) and the same period in 2020, when the partial lockdown was first imposed in southeast Brazil. Our findings showed that there was a decrease in NO2 concentrations ranging from 10% to more than 60% in the MASP and the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro (MARJ), whereas in the Metropolitan Area of Belo Horizonte and Vitoria (MABH and MAV, respectively), there was a reduction of around 10%. In the case of the concentrations of CO and BC from MERRA-2, there was a considerable decrease (approx. 10%) during the period of partial lockdown caused by COVID-19 throughout almost the entire state of São Paulo, particularly in the region bordering the state of Rio de Janeiro. The concentration of SO2 from MERRA-2 was 5 to 10% lower in the MASP and MARJ and the west of the MABH, and there was a decrease of 30 to 50% on the border between the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, while in the MAV region, there was an increase in pollutant levels, as this region was not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharp reductions in the average hourly concentrations of CO (38.8%), NO (44.9%), NO2 (38.7%), and PM2.5 (6%) were noted at the CETESB air quality monitoring stations in the MASP during the partial lockdown in 2020 compared with the hourly average rate in the pre-pandemic period. In contrast, there was an increase of approximately 16.0% in O3 concentrations in urban areas that are seriously affected by vehicular emissions, which is probably related to a decrease in NOx.