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  • Development of new analytical methods for the analysis of an emerging pharmaceutical pollutant (ibuprofen): analysis by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC coupled with off-line SPE
    Publication . Ennis, Nicole; Costa, Maria Clara
    Pharmaceuticals have become priority emerging environmental pollutants. Environmental monitoring and toxicological studies are essential to establish maximum permissible limits in the environment. Furthermore, innovative wastewater treatment is required for their degradation. Águas do Algarve is constructing an aerobic granule plant to modernize wastewater treatment for the cities of Faro and Olhão. The company is interested in research regarding granule ability to degrade pharmaceuticals detected in wastewater influent. Two aerobic granule sequencing batch reactors were constructed and operated at laboratory scale using different cycles (anaerobic/aerobic and aerobic). The efficiency of the reactors and type of operating conditions was investigated for the degradation and removal of ibuprofen and its metabolites 2-hydroxyibuprofen, 1-hydroxyibuprofen and carboxyibuprofen. Two methods, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), a form of capillary electrophoresis, coupled with UV/Vis, were developed to detect and quantify ibuprofen and its metabolites. Solid phase extraction was used to preconcentrate the compounds to method detection limits, however recoveries were problematic. Eluents were dried and reconstituted in solvent (milli-q water) for compatibility to both methods. Separation conditions for the compounds were optimized. Both methods were validated in solvent (milli-q water) for linearity, recovery, LOD, LOQ, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision), range and selectivity. Selectivity could be obtained for both methods. However, acceptable linearity, LOD, LOQ, repeatability and recovery could not be established in the desired working range. Additionally, robustness problems particularly for the MEKC method may have affected validation results. For some compounds, both methods failed to meet statistical tests applied for acceptance of linearity and repeatability. Solvent and synthetic wastewater calibration were compared using student’s ttest. There was no statistically significant difference between the curves for the HPLC method in contrast to those of the MEKC method. The methods were applied to synthetic wastewater samples taken from the SBRs. Each method detected different analytes with 1-hydroxyibuprofen observed in HPLC and carboxyibuprofen observed in MEKC. The calculated concentrations exceeded method range. Revalidation of both methods and reanalysis of the samples is required to verify accuracy of results and confirm suitability for intended application.
    2017-09-29Master thesis Open access Show more
  • Relatório de atividade profissional
    Publication . Bárbora, David de Bessa; Nunes, Manuel Carlos Mestre
    Este trabalho pretende dar cumprimento ao despacho reitoral RT.033/2011 - Obtenção do grau de Mestre pelos licenciados Pré-Bolonha em que apresento, para avaliação em provas públicas, um relatório de atividade profissional. A minha experiência profissional nos últimos dez anos na empresa Veolia Portugal, S.A. insere-se no âmbito da gestão da manutenção de equipamentos e infraestruturas que dão funcionalidade a edifícios e serviços. Esta atividade de engenharia mecânica engloba atividades de manutenção industrial e de serviços, com relevo para a boa operacionalidade de instalações, na garantia dos serviços prestados pelas mesmas e a custos otimizados. A experiencia acumulada assumiu um papel determinante para a melhoria do funcionamento das instalações e da qualidade dos serviços prestados pelo Centro de Medicina de Reabilitação do Sul (CMR-Sul), em São Brás do Alportel. É importante conhecer o funcionamento de todo o processo funcional da instituição CMR-Sul e dos seus equipamentos. Todo este conhecimento adquirido, informação recolhida e constituição de histórico de relevo, ao longo do tempo, foi preponderante para o sucesso do trabalho desenvolvido. As principais atividades que desenvolvo, que conduziram a esta melhoria e que apresento neste relatório são a programação informática e uso do sistema “Primavera Manutenção” para a manutenção preventiva e corretiva, a gestão técnica centralizada, a gestão de stock, a elaboração de orçamentos, análises de água, gestão de resíduos, calibração de equipamentos, inspeções e relatórios de manutenção.
    2017-09-29Master thesis Open access Show more